Billingham canvas vs. fibrenyte

[Out to Lunch]

So far I've only used Billingham's canvas bags. I've seen a good deal on a fibrenyte bag: I know it's a little lighter but is it as durable as canvas? Thanks for your feedback. Peter

 

[back alley]

So far I've only used Billingham's canvas bags. I've seen a good deal on a fibrenyte bag: I know it's a little lighter but is it as durable as canvas? Thanks for your feedback. Peter

i never kept my billinghams for very long so cannot speak to longevity but they seemed pretty rugged, held their shape quite nicely.
i could not get along with the strap closure system...could never open/close with one hand...

 

[KismetSky]

The fibernyte material actually feels a bit coarser than the broken in canvas (think smaller but more pronounced weave versus smoother larger weave). It holds up very well and shows little wear after a year of constant use. The canvas on the other hand gets lighter in color and an almost burnished finish on the corners. I like and prefer the fibernyte.

 

[pechelman]

i havent owned my bags long enough to comment on wear, or maybe I have, and they still look new. The fibernyte bag I bought used (unknown how long\much) and it still looks great.

i agree that the fibernyte feels more coarse, perfect description about thickness of the weave. Another would be to compare to the difference between a low thread count sheet vs a high one. I'll also say that I think the canvass is a bit more supple because of that, so the bag is more willing to conform to shoving in extra gear, but less likely to hold its shape. Also the lid feels more floppy compared to fibernyte, which can get annoying when you want it to stay open. Unsure if the smoother canvass might be more friendly to clothes, but I've had no issue with pilling or anything yet.

the canvass to me also seems to attract more dust, lint, and dirt, though my canvass bag is black and fibernyte is sage, so maybe it's just the color difference.

 

[Godfrey]

So far I've only used Billingham's canvas bags. I've seen a good deal on a fibrenyte bag: I know it's a little lighter but is it as durable as canvas? Thanks for your feedback. Peter

I've had a couple of Billingham bags. The L2 I've had since 2003 and been using all this time for many different kits is black canvas, and after all this time still looks as if I received it yesterday. I've not seen the fibrenyte version.

G

 

[Chuck Albertson]

I have had a canvas Hadley for about 25 years, and it wears like iron. It looks like it's aged a bit, but still keeps the gear dry. I've had a 307 (larger bag with FibreNyte) for about 4 years. It's had a lot of use on the road and still looks brand new, and the FibreNyte is equally waterproof.

 

[Ned Bojic]

Canvas all the way.
But I'm a die-hard lover of genuine things. My jeans are canvas, not fibernyte, not some sort of fancy "cottonyte". My Black Paint cameras are brassed. And I shake my films when developing.
I dislike the feel of fybernyte. But in strictly practical terms, it's probably more durable, just as a crashed plane's remnants are durable.

 

[benji77]

I much prefer the canvas. I have 4 Billingham's, of which only one is the fybernyte (F1.4/Tan). It lost its colour in about a year. while my other black/canvas are still going strong. The canvas ages much better (personally), and it feels much more comfortable than the fybernytes.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Background: I am often flying on short distance turbo prop planes. These have small overhead storage and wheelies need to be checked-in as unaccompanied luggage. So I am looking for a larger bag which will hold a camera and a few lenses, a laptop and a set of clothes. The Billingham 445 fits the bill. My initial search showed BH selling a canvas 445 for $498 and Amazon.de a fibernyte version of the same bag for $ 382. Some further digging on Amazon.de revealed a canvas 445 for the equivalent of $ 412 and so I'll get the canvas version. I am familiar with the canvas versions and I am willing to pay the difference. Thanks for your feedback! Best, Peter

 

[bonatto]

Obviously get what you're gonna be happy with, but on camera-bags I've been looking for weight savings / protection. The fibernyte on a hadley is great in green. The canvas on a smaller one, has worn nicely, though because it is black, the burnished edges show. Lighter canvases, less so (but they do get dirty). As always, camera bags are this nightmarish tradeoff thing. Find one that works for your gear and get on with it. If that fails, get lots of bags. 🙂

I've never had a fogg, but the billinghams are gold standard. A proper bag at affordable price. The domkes are like jeeps.

 

[wintoid]

I've used a Billingham Hadley original in black every day for 10 years. It's seriously worn now, with holes at the corners of the top. I love this bag, and don't really want to have to replace it with a Hadley Pro (which is the only one that is the same size now).

Can anyone guide me as to how I can tell whether what I have is canvas or fibernyte?

 

[Monz]

I have had a black Hadley Pro in Fibrenyte for about 4 years. Great bag. Still looks new. I also recently bought a secondhand black Billingham "Basic" bag in canvas... looks old and knackered but still functional. Overall, I'd recommend Fibrenyte.

 

[Monz]

Thanks

I've used a Billingham Hadley original in black every day for 10 years. It's seriously worn now, with holes at the corners of the top. I love this bag, and don't really want to have to replace it with a Hadley Pro (which is the only one that is the same size now).

Can anyone guide me as to how I can tell whether what I have is canvas or fibernyte?

Hi Simon. I just checked my Hadley pro. Inside one of the front pockets, there is a label saying "Fibrenyte." Check your bag.
Monz

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

This is something I've been pondering for a while as well, as I'd like to replace my Domke F10 with a Hadley Small when it finally wears out...

Does anyone have any photos of a Fibernyte bag that's seen solid use for a few years? I like to wear things in, so I don't really see a bag looking 'new' after 5 years as a positive...

I've never had a fogg, but the billinghams are gold standard. A proper bag at affordable price. The domkes are like jeeps.

What are Jeeps like?

 

[wintoid]

Thanks

Hi Simon. I just checked my Hadley pro. Inside one of the front pockets, there is a label saying "Fibrenyte." Check your bag.
Monz

Thanks Monz, I checked mine and it just says Hadley BLK/BLK, so I reckon it must be canvas. I've loved this bag, and in fact it's more like 12 years I've had it, but I'm disappointed to be wearing through the corners. Perhaps I need to go and feel some fibernyte.

Apologies to the OP for thread-stealing, briefly.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Just bought a 445 and I wanted to try fibrenyte, but Red Dot only had the canvas versions in stock. Guess I'll give it a go when this bag is up for replacement.. so some time around 2040.

 

[Ben Z]

I have numerous Billinghams in canvas, plus one Hadley in full leather, and another in Fibernyte. All of them seem impervious to whatever wear I subject them to. The Fibernyte feels rougher to the touch, and unlike some ballistic nylon bags, they don't have a smoother nylon panel on the back, so I question about abrasion to my clothing.

I would probably think twice about using the Fibernyte if I was wearing an expensive suit...however I don't own one. I think possibly all the clothes I own don't add up to the cost of one Billingham bag 😀

 

[Trius]

... What are Jeeps like?

"Real" Jeeps as in Wylis? Noisy, rough riding - durable and fun.

I like my 802 and F6 a lot. My F5XB hardly gets used. Zippers for the main opening of a bag are stupid, IMO.

Sorry for the OT 😏

 

[Ben Z]

Zippers for the main opening of a bag are stupid, IMO.

I'm sure pickpockets agree 😉

And one time at airport security, after poking around in my Billingham Alice, the screener decided it needed a second pass through x-ray and proceeded to carry it 20 ft back to the conveyor dangling it by the strap at a rakish angle with one press-stud unfastened. By sheer luck my lenses and bodies didn't fall out onto the tile floor.

When traveling I will gladly accept the mild inconvenience of a zipper.

 

[Trius]

I'm sure pickpockets agree 😉 And one time at airport security, after poking around in my Billingham Alice, the screener decided it needed a second pass through x-ray and proceeded to carry it 20 ft back to the conveyor dangling it by the strap at a rakish angle with one press-stud unfastened. By sheer luck my lenses and bodies didn't fall out onto the tile floor. When traveling I will gladly accept the mild inconvenience of a zipper.

Bah - flying sux!!! TBH, unless I am shooting both clasps on my F6 are latched. I still hate zippers no matter what.