Crumpler Hoo-jah Gadget Pouch Review

OK, so it is a pretty strange name, but remember that this is Crumpler that we’re talking about.  The Hoo-jah is, in general, is a “gadget pouch”, but this is a digital camera site so that’s what I put in it.  My iPod also fit nicely inside the medium-sized Hoo-jah in two-tone red.

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The Hoo-jah is available in three different sizes and three different colors.  The small Hoo-jah measures 4.3” x 2.64” x 2.24”, the medium measures 4.92” x 3.23” x 1.26”, and the large Hoo-jah is 4.72” x 2.83” x 2.24”.  They’re available in light red/dark red, black/gun metal, and pale blue/light blue.

Features/Construction

The exterior of the Hoo-jah is constructed with a leather-looking soft 1.2mm PVC shell.  A medium-sized zipper with a nice, large Crumpler logo pull keeps everything secure inside the pouch.  There is also a loop on the outside of the pouch to attach a carabiner or lanyard.  Construction quality is excellent, with sturdy stitching and an easy-pulling, but sturdy, zipper.

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On the inside, there is some light foam padding and the entire interior is line with a brushed nylon lining.  On one side of the pouch are two slim pockets that are sized about right for memory media.  On the other side, there is a single pocket that could work for a pair of earbud type headphones.  The interior pockets have elastic openings.

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Impressions

I am definitely impressed with the construction of the Hoo-jah.  The PVC exterior has the look of leather, especially when you see the stitching, but it’s very flexible and would keep out the stray splash of water.  (Just remember that the zipper is not waterproof or even water resistant).

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The medium-size Hoo-jah was the perfect size for the Nikon Coolpix S50c that I’m currently reviewing.  The S50c is an ultra-slim model and you can see how it fits in perfectly.  With the camera inside the pouch, I could even keep an extra battery pack in one of the interior pockets.  This size pouch is also perfect for use with a iPod (the larger kind - non-Shuffle, non-Nano).  I had a silicone skin on my video iPod and was able to just barely get the zipper closed.  Without the skin, the fit is perfect.

While the Hoo-jah does have some light padding inside, it’s not enough to protect from the shock of a drop.  It’s just about the perfect amount of padding to keep your camera (or other device) from getting dinged up in a backpack or purse with the typical items in it (cell phone, keys, compacts, etc).

Where to Buy

You can find the Hoo-jah at Crumpler's web site (www.crumplerbags.com), at Crumpler stores in New York, and at other "specialty retailers". To find those specialty retailers, just head to your favorite search engine and search for the product name.

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Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fashionable case for your ultra-slim digital camera, the Crumpler Hoo-jah is a good option.  Along with the good looks, it’s also a very practical pouch since it’s built well and doesn’t try to do too much.  It won’t provide heavy shock protection for your devices, but will absolutely protect them from the dings and scratches that can occur as things get jostled around in a backpack or purse.