Impact Empty Saddle Sandbag - 18 lb (Orange)

I spent way too much time researching sand bags, and was about to pop on a few 40+ bags to be safe when I thought how ridiculous that would be. So I tried three of the 18 pound Impact bags for my light stands and 1 of the 15 bags for my tripod. My intention was to actually put 15 lbs. of sand in the 18 lb. bags and 10 lbs. in the 15 lb bag. This worked out perfectly and allows the bags to drape a bit on the stand and are not overfilled. As many have noted, use 1 gallon freezer bags to put your sand in to make insertion and removal of the sand a snap. (Suggestion: push out all the air before sealing the freezer bag to facilitate an easier installation.) Another reason I would suggest using the 18 lb. for 15 pounds of sand is that the nylon fabric is a heavier cloth and has a wider webbing handle on the 18 lb. Impact bag, which is not noted in the product description. The 15 lb. bag cloth is lighter weight material, but sufficient for the 10 lbs. of sand I use for hanging from my tripod center post. The quality of the bags appear up to the job, and it takes a bit of coaxing to get the 1 gallon bags with sand in the zipper pockets, so take you time and fold the freezer bag edges over an inch or so to make the job easier. (I figured this out on the last bag!) Initially I was wondering if I was going to need a cable or some other hardware to attach the bags to my Phottix light stands to keep them from sliding down the legs, but the handle is sufficiently ample enough to drape over and down the center column and hang over the bottom legs, making the stands very secure. More expensive bags offer a clip off the end of each handle, but I found that this is not necessary with this bag. My only complaint: The bags come with a removable paper tag attached to the handle proudly proclaiming Made in USA on a background of the stars and stripes. Unfortunately, just below this beautiful tag, is the Impact cloth logo sewn into the top of the empty saddle sandbag in such a ratty manner that it offends the product it is attached to. Why? I was tempted to return the bags just for this reason, they are so offensive in the total disregard for the craftsmanship of the bag itself. Unfortunately these are sewn into the bag cross-stitching as well, or I'd remove it. I still might take them to my tailor and pay a few buck apiece just to have the eyesores removed. Sorry about the rant, but it blows me away. I deducted a star for it. Impact, you make a decent bag but you can do better.

I fill heavy duty plastic freezer bags with 12 pounds sand and slide them into these. These are a must for weighting light stands outdoors, if there is any breeze at all. And, I use them as a safety precaution on light stands indoors. I also use them for weighting the leading edge of seamless background paper, and marking extension cords that are snaking across the studio floor. I have found them handy when trying to counterbalance a large umbrella, or a strobe on a boom arm. The bright orange color is a positive feature. People see them.

These empty sandbags are handy to have in the field because you can carry them empty and fill them with rocks or whatever's available (I recommend putting items in a Ziploc first). The bags have two zippered pockets and each pocket has two zippers for added durability. I like the bright color-- easy to see, so the stand doesn't get tripped over, and so the bags aren't forgotten.