Day backpack for hiker needing quick access

[duncan_murray1]

<p>Hi all,<br>

The problem with most bags is that they assume I want to carry an SLR with a 70-200 lens, and seemingly, 3 others, and a flash! What I want is a proper day-rucksack which is comfortable to wear for all-day walking, carries enough supplies to do this (water, food, jacket + fleece), and carries my F6 with it's 50/1.4 + an extra lens (35/2) in an easily accessible compartment. Does anyone know if this exists?!!</p>

<p>Also, if it doesn't scream 'I am carrying a ton of camera equipment' that would also be nice.</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

<p>Duncan.</p>

[parv]

At the risk of being OT, if you know of bags other than Lowepro Fastpack 250 (rest of bags in the series don't count), which carry too much gear than you care, please do share.

[bob_champoux]

<p>I'm not a fan of most of the Lowepro products, I do have their Rover AW II and I really like after many years of use.</p>

<p>Similar to you, most packs are not well thought out that there are no provisions to carry necessities like water and clothing, which is just incredulous! And, many are incredibly heavy and poorly designed that make them uncomfortable to wear. I sold off all of my other Lowepro products for these reasons.<br>

But, the Rover is great! It's lightweight, easy to carry and has the separate top compartment that can hold clothing, water and food. The easy access bottom is geared to carry a camera and a couple of lenses so, it may be bigger than what you're looking for. Or, you can carry other stuff besides camera gear in the lower compartment. Or, you could could carry nothing at all other than the camera and lens. The surrounding foam keeps it rigid enough that it won't collapse if it's not full. Another feature is the ability to set the pack down on it's bottom, unzip the bottom compartment and easily access camera gear without having to pull a whole bunch of stuff out first or lay the pack down with the front of it or the shoulder straps and hip belt in the dirt where dirt then gets in all the zippers or all over you when you put the pack back on. It's obvious that camera pack designers never use these things or, at least, never use them off pavement.</p>

<p>As parv mentioned, the Fastpack series looks like they may be the ticket.</p>

<p>Another line to look at are the Mountainsmith offerings. While this company also gets too focused on bells and whistles, they do understand that comfort and weight are critical components. When traveling light, I use one of their bum bags which is perfect for just the camera and lens (but no clothing or water).</p>

<p>Before you decide, try to find a place that carries them, bring your gear that you would typically carry, load each pack up and wear it for awhile around the store. I, unfortunately, don't have a local store so, I narrow the list down, purchase the bags I'm interested in, keep the tags on them and wear them around inside for a couple of days before returning all but the best one.</p>

<p>Also, wait a few days and see if Maury drops in with a few thoughts on the Fastpack line or other Lowepro products that may work.</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

[john_demott]

<p>I've about given up on camera-specific backpacks. Some of them are very well made and clever designs, but in general they seem too heavy and too fussy, with not enough room for non-photo gear...not to mention being too expensive. Among other bags, I have a giant LowePro bag that is big enough to carry an entire studio (or at least it feels that way). It also has enough foam padding to protect the camera gear against mishaps that would surely kill the photographer. But big as it is, it doesn't really accommodate hiking gear.</p>

<p>For the past couple years I've been using a Kelty Redwing backpack. It is very roomy, comfortable, lightweight for its size, and costs $100. It has a huge main compartment, three large pockets and one small pocket, plus two mesh pockets and various attachment points. Fleece, raingear, lunch, etc. go into the main bag first. Camera body with most the frequently used lens goes on top of the other gear inside a stuff sack that provides protection against bumps, scratches, dust and moisture. Additional lens, filters, spare batteries, etc., go in one or more of the pockets, also in stuff sacks or cases. A tripod easily attaches with the feet resting in one of the side mesh pockets and an adjustable side strap that is part of the pack. That still leaves a couple side pockets for gloves, map, sunscreen, etc. and another mesh pocket for a water bottle that can be reached while walking.</p>

<p>When I plan to walk and shoot a lot (rather than hike), and I want to access the camera and lenses all the time without stopping to take off my pack, I use a photographers vest and a small day pack.</p>

[duncan_murray1]

<p>Thanks for the replies.</p>

<p>I feel like I should go about designing my own backpack!</p>

<p>I have this daysack:<br>

<a href="http://www.blacks.co.uk/rucksacks/daysacks/product/094307.html">http://www.blacks.co.uk/rucksacks/daysacks/product/094307.html</a><br>

If I could just take the side-access part of the fast-pack 250, and stick it in this backpack, it would be perfect!</p>

<p>Just noticed this on the fast-pack 250 - a consumer review:<br>

"The description and specs of this pack truly downplay the capabilities of this bag. Mine holds a camera body, a short, medium, long lenses; a mirrored 500mm lens, flash unit; filters; memory cards; aircard; 15" notebook computer; and a mess of cables."</p>

<p>I've had a look at the fast-pack 250, but the top compartment is just too small. No way I could stuff a coat into that.</p>

<p>For a moment I thought the primus AW was the one I needed, a combination of a large compartment, with easy access to the camera. However, the side-entry port doesn't look big enough for an F6 sadly!</p>

<p>Will continue to keep eyes peeled, I guess...</p>

[dave_s]

<p>I'd suggest you pretty much have to shop in person, not over the web. Show up with your camera and your stuff, and try out two or three packs.</p>

<p>I had a quick look at the Berghaus site (since you're in the UK), and I wonder if something like <a href="http://store.berghaus.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product8_11201_10252_4-61495_-1_Equipment%5EPacks%5EDay+Sacs_Equipment_">this</a> might work. (Refresh the page if it doesn't load fully the first time.) It looks like it has a big zipper across the back that would give you access, and you could add some padding or a smaller case inside if you had to.</p>

<p>I've been impressed by Berghaus. I had one of their big Cyclops packs for over 20 years, that they repaired at no charge a couple of times, but I don't know if they'd still do that!</p>

[victor_shum]

<p>Hi,<br>

I might be getting the Clik Elite Obscura. It's quick access from the side and it has a pouch inside for more lenses. This might be what you're looking for.<br>

www.clikelite.com</p>

[User_2000406]

<p>Another choice is to wear a daypack for hiking gear and have a separate camera bag. The Tamrac Velocity series slingpacks are low profile (relatively flat), ride well on the body unlike bulkier bags, and allow faster and easier access to gear than does a backpack. Try the 6X or 7X to see which better fits your gear.</p>

<p>For many years I carried my camera and lens in a Zing case while backpacking, with extra lenses in a modestly-sized beltpack mounted on my pack's belt. It was cumbersome putting on and taking off, but worked well while the pack was on. The main problem was the too-thin camera strap digging into my shoulder, which I could have remedied with a broader strap had I been aware of the option.</p>

[bjscharp]

<p>What you're looking for is a normal (non-photography) backpack/daypack, with a <a href="http://chestpack.nl/en-index.php">Chestpack</a> on the front.</p>

 

<p>It fits a camera with even a medium-sized lens perfectly (My EOS 30 with 17-40mm fitted fine, which is bigger than an F6 with a 50mm), is reachable without taking off the pack, and if the backpack you're wearing is well-adjusted, you hardly know it's there.</p>

 

<p>I've used mine both with normal backpacks, when I only carried one lens, and with photography backpacks, for when I carried more, but wanted the camera quickly accessible.</p>

 

<p>Highly recommended.</p>

[john_demott]

<p>B.J.,<br>

The Chestpack looks pretty nice. Where did you buy yours? Is the Chestpack moisture-proof? I'd be concerned that having it right next to my body, it could get pretty wet with perspiration which wouldn't be good for a camera.</p>

<p> </p>

[davidstormphotography]

<p>I thought that the primus AW got discontinued...which sucks, cause it seems like a decent bag.</p>

[bjscharp]

It's moisture proof in the same way most backpacks are: I wouldn't dunk it into the water, but rain (or sweat) aren't a problem. (And sweat isn't really a problem anyway, it isn't pulled tight to your body)

 

I got mine from an outdoor store here in the Netherlands, best you can do though is send an email to the company, (see Warranty & Ordering on their website), they can tell you if any store in your vincinity carries them, or you can probably order straight from them.

[duncan_murray1]

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. There are two times I realised that I wasn't wearing the right gear. The first time was walking on steep rubble, and discovering my single-shoulder Lowepro camera pack (stealth AW), while very easily accessible, was swinging around and sentiently making determined attempts to throw me off this...<br>

<img src="http://www.duncandheff.com/Photo/42680035a.JPG" alt="" width="800" height="1206" /><br>

The second time was when I'd set off early in the morning, in the cold, with fleece and shell jacket, but it had become quite hot by the time we were nearing the peak. There was a particularly difficult section that needed crossing, and I realised that trying to cross it with my huge jacket wrapped around my waist would be pretty stupid! (no photo I'm afraid...) Of course it wouldn't fit in the camera bag...</p>

<p>I've had a good look at all the suggestions - thanks! It seems that the backpacks suggested have quite tricky access to the camera, which would be a problem (when it's cold, steep and unfriendly, stopping to get your backpack off and retrieve your camera suddenly seems idiotic).</p>

<p>I really like the look of the chestpack, though. That way I could still keep my day rucksack, and yet have easy access to the camera. My only question is - would it put too much weight on one shoulder (yes, the F6 gives me a sore shoulder after just a few hours of carrying it).</p>

<p>D</p>

[pratyush_lal1]

<p>I've been using a Portare' bag for about a year and a half now. I love this bag. Its non assuming, rugged, fully customizable and actually looks pretty good too. <strong>www.portarebags.com</strong><br>

Best of all, its got a rain cover, which has saved me more than once. there is a laptop compartment, which makes traveling easy.<br>

Sometimes when I'm not using ALL my gear, I just remove the compartments, and carry a jacket, food, whatever... <br>

And while tamrac and Lowpros cost like $200+,.. this bag only set me back $100 including shipping from Amazon.<br>

Here's the link: <strong>http://tinyurl.com/2cgdynx</strong><br>

There's an orange bag too !</p>