New Lowepro Trekker (AW II) backpacks: an improvement?

[leighperry]

Does anyone have any experience of the reworked Lowepro Trekker (AW

II) range? Is the new internal frame "improved harness system" a

significant improvement over the old backbreakers?

<p>

Some links:

<p>

Super Trekker AW II (<a

href="http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/supertr.htm">http:/

/www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/supertr.htm</a>)

<br>

Pro Trekker AW II (<a

href="http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/protr.htm">http://w

ww.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/protr.htm</a>)

<br>

Photo Trekker AW (<a

href="http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/phototr.htm">http:/

/www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/phototr.htm</a>)

<p>

Thanks.

[david_lazarus]

I ordered one, Ill let you know.

[lars ake vinberg]

I'm getting a new Super Trekker II next week, will comment later.

[maury_cohen]

Just to clarify...

The "internal frame" feature of the Pro And Super Trekker AW II models is not a change from the previous models. What has changed is the system for adjusting the torso length setting. This change covers all four models of the new AW II Series. The Nature and Photo Trekker AW II's gained a significant amount of padding in the belt and harness, putting those areas more on par with those on the Pro and Super Trekkers. Other improvements entail many added SlipLock attachemnt points, new water-resistant YKK zippers, and the inclusion of the Trekker DayPack with all Trekker AW II's. This added "piggyback" pack was previously a separate accessory.

 

Maury Cohen, Product Specialist - Lowepro USA

[lars ake vinberg]

I have now loaded up my Super Trekker AW II and used it over the weeked for hikes up to two miles. My entire 8x10 gear, as well as the 6x9 cm gear, went inte the Super Trekker, loaded weight with tripod is 26.5 kgs (about sixty pounds).

 

While I have not used the previous version of the Super Trekker (which means I am not actually answering the original poster's question here), I can say that I really like this backpack. The harness is close to top notch. When I first saw the waistband I thought it might be a bit on the soft side, but that turned out not to be a problem, at least not yet. Balance is great both uphill and downhill, the load can be pulled tightly to the back. All harness straps are easily adjusted while wearing the pack.

 

My one gripe is the two pockets supplied (one "lens pocket" and one "accessory pocket"). The zipper opens along the side so that when the pack is lying down on the ground, harness down, and the zipper is opened, things fall out of the pockets. I would have liked a solution with the zipper facing up when the pack is lying down. That would mean that the packets would be asymmetrical, though, and likely more costly to manufacture (a left-side and a right-side version).

 

I have no opinion on the supplied daypack except it is too small for my needs. It would have been nice if there were attachment points on the front of the shoulder straps of the main pack for attaching the daypack. There are Sliplock attachment points, but no hooks for the daypack or similar.

 

Compared to my previous 8x10 pack, the Super Tracker is a vast improvement. It has more capacity, feels lighter, is better built. It is too large for "just" an 8x10 and three lenses, but I want to bring my 6x9 gear as well. If the Photo Trekker and Pro Trekker are as well built then they should be perfect packs for 4x5 up to 8x10.

[wayne_galbraith]

Hi Ake,

 

Just new to the Photo-net, but have been doing a fair bit of 4x5 work in the field with 60-ish Calumet grey monorail. However, got a steal on a superb Cambo 4x5 monorail that, although heavy, I want to take out to the field. I'm a big guy used to brutal hikes in the Rockies, so I am not worried about the weight penalty. I wanted hear more about how you are using your Lowepro SuperTrekker AWII for both and 8x10 and 6x9 (as I recall). What are the dimensions of those cameras (and your lenses) as I have been eying the Lowepro SuperTrekker AWII also. I have to come up with something to replace the horrible big box I am lugging around now.

 

Cheers!