Hiking daypack photography backpack?

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive.

My requirements are:

• Carry on for airlines (in US)
• Hydration bladder pocket (with hole for drainage if it bursts) or a water bottle pocket
• Hold a laptop
• Room for a mirrorless camera and a few lenses (A7RIII, Tamron 17-28, Tamron 28-200, and a small Sigma 28)
• Ability to strap a tripod on
• Solid hip support
• Load adjusters
• Back support and comfort - this is key. I HATE how hot it gets using the Boundary backpack or my current LowePro.
• Room to store a fleece/lightweight jacket and hat/gloves and some snacks
• Ideally also able to strap hiking poles in addition to tripod

I don't care as much about side/back panel access, but I do like the idea of not having front access - if the ground is dirty, i'd rather the front rather than back rest on the ground so I don't have a muddy backpack against my back.

I do have a Cotton Carrier Strapshot that I use, but I am still worried with the hiking bags that either I have to put my gear on top, which causes weirdness with weight distribution, or spend too much time rummaging around to get at my gear.

From a photography backpack perspective, I'd been looking at:

• Mindshift Rotation Horizon - Looks ok, though I would probably need an insert for some lenses in the top pocket.
• F-Stop Loka UL - Looks interesting, but not sure how much I can actually store in this. The lightweight part is great, but does it come at the cost of protection?
• Thule Aspect - Doesn't seem great for hiking, but may store what I need.
• F-Stop Tilopa - Probably slightly too big for carry on, but have heard some good things. Was told the Ajna was terrible for back airflow
• LowePro Pro Runner BP 350 AWii (what a mouthful)
• Shimoda ActionX 30 - Not sure how comfortable it looks

For hiking backpacks, I was looking at the following:

• Gregory Zulu 40 - I really like the TMP back, and seems I can put in an ICU without much of a fuss.
• Osprey Atmos 50 - Seems like it can fit everything I would need and compress enough I can take it on an airplane
• Mammut Trion Pro 35+7
• Mammut Trion Pro 50+ - if this can get on a plane that would be great
• Osprey Kamber 32

Does anyone have experience with the above bags that can provide some input on how comfortable it was and how easy to access gear?

Osprey are very comfortable packs because of the nice shoulder straps and mesh back. They are also very light. I have a Talon 22, a Levity 45, an older EXOS 46, and a new EXOS 58.

Because Osprey packs are lightweight, I don't expect as much durability, but even the EXOS 58 was only about $200 and is very light for it's size. All of my Osprey packs have a pocket on the side and at the back where I might keep a stove, water pump, perhaps a fuel bottle, a water storage bag, and a liter water bottle. When I carry a tripod, which is not often with m4/3, The foot fits into the side pocket and then you strap the top. But the straps and body material are very light and so, while this works with a 2-1/2 pound tripod, I think with a heavy 4-5 pound tripod there would be too much play because of the materials. The tripod would slap around.

How large a pack to carry is dependent obviously on whether you backpack; but also on the amount and bulk of camera gear and the time of year. For any kind of self sufficiency in cold or poor weather you need a lot more clothing (which is bulky). I think the 45 or 46 are minimal in size in fall or when the weather is otherwise questionable.

In reality, though, when a pack is as light as the EXOS 58, it hardly makes any difference in carrying a pack that is larger than you might really need on any one trip. But, for me, 45 or 46 is fine for day trips (like today). There is really no need with Osprey to try to get or use the very smallest pack you can possibly fit.

I use the Talon 22 when carrying just a single zoom or for exercise hikes where I carry no camera gear at all. With a camera, it would not be possible to fit much cold weather gear.

Pendraggon87 said:

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive
Back support and comfort - this is key.

Click to expand...

It really seems like almost all of your criteria is on comfort, so I probably would be asking hikers on hiking websites instead of photographers. You're not carrying 3 bodies and 12 lenses and photo backpack are notoriously lacking in comfort since their primary design is cramming the most gear and making access easy.

2-6 hours is a very light water requirement unless you're in extremely hot desert environments all the time. I've never understood the appeal of 'camel back' type hydro systems, being attracted to being able to drink like a hamster while ignoring all the downsides to them. They take up too much of your pack's room, can be troublesome, awkward, potentially leak etc.. I'd instead focus on two water bottles, which also puts their weight down on your waist taking more pressure off the shoulders.

Sticks and tripods --- this is where ingenuity, carabiners and velcro straps come into play and where technical packs come into their own.

Carrying two zooms that cover 28mm and a separate 28mm would be very questionable to me.If you drop the 28mm all you're carrying is 1 additional zoom lens in the pack as the camera with 1 zoom on it would likely not be in the pack for most people as they are going to usually want to shoot a few pics along the hike and not just unpack everything at the turnaround shooting location and stick it back in the pack, but everybody is different.

You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?

.--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

mfinley said:

Pendraggon87 said:

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive
Back support and comfort - this is key.

Click to expand...

It really seems like almost all of your criteria is on comfort, so I probably would be asking hikers on hiking websites instead of photographers. You're not carrying 3 bodies and 12 lenses and photo backpack are notoriously lacking in comfort since their primary design is cramming the most gear and making access easy.

2-6 hours is a very light water requirement unless you're in extremely hot desert environments all the time. I've never understood the appeal of 'camel back' type hydro systems, being attracted to being able to drink like a hamster while ignoring all the downsides to them. They take up too much of your pack's room, can be troublesome, awkward, potentially leak etc.. I'd instead focus on two water bottles, which also puts their weight down on your waist taking more pressure off the shoulders.

Sticks and tripods --- this is where ingenuity, carabiners and velcro straps come into play and where technical packs come into their own.

Carrying two zooms that cover 28mm and a separate 28mm would be very questionable to me.If you drop the 28mm all you're carrying is 1 additional zoom lens in the pack as the camera with 1 zoom on it would likely not be in the pack for most people as they are going to usually want to shoot a few pics along the hike and not just unpack everything at the turnaround shooting location and stick it back in the pack, but everybody is different.

You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?

.--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

Click to expand...

"You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?"

Often times when I am traveling just going on the plain and traveling a bit around town I'll have my laptop with me - I will usually leave it in my room when going on a hike, but I want to be able to transport it with me rather than chuck it in checked luggage or bring another laptop bag in addition to the bag with the photography gear.

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Pendraggon87 said:

Often times when I am traveling just going on the plain and traveling a bit around town I'll have my laptop with me - I will usually leave it in my room when going on a hike, but I want to be able to transport it with me rather than chuck it in checked luggage or bring another laptop bag in addition to the bag with the photography gear.

Click to expand...

I can't see any reason you would have the same things in your bag when you hike compared to when you are boarding a plane, you should have no problem having plenty of extra room for a lap top in the pack on a plane.

Pendraggon87 said:

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Click to expand...

No experience with camelbacks? Water weighs the same no matter what you carry it in. The weight would be practically the same unless you plan on carrying heavy glass mason jars for water bottles.

--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

mfinley said:

mfinley said:

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Click to expand...

No experience with camelbacks? Water weighs the same no matter what you carry it in. The weight would be practically the same unless you plan on carrying heavy glass mason jars for water bottles.

Click to expand...

For hiking in super-hot weather, I have a few high-quality insulated bottles that do add quite a bit to water weight. However they are well-worth the extra ounces. Nothing like a swig of very cool water in such conditions, especially if you're like that completely dehydrated and lost hiker I once spotted in the middle of nowhere (I had gone to a tricky ledge to get the pics I wanted and there he was down at the bottom of the canyon, sprawled on the ground and not exactly looking alive...)

TLDR

Pendraggon87 said:

mfinley said:

Pendraggon87 said:

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive
Back support and comfort - this is key.

Click to expand...

It really seems like almost all of your criteria is on comfort, so I probably would be asking hikers on hiking websites instead of photographers. You're not carrying 3 bodies and 12 lenses and photo backpack are notoriously lacking in comfort since their primary design is cramming the most gear and making access easy.

2-6 hours is a very light water requirement unless you're in extremely hot desert environments all the time. I've never understood the appeal of 'camel back' type hydro systems, being attracted to being able to drink like a hamster while ignoring all the downsides to them. They take up too much of your pack's room, can be troublesome, awkward, potentially leak etc.. I'd instead focus on two water bottles, which also puts their weight down on your waist taking more pressure off the shoulders.

Sticks and tripods --- this is where ingenuity, carabiners and velcro straps come into play and where technical packs come into their own.

Carrying two zooms that cover 28mm and a separate 28mm would be very questionable to me.If you drop the 28mm all you're carrying is 1 additional zoom lens in the pack as the camera with 1 zoom on it would likely not be in the pack for most people as they are going to usually want to shoot a few pics along the hike and not just unpack everything at the turnaround shooting location and stick it back in the pack, but everybody is different.

You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?

.--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

Click to expand...

"You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?"

Often times when I am traveling just going on the plain and traveling a bit around town I'll have my laptop with me - I will usually leave it in my room when going on a hike, but I want to be able to transport it with me rather than chuck it in checked luggage or bring another laptop bag in addition to the bag with the photography gear.

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Click to expand...

The only advantage of a hydration bag is that you are more likely to drink more often and can avoid dehydration and it's effects. But what I do is just drink about 1/2 liter at the TH and then stop periodically and drink perhaps 1/4 bottle at each stop.

While I sometimes carry two water bottles, I would rarely carry more than one full bottle except going to a waterless camp on a high ridge. I would instead use a pump or treatment (or not) and drink when water is available. On many hikes with water availability along the trail I might just carry 1/2 liter of water. But then, I hike mostly in the mountains of the West, and water is most often quite available.

Clothing and it's bulk and perhaps food and camera gear are much bigger concerns for bulk in a pack.

Gary from Seattle said:

Pendraggon87 said:

mfinley said:

Pendraggon87 said:

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive
Back support and comfort - this is key.

Click to expand...

It really seems like almost all of your criteria is on comfort, so I probably would be asking hikers on hiking websites instead of photographers. You're not carrying 3 bodies and 12 lenses and photo backpack are notoriously lacking in comfort since their primary design is cramming the most gear and making access easy.

2-6 hours is a very light water requirement unless you're in extremely hot desert environments all the time. I've never understood the appeal of 'camel back' type hydro systems, being attracted to being able to drink like a hamster while ignoring all the downsides to them. They take up too much of your pack's room, can be troublesome, awkward, potentially leak etc.. I'd instead focus on two water bottles, which also puts their weight down on your waist taking more pressure off the shoulders.

Sticks and tripods --- this is where ingenuity, carabiners and velcro straps come into play and where technical packs come into their own.

Carrying two zooms that cover 28mm and a separate 28mm would be very questionable to me.If you drop the 28mm all you're carrying is 1 additional zoom lens in the pack as the camera with 1 zoom on it would likely not be in the pack for most people as they are going to usually want to shoot a few pics along the hike and not just unpack everything at the turnaround shooting location and stick it back in the pack, but everybody is different.

You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?

.--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

Click to expand...

"You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?"

Often times when I am traveling just going on the plain and traveling a bit around town I'll have my laptop with me - I will usually leave it in my room when going on a hike, but I want to be able to transport it with me rather than chuck it in checked luggage or bring another laptop bag in addition to the bag with the photography gear.

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Click to expand...

The only advantage of a hydration bag is that you are more likely to drink more often and can avoid dehydration and it's effects. But what I do is just drink about 1/2 liter at the TH and then stop periodically and drink perhaps 1/4 bottle at each stop.

While I sometimes carry two water bottles, I would rarely carry more than one full bottle except going to a waterless camp on a high ridge. I would instead use a pump or treatment (or not) and drink when water is available. On many hikes with water availability along the trail I might just carry 1/2 liter of water. But then, I hike mostly in the mountains of the West, and water is most often quite available.

Clothing and it's bulk and perhaps food and camera gear are much bigger concerns for bulk in a pack.

Click to expand...

Do you have a preferred pack when you are hiking? The fstop bags look nice, but are ridiculously pricey especially as my hikes are usually only 2-6 hours usually. What do you think of their Loka UL or just using a gregory zulu with an ICU?

It’s not on your list, but I’m quite happy with the Lowepro Photo Sport 200 I recently bought. I’ve only been on a few hikes with it - between 6 and 9 miles in 75-80 degree weather - but it’s been really comfortable. I run hot and I’d say it’s decently breathable. The hip belt is good and it’s easy to adjust.

It has a plenty of space for everything you’ll want to carry on a hike - it has loops for trekking poles, a side pocket for a tripod, and a pocket for a water bladder, and plenty of internal space plus an external stretch mesh pocket for clothes, food for the day, first aid, etc.

The only thing it might not accommodate is the laptop. Anything bigger than a 13” MacBook Pro in a thin sleeve won’t fit (and even that’s a bit awkward of a fit because of how narrow the bag is). Something the size of an 11” iPad Pro, though, fits in the hydration sleeve.

Lowepro makes a Photo Sport 300 that should work for bigger laptops, though.. It’s substantially bigger than the 200, but should still be carry-on size.

Pendraggon87 said:

Gary from Seattle said:

Pendraggon87 said:

mfinley said:

Pendraggon87 said:

I've been scouring the forums, going crazy writing down all the possible backpacks out there, both photo and hiking specific! Was hoping someone can help me narrow this down. I currently have an old LowPro Video Pack 250 AW and the Boundary backpack. The Boundary is supremely uncomfortable, but I liked how much I can fit in there, and the LowePro has seen better days and is awful in hot weather. When hiking it's really only for 2-6 hours usually so not very intensive
Back support and comfort - this is key.

Click to expand...

It really seems like almost all of your criteria is on comfort, so I probably would be asking hikers on hiking websites instead of photographers. You're not carrying 3 bodies and 12 lenses and photo backpack are notoriously lacking in comfort since their primary design is cramming the most gear and making access easy.

2-6 hours is a very light water requirement unless you're in extremely hot desert environments all the time. I've never understood the appeal of 'camel back' type hydro systems, being attracted to being able to drink like a hamster while ignoring all the downsides to them. They take up too much of your pack's room, can be troublesome, awkward, potentially leak etc.. I'd instead focus on two water bottles, which also puts their weight down on your waist taking more pressure off the shoulders.

Sticks and tripods --- this is where ingenuity, carabiners and velcro straps come into play and where technical packs come into their own.

Carrying two zooms that cover 28mm and a separate 28mm would be very questionable to me.If you drop the 28mm all you're carrying is 1 additional zoom lens in the pack as the camera with 1 zoom on it would likely not be in the pack for most people as they are going to usually want to shoot a few pics along the hike and not just unpack everything at the turnaround shooting location and stick it back in the pack, but everybody is different.

You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?

.--
Thanks,
Mike
https://www.instagram.com/mikefinleyco/

Click to expand...

"You are really carrying a laptop with you for day use?"

Often times when I am traveling just going on the plain and traveling a bit around town I'll have my laptop with me - I will usually leave it in my room when going on a hike, but I want to be able to transport it with me rather than chuck it in checked luggage or bring another laptop bag in addition to the bag with the photography gear.

The hydration pack honestly was just because I thought it might save on weight or room - I definitely prefer bottles.

Click to expand...

The only advantage of a hydration bag is that you are more likely to drink more often and can avoid dehydration and it's effects. But what I do is just drink about 1/2 liter at the TH and then stop periodically and drink perhaps 1/4 bottle at each stop.

While I sometimes carry two water bottles, I would rarely carry more than one full bottle except going to a waterless camp on a high ridge. I would instead use a pump or treatment (or not) and drink when water is available. On many hikes with water availability along the trail I might just carry 1/2 liter of water. But then, I hike mostly in the mountains of the West, and water is most often quite available.

Clothing and it's bulk and perhaps food and camera gear are much bigger concerns for bulk in a pack.

Click to expand...

Do you have a preferred pack when you are hiking? The fstop bags look nice, but are ridiculously pricey especially as my hikes are usually only 2-6 hours usually. What do you think of their Loka UL or just using a gregory zulu with an ICU?

Click to expand...

In my previous post I mentioned 4 Osprey packs I might use. I also have packs by Trango, LaFume, Dana, McHale, Boreale, and a large custom Mark Hutson pack. The Osprey packs are the most comfortable and lightest I've used. They all have reasonable structure (not just a bag of fabric, but good shoulder straps and waist straps). Which pack of the 4 I might use is just dependent on the gear, food, and clothing I think I need on a particular trip. The Talon 22 is much too small with much clothing or more than just a camera and single lens. I have used the EXOS 46 for at least ten years and it is getting pretty beat up. The newer Levity 45 is the right size for me with any extra camera gear or warm or wet weather clothing. It is OK for a 2-1/2 pound tripod. The EXOS 58 works well for 2-3 day trips but is still very light. It is a bit more substantial in structure than the other Ospreys I own. I believe the EXOS 48 is still available.

I hike a lot and do both moderate day hikes and very long ones with a lot of vertical, and have hiked since the early 1970's and have also alpine climbed and backcountry skied a great deal. I firmly believe that a pack should be top loaded with a significant opening. I would not trust a zippered main body. Most recently I hiked on the 20th, 22nd, 26th, 29th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and carried at least one zoom lens on each hike. Two were desert, the rest were mountain hikes.

Of modern packs I know only the Osprey line, but have also in the past owned Lowe, Kelty, Millet, etc. and have two Lowe Toploader camera bags. Look for a reasonable size, but not so that everything is necessarily tightly stuffed. Look for an external pocket that will hold securely a water bottle as a minimum, and if you will carry a tripod, be sure the pack will handle it. A top pocket of reasonable size is very important. I prefer also a separate, secure key and wallet pocket or one can safely secure those in a camera bag. I don't carry a tripod on day hikes unless I intend to shoot macro with m4/3. The mesh back and support system of all of the Osprey packs is very comfortable. Don't be afraid to have and use a pack that is larger than the barest minimum as long as it is comfortable and of light weight. The extra size within reason makes little difference as long as your back can breathe.

A couple examples:




This is just a lowland birding hike but in cool and potentially rainy weather. Donna is wearing the Talon 22 and you can see it is quite full, even without her camera gear in the pack and the heavier clothing she is wearing. Tom has an older Jansport pack probably around 3000-3500 in size. His pack is not quite full but his camera is on his neck and not in the bag.

Has anyone come across Mammut Nirvana 35 ?


There are also smaller versions but from what I can see only 25 and 35 have backpanel access.

This is another ski touring backpack, but I can see on the pictures that it has mesh padding on the back (some other ski backpacks don't have that).

I am not sure about ICU fitting.

The Mammut Trion Pro 50 is one of my most used backpacks. The large F-Stop ICU fits in nicely, I use the sloping version for better weight distribution.

The pack is glued to your back, that improves balance so you can use it in more difficult terrain. It is a mountaineering and climbing pack. The backpanel access is fantastic. Often I grab my camera by simply turning the pack to the front, for example when standing in high wet grass. Keeps everything dry.

At first the pack does not seem very comfortable. The shoulder straps and hipbelt don't have thick padding. However, the fit is perfect, never had pain because of the straps.

Recommended!

--
TheBlackGrouse
Active outdoor photographer

You should walk into a half decent outdoors shop with your gear loading up the various packs and try them on. Any of us telling you it feels good/bad isn't going to mean it'll fit your body that way. Or that your gear will fit.

Bottles need your hand to use. If you have a camera in one hand a walking stick in the other hands are busy. It's also better for you to take small sips continuously

NickZ2016 said:

You should walk into a half decent outdoors shop with your gear loading up the various packs and try them on.

Click to expand...

Nick, FWIW this is exactly what I recommended after he contacted me privately months ago. He is in the NYC and has several good local options. After I asked him weeks later where he was, he went to one store but otherwise heeded none of my suggestions (obviously a community of over one thousands experienced photo hikers doesn't know what they're talking about, LOL.)

He instead keeps posting the same stuff on various DPR and other forums.

NickZ2016 said:

Any of us telling you it feels good/bad isn't going to mean it'll fit your body that way. Or that your gear will fit.

Click to expand...

Yup...

NickZ2016 said:

Bottles need your hand to use. If you have a camera in one hand a walking stick in the other hands are busy. It's also better for you to take small sips continuously

Click to expand...

For me that's very much a preference of the personal type (nalgene-type are my standard) or activity-type (I prefer bladders for tough trail runs.)

TheBlackGrouse said:

The Mammut Trion Pro 50 is one of my most used backpacks. The large F-Stop ICU fits in nicely, I use the sloping version for better weight distribution.

Recommended!

Click to expand...

There is also Mammut Trion 35.


It looks absoluterly great, but I think it is a bit too big for one day hikes. I'd like to avoid walking with half empty backpack, especially that it may compromise the way you mount tripod.

jacekf said:

TheBlackGrouse said:

The Mammut Trion Pro 50 is one of my most used backpacks. The large F-Stop ICU fits in nicely, I use the sloping version for better weight distribution.

Recommended!

Click to expand...

There is also Mammut Trion 35.

https://www.mammut.com/uk/en/p/2520-00840-00087/trion-35/

It looks absoluterly great, but I think it is a bit too big for one day hikes. I'd like to avoid walking with half empty backpack, especially that it may compromise the way you mount tripod.

Click to expand...

Two things, first it looks like they switched the pictures of the 35 and 50, the size doesn't seem right. And I have the Trion Pro, an older model that was updated for years. The Trion model is different. The Mammut websites are confusing. For instance last year the European site showed different models and/or versions than our national website.

The 50 model is quite slim, I have tested the 35 model in the past, that is really a small backpack, not the same size as the one of your link.

Sorry I am late to this discussion, but it sounds like you are going through the exact issue I just did. As an avid hiker and backpacker I have tried lots of backpack, and appreciate comfort and function more than cutting weight at all costs.

I also use a top loader hanging off of the load lifters to keep the camera at the ready when in the deep woods, so good load lifters, hip belt, and frame are key to me.

I have tried many different backpacks including osprey, black diamond, kelty, granite gear, rei, and those are just the ones on the top of my unused poker right now.

I have also tried photo backpacks, and they all failed completely on all but the shortest trips...... (Looking at you lowepro) Until I got my shimoda. I cannot stress enough how good shimoda is. Is is far far more comfortable and my osprey kestrel that I like as a general use daybag, and on parr with my favorite week+ backpacking bag that I adore more than any backpack I have ever tried on in over a decade.

I have a shimoda x50 and it has been the first bag in a long time I that I bought that didn't come with a "this really could be better" list as long as my arm. The hip belt looks strange, but it is too tier, the water bladder holder is externally drained, and it's pass through is waterproof, the inserts for hear are about 1000x better than lowepro, the adjustability and attachment pints are great, and the roll top deaign is great for someone who wants a day pack that might need to hold more sometimes.

That being said, backpacks are an extremely personal taste for fit, but I think anyone who is looking at photo backpacks and doesn't compare every other bag to a shimoda as the baseline it needs to beat is doing themselves a disservice.

Teriyaki_Handsome said:

Sorry I am late to this discussion, but it sounds like you are going through the exact issue I just did. As an avid hiker and backpacker I have tried lots of backpack, and appreciate comfort and function more than cutting weight at all costs.

I also use a top loader hanging off of the load lifters to keep the camera at the ready when in the deep woods, so good load lifters, hip belt, and frame are key to me.

I have tried many different backpacks including osprey, black diamond, kelty, granite gear, rei, and those are just the ones on the top of my unused poker right now.

I have also tried photo backpacks, and they all failed completely on all but the shortest trips...... (Looking at you lowepro) Until I got my shimoda. I cannot stress enough how good shimoda is. Is is far far more comfortable and my osprey kestrel that I like as a general use daybag, and on parr with my favorite week+ backpacking bag that I adore more than any backpack I have ever tried on in over a decade.

I have a shimoda x50 and it has been the first bag in a long time I that I bought that didn't come with a "this really could be better" list as long as my arm. The hip belt looks strange, but it is too tier, the water bladder holder is externally drained, and it's pass through is waterproof, the inserts for hear are about 1000x better than lowepro, the adjustability and attachment pints are great, and the roll top deaign is great for someone who wants a day pack that might need to hold more sometimes.

That being said, backpacks are an extremely personal taste for fit, but I think anyone who is looking at photo backpacks and doesn't compare every other bag to a shimoda as the baseline it needs to beat is doing themselves a disservice.

Click to expand...

Have to admit, very interesting. Side access and the option of using a chest pack are a great plus for a wildlife photographer. Lots of clever loops, pockets, great when you are moving all day. From videos, reviews you can't tell if it fits you and I have some questions but it's looking good.

The thing I really don't get... with this backpanel door all the weight 'hangs' on the bottom part of the zipper. This is asking for trouble, especially since dirt easily gets in the zipper when you put the pack on the ground.

If the backpanel had the classic construction (bottom fixed to pack) I would buy it immediately. Opening the pack this way has never caused any problems for me. In fact it's easy to keep the backpanel clean by using your knees and/or elbows to make sure it stays away from the ground.

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TheBlackGrouse
Active outdoor photographer

It sounds like you have some experience with this design that I don't. I was always told, and have found it natural to put this back on it's back, and in the few months I have had it I have yet to set it down upright like a normal backpack....

That being said I am a little concerned with the longevity of the hip belt being attached to the opening panel (X series), even though it does have belt latches that attach to the main bag to disperse the weight.

That being said, I am sure there are some drawbacks to this design that I have not really considered yet.