BEST BACKPACK / RUCKSACK FOR HIKING PHOTOGRAPHERS (2021)

starfly wrote:

Well, I received the Quechua MH500 40L today. It's a nice backpack, but a few things I think will be a challenge with it, primarily making it work with a tripod.

They don't have deep side pockets where you can stash a tripod. And in the front mesh part you could put a tripod, but I'm uncertain about the durability of that mesh in the long-run if I keep putting a tripod there.

Yes, this was covered in my article, tripod feet will tear the mesh, often sooner than later. With this pack and many others we tested, the best way to attach a tripod is with the hiking poles attachments (if your tripod is heavy, slide the lower part of one foot behind the lower side compression strap, then wrap the whole thing with the bungee.) It's slightly off center and does not affect balance when the pack is properly fitted (it's a TMP.) You can also stick it horizontally under the lid if you like.

There's one trick I forgot to add, which is used by a few folks in our community. You can actually stick a tripod inside a mesh pocket if you keep it inside its bag (but that's not something most want to bother with on the trail) OR, use this method:

Make a cut around an empty 1.5 liter plastic bottle about 8 inches up and throw the top in the recycling can. Flip the bottle and drill 3 small holes in the bottom. You now have a round-ish, self-draining receptacle for your tripod's feet, which you can insert inside a side or central mesh pocket. This rounded shape will help the mesh last far longer.

My Peak Design Medium Cube does fit in it, though it's a tight fit of course. And I think with any ICU used in this pack, fitting a laptop in the bladder compartment will be a very tight fit. Far from ideal

Also, the TMP suspension back doesn't leave a lot of space between the pack itself and the mesh/your back. Just very little, to be frank, so I doubt it will keep you as cool as some of the other TMP packs.

I just double checked all the notes I have on the daypacks' testing and this was not an issue for anyone who tested the Decathlon MH500 (the only under-performing was with the Zulu which cooling wise is not much better than a PP pack.)

It's possible that the frame on yours was "flattened" during shipping or stocking. Feel inside the bag to find the vertical parts of the frame and curve them a bit more to add more space behind the mesh.

I just looked over an in-depth video of the Photohiker 44 (in German, which I don't fully understand, but the video itself speaks volumes). And, I've decided to order it. Looks like a great pack, and the included ICU should fit my needs.

In fact, I'll also cancel my pre-order for one of the Atlas packs, as I think the Photohiker 44 will overall be a better pack

I agree, it's not even a contest here.

(especially in hot climates!).

It also works great as a ski pack (see my review.)

I'll just need to use a black sharpie to color in the Photohiker branding, as I don't want anything on there that screams it might be a photo pack

You must hike or travel in some really scary areas! LOL.

Sending you a PM shortly. Let's continue the conversation that way.

HRC2016 wrote:

A backpack for photographers is all about compromise.

I recommend a dedicated hiking backpack to carry hiking-only essentials, and a waistpack to carry your bodies/lenses. You'll have faster access to your gear.

That also provides you with better versatility if you decide you don't want to combine both. Have you ever used a camera bag when you're not carrying gear? It sucks.

I also advise avoiding slings/messenger bags unless you want to injure your body. Have you ever tried to shoot when you don't have feeling in one of your hands?

Chris222

Thank you for your comprehensive write up. But it is a long read!

I think HRC2016's recommendation above is the perfect solution for me : a lumbar pack worn conventionally for short walks with only a small amount of gear, but worn on the front with a small backpack for more gear and hiking essentials.

lukx wrote:

Awesome thread. Im searching for best backpack for hiking with tent camping and want to be able to bring also sony a7iii, sony 16-35GM, sigma 100-400 and tripod. I have shimoda x50 but its heavy! I was thinking Osprey 38l or 48l as I think its the lightest option with TMP, hope Chris could chime in if its a good idea or better to go with deuter 50+10 or 40 is enough (above photo equip plus, quilt, big agnes 3 person ul tent) my wife has osprey eja 38 so we split food and extras only I have photo equipment.

Having dual-access (top and front panel) the DFV60 (or DFV55) is by far your best choice in this scenario. You can easily compress it to half its size or less on days when it's not full - I regularly do some trail runs with mine, typically toward the end of a multi-days hike where I was doing "mule work" for the group (water, or food) and the load has pretty much vanished.

Please PM me directly if you have more questions or if you'd like a link to a vendor that still has a good price on those models.

Not sure if it was mentioned but the solution is easy. I think you should start a kickstarter campaign and create a few backpack options. I'd back it...

1. daily hike to the Zoo or to a photoshoot.  Just last week I had a distance to walk from my car to the building then walk through a large area of this building for a photoshoot. I took a Think Tank roller bag. In the past if I had to climb stairs or no elevator I needed a backpack in some flavor anyway 

Oh, what do you think of Mindshift bag line ?

FrankieB42 wrote:

Do you have any recommendations regarding carrying laptops in TMP backpacks? Some of them have quite arched insides, as they are not really designed for a long and rigid body of notebook. And more items you stuff inside the pack, the more it will be pushing on the laptop against arch.

Indeed. And that's exactly how it's designed to work. Very few of us ever use a laptop on hikes (those who like to do some pics culling in the evening at camp, tend to use a tablet) but I've used several of my Deuters extensively on business as carry-ons without issues - even the big DFV60 as per my articles above.

You must first verify that laptop Y fits inside pack X (your job, not a question for this thread BTW)

If you place your laptop in the bladder sleeve and then fill the pack, the pressure exerted on the laptop as the frame gently flattens (and the awesome space is consequently reduced) is minimal. It's nothing even close to what a laptop endures in one of those "rear-opening" packs where the laptop sleeve is directly behind the thin back padding (i.e. most such bags as of this writing.) You certainly don't have to worry about a cracked screen or a laptop going up in flames.

But if that should still concern you, all you have to do is place the laptop either in the middle of your stuff or at the front of the pack, near the big front pocket. Balance will not be affected on a TMP pack as long as it's adjusted properly. Also, as you know the CP44 comes with an actual laptop sleeve (inside measurements are in the review at Post 3.)

Frankie, feel free to PM me if you have further questions.

Chris

Amazing!  Thanks for posting.  I agree with every one of the ‘flaws’ you’ve noted.   Though, I must say that I prefer the rear zipper access because in Scotland, the locations are wet and muddy.  Rear access allows be to put the bag down with the rain cover on while keeping the part that goes against my back relatively clean and dry.

Kev The Doc wrote:

Fantastic info Chris!

The Photohiker 44 looks great, pity their website is broken (error 404) so I can’t even buy one and when clicking on “Support” the page is blank 🙄. Are there any other online retailers that will ship this product to the US as I can’t seem to find any?

I just measured my photo gear though and my longest body / lens combo is 380mm whereas the Photocube XL inside length is 360mm, how rigid is the cube, wondering if there’s enough flex to squeeze in this combo longitudinally? I could set it up to fit diagonally I guess?

Hi Kev,

I was about to PM you back but since this situation with Cosyspeed has propped up in numerous private conversations, I will post what I think here, just this once (folks, please do not waste further posts on this, I will give a public update here if I ever get a courtesy follow-up from Cosyspeed.)

That 404 for the CP44 is just bizarre. Are they sold out of the current batch order? Have they discontinued this groundbreaking pack? I have absolutely no clue. It would be nice if they informed potential customers on their site, though...

My recommendation? Use this contact form to express your questions or concerns (and please PM me with your findings):

https://www.cosyspeed.com/en/pages/kontaktformular-app-raussuchen

380mm is, I believe, a hair under 15 inches The cube XL they were supposed to ship right now was to be a little longer than the one we tested, It has somewhat flexible sides anyway so that should be just fine for your rig.

Alternatively, get a Deuter (DFV60 or DFV55), top-of-the-line TMP and simply one of the best backpacks ever made. A fellow photog recently sent me a PM with some absolutely phenomenal prices on those. Those probably won't last long as they are clearing stock (same thing here, PM me and I will be happy to share!)

Best,

Chris

starfly wrote:

Ha, I got the exact same email today. Guess it sounds like within a few weeks we'll have our packs.

Okay... I know you guys mean well but this thread is NOT about whatever shipping updates one might get for Product A, B or C.

If we go there, this thread will fill faster than the average politician tells a lie...

But in fairness, delays are a known issue at Cosyspeed, so I made a new thread about that for you.

Please post any Cosyspeed shipping news or tests' feedback here:

Cosyspeed: updates on actual shipping + feedback on products

Chris

What would be the minimum to maximum capacity size for a hiking backpack/rucksack for carrying one mirrorless body with attached lens and 2-3 extra lenses?