I was so tired of having to often lug around both a backpack and a camera bag. I do a lot of hiking so I would typically leave the camera bag in the car and just take the camera around my neck and a hiking backpack. This was never ideal, and after being caught twice in the rain while hiking this year and having to place my camera unprotected in my backpack to keep it dry, I decided enough was enough!
I had a hard time deciding what to get. I had handled a bag similar to this style (camera compartment in the bottom) before, yet instead of a waterproof cover, they used a water proof zipper which was a royal PITA to open and close. Also, they were HUGE and I have a small figure (5'6", 125 lbs), so it was important that the backpack I chose wasn't going to make me look like a little kid lost in the woods. Finally, the other styles were just plain ugly in my opinion.
When I came across this backpack, I loved the look! I was also (pleasantly) surprised to see that it had such high ratings and almost no negative reviews. It included a picture of the camera inside the bag, so I had some kind of idea of the size of the bottom compartment. All of these things lead me to believe it was going to be a good purchase.
Got the bag yesterday and checked it over. The first thing that hit me was that amazing new backpack smell! :D It's really nice and it looks like the camera will be well-protected. Something I noticed that I'm not sure was intentional or not is that the waterproof cover, when folded inside, actually gives a bit more padding to the bottom of the bag, which I like!
I checked out the stitching which looks solid, as do the snaps. The zipper to the camera compartment runs smoothly and I LOVE the amount of pockets on this thing!
As for the size, the top compartment cannot fit a regular-sized (18 inch-ish?) laptop, which is fine for me because that wasn't my original intention. When I put it on I have to adjust the straps all the way to the smallest point and then it fits just right! :)
If I had to make some adjustments (I'm not planning to though), I'd add a few more small tight-fit pockets (for memory cards and camera remote). There is one small zipper compartment on the inside of the top part that can be used for this and any other purpose, and anyone who is talented at sowing could probably add anything they want easily (this is really nice material). I'm also not sure yet how I feel about the velcro flap that allows you to get into the bottom compartment from the top. That seems kind of silly. And finally, I would maybe add some padding to the bottom of the top compartment to protect the top of the camera from bulky/odd-shaped things that could be placed in the top. Again, none of these are big items to me so this bag is still 5-star in my book!
Going to be taking it out on a weekend trip to the in-laws ranch, so it will mostly just be hauling clothes and the camera to and from the car. Hope to take it hiking sometime soon! I'm sure it will do just fine, but I will be sure to update this review if I notice anything. weird about it.
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so good! I haven't carried it out on adventures yet ...
So far, so good! I haven't carried it out on adventures yet but I have fitted it and worn it and next weekend it'll follow me to it's first wedding.Pros:+ So much space! I have three lenses and the camera with a lens on, three speedlights and three clamps and three small softboxes. Fits great. And then in the front, I have some filters and gels. For all the small pockets, I still have space for my phone and keys. And I could easily fit at least one more lens in there, probably two more.+ The canvas looks nice and strong.+ The inner case in the bottom part can be taken out. Easy to clean and easy to use for other stuff.+ Doesn't look like a camera bag. Less people will try to knock you down and run away with it.+ Not too big. Still comfy for a 5,6 feet woman.Cons:- The snapps. Yeah, it's easy to open... but I rather want it safe than easy.- The front pocket isn't safe. There is nothing that cover it, if you don't count the little edge that covers the zipper that divides the entire bag. And that easily moves. So don't put anything in that pocket that you are afraid of loosing or getting get. It holds back OK by the spans, but really... not when you're actually use it.- Too few zippers. I am afraid things will fall out of the pockets.- Some loose threads. Hopefully nothing bad. Time will tell if it falls apart or not.- Fo front strap to put around your belly. Makes it heavy. But I'm a thin girl, so when adjusting the straps, I could use the loose parts for that.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016
Pros:
+ So much space! I have three lenses and the camera with a lens on, three speedlights and three clamps and three small softboxes. Fits great. And then in the front, I have some filters and gels. For all the small pockets, I still have space for my phone and keys. And I could easily fit at least one more lens in there, probably two more.
+ The canvas looks nice and strong.
+ The inner case in the bottom part can be taken out. Easy to clean and easy to use for other stuff.
+ Doesn't look like a camera bag. Less people will try to knock you down and run away with it.
+ Not too big. Still comfy for a 5,6 feet woman.
Cons:
- The snapps. Yeah, it's easy to open... but I rather want it safe than easy.
- The front pocket isn't safe. There is nothing that cover it, if you don't count the little edge that covers the zipper that divides the entire bag. And that easily moves. So don't put anything in that pocket that you are afraid of loosing or getting get. It holds back OK by the spans, but really... not when you're actually use it.
- Too few zippers. I am afraid things will fall out of the pockets.
- Some loose threads. Hopefully nothing bad. Time will tell if it falls apart or not.
- Fo front strap to put around your belly. Makes it heavy. But I'm a thin girl, so when adjusting the straps, I could use the loose parts for that.
so good! I haven't carried it out on adventures yet ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016
So far, so good! I haven't carried it out on adventures yet but I have fitted it and worn it and next weekend it'll follow me to it's first wedding.Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016
Pros:
+ So much space! I have three lenses and the camera with a lens on, three speedlights and three clamps and three small softboxes. Fits great. And then in the front, I have some filters and gels. For all the small pockets, I still have space for my phone and keys. And I could easily fit at least one more lens in there, probably two more.
+ The canvas looks nice and strong.
+ The inner case in the bottom part can be taken out. Easy to clean and easy to use for other stuff.
+ Doesn't look like a camera bag. Less people will try to knock you down and run away with it.
+ Not too big. Still comfy for a 5,6 feet woman.
Cons:
- The snapps. Yeah, it's easy to open... but I rather want it safe than easy.
- The front pocket isn't safe. There is nothing that cover it, if you don't count the little edge that covers the zipper that divides the entire bag. And that easily moves. So don't put anything in that pocket that you are afraid of loosing or getting get. It holds back OK by the spans, but really... not when you're actually use it.
- Too few zippers. I am afraid things will fall out of the pockets.
- Some loose threads. Hopefully nothing bad. Time will tell if it falls apart or not.
- Fo front strap to put around your belly. Makes it heavy. But I'm a thin girl, so when adjusting the straps, I could use the loose parts for that.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016
Good bag. Lots of space for stuff. Comfortable to wear with 10-15 pounds loaded into it. I pack a DSLR with a 20mm and a 70-300mm zoom. Gives me enough space for cables, batteries, cards and snacks and water. Still room left for an iPad and a light sweater or jacket. Has plenty of outer pockets that snap closed along with a rain cover that stows away under the pack.
Drawbacks are that it can be overloaded easily and that will make it uncomfortable to wear. I find the top half of the bag flopping around if I don't cinch up the drawstring enough. This is also a bag that will have to be set down to retrieve items from. The top half zips over the bottom so I've found it easier to pull out my camera and what I need so I can get shots without having to go back to the bag for anything.
Overall a good bag for urban shooting with a lot of space. Not my idea of a "hiking" photo bag.
Some features that would make it better:
- A stop for the drawstring other than the leather one.
- Structure added to the top half (like the foam frame in the bottom).
- A piece of leather covering the bottom to protect the bag from water or surfaces the bag might be set down on.
- One larger pocket on the outside for a water bottle
Drawbacks are that it can be overloaded easily and that will make it uncomfortable to wear. I find the top half of the bag flopping around if I don't cinch up the drawstring enough. This is also a bag that will have to be set down to retrieve items from. The top half zips over the bottom so I've found it easier to pull out my camera and what I need so I can get shots without having to go back to the bag for anything.
Overall a good bag for urban shooting with a lot of space. Not my idea of a "hiking" photo bag.
Some features that would make it better:
- A stop for the drawstring other than the leather one.
- Structure added to the top half (like the foam frame in the bottom).
- A piece of leather covering the bottom to protect the bag from water or surfaces the bag might be set down on.
- One larger pocket on the outside for a water bottle
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
Very, very satisfied with this product and the company!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
I was super excited when I got my package, as it was a little earlier in the day than I was expecting AND it was absolutely beautiful. It was a nice canvas material and the zippers and clasps and things didn't feel terribly cheap. I moved all of my camera equipment into the bag and I put my Canon Rebel T3i with 2 other lenses and I still have a lot of room! There are so many pockets and places to put both small camera equipment as well as personal items, like my cell phone, my tablet, etc. However, later in the day, I brought it out to show my dad and one of the little buttons just popped off. I hadn't even touched the pocket that it was on. Even the metal on the back of the button had come off, which was odd. I was pretty disappointed, as I hadn't even used the bag yet. I emailed them and they replied very quickly, within a little less than a day! They said they would refund $10 for me to fix it locally, which I am not disappointed with. Despite the button incident, I am extremely happy with this purchase. It is a great, unique backpack and the company is very easy to work with. I highly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
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Top reviews from other countries
Josevi
Buena mochila,pero no excelente
Reviewed in Spain on January 14, 2019
Josevi
Reviewed in Spain on January 14, 2019
Images in this review
Oswald
Guter Diebstahlschutz, Qualität in Ordnung
Reviewed in Germany on April 27, 2016