Hiking camera bag ideas

mrmatt

I have a trip to Acadia park in Maine coming up and I'd like to bring along my Canon 10D with a lens or two with me. I did this last year with a camera bag I bought from LL Bean (Bob Krist bag that isn't sold by them anymore) . It's not a bad bag for transporting but on hikes it leaves much to be desired - the straps are ergonomic, it's hot, it has no place for water, and it wasn't easy to get in and out of.

I'm now debating a new bag but not sure if I could look for a camera bag or a hiking bag and then look for ways to secure the camera.

With a camera bag you get good protection for the camera but it might not be great for hiking. With a hiking bag you get what you need for hiking but maybe it won't protect or secure the lenses like you need to.

Any suggestions? FWIW, we only do light day hiking. Maybe hiking for 4 to 6 hours at most and nothing challenging beyond maybe steep walking.

marlof

I use a LowePro Rover Plus AW. It has a bottom section for photo gear, and a top section for hiking stuff, and some smaller pockets (among which two outside mesh pockets). It has an excellent harnas, and it's one of the only backpacks that I can fully load and really carry for a full day. It also has a built in rain cover for when you end up in rainy weather.

claudermilk

I've used the OffTrail2 quite a bit for hiking & it's nice with just a camera & a couple of lenses. Leaves your back for a small pack or whatever. I tend to wear a mesh vest with a bunch of pockets--not intended as a photographer's vest, but works well as one for hikes.

I just upgraded to the Slingshot 200 for more space & it seems like it will work well for hiking also (part of my requirement). The camera access by rotating the bag is very nice & will come in handy during hikes. I have used it for walking around parks & fairs this way & it's handy.

patch29

For days when I want to carry a little gear and some hiking things. I use my Lowepro Orion AW. The camera and lenses stay on the bottom, a small backpack attaches to the top. It has a simple shoulder harness, but for small loads it has been fine, plus you can leave the camera or backpack part behind.

gus

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=31479&highlight=hiking

mrmatt

Wow. I can see a use for all the Lowepro mentioned. The Orion AW looks great for it's combo nature (2 separate bags). The Slingshot looks like it solves the issue of getting to the camera without taking the pack off. Same goes for the OffTrail2 (just swing around waist) plus it looks like you could add a regular small backpack of your own for food, clothes, and water.

Ouch. Too many choices.

TristanP

I have the LowePro Rover II AW - very similar to the Rover Plus previously mentioned, but slightly smaller. I love the fact that you can carry your camera gear in the bottom and other stuff in the top section plus a tripod on the back. It's not the easiest to get your camera out quickly, but it's quite secure and very comfortable (great straps and adjustments - has both chest and waist belts). If you need fast access to gear, the Slingshot is probably a better choice, but overall, I think the Rover-type is more useful (and certainly more comfortable) for hiking.

I've been meaning to write-up a review with pics. I can tell you that a 20D w/ attached 70-300 IS will stand vertically just fine in the bottom section. Something longer like the 70-200/4 would probably need to be carried horizontally. Typically, I carry the 20D with attached 70-300 upright in the middle, stuff the 50/1.4 and 18-55 in the right side sections and that leaves the left section for the F717 or a couple Sunpak 383s. With some rearrangement of the velcro dividers, other combinations are certainly possible. The divider between top and bottom sections is also removable for LONG lenses.

mrmatt

Only problem I see with the Rover (for myself) is that you may get careless with the bag and the camera is on the bottom. But it does look like it would be more comfortable than something like the sling.

TristanP

mrmatt wrote:

Only problem I see with the Rover (for myself) is that you may get careless with the bag and the camera is on the bottom. But it does look like it would be more comfortable than something like the sling.

The bottom has plenty of padding.

cmason

How about the Orion? it looks ideal in that the bottom pack can separate, and become a beltpack for all the other times you dont need a full backpack....