Photo Equipment Backpacks Part IV: My Favorite Backpacks

In Part I, of the Photo Equipment Backpack series, I discussed making sure the backpack was properly fitted to ensure the gear inside could be carried comfortably.

In Part II of the series, I discussed the competing needs of in-transit and shooting backpacks, and why those needs have prevented “cross-over” backpack design success, to date.

In Part III of the series I discussed how to ensure photo backpacks will have the required capacity, and what features are essential in quality photo backpacks.

In this conclusion of the Photo Equipment Backpack series, I'll discuss my five favorite backpacks, and why I like them, as well as explain why one of these backpacks is likely the precursor to a truly workable “cross-over” backpack, able to handle both in-transit and shooting uses.

My favorite in-transit backpacks are the Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator and Airport Commuter. Both meet domestic and international carry-on size requirements. Both backpacks should have not have trouble fitting into even the older Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 narrow body aircraft overhead bins, which haven't had their interiors upgraded. Neither of these backpacks, nor almost any backpack of size, will fit in the overhead bins of typical regional jets, and propeller driven aircraft.

The build quality of Think Tank products is first rate. They look like ordinary backpacks, and don't scream, “Expensive photo gear inside!” Their shoulder straps are well designed. Both hold lots of gear, plus a laptop computer. Neither have a built in padded area for a laptop, but Think Tank offers an excellent sleeve series called the Artificial Intelligence, which fits nicely in these backpacks.

These bags have a contoured adjustable harness with lumbar support, YKK RC-Fuse zippers, a height adjustable sternum strap, strong handles on three sides for easy carrying and retrieval in tight areas, an organizer inside flap, a seam sealed rain cover, a highly flexible padded divider set to keep gear safe, and a side water bottle pocket.

The Airport Accelerator is big enough for wildlife photographers, as it can hold a 600mm f/4 lens, with body detached. The Airport Commuter can accommodate up to a 500mm f/4 lens, with body detached.

I didn't discuss specialty bags earlier, but I thought I'd mention the Lowepro Dryzone 200, pictured above. It's my “waterproof” backpack. It's really “waterproof,” not just water resistant. As a backpack, it's well built and designed, has lumbar support, well designed shoulder straps, and an excellent harness.

I use this bag primarily to hold my gear safely and securely for rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. I have used it for several day hikes in rain forests, where the precipitation can be so hard, a regular backpack with a seam sealed rain cover will get wet inside.

The secret of the Dryzone 200 is the waterproof shell which utilizes a TIZIP zipper for access to the interior, adjustable padded gear area. The zipper provides 100% waterproof protection, much like divers' drysuits. I've flipped in rough water in a kayak, where the Dryzone went underwater. The inside of the Dryzone and all my equipment was “bone dry.”

My favorite shooting bags are the F-Stop Guru, and the larger Loka. I use the Guru often, as it's perfect for those changeable days when you need extra outwear to be stowed for bad weather, and changing temperatures. Plus, it will hold, in addition to photo equipment, some food, drink, and emergency supplies. I use the larger Loka only when camping.

These backpacks are well built, have excellent shoulder straps, harnesses, YKK zippers, and organizational areas. They also contain a pocket for a water bladder, and a rubberized hole for the bladder tube to push through so the backpack can be zippered closed despite the use of the bladder. The bags have a side water bottle pocket, and you can get a seam sealed rain cover for them. The F-Stop logo, when you choose the Guru in black, can be made almost invisible with a black permanent marker.

The F-Stop backpacks use an ICU; internal camera unit. Your gear goes in the ICU which has adjustable padded dividers and is padded itself. It's inserted into the main compartment of the backpack. Zippered access to the ICU is in the back of the backpack. The ICU's come in various sizes, to accommodate different amounts of equipment. Of course, the more equipment you take, the less room you have for non-gear belongings.

The F-Stop Guru of the backpack series comes very close to being a great “cross-over” backpack. It's the right size for air travel. If you insert a large Pro ICU which fills the Guru, you can take a lot of gear for your overall journey. At your destination, if you take that out, and insert a small Pro ICU, that's likely perfect for many photographers for carrying the equipment needed for a day of shooting. The Guru can even hold your tripod, on its exterior, for shooting, when not in use.

Two things are holding it back from being my “cross-over” backpack. First, it's not well suited for carrying a laptop and/or tablet plus a lot of equipment due to the configurations of the ICU's. There's too little room with the pro ICU's and the shallow ICU's are too small for in-transit use, for me. Second, it's not easy to pack a second ICU in my checked luggage, with clothing and other items, for use while shooting. If its sides were foldable, that would make it ideal. I think F-Stop will likely solve these problems in the next couple of years.

I'm looking forward to F-Stops' backpacks' design evolution.