Lowepro Omni

[samdring]

Anyone here recommend these Omni bags - front (and top) opening bags without the hard outer case? Enough padding without? I want front access (rare unless backpack-style) but use as shoulder bag.

[Bytes U]

I have the Omni Trekker and I love it. Lots of space and padding and easy to grab and head out the door. It does not make a very comfortable (convertible) back pack but as a shoulder bag it's fantastic. Not recommended for multi-hour treks but the top opening feature works great for that quick draw shot.

[Scottes]

I could easily repeats Bytes's comments verbatim.

There was a thread a while back between (mostly) Double Diamond and I looking at the Omni Trekker and another bag. We both got the Omni Trekker, and we both love it. Pics of our equipment layouts, too, to give you an idea of what it can carry.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22105&highlight=omni+trekker

I highly recommend this bag, as long as it's not too big or too heavy for you. The bag itself is 6 pounds I think. My bag full is about 32 pounds. I have to say that I rarely bring that bag with me unless there's a potential need for everything I own. I'm actually on the lookout for something smaller for the times I don't need everything.

[samdring]

Thanks for the info - very helpful

[Double Diamond]

As Scottes said we both looked at several different bags and both settled on the Omni Trekker. I travel a lot and was looking for something that would safely carry all of my gear. The bag does a great job. It fits easily in the overhead on a plane. It seems to offer good protection and with the top load and feature makes it easy to get to the camera. I have mine pretty well loaded and it is a little heavy but the sholder starp is quite confortable and makes it easy to carry. I have not used it as a backpack at all so I can't speak about that although it has reasonable straps for carrying it like that.

I would recommend it for anyone looking for a bag to carry a lot of equipment it. As with everything that I have or have seen from LowePro it is well made.