Bag for hiking - Minimal gear + CamelBak

[thoreau]

As the title infers, I'm looking for a bag for some frequent hiking. It really only needs to fit my 40D and 24-70 along with a CamelBak 100oz bladder.

I'm leaning towards some of the CamelBak branded backpacks, but as everyone here knows, it's impossible to really gauge a bag based on pictures on the web.

Any suggestions/direction are appreciated. Weight is a concern to an extent (hence why I'm dropping the 70-200, external flash, and tripod from my weekly hiker packlist and saving those items for bigger trips) and water capacity is a definite must since I'm hiking in the desert.

[donaldjl]

I've yet to find a good pack that allows me to carry a minimal of gear with more room for "stuff", let alone with a hydration bladder. They all emphasize varying levels of camera gear storage, but no real room to carry sufficient gear for the hike out and back.

I've done quite a bit of hiking with regular backpacks that were Camelbak compatible, either Dakine, Mountainsmith, or Camelbak. I store the camera itself with a lens in an OpTech neoprene case, strap a monopod to the outside of the pack, and store smaller incidentals in pockets in the pack.

Sometimes I'll bring an extra lens, just in case. Any spare lenses go in their own padded lens pouch. That way, the camera and lens has some level of padding and protection, but I'm not relying on a padded pack.

[HighLife]

how about the lowepro dryzone line?

http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

[jpmac55]

I lean toward Don's suggestion for backpacking. I sometimes add a toploading camera case like the Lowepro model below. Focus on a comfortable backpack model that incorporates a water bladder. I happen to be a big fan of GoLite gear but Don mentioned several other good choices.


http://products.lowepro.com/product/Topload-Zoom-1,2051,8.htm

[KeithLaFaille]

I'd recommend Maxpedition Gear. Their gear is bulletproof and perfect for outdoor adventuring.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=11

That holds a 100oz bladder and would have plenty of room for your camera gear and whatever else you would need to take in the desert.

K

[npuckhead]

As previously mentioned, check out the golite stuff. Its great gear.

http://golite.com/Product/ProductByCategory.aspx?mc=5&s=1

[neil_g]

im quite impressed with Animal's hydration packs.

for this seasons offering - www.animal.co.uk go to mens->products->luggage->skate and bike->LUC17

[blacksheepfoto]

I will second Maxpedition. Great gear. I have a couple different bags and LOVE them (Versipack and MPB).

I wish they made actual camera bags (specific to photographers) with inserts but their bags are so spacious and have so many pockets they work well for just about anything and it would be real easy to use an insert from a cheapo bag found elsewhere.



I'd recommend Maxpedition Gear. Their gear is bulletproof and perfect for outdoor adventuring.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=11

That holds a 100oz bladder and would have plenty of room for your camera gear and whatever else you would need to take in the desert.

K