Tamrac expedition 8x Vs. Lowepro Vertex 300

[SteveBrown]

Both are able to carry my 17" laptop. the tamrac is about $40 more then the lowepro. Anyone tried both of these? Comfort wise, which is better? Never had a bag this big, and I was thinking of going the pelican route to store my gear, but it is nice to be able to go mobile with the bag.

[tvphotog]

I have the Expedition 5X and there are a bunch of members who have the 6X, 7X, etc.

I looked at all the Tamrac and compared them to the similar Lowepros. The Expeditions have thicker, better padded straps and are better constructed than similar Lowepros. I must say that I didn't see the Vertex, so I can't comment on its construction.

The waist belt on the Expedition could be thicker like the one on the Vertex. As the weight should be sitting on your hips to take the strain off the shoulders, that is a consideration.