Backpack choices

The lowepro 400aw flipside will hold that tripod no problem at all. I used to use it all the time like that. That's with all my gear in it too. You just can't use the rain proof cover at the same time. It's an amazing bag but someone already pointed its downfall and that's the rear zips don't zip all the way down so the flap on the back is a pain to hold open at times.

Ive been tryign to decide on a similar thing, and ended up going down the route of camera ICUs in a proper hiking pack with a chest pack. Much easier to get at gear, and more configurable. Also a great benefit is being able to use them with hiking gear, not just camera equipment and an afterthought pocket/area for other gear.

Plus you can get good bags with proper support, unlike the majority of camera bags.

dexy101 wrote in post #15686598
The lowepro 400aw flipside will hold that tripod no problem at all. I used to use it all the time like that. That's with all my gear in it too. You just can't use the rain proof cover at the same time. It's an amazing bag but someone already pointed its downfall and that's the rear zips don't zip all the way down so the flap on the back is a pain to hold open at times.

Are you mounting it vertically or horizontally?

I've been looking at a ThinkTank Streetwalker Pro or an Airport Essentails. Both below $200. I have a lowepro flipside 300 but I outgrew it quickly....plus like others said, it's hard to reach items in the bottom because the zipper doesn't go all the way down.

I think I can deal with that part of the bag. A side access zipper would make the bag near perfect IMO.