F-Stop Mountain Series ~or~ Naneu K5... thoughts?

I've been looking at all the bags out there that lean toward meeting back-country / serious hiking needs as well as accommodating two bodies, a few lenses, a flash, and accessories. Since I've maxed out my day bag, a CaseLogic SLR Backpack, and have several extended hiking trips coming up this year, I am now in the market for a newer (BIGGER) bag. Up until this point I've had to split up my gear into two different bags, camping stuff and photo stuff. I'd love to invest in a system that combines the two into one bag. What I have found so far are F-Stop's Mountain Series and Naneu's Adventure K5. All of these are incredibly tempting, and expensive but I wanted to ask you guys for some input before I settled on one of the above mentioned...

Has anyone had experience with these bags or any other bags out there of similar build? For a more precise gear-to-be-packed-into-camp list see my signature below... as well as a change of clothes, backpacking tent, MSR pocket stove, and sleeping bag.


Thanks!

I've had experience with Naneu's products. Their customer service is great, but there lies the problem. Of the two products I've had, including one backpack, I've had both of them not hold up or just fail under what I would call normal usage, particularly the zippers. Maybe I'm just that statistical blip, and actually I like the design of their products, but I wouldn't buy one again. I will say that Naneu will very quickly and easily replace the item and are easy to deal with.

I've had no experience with f/stop but there are rave reviews of their products on here and the net.

I have F-Stop's TilopaBC model from their mountain series and I've been loving it since I got it. It hauls a TON of gear, while giving room to add hiking/camping gear, as well.

I wrote up a mini-review awhile back, that you could take a look at.

One of my favorite features of these bags is the ICU system. You can easily adjust the balance of cameras vs other gear by choosing a smaller or larger ICU.

The build quality on this thing is fantastic and I expect to get good, long usage out of it. The one problem is that their supplies sporadic; if you decide to go with one of these, I would send a PM to F-Stop Ian, here on the forums for more information.

MGW172, thanks for the headsup. Although great customer service can be immensely beneficial, I suppose the best customer service is the one you never have to contact


Snydremark, excellent review! That helped out alot. I'm definitely leaning more towards F-Stop now, mainly due to their various ICU sizes. I wonder if getting the Tilopa Backcountry with a Small ICU would be pushing it... I'd love to have that extra room up top for other gear but perhaps it'd be safer to go with the Medium. I'll scour the POTN "let's see your bag" threads for ICU setups and compare what I plan on packing.

Judging from your gear the small ICU would be too small. I have both the small and medium and would view using the small only if I was carrying one body and two lenses and a few filters. I have a Tilopa and it is awesome. It is truly a backpacking pack.

Ok, so I've decided on the Medium ICU for sure. Now it's a matter of which bag. Tilopa or Tilopa Backcountry?!!!

I'm thinking the Backcountry...

The BC is the updated version of the Tilopa, so yeah; I'd got with it