First hand experience with Lowepro Pro Trekker 400 AW

I'm in the market for a backpack for day hikes and some up coming outdoors trips and a cruise to Alaska I have next year.

Requirements
+ hydration bladder ready 70+oz(prefer seperate area and not contained within the camera area/storage area.)
+ tripod/monopod straps
+ large internal capacity for camera gear.
+ a lot of storage compartments/flaps/poc​kets/etc
+ top space to carry batteries/lighting/foo​d.

I don't particularly need it to carry additional clothing as I don't do overnight hikes but if it can hold a light jacket in some fashion either internally or strapped to the outside I'm fine with that.

the Lowepro Pro Trekker 400 AW/600 AW line have really caught my eye as a carry it all type bag. I don't think I'll need 600mm lens carry capacity ever except for maybe my Alaska trip but I don't think I'll be renting a 600mm at this moment.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Pro Trekker 400 AW specifically as I want to know how it carries for 8+ hours at a time and how well it's held up. Is it normal Lowepro quality or is it over engineered for outdoors conditions more so then regular Lowepro bags.

I know a lot of people are going to recommend F-Stop backpacks but I want to see and handle one in person before purchasing and I can't do that. And ClikElite bags IMO aren't designed in a way I like as most of them are just 1/2 camera storage or setup poorly inside.

nonody?

I have the 300, which obviously isn't as weighty laden as a 400, but for what it does weigh I find the bag very comfortable. It is made of sturdier materials than other LowePro bags (at least, of those I've used - Computrekker, Slingshots, Top Loader Pros, et al.), which is saying a lot, and all the devices are more robust. If you are hiking and are already invested in the LowePro system (S&F pouches, misc gear bags with SlipLock, etc.) it's a no brainer.

I can't talk about how it compares to other specialty bags because it's the only one I've ever used. But, then again, I've also not been needing to look at other bags since I've picked up my Pro Trekker AW.

I have the 400aw and i really wish i had got something else now. There is amajor flaw and that is that the zips on the backpack to open the camera section, they do not open full enough. I shall post up a few iphone pictures to show you what its like.

Which bag is that? The Pro Trekker AWs look like this:

Link

Is that the first model of Pro Trekkers or something similar? Regardless, I don't think that's the bag the OP is talking about.

That is a Flipside 400AW. I have the same. Great bag, very comfortable to wear, but as the poster says, the zips don't go all the way down so it is hard to get stuff out of the bottom. The best part is you can slide out of the shoulder straps, leave the waist strap on, slide it around front and open it like those old ice cream vendor trays at sporting events. You don't need to put your bag down to get gear out, use it as sort of a tray for lens changing etc. The other good thing, if you do put it down you are putting the rear to the ground, so any dirt that gets onto the bag is not transferred onto your clothes when you put it back on. I doubt it would carry enough for the OP though, I have to carry my water etc in a seperate holder on my belt because the bag is full of gear. It is OK for short treks, but for longer all day (or longer) ones I'd want a much bigger unit.

Indecent Exposure wrote in post #12753602
Which bag is that? The Pro Trekker AWs look like this:

Link

Is that the first model of Pro Trekkers or something similar? Regardless, I don't think that's the bag the OP is talking about.

Ah my bad, too much of a hurry to post when i seen 400aw

BTW, there is something I DON'T like about the bag and that's the relatively few places for extra SlipLock pouches and add-ons. On my 300 there are only two places on the belt for attaching other LowePro bags, yet there is no real reason why they could not add some SlipLock attachments on the side, front, or bottom also. When I attach my filter holder it has to rest under my arm in the area where my arm naturally sways and it's bothersome. Being able to put the filter pouch on the side as an option would allow the bag to maintain its otherwise comfortableness.

And that's the only thing I would change about the bag.

I have the Pro Trekker 400AW. It is a big bag. Kind of wished I had tried the 300. But won't be changing. Sorry I don't have any pictures for you. It holds all my stuff.
Used it on several hikes in Glacier National Park last year. Longest 11.5 miles on the garden wall. Worked good.
I like the water bladder on the outside in it's own pocket. It also has a water proof cover to put on the bladder.
On each hike after the first one I took more unneeded stuff out.

Forgot to answer your questions.
It carries very well. Adjust it for your body and it is good. Weight on the hips really helped me.
My old bag was all on the shoulders and after half a day I was done.
It has held us very well.
The zippers are very stiff. Because of the rubberized finish around them. Not real quick to get into.
I tripped and fell on my back on all my camera stuff(not pretty). Got up dusted it off and all was good to go.

i have the lowepro flipside 400 aw ...

i only have one word for the bag ....

AMAZING!
i love absolutely everything about it! Ive not found anything i dislike yet
and for hiking its perfect sooo comfy!

I have one and really like it. I find it carries well and distributes the weight very well. The longest I have had it on is 6-hours and really had no complaints. I have not had it long so I cannot provide a long term experience, but I have and had other Lowe Pro bags, packs etc. and have always found them to be well made and hold up long term.

The sliplocks are for the belt system bags?