review / photo tour: Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW - new active hiking biking bag

Thanks for the great review. Question: Will this fit under the seat in an airplane?

repete7 wrote in post #14577951
Thanks for the great review. Question: Will this fit under the seat in an airplane?

yes it will. 737 last summer. and thx

Dj R wrote in post #14577989
yes it will. 737 last summer. and thx

Cool. Thanks for the quick reply!

I just got this. One thing to add to the reviews already posted. I'm a short woman (5' 3") and the bag is just a little too long for my torso, although it's better than anything else I've tried.

Awesome review! I read it, then went out to buy the bag. Took it hiking this Monday with my gear (Canon T2i w/ 15-85 mounted with hood + 70-300). The bag is indeed very practical, fits everything nicely and provides easy access.
The only minor nitpicking comment might be that it has a lot of dangling ribbons for which I wish there was a management system. So, I left most of them with their packaging tie-downs; until I need to adjust them... Details, I know. Other than that, so far, top score!!

I got the bag, been using it a few weeks, wanted to share my experience. I do like the bag, but it has some flaws.

What I liked:
As I mentioned before, I'm a short woman, 5'3", the bag is a little long for my torso, but I didn't find that to be an issue when I was dayhiking.

I like the blaze orange. There's a lot of hunting around my house.

The bag did a decent job in distributing weight, although I felt a little out of balance with a tripod. I carried the tripod inside the bag on the side opposite the camera compartment.

It was easy to get to the camera. I had no trouble unbuckling the straps, swinging the bag around, unzipping and pulling the camera out.

I liked the zippered compartments, especially the one inside the bag with a clip for a keyring. I'm always paranoid that I will lose my keys on a long hike.

What I didn't like:
The main compartment is open. Everything in there sits on top of the camera compartment and ends up sliding down between the compartment and the side of the bag. I do mean everything. This caused the most problems for me.

No dedicated place for a tripod. There should be laces across the back so I can attach a tripod to the center back of the pack. Even my hydration pack from Wal-Mart has these and it works fine for a tripod. Everything balances well.

The camera compartment itself has a divider that attaches to a narrow soft strip with velcro. If the entire camera compartment had been soft, it would be much easier to customize, like add another divider. My T1i fits fine in the camera side, but my macro lens is much smaller than the lens side. If I put it in there by itself, it would get banged around. I ended up buying a neoprene cover to protect the lens, and stuffing socks in there to take up the extra space.

The pack is really hot. The molded back doesn't help at all. I wish they had done something like Osprey's mesh spacer, so the pack doesn't actually touch your back.

Conclusion: Yes, I would buy it again, but I really wish some camera bag company would team up with an outdoor backpack company and make a backpack that combines the best of both worlds.

good points. I've put a few small bags into the upper chamber, think "pencil case" size. this allows me to get to things that I need in the upper area, without having to hunt around too much or even worse, go to the bottom of the sack like you mentioned. if they separated the two chambers, it would keep me from sliding long items in there, so I guess it's a necessary evil.

I'm looking at this bag, as a minimalist option for my day-to-day "essential" photo gear, plus whatever else the day might need. This style of bag works well for my needs, but I'm concerned it's a little small.

I'll be using a 7D with attached 17-55 + 50 1.4 + 70-200 2.8. Would all this fit in the camera compartment? Or would I need to get a lens case for the 70-200 or 50m and use it in the main compartment?

bms259 wrote in post #15029706
I'm looking at this bag, as a minimalist option for my day-to-day "essential" photo gear, plus whatever else the day might need. This style of bag works well for my needs, but I'm concerned it's a little small.

I'll be using a 7D with attached 17-55 + 50 1.4 + 70-200 2.8. Would all this fit in the camera compartment? Or would I need to get a lens case for the 70-200 or 50m and use it in the main compartment?

you won't be able to fit all 3 lenses in the camera compartment. you'll be able to fit the 70-200 in the camera compartment unattached. you can then fit the 7D + 17-55 OR 50mm attached. the remaining lens will have to be in the main compartment. You could opt to put the 70-200 in the main compartment as well if you want.

i hope that helps

Hmm...Anyone know of a similar bag that's just a little bit bigger, to fit the 7D+50 f1.4+70-200 in the compartment?

repete7 wrote in post #14896400
The bag did a decent job in distributing weight, although I felt a little out of balance with a tripod. I carried the tripod inside the bag on the side opposite the camera compartment.

What I didn't like:

No dedicated place for a tripod. There should be laces across the back so I can attach a tripod to the center back of the pack. Even my hydration pack from Wal-Mart has these and it works fine for a tripod. Everything balances well.

Have you tried securing the tripod like this?

Anyone who owns this bag know if it will fit a Canon 5D Mark III with 17-40 lens attached and with a 70-200 f4L IS lens in the lens space next to the camera?

Really need to get a bag that fits this combo!

Appreciate any replies

repete7 wrote in post #14896400
The pack is really hot. The molded back doesn't help at all. I wish they had done something like Osprey's mesh spacer, so the pack doesn't actually touch your back.

I'm seriously considering this bag and do most of my hiking in warm/hot weather. Can anyone else comment on the point above? I really hate Sweaty Back Syndrome.

PS-- Am also considering the Clik Elite Obscura, but like an earlier poster said about some other bag, CE seems to have trouble keeping this one in stock.

I've owned some clik bags and this LP bag seems to be easier to use.
I don't remember getting really hot with it, but have only used it as a serious hiker once.
the rest of the times I was biking, and it wasn't aggressive, so I was keeping cool.
good luck jdoug.

jdoug wrote in post #15959546
I'm seriously considering this bag and do most of my hiking in warm/hot weather. Can anyone else comment on the point above? I really hate Sweaty Back Syndrome.

I'm just back from a city trip to Asia, and the humidity was insane .

With the 200AW, your back will get sweaty, but it never felt hot .
It is also much less of an issue than with many other backpacks; there are the 4 pads which keep the bag away from much of your back, and seem to soak up some sweat . I found it very comfy in the heat and humidity, and I am also very sensitive to the matter .

What you can't avoid is the sweaty-shoulder-belt syndrome .


Two things that bothered me on my trip :

- The lack of even a basic organizer for pens and such .

- Some stuff in the upper compartment, like jackets, tends to work its way down into the gaps around the camera compartment during the day .

And of course, the divider system is very basic ...

jdoug wrote in post #15959546
I'm seriously considering this bag and do most of my hiking in warm/hot weather. Can anyone else comment on the point above? I really hate Sweaty Back Syndrome.

Petersman wrote in post #15968898
What you can't avoid is the sweaty-shoulder-belt syndrome .

You should take a look at the Lowepro Flipside Sport AW series. I just picked up the 20L and it is pretty well built. About my only complaint is the lack of small organizers for batteries, memory cards and lenspens. The back and shoulder straps are vented/perforated, it has built in loops to carry hiking poles and it holds a hydration bladder. It is also very deep and holds a lot of gear. I can lay my 70-200 f/4 down and stack the 580EX II in it's carry pouch on top of it. The pocket in front is designed for a tablet but will even hold my 10.1" Acer netbook which is much thicker.