Recommend me a hiking setup

I'm wondering if anyone has a nice way of carrying your DSLR for longish hikes (8+ miles in a day). I do a lot of hiking here in Yellowstone but even with the OP-Tech strap my neck gets pretty raw after many miles. I'm not very creative so I haven't been able to figure out a better way to haul my camera than just slinging it over my neck and one shoulder. The camera rides comfortably on my midsection but my neck ends up being a little raw. Any ideas are welcome!

When I go into the mountains, I usually take at least a day pack. Depending on the lens I have mounted, I will take the smallest case my camera fits into and put it on either the hip belt or chest belt of the pack. If it's not easy to get to I won't take pics but just make sure it's is taped or pinned to the strap or you risk losing it when you take the pack off!

There are straps by various makers that go over your shoulder and the camera rides down by your hip. You simply slide the camera up the strap when you need it. Frankly I don't think that having a camera flopping around on your hip is much of a solution. One maker of this type of strap is Bostrap. There is also the Cotton Carrier where you wear a vest like apparatus on your chest and the camera connects to it leaving your hands free and getting the weight off of your neck. I never tried either one but the cotton carrier seems like a better solution. There are other manufacturers of both types mentioned above.

I put mine in my backpack and take it out on location. If you want to have it out the whole time... Look into the Luma Cinch. Very comfortable and won't rub you sore.

Lowepro do some smaller bags that fit onto their chest harness - keeps the camera handy and in front.

If you will already have a pack on, then a number of manufacturers (e.g. Op-tech reporter, or op-loops; tamrac; kata) sell straps that allow you to carry the camera on your chest, either directly attaching your camera to the shoulder straps of the pack, or attaching a holster type bag. e.g.:
http://www.tamrac.com/​g_camerastraps.htm (see N11)
http://optechusa.com/r​eporter-backpack.html

I struggled with options for a long time until I settled on using relatively inexpensive Op/Tech Reporter/Backpack straps in conjunction with the Uni-loop connectors. Video demo shown here. I retain my neck strap BUT I also feed a Uni-loop onto each side of the camera. This allows me to hang the weight of the camera on my backpack's shoulder straps via the Reporter/Backpack straps. The quick disconnect allows me to readily separate the camera from backpack should I wish to drop the pack and/or go into shooting mode. Clipped in like this, the onerous weight is OFF my neck and displaced onto the pack's straps and therefore my shoulders and hips where it can be comfortably carried all day. I retain the neckstrap around my neck so that its there as soon as I disconnect the Uni-loops connectors. I assume that any 8 mile hike in Yellowstone is in the backcountry and that you'll wisely have a pack with food/water/extra clothing/first aid kit etc.

Lowepro or ThinkTank chest holsters are other options as is the Cotton Carrier.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #15091834
Lowepro do some smaller bags that fit onto their chest harness - keeps the camera handy and in front.

If you will already have a pack on, then a number of manufacturers (e.g. Op-tech reporter, or op-loops; tamrac; kata) sell straps that allow you to carry the camera on your chest, either directly attaching your camera to the shoulder straps of the pack, or attaching a holster type bag. e.g.:
http://www.tamrac.com/​g_camerastraps.htm (see N11)
http://optechusa.com/r​eporter-backpack.html

After taking a look at those different straps I actually figured out a way to clip my OP-Tech strap to my pack's shoulder strap. It's secure and the camera doesn't bounce around too much either.

Morlow wrote in post #15091968
After taking a look at those different straps I actually figured out a way to clip my OP-Tech strap to my pack's shoulder strap. It's secure and the camera doesn't bounce around too much either.

I was just going to say that. Carabiner to a backpack strap. Maybe one on each side of the camera to keep it from flopping around too much.

I have a big carabiner on one side and a smaller carabiner on the other side and clip it anywhere that's convenient, like my belt loops, backpack, shoulder strap, etc.

I've been using a Lowepro PhotoSport 200 to get my camera in and out relatively quickly. The side access really helps when shooting on the go.

Morlow wrote in post #15090160
I'm wondering if anyone has a nice way of carrying your DSLR for longish hikes (8+ miles in a day).

Yep, Capture Clip from Peak Designs.

http://peakdesignltd.c​om/capture/

Its a camera carrier made for backpackers by a backpacker.

gremlin75 wrote in post #15093333
Yep, Capture Clip from Peak Designs.

http://peakdesignltd.c​om/capture/

Its a camera carrier made for backpackers by a backpacker.

Look cool.

You may want to also look into the B-Grip EVO holster with the travel kit. Its the same concept as the Peak Design Capture Clip..made for backpackers. I had the Capture and although it was sturdy, it didn't feel comfortable with with long/heavy lenses and a gripped body. The B-Grip has an extended base on the holster to give support.

gremlin75 wrote in post #15093333
Yep, Capture Clip from Peak Designs.

http://peakdesignltd.c​om/capture/

Its a camera carrier made for backpackers by a backpacker.

This looks like a really nice option. You can even retain your tripod plate. I was thinking this replaced it but you can order it with an RC2-compatible plate.

gremlin75 wrote in post #15093333
Yep, Capture Clip from Peak Designs.

http://peakdesignltd.c​om/capture/

Its a camera carrier made for backpackers by a backpacker.

This is also similar to Spider holsters

http://www.spiderholst​er.com/


I think the attachment point of the Spiderholster is compatible with the Carryspeed slings so you can switch easily...

frs wrote in post #15096635
This is also similar to Spider holsters

http://www.spiderholst​er.com/


I think the attachment point of the Spiderholster is compatible with the Carryspeed slings so you can switch easily...

Correct, the ballhead locknuts are similar and will work with the Carry Speed. Unfortunately, I wouldn't use the Spider Holster for hiking.