F-Stop backpack alternatives?

I am in the market for a backpack, mainly for day hikes. I have dedicated packs for longer, rougher walks.

One of my local stores have F-Stop bags, so I have been able to have a good look at them, and I like what I see.

I have identified the following important factors that the F-Stop mountain range appear to satisfy:

1. Good harness and waist belt. Comfort in carrying 5-15 kg for a few hours is the most important issue for me.

2. Versatility. I want to be able to carry non-camera gear. The modular ICU set up of the F-Stop bags looks like a good solution to covering different types of outings, including not having an ICU at all. Most other backpacks seem to be dedicated photo bags - i.e. all available internal space is taken up by gear padding and dividers.

3. Good design and quality materials for longevity. While they don't have a welter of extra pockets, the F-Stop bags have some (as well as allowing internal storage), plus multiple options for attaching extra kit to the outside.

4. Quick access is not a particular priority. I have tried a side access sling bag, found the side access not as useful as I expected (I usually ended up carrying the camera by hand), and the compromises that went into the bag design not worth the marginal access advantage. If I need my camera always ready, my solution (with dedicated trekking packs) is to chest mount a toploader bag. The F-stop bags have D-rings on the shoulder straps that would suit.

So are there other bags that I should be looking at before buying an F-Stop? I've seen the Gura Gear Uinta (online only), and it looks similar to an F-Stop.

Sorry for the ramble, typing it out helps my thinking process . . .

Also Mindshift and Clik Elite.

I can only give my opinion on F Stop since I have not used the others; F Stop bags are fabulous. Mine are a few years old and still look brand new despite having been through rough conditions. I've hiked with them for hours/days at a time in the Swiss Alps, in Iceland, in Cambodia, in China.

Sirrith wrote in post #17104269
Also Mindshift and Clik Elite.

I can only give my opinion on F Stop since I have not used the others; F Stop bags are fabulous. Mine are a few years old and still look brand new despite having been through rough conditions. I've hiked with them for hours/days at a time in the Swiss Alps, in Iceland, in Cambodia, in China.

I just had a look at the MindShift Rotation 180 today - is that what you were referring to? One of the other stores in town has one on display, with a "for you, regular customer" discount price of AU$550 (usual price ~AU$630).

It's an interesting looking bag. Not sure about that rotating waist beltbag, though. I'd be interested to hear any first hand experience from anyone who has one.

The cost seems quite high, but comparable to a F-Stop of similar size when you throw in an ICU or two, rain cover and gatekeepers (with which the MindShift is already equipped). EDIT: after reading Dan Carr's review, it appears that the one in the shop is the "Deluxe" edition, which includes the optional upper ICU, gatekeepers and top pocket - explaining the price a little.

I'll have to have a look at Clik Elite online.

I haven't used it, but the Mindshift is the bag I'd probably go for to replace my Tilopa if I needed to. But, I have thoroughly enjoyed my F-Stop

Damien,

I've had a f-stop loka with small pro and medium slope icu's for about 9 months now and I would have to say that out of all of the various bags I have owned (and the few that I have still have) it is by far the most versatile - if I could only keep one, this would be it.

I've used it fully loaded with 2 x 1-series bodies, 5 lenses, flash, batteries, jacket, water, and a RRS 34L tripod strapped on and then carried it 90 minutes each way to locations without a problem (for the record, I'm 50, 70kg and not a lot of upper body strength...).

The beauty of the loka is you can totally load it up or just put a few things in and cinch up the compression straps and it becomes a light, low profile backpack. You may have already seen the tip that you can leave the waist belt done up and shrug off the shoulder straps to spin the backpack around to access the main compartment while the loka 'leans' away from you. This really works, providing quick access to gear without having to put the loka on the ground.

Hope this helps,
Douglas

Which local shop has F Stop bags? I'm in Brisbane too. I have an F Stop Loka so would be good to be able to play around with some different ICU combos in store to see if I like them without having to purchase.

camera pro stock them

maybe call first to see which location has which bags in stock.

Yep, Camera Pro. When I was in there last week, they had Satori, Tilopa, Loka and Guru bags. I only saw medium and small ICUs, but they may have had more out the back.

Clik elite is a option I use. Though having a local shop that stocks f-stop bags would probably make them the number one option

Of all the bags that I looked at, the f-stop line fit me best. I like it so much that I have 3 bags out of the mountain series, though I might return the Kenti as I don't find the side access all that necessary and I might pick up a smaller messenger bag instead.

I have the Loka and the Guru along with 2 ICU's, I fit a shallow medium in the Loka and a shallow small in the Guru. Both leave me enough room for the camera equipment as well as other stuff.

douglas frost wrote in post #17106065
I've had a f-stop loka with small pro and medium slope icu's

Douglas,

This is the combination that seems to fit my needs the best. Do you find that you use both the medium and small ICUs? Not at the same time (I don't think they both fit in a Loka? Do they?), but for different situations. Or do you just leave one in the bag and use it predominantly?

hi damien,

this morning for a simple corporate portrait shoot, i just used the medium slope (2xbodies, 3xlenses, light meter, camranger, batteries, laptop (plus a case with 3xprofoto heads, bag of stands, tripod...).

occasionally i just use the pro small if i just want body and lens (or 2) and other stuff for the day.

the pro small and medium slope do actually fit in together. it's tight and you need to unzip the top to access things in the top of the medium slope, but it work well and carries even more than the pro large. if you have any big lenses (my biggest is probably the 200 f2.8 L) then perhaps you may need the pro large so that you can lay the lenses down.

i have attached a few photos of the bag with both icu's in. hope that helps.

regards,

douglas

Thanks, Douglas, that's great info.

I wandered into the store during my lunch break and discovered for myself that both the small pro and medium slope will fit in the Loka. That adds some extra versatility, if I ever need to carry lots of gear (and don't want to lug around my hard case). How does the bag go with all that weight, with both ICUs loaded up? Is the harness up to it?

My longest lens currently is 70-200 2.8. That looks like it will fit in either the small pro or medium slope, mounted. A longer FL lens is on the cards within the next 12 months, but the ones that I am looking at (70-300, 100-400, 300 f4 IS) are all similar size.

provided you take the time to adjust the harness and the waistbelt properly, the bag is definitely up to carrying a very full load. f-stop have definitely done their research and beta-testing with these bags!

dodgyexposure wrote in post #17108720
Thanks, Douglas, that's great info.

I wandered into the store during my lunch break and discovered for myself that both the small pro and medium slope will fit in the Loka. That adds some extra versatility, if I ever need to carry lots of gear (and don't want to lug around my hard case). How does the bag go with all that weight, with both ICUs loaded up? Is the harness up to it?

My longest lens currently is 70-200 2.8. That looks like it will fit in either the small pro or medium slope, mounted. A longer FL lens is on the cards within the next 12 months, but the ones that I am looking at (70-300, 100-400, 300 f4 IS) are all similar size.

All of my gear, a couple extra bottles of water and some small sundries tallies up to a load of, around, 35lbs in my Tilopa BC. I can carry that around pretty much all day without too much of an issue with the hip strap and stuff cinched up properly. "All of my gear" usually comprises a 7D, 100-400, 24-105, 10-22, 18-35, tripod, 580EX II, full set of Lee filters plus holder and all the small bits to support everything.