Help! My gear is too heavy!

I'm going to Europe in June. I would like to take my Canon 70D camera, Canon 15-85, 10-18, and 40mm pancake lens, as well as my Canon Eos M1 with the 22mm lens. All of this is a little heavy for me to carry in a messenger type bag. So, if I could just put everything in my hiking backpack, I'd be fine. Problem is that lots of places won't allow you in with a backpack and they're not safe around pickpockets. I do have a Kelly MooreHobo bag that is great for short distances, but the strap digs into my shoulder after a while. I've also tried the Lowpro Passport Sling, but didn't like the dividers in the bag or the outside pockets.

I've looked at the Pac-Safe Sling Bag, the Lowepro Transit Sling, and the Lowepro Sling Shot. I'm not sure if I could slip these past those pesky security guards or if someone would lift them off me when I wasn't looking. What is your take on these bags or do you have a better suggestion? Any ideas for a better strap for a messenger style bag, too? Thanks!

Have you looked at Crumpler?

Here's the bag you need...
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …w_wcB&Q=&is=REG​&A=details

Crumpler make a shoulder pad that it well padded. I think you are looking at a bag that has a fashion look about so not a grungy or photo bag look? Well you can buy inserts and pop them in any bag you already have. Like the one in your Hobo. Just a thought

Crumpler bags are awesome. It's just that the messenger type bags make my back and shoulders hurt if I put any weight in them.

I would leave the M at home. You have everything covered with the 70D, and it saves you a bit of weight.

Two Hot Shoes wrote in post #17434764
...you can buy inserts and pop them in any bag you already have. Like the one in your Hobo. Just a thought

That's a good thought. I totally forgot my old sling type backpack. I already have some inserts. I'll try it out.

Sirrith wrote in post #17435058
I would leave the M at home. You have everything covered with the 70D, and it saves you a bit of weight.

The 22mm lens on the M is f/2.0 which is faster than anything else I'm taking. Besides, I also have the converter, so if the 70D dies, I can use the M with all my lens.

It's been my experience that sling bags are no better at load-carrying than are regular shoulder bags; that's why I stick with my tried-and-true Domkes. I would suggest picking up a Domke Post Office Pad for the shoulder strap and it looks like you could get a Think Tank Shoulder Harness to attach to your current bag and use it as a shoulder bag most of the time; comes off quickly and you're legit for the places that don't want backpacks (I've done that with a huge Domke; as long as it didn't have the backpack straps, it was fine even though it was bigger than my wife's "backpack purse").

Crumpler's "bazillion dollar home" used to have a double strap - you coukd rip off the shoulder pad and split the two straps, and wear it like a backpack (or chest rig)
Might be an option

Echo63 wrote in post #17435210
Crumpler's "bazillion dollar home" used to have a double strap...

That thing is HUGE!

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17435345
That thing is HUGE!

It is on the large side.
You could retrofit a similar attachment to a different bag though - i have been thinking of doing it to my TTP Retro7

Jon wrote in post #17435120
It's been my experience that sling bags are no better at load-carrying than are regular shoulder bags; that's why I stick with my tried-and-true Domkes. I would suggest picking up a Domke Post Office Pad for the shoulder strap and it looks like you could get a Think Tank Shoulder Harness to attach to your current bag and use it as a shoulder bag most of the time; comes off quickly and you're legit for the places that don't want backpacks (I've done that with a huge Domke; as long as it didn't have the backpack straps, it was fine even though it was bigger than my wife's "backpack purse").

Those shoulder pads looks awesome. I will have to try them.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17435345
That thing is HUGE!

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17435345

Echo63 wrote in post #17435210
Crumpler's "bazillion dollar home" used to have a double strap...

That thing is HUGE!

I think I would fall over backwards with that! The straps are an interesting idea, though.

I'd say cut your gear down to only your 70d, 10-18, and your 100L. Sometimes less gear is more enjoyable, especially when travelling.

King of Canada wrote in post #17442145
I'd say cut your gear down to only your 70d, 10-18, and your 100L. Sometimes less gear is more enjoyable, especially when travelling.

I'd personally need something between 18 and 100mm in Europe or heck, almost anywhere. But cutting down I agree with.