I want a backpack, but shoulder bags are so much better....?

If you are going to carry a dSLR body with two decent lenses, you WILL NEED a backpack with a real belt strap and a chest strap as you grow older.

Or, hire a Sherpa...

I have the Lowepro Flipside 300 since 2012 and have logged thousands of miles in international trips (ie. you take it with you everywhere you go, no car trunks or safe hotel rooms).

I love this pack. Two downsides...

It will not take anything but a small tablet. More in a moment.

The chest strap tends to come off. Lowepro replaced one and I sew the 'exits' closed so the new one doesn't fly away.

I am preparing for the trip of a lifetime, so I got a 15" laptop. Not exactly small but the smallest one my ageing eyes can see comfortably. It will serve well in downloading and backing up my daily haul of photos. Nope the Flipside is not coming along for this ride...

I got a Case Logic Kilowatt which can carry the 60D and 5D3 bodies, the EF 24-70, EF 70-200, the EF 50 f1.8 and the 2x extender. Also the laptop. Comfortable with the hefty hip belt.

The total is 21.8 lbs. There is more room but I will run afoul of the carry on weight limitations!

The wife carries the EFS 18-200 if she wants to shoot the 60D...

MakisM1 wrote in post #18557764
If you are going to carry a dSLR body with two decent lenses, you WILL NEED a backpack with a real belt strap and a chest strap as you grow older.

I tend to go back and forth on this. Most of the time when I am hiking ( Not crazy long hikes ) I am holding my camera so my bag is generally pretty light so I prefer a shoulder bag so I can easily swap a lens or get a filter etc. I find ultimately it's better to simply not carry a ton of gear. ( usually just an extra lens, filters, gorilla pod ) but occasional I like to shoot with 2 bodies and that's when I opt for a backpack. I still prefer the Fstop Kenti for this set up. 5d2-16-35 and 7d2 400-100.

I do agree the waist belt strap is key to a comfortable backpack. I may try a TT change up again, I had one a long time ago and while I felt like a dork it was probably the best system for me along with a digital holster.

I have both shoulder bags and back packs (plus single and double lens bags). All serve their purposes depending how I'm going to shoot for the day. With my shoulder bags I simply adjust the strap out (typically to the longest available) and wear the strap across my shoulder ala bandalero style. This keeps it from slipping and I can still access lenses without removing. The backpack is simply used to carry all contingencies of equipment that might be needed for the day. If I'm on a quicker shoot I may bring just the lens bag to carry a second (or third if I'm wearing two bodies) lens. Bottom line is different equipment to meet the various needs.