In search of a compact day hike backpack

I also have the 26L Backlight from Mindshift and I think the 18L would probably be the right size for what you want. I use the 26L at the zoo and I don't feel it sticks out too badly. I see plenty of people using ~30L daypacks, particularly those with kids like me.

Another thought is an f-stop Lotus with a medium ICU. While this is 32L and bigger than you have talked about, it looks a bit more ordinary and doesn't scream camera bag as much as most other packs, and will leave you with enough extra space for the light jacket, snacks, water bottle, bug spray, etc. I'm not fond of them as a company but the design is good. I debated on this vs the Backlight and went with the Backlight obviously. You'll need a sleeve for your tablet if it doesn't have a good case already.

Here is a medium pro (no longer made) ICU with a rough idea of the space (this is the 37L Loka, a tad bigger than the Lotus). I carry a 100-400 mounted, hood reversed and up to 3 other lenses plus filters, spare battery, remote.

Photo from sawsedge's gallery.

Is the Clik Elite Contrejour 35 too big for your needs?

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1475430

Clik Elite is out of business sadly

EDIT: I see that's a for-sale post. Yeah it's bigger than I was hoping for.

See attached for how my 70d and 3 lenses fit in the 150. I'm fine with the fit when the 70-300 is attached to the body, and when the lens is not attached, it can be set at an angle such that it doesn't poke me in the back when walking.

However, the bag overall was not the most comfortable for my body. I do have a local camera shop with a decent selection of bags that I'm going to stop by one day and see what fits.

Smitty2k1 wrote in post #18612648
See attached for how my 70d and 3 lenses fit in the 150. I'm fine with the fit when the 70-300 is attached to the body, and when the lens is not attached, it can be set at an angle such that it doesn't poke me in the back when walking.

However, the bag overall was not the most comfortable for my body. I do have a local camera shop with a decent selection of bags that I'm going to stop by one day and see what fits.

Hosted photo: posted by Smitty2k1 in
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forum: Camera Bags, Backpacks & Cases

Hosted photo: posted by Smitty2k1 in
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forum: Camera Bags, Backpacks & Cases

That's what I like in the 250; there's much more room in the camera compartment for that arrangement...the body length *might* be a little more to your liking as well. Don't have my bag with me today, but I could post up a shot later tonight showing the loaded internal.

Not sure if they popped onto your radar in your search... but I know that the old Kata brand of backpacks got rebranded into Manfrotto photography backpacks. Depending on your taste, they might be a bit small or a bit big - they don't have many medium sized selections. But having 2 Kata backpacks (Equivalent to the Manfrotto Advanced Camera & Laptop Backpack Active II and Pro Light 3N1-36), I wouldn't hesitate to try them as they definitely have a more unique design/capability.

https://www.manfrotto.​us/products/camera-bags

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a compact day pack that is also comfortable for long periods with the gear I would like to carry. That's why I ended up with this for my longer hikes in the mountains: https://seekoutside.co​m …0-panel-loading-backpack/. It fits my pro f-stop ICUs easily plus leaves me with plenty of space for survival gear. It is also the right size to fit my back properly and has all the adjustments I need so it vanishes once it is on my back. It is the antithesis of compact.

I've tried belt packs, slings, shoulder bags, and small backpacks. The backpacks have always given the most comfort, but that big Exposure 5000 is the best by far... which is just too big in many cases. Everything is a tradeoff. So I keep the Backlight 26L for travel and urban use, and when I won't go far from the car.

If I didn't have the Backlight 26L, I would very likely get the 18L for the urban outings.

I really like a couple of these Manfrotto bags. Hopefully my local store carries this line so I can check out fit/comfort/usability as they do seem to differentiate themselves quite a bit in design.

I was looking over photos of the 250 again last night and comparing to the dimensions. It seems like the 250 is very 'deep' and would stick off my back quite far as well as having a lot of empty space. Are pro-body DSLRs really that much thicker than a crop on its side?

I have the mind shift gear 26L and while I think it's a great pack I find it too bulky for casual shooting.

I'm a big fan of the F-stop Kenti and Thinktank trifecta 10. Both hold enough gear for me and both are very comfortable. I know the Kenti is discontinued and I'm not sure about the trifecta. The trifecta is great because you can also access gear from the back.

Just closing the loop - I made it to my local camera shop yesterday and played around with bags for a while. I tried packing all my stuff in the Peak Design Every Day 20L bag. I love the size, look, and features of the Peak Design, and I was mostly able to fit my gear in the 20L bag, but the shoulder straps were the most uncomfortable I've worn. They dug into my neck, and no amount of adjusting made them comfortable.

I was hoping to try out some of the quick access manfrottos, but they only had sling bags.

Ended up deciding to buy the Fastpack 250. Definitely a larger bag then I wanted, but it was very comfortable and fit my body much better than the 150. And at $100 it isn't the most serious investment ever.

I'm late to this thread, but for anyone looking for a small-is bag for day-hikes/city walks, check out the Tenba Solstice line of bags. Fits a full frame body + 100-400 II, and two additional lenses. Ample space above for carrying necessities (gloves, hat, phone, maybe a small jacket if you stuff it), tripod straps on the sides, and stretchy pockets for water bottles. So far, this bag has been outstanding, can't recommend it enough.