Camera + hydration pack for mountain biking

I sometimes like to take the mountain bike out on some trails where there is some decent places for bird photography, and there are always good macro opportunities there too. So it ends up meaning a kit of:
- Body (7D or 6D2)
- Canon 400 F/5.6
- Sigma 150 macro
- Tamron 28-75

It's ideal that any of those lenses could fit in the bag mounted, but it's not a deal breaker if they can't. I've got a couple of bags that fit that kit, but none will also fit a hydration pack, especially not in a safe/separate space from the camera gear.

Have you looked at Fstop bags? I have their bags and like them, but I haven’t tried it with a hydration pack yet.

phreeky wrote in post #18792640
I sometimes like to take the mountain bike out on some trails where there is some decent places for bird photography, and there are always good macro opportunities there too. So it ends up meaning a kit of:
- Body (7D or 6D2)
- Canon 400 F/5.6
- Sigma 150 macro
- Tamron 28-75

It's ideal that any of those lenses could fit in the bag mounted, but it's not a deal breaker if they can't. I've got a couple of bags that fit that kit, but none will also fit a hydration pack, especially not in a safe/separate space from the camera gear.

Another possibility is to get a camera insert (such as Peak Design, Mountainsmith, etc), and use it in a normal hiking backpack. My normal hiking kit is an Osprey pack with a mountainsmith insert and it works great (and handles hydration very well). If you need quicker access from the side, I also occasionally use a Peak Design insert that also works well.

jlt23 wrote in post #18793671
Have you looked at Fstop bags? I have their bags and like them, but I haven’t tried it with a hydration pack yet.

i have a F-Stop Lotus and have used a hydration pack while hiking and mountain biking. For reference I'm 6'2" and 240# and find it a very comfortable fit.
Otherwise, as other have mentioned, a hiking pack with a gear insert.

Thanks, I'll start off looking at hiking packs and then look into inserts that'll fit

phreeky wrote in post #18803013
Thanks, I'll start off looking at hiking packs and then look into inserts that'll fit

My pleasure. Just to share my experience: the mountainsmith works well for traveling, where you just need to protect camera gear but not access constantly. Because the access is only through the top, it was a bit frustrating to use for hiking. That's why I went with the Peak Design, but one thing to keep in mind is that the medium and large sizes are extremely thick, so will require a pack with fairly deep main pocket.