Review Lowepro Vertex 300 AW

Here is an attempt at a review of the Lowepro Vertex 300 AW backpack.

The specifics of Vertex 300 is that it is a very rugged backpack adapted for bad weather, and that it has room for a laptop and quite a lot of photo equipment.

The official Lowepro product page for the backpack is here.

A couple of figures about the bag:
Total size of bag: 33 x 26 x 55 cm
Size of camera compartment: 31 x 16.5 x 52 cm
Size of computer compartment: 30 x 5 x 50 cm

Note that Lowepro marks it with the Airplane icon. However, a lot of companies limits the size of cabin luggage to 25cm thickness, and the Vertex 300 AW is 26 cm. I actually think the 26cm figure is a bit optimistic - it depends a lot on if the harness is counted or not.

Alas, I forgot to measure the weight of the bag, before I started to fill it up with equipment. Obviously, it is quite a heavy bag, because of it's size and amount of padding, but the weight isn't really important compared to the weight of all equipment that fits in it.

Since the Vertex 300 is quite roomy, it also means that when fully loaded, it will weight quite a lot! Because the laptop compartment is on the outside, the backpack will not feel flimsy if no laptop is put in the bag.

A big bag with room for a lot of equipment will also be a very heavy bag. Because of this, the Vertex 300 has a very vell-padded harness, with a lot of adjustment points. As can be seen to the right of the image, there is a cover that may be put over the harness using a zipper, in case the bag is sent as checked luggage. When not in use, the cover fits in a pocket under the bag. I don't know if it is a recommended usage, but the cover is also quite good to sit on.

On the back of the sack, there are two full-height compartments that contains a lot of slots and smaller pockets. It also has a glide-lock mount for use with a tripod or any of the slip-lock accessories that Lowepro sells. The bag comes with a special tripod holder that is used to hold two of the tripod legs.

There is also one glide-lock on each side of the backpack, so if it isn't heavy enough will all equipment it can swallow, it is possible to use a couple of Lens Case bags to put two big lenses on the outside too...

Note the special weather-resistant zipper. The one visible is for the computer compartment. There is one more weather-resistant zipper around the camera compartment.

Excellent review, thanks very much.

Thanks

Great review, thanks!

nice review. i recently purchased the 200 model and loving the bag. i cant wait to really use it on my trip to aruba.

Thanks

Three weeks later, I still like this bag a lot. The quality and ergonomy feels good! I have not had any oportunity to field-test the weather-resistant zippers yet in rain.

This is an awesome bag. I have the 200AW due to the fact that I want to make sure I can carry it on...on the plane.

Ok, Ive examined the assortment of equipment you have there, and looked at the photos, I figured you stacked the smaller prime lenses and the multipliers.
Where did the camera battery charger and laptop chargers go? where did the memory card reader go? I cant tell what that was inside the zippered pouch either..

I just bought this backpack today.. granted it weighs a ton, I dont have room for my chargers, and Id like to carry my wifi card, gps, ethernet cable, portable hard drive and some blank cd's.


Downsides Ive discovered in about 30 minutes.
1. When I open the backpack I am flipping my laptop out onto the ground.
(If not carefull it could get damaged.)
2. Laptop makes bag back heavy, since its on the outside.
3. Laptop is more prone to damage being on the outside rather than against your back.
4. If the center row inside is filled, the middle velcro pocket is rendered unusable, especially when laptop is behind it. the backpack wont zip shut easily.

So now Im having doubts.. Computrekker Plus... or Vertex 300 AW?
I might be taking my Vertex back tommorow..

On the other hand the Vertex has its pluses..
1. Zipper Cover that hides the shoulder and waist straps. (Prevents the straps from getting caught in xray at airport or overhead on plane.)
2. The Vertex has the nice filter & card holders on the shoulder straps..

The Computrekker however has its pluses.
1. Laptop is stored against your back, not as back heavy, protected better.
2. Flap has storage pocket since laptop isnt in the flap. Room for cables, chargers ect..

Hmm another thought, no underseat storage on the plane with these bags..

what size and model is laotop???

The laptop on the photo is a HP NC8430 (monitor is 15" wide),

Total dimensions 358 x 259 x 28 mm (14.1 x 10.2 x 1.1 inches).

Paul_210:
from my experience the backpacks that store the laptop against the back tend to put a lot of pressure on the laptop.
I've used CompuRover for a short while and felt that the equipment is pressuring the laptop too much.

Not sure if it will be the same with CompuTrekker (it's more massive bag), i just suggest to check it.

Paul_210 wrote in post #3792721
Ok, Ive examined the assortment of equipment you have there, and looked at the photos, I figured you stacked the smaller prime lenses and the multipliers.
Where did the camera battery charger and laptop chargers go? where did the memory card reader go? I cant tell what that was inside the zippered pouch either..

I just bought this backpack today.. granted it weighs a ton, I dont have room for my chargers, and Id like to carry my wifi card, gps, ethernet cable, portable hard drive and some blank cd's.


Downsides Ive discovered in about 30 minutes.
1. When I open the backpack I am flipping my laptop out onto the ground.
(If not carefull it could get damaged.)
2. Laptop makes bag back heavy, since its on the outside.
3. Laptop is more prone to damage being on the outside rather than against your back.
4. If the center row inside is filled, the middle velcro pocket is rendered unusable, especially when laptop is behind it. the backpack wont zip shut easily.

I keep one TC in the gray puch together with the hoods.

One TC and the nifty is stacked in one slot.

The camera charger and the flash reader in the bottom pocket. The foot of the flash reader is removable. Sometimes I leave the foot at home. If I bring it, I place it either beside the camera body or together with camera charger and flash reader.

I often keep the laptop charger with the laptop, but I can put it together with the camera charger/flash reader if I'm careful about the big power coord plug. Future will tell what happens when I get the 40D and places the 350D+bg where the Elan 7E body is now.

As I mentioned in the review, the center row pocket doesn't work for me with my flash - the flash is too thick. A as you can see on the photo, the center pocket is empty, and the flash is in a lens slot. But I can place a camera charger, flash reader or similar in the center pocket.

If the camera compartment is only partially full. then the weight of the laptop will come a bit out from your back, but with the camera gear, I don't think it is making so much difference to the balance if I carry the bag with or without laptop. My laptop is 2.7kg+charger. The gear in the camera compartment is somewhere around 7kg.

Maybe it matters that my laptop is 15" wide and reasonably rugged with magnesium case, but I haven't felt any worries about the protection of the laptop.

Great review, I picked up a 200AW and am impressed, looking forward to some real world testing

It is definately heavy after putting everything in. I was actually going to do the following when I go on my next trip (actualy field testing the backpack).

Take all the chargers, wires, etc. (except for the laptop ones maybe even that considering I have a 12+ hours external battery for it) and store them all in my suit case.

I noticed that part of my bulk are the wires and chargers for the following:

1. Charger for my Epson P3000 (I do have two batteries for it so I should be fine without carrying it around with me).
2. 2 chargers for my camera battery (I have 4 batteries altogether, 2 in the grip and two as backup, another thing that I guess I don't have to carry with me)
3. Laptop Plug (I have a 12+ hours external battery)

I think this should really take some bulk away. Essentially just keep all the chargers and what not thrown into the luggage.

The unfortunate thing is, if my luggage gets lost.