I am looking for a backpack to hold my 7dII with a 24-105 attached, a 70-200, and one more lens. I would like it to have a removable insert for the camera gear (not a must) and enough room for other things like water, food, hiking essentials. I am considering the manfrotto off road and the lowepro photo sport 200 aw. What would you guys suggest? Thanks in advance. Cory
Sorry, I just saw this and thought I'd share my experience of the Manfrotto OffRoad with you. I would love an f-stop but being in the UK would like to try it out first and that seems pretty impossible. I have had a variety of backpacks and have never been satisfied with any of them until the Manfrotto appeared. When I use it I'm primarily a hiker taking photographs and I climb the high mountains in Scotland so have to be prepared for any eventualities and changes in weather.
This is a great hiking bag in its own right as the camera insert is removable and you then have a full hiking backpack. However, I leave the insert in but I partially use it for some of my safety kit - first-aid pack, emergency phone, PLB, head-torch etc. which I rarely if ever use. It will then accommodate my Canon 6D with 24-70 f/4 lens and hood attached. There is a separate access door and it's very easy to pull the camera out and get it back in. However, as with most backpacks you need to take it off to get to the camera. There is a front pocket which holds a variety of smallish items - I put my map and compass, GPS, filter and a lens cloth in it. A zipped side pocket is placed behind the mesh bottle-holder so I stuff a hat and gloves in there and the bottle holder will easily take a 1 litre water bottle. There is only one bottle-holder as the other side provides access to the camera. The waist belt pockets are the roomiest I've seen and I carry quite a lot of snacks, tissues and a collapsible cup and sun-screen (I wish) and they are then easily accessible.
The top pocket contains the rain-cover which is easy to put on and fully waterproof. However, you can't get much else in there as the zipped access is extremely tight. I put a midge head-net (essential on the west coast of Scotland) and a sun-hat in there (not so essential!) but it's a squeeze.
The top half of the bag is fairly roomy and I stuff a lot into it - extra clothing, bivvy bag, lunch box, mini tripod etc. and it has an easy-to-use draw-chord to tighten. If I take my jacket off there is ample room to place across the top and then tighten it with compression straps. There is easy stow for two walking poles and bottom straps suitable for extra gear.
It has a solid frame which makes it heavier but I find is great support and I feel much less tired after a 10 hour hike with this bag. I'm short (5ft 2in) but find the minimum height setting is perfect for me.
Now the cons: the extra camera strap placed (fixed position) between the sternum and waist straps is absolutely useless for most women but may work for males or tall women. I just tuck it away and may try to find another use for it or cut it off. The funny thing about camera bags is that they are supposedly unisex whereas you would never expect a hiking pack to be - what gives with this? I think f-stop is coming out with a women's bag - we'll see.
The other issue I have is that I find the waist strap (which is excellently made) to be difficult to tighten. It's a nice, wide belt with a substantial clasp but you have to pull the straps outwards to tighten and I struggle to get them to move. Very thoughtfully, Manfrotto have provided little velcro strips with which to tie away the excess fabric on all the straps.
As mentioned the top pocket is too small for my liking but have come to accept it! I have never used any of my myriad backpacks for hiking since I bought this bag. Highly recommended. Oh, and I bought the orange/red one so that I would be easily seen by the rescue services should I need them!
Hope this helps.
