Help with "Backpack Phobia" for Hawaii Trip !!

We will be going to Hawaii this September and I wanted to make sure I have the proper travel bag for the plane and for touring while we are there.

The natural choice seems to be a backpack, but since I have not used one since 3rd grade and 35 years, I have a "Phobia" about having it on my back much the same as when you first put on glasses and think the entire world is looking at you !!

For our prior trips to London/Paris and Rome/Venice I used a Lowepro Nova 3 and was able to hold my Rebel with 24-105 mounted along with a 10-22 and cheap Tamron 28-200 for distance and some basic accessories. It seemed to work out fine, but that was basically “city touring” and now with Hawaii we will have a little more “hiking off road” where I may need my arms and hands for something other then holding a bag & camera. In addition, I now have upgraded to the 40D and the 70-200 f/4 so I will be taking more gear this time.

So while I agree a backpack would be my best bet for the hiking portion of the trip, I am not sure it’s something I would want to carry around if we go out to dinner, or are taking a walk along the beach, etc. For these instances I think a Nova 3 type bag would be more “low profile”. (Not sure if it's OK to put a backpack under the dinner table at a restaurant ?)

Gear I want to take:
40 D
24-105
10-22
70-200 f/4
Accessories

Backpack I was considering
Lowepro Fastpack 250 (to have room for gear and other hiking supplies etc. and put maps and guidebooks in the laptop compartment.)

Does any of this make sense ??

Please help me get over my Backpack Phobia if you think this will be the better bag choice for me !?!?

Also, I am open to any other Backpack or Shoulder Bag ideas !!

Thanks in advance for your help !!

Tom

I have three backpacks:
Canon 200EG $49.95
Lowepro Micro Trekker 100 $49.95
Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 $64.95
The 200EG or Micro Trekker 200 would hold the equipment you listed with more room to grow or pack other kinds of items with the 200EG.
If your "phobia" is theft related, the 200EG has the Canon logo, which some would say calls attention to the camera inside. I do not subscribe to that belief, since thieves looking for cameras will more than likely know the Lowepro, Tamrac, etc. logos as well.
I use my Micro Trekker 100 most often since I generally know, which camera and one or two lenses I will be hauling and want to keep the load on my back light as possible.
I have used my 200EG for storing all my camera stuff and for taking it all on vacation with either the Micro Trekker 100 or 200 taken along empty to reload for a particular outing. The 200EG is heavy with all my stuff, and really not usable as a backpack if fully (or over) loaded in this way.
I recently purchased a Pelican 1514, which replaces my 200EG as my general purpose camera equipment storage container. I may find myself using the 200EG more now as a backpack, when I want one camera and 3-4 lenses along with some other miscellaneous stuff.
Regarding backpacks in restaurants, I have never had a problem stashing mine under my chair, in an empty chair at the table, or in a nearby corner where I can watch it. If I were in a pick pocket frequented area, I would be cautious to be sure at outdoor restaurants. Another consideration at outdoor restaurants is the open lattice table tops, which allow spills to go directly on to your lap, your shoes, or your camera bag!
Enjoy your trip to Hawaii.

I used the Fastback pro 250 for my 5 week tour of Europe and it worked very well. I was able to put a 40d with a tamron 17-50mm and carry a canon 28-105 USM II lens. I also had battery charger, cleaning supplies, and the memory card reader. The top of the bag had random crap like souvaniers, wallet, etc. Overall, its a very sturdy bag but if heavy, can cause some back pain (that is if you walk with it for more than 8 hours straight). You may want to get the 350 version because depending on how many accessories you have, there may not be enough room. Either way, I really like the fastback series and would take it again.

crumpler 7 million dollar home.
only because they dont look like camera bags thus being less prone to theft.

Thanks for all the replies...Keep them coming !!

Edgar in ATL wrote in post #5920906
If your "phobia" is theft related, the 200EG has the Canon logo, which some would say calls attention to the camera inside.

Regarding backpacks in restaurants, I have never had a problem stashing mine under my chair, in an empty chair at the table, or in a nearby corner where I can watch it. If I were in a pick pocket frequented area, I would be cautious to be sure at outdoor restaurants.

My "Phobia" is not as much about theft and security but rather that I feel like a "Dork" with a big backpack strapped to my back as if I went "hiking" to the restaurant !!

That's why I always carry mine rather than wear it when in eye shot of whoever is seating customers!

Beski wrote in post #5921076
Thanks for all the replies...Keep them coming !!
My "Phobia" is not as much about theft and security but rather that I feel like a "Dork" with a big backpack strapped to my back as if I went "hiking" to the restaurant !!

There really isn't nothing to worry about in regards to looking like a "dork"... Just show the breathtaking pictures you've taken and all is good... Hheheheeheh... I never had a problem with people looking at me like a "dork" when I'm at a restaurant during vacation... Hell, it's VACATION for God's sake... Hehhehehhehe...

Anyhoo, I use my Lowepro Trekker 200 backpack, for the most part, when I travel with my gear... This includes vacations trips through several Hawaiian Islands, walking around Europe, and exploring local vacation spots... Here's a few sample pics of my setup:

Dorkiness does not really kick in until you strap the tripod on the side!

Beski wrote in post #5921076
My "Phobia" is not as much about theft and security but rather that I feel like a "Dork" with a big backpack strapped to my back as if I went "hiking" to the restaurant !!

This is probably the wrong thread to say this, being that is full of backpack owners, but I have to say that anytime I see an adult wearing a backpack not on a hiking trail, I think "DORK".

Edgar in ATL wrote in post #5922350
Dorkiness does not really kick in until you strap the tripod on the side!

Hahhahaaha... Thanks Edgar for your vote of confidence... Hehehehhehehe...

- airbutchie

Who cares what other people think, its vacation, it will be the first and last time you see that person ever again. I never worry about what people think anyway, if they think I look like a dork with a backpack on I am sure I could think of something bad to say about them.

I am currently in Alaska and have been using a fastpack 350 everywhere I go. Its working very nicely, its comfy and holds all my gear with spare room for things like jackets and such. Anything less then a backpack would be uncomfortable for long outings, I used a single strap bag the other day and my shoulder was killing me by the time we headed back.

I use a Fastpack 250 and I love it.

I've used it hiking and city-touring without any problems. I've been able to cram my XTi, Sigma 24-60, a 70-200 2.8L IS, a Sigma 10-20 EX, hoods, battery/charger, and memory cards into the Camera section on mine. It's a tight fit, but they will all get in there. I've never had that much in it while carrying around a lot, I usually just have my lenses in my signature (borrowed the other two lenses) which are more than comfortable when carrying it.

Anyways, it's a more than capable backpack and it's quite comfortable. I hiked through Montreal and Mont Royal park all week with mine a few weeks ago. I kept maps and books in the laptop section, and then random stuff in the upper compartment. It seemed to best fit my needs when deciding on a bag, and I've been very happy with my purchase of it.

My travel kit consists of a Mei Voyageur backpack (generally carry-on legal) which fits in enough gear to travel indefinitely as well as my tripod and a Domke F-803 packed to the brim with my camera gear. I don't know if the 803 would fit everything you list there but it's appropriate to take just about anywhere, entirely incognito and you just leave the pack wherever you're staying.

Check out the Kata R-102 or R-103. The are excellent to carry and really hug your body like no other backpack on the market.