Best lightweight Hiking/Travel Backpack for landscape shooter?

I'm looking for very small, very lightweight camera backpack for my next trip through asia. I'll be in Tibet and other high altitude areas doing a lot of multi day treks.

I currently have the Thinktank Rotation 360 bag. However, I found this bag, while the rotation feature was pretty useful and I liked the easy to access pouch -- too heavy. The bag itself must weigh like 10lbs without any gear in it! Fully loaded up with a tripod strapped on and it was pretty damn heavy. For this trip, I need something very light -- something that can also support my tripod setup.

I'm still searching for the perfect solution to be honest. I was considering maybe getting one of the think tank pouches and putting the tripod in a shoulder carry on bag. I really want to be able to access my camera quickly and switch between lenses without having to digg around in my bag.

Here's what I expect to hold. I don't have it all yet, but I will:

5D Mark 2
17-40mm
70-200mm f/4
85mm 1.2 L (maybe, I hope)

Filters
-Lee 2&3 stop hard and soft grades
-Singh-Ray 3 stop reverse grad
-Singh-Ray Blue and Gold Polarizer
-Singh-Ray LB Color Combo
-Singh-Ray Vari-ND-Duo

Other accessories (cards, etc)

My Tripod Setup:

Gitzo 1541T + Markins QT Ballhead + RSS PCL-1 Leveling base as clamp

Can you guys give me any recommendations?

I love my Lowepro Vertext 300. Considering all that gear and expect to fit it all, this would be my choice. I also can fit all those items you describe above but,I have to incluide Nikon gear as well.

Lowepro Flipside 300: It's quite light and provides easy access to gear. Quite safe too, as the zipper can't be accessed when you wear it. Cheers.

Case Logic SLRC-4

http://www.caselogic.c​om …l/index.cfm?mod​elid=57080

I have to say, I looked at the flipside 200 which seemed pretty close to what I'm looking for. I actually had a Singshot 50 then 100. I found the sling uncomfortable after a few hours (especially with a tripod on the back).

The ThinkTank beltsystems look interesting too -- but I'll be heading around remote parts of asia for almost 2 months. I'm not sure I want to risk using that system -- too experimental for my tastes. I do use the best with the Rotation 360 (which I have) and it's good. But the idea of carrying ALL my gear on belts and harnesses is a bit scary. And I don't see what I'll do on airplanes and when I'm carrying my other massive backpacking backpack -- can't really wear a a belt system + a huge backpack at the same time lol.

I'm looking at the Kata 3N1-10 and It seems almost exactly what I want. Very light and portable, easy access, and 3 different modes of carrying it. Also is pretty high quality (lowpro stuff cuts corners sometimes I've found). Like the look of the Kata 3N1-11, but not sure If I need the laptop compartment, though it might come in handy to play with a netbook while on buses and stuff.

You really didn't specify what you're looking for. Is it for just walking around or mountaineering?

If you're going to be doing some serious hiking, I highly recommend F-Stop's products. They're designed for hiking, are very comfortable, and do a great job protecting gear.

I'm partial to the Lowepro Rover AW II. Will easily hold your gear and tripod, plus a lot of room for other essential items such as clothing layer, food/snacks, first aid kit, etc. Its also very lightweight...weighs only three pounds when empty (ironically, the same as my Osprey Atmos backpack). Can't say enough good things about this pack. One warning though...its strictly a daypack that will easily work for either short or long hikes on a daily basis...its not an overnighter.

I do not have one, but the Gura Gear Kibota bag has been getting some good reviews.

Sorry, guess I didn't state what I'd be using the bag for...serious traveling -- a lot of long day hikes and maybe even some multi day treks. I'll also be doing a lot of plane, train and bus travel in general.

I will have 1 other large backpacking bag with me which will have all my travel stuff, but when I head out shooting, I'll only be bringing my camera stuff.

The Fstop bags look pretty interesting -- I could see myself using one of those if I was doing like a 1-3 week trek up the mountains. I'll be doing shorter 1 day type hikes mostly tough so I'd only want to bring just the camera gear.

jjasc wrote in post #9748947
Sorry, guess I didn't state what I'd be using the bag for...serious traveling -- a lot of long day hikes and maybe even some multi day treks. I'll also be doing a lot of plane, train and bus travel in general.

I will have 1 other large backpacking bag with me which will have all my travel stuff, but when I head out shooting, I'll only be bringing my camera stuff.

The Fstop bags look pretty interesting -- I could see myself using one of those if I was doing like a 1-3 week trek up the mountains. I'll be doing shorter 1 day type hikes mostly tough so I'd only want to bring just the camera gear.

I have the F-stop Satori, and I use it for day travel all the time. It's not THAT big. I do carry a fair amount of equipment, so it's primarily full of equipment, some water, a few snacks, and a jacket.

jcothron wrote in post #9749886
I have the F-stop Satori, and I use it for day travel all the time. It's not THAT big. I do carry a fair amount of equipment, so it's primarily full of equipment, some water, a few snacks, and a jacket.

You forgot the makeup John.

jdizzle wrote in post #9749904
You forgot the makeup John.

Shhhhh... you're not supposed to tell anyone about my make-up Julian. lol

I have a Think-Tank Streetwalker Pro. IT is perfect for hiking mountains. But probably too small if you need to bring anything else than photo gear. It fits my 5D, a 70-200 f/4 and my complete Lee-system with no prob. I strap the tripod on the back of it and can carry it all day with comfort. I will probably buy one of the Think Tank belts for stability (you can attach their belts to this pack), but also for the possibility of adding some modular components (for example something to keep the a 70-200 close at hand)...

I prefer some kind of belt and harness system. I've carried similar gear over passes and up mountains in the same area (5D2+1D3, 16-35, 24-105, 70-200 f/2.8, 100 macro, lots of filters, Gitzo 1541T) and find the equipment much more accessible and easier to carry using a good harness system. Also, it leaves your back much cooler when building up a sweat.