Burton Zoom vs Crumpler Whickey & Cox

So I'm looking for a decent bag to take on an excursion across china and I'm pretty sure that I've narrowed it down to these two bags. Kit wise I'll have the 7D, 24-70, 17L, 35L and 135L with 4 batteries and a slew of memory cards with an Epson P3000 and MBP 15". The burton definitely seems roomier and possibly a little more weather resistant than the crumpler but comfort wise I've found crumplers to excel in this area.

I'm going to be covering somewhere around 4000km's via trains, buses and hiking up multiple mountains on this trek so I also need something that can hold a water bottle or two, some snacks, power bars and take the punishment.

Anyone done some really long treks and put either bag through some good punishment?

I used to own the Crumpler and aside from camera + laptop you can't squeeze much more in. The design is of a camera bag backpack and not meant for day trips or hiking. The external pockets are very slim and narrow and inside is a velcro pouch for laptop/papers/notepad. You can maybe squeeze a light windbreaker in but you won't get water bottles or a lunch bag.

If you want something for hiking + backpacking look at the Clik Elite lineup. Much more versitile.

Travelling in China be very wary of theft. Had friends live there for many years, had bags cut open on busy trains and items pulled out the sides. Whatever you get have a hard board protecting it, and probably most of all don't let it look like a camera bag. I currently have the Dakine Sequence and love it, but am thinking of modifying one of the new style "The North Face" day packs with the separate based on the bottom and creating a do-it-yourself camera pocket. Mountainsmith and F-Stop both make decent bags I have read good things about.

Good luck, can't wait to travel there myself.

Cheers,
Kf

I just opened the shipping box my Burton pack came in 5 minutes ago. I havent tried to put my gear in it yet, but from what Ive seen you shouldnt have a problem getting all your gear in this, and then have A LOT of extra room outside the camera pack for snacks, a couple water bottles etc, and probably even a sweatshirt in the very back portion that would be open to the elements.

As stated above about security, I got the blue gray camo, and being a Burton, it certainly looks more like a board/ski bag than a camera bag. I just looked, and there is more than enough room to put something in between the internal removable camera pack and the sides and back to keep unwanted knives from finding your stuff

i just sold my wickey and cox,
the side pockets aren't really good and you can't put much in it, the dakine sequence has really nice side pockets,
not too sure about the burton but I'll guess that it will have better pockets than the wickey and cox

Awesome, thanks for the feedback folks. I had a chance to drop into a store while I was away on business and see the Burton Zoom which I'm definitely favoring over the Crumpler as the zipper opens from the rear of the bag pressed against your back rather than the front of the bag where someone could unzip it and quickly grab something.

Thanks again for the advice!

The Crumpler is the same style zipper.

smcclelland wrote in post #10208984
Awesome, thanks for the feedback folks. I had a chance to drop into a store while I was away on business and see the Burton Zoom which I'm definitely favoring over the Crumpler as the zipper opens from the rear of the bag pressed against your back rather than the front of the bag where someone could unzip it and quickly grab something.

Thanks again for the advice!

The Whickey & Cox also zips from the inside that is against your back as well.

So I decided to go with an F-Stop Tilopa bag in the end because of the size, room and weather proofing that will come in handy with all the rain china is getting in the southern provinces we are visiting. Should be arriving this week I hope.

love my burton.

I had the Whickey & Cox a few years ago. Compared to most comments I agree and the pockets are somewhat useless. Also the bag is extremely big for only carrying a laptop and a small camera kit.