Tamrac backpack?

Hello All,
I am looking for a backpack to store some of my gear and I am eyeing on some Tamrac backpack ( Aero speed serie, Evolution serie )

What do you guys think of Tamrac photobag in general?
-Are they durable? compared to Lowepro for example )
- zippers, materials etc...
-How are the paddings?

Thank you

I've got a Tamrac Extreme Series that I've had since 2005 that has been through about as much as you can put a backpack through, to include a year in Iraq. It has held up very well inside; sure the outside has a little bruising but that is too be expected. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

I had an Expedition 5X. Built like a tank. Make sure that you get one with a wide waist belt like a trekking pack, some of the models come with a thin nylon belt such as the 5X. I think the 6X and 7X have the type of belt I'm talking about.

I had a Tamrac Adventure 9 that I absolutely loved until I overgrew it and needed a bigger bag.

Now I have a Tamrac Expedition 7x and couldn't be happier.

I had a LowePro bag for a little while, but I sold it because I liked the build of Tamrac bags better.

I have the Expedition 6X and love it. Well built, plenty of room for everything I have, and it holds my laptop too.

Ah thank you for all these positive comments. Lowepro is more popular in my area but I like some feature on the Tamrac that Lowepro doesn't have.

Tamrac bags are made better than Lowepro(That's not to say that lowepro isn't good). You can tell from holding one. Their cordura nylon is much thicker and their stitching is very good. I've got a 20 year old Tamrac bag that still works well.

I very much like the Expedition series and Adventure series.

Zigot wrote in post #11144047
Ah thank you for all these positive comments. Lowepro is more popular in my area but I like some feature on the Tamrac that Lowepro doesn't have.

Lowepro makes some excellent shoulder bags. However, for a backpack, the quality of the Tamrac is superior.

The only pack that is on a par with the Expedition series is the Thinktank Rotation 360, in my opinion.

I also like the tamrac for 'hands-free' backpack style. It's rugged. You can pack it to the hilt and zip it all in. Very good quality, IMO.

dave

Tamrac makes high quality products.
My Velocity 9x survived Game 5 Part 1 of the 2008 World Series where it rained like hell. The bag was wet on the outside, but all of my gear was toasty dry.

Nick5 wrote in post #11148355
Tamrac makes high quality products.
My Velocity 9x survived Game 5 Part 1 of the 2008 World Series where it rained like hell. The bag was wet on the outside, but all of my gear was toasty dry.

That's very nice to hear!!

Tamrac makes super high quality bags. They are bombproof. Unfortunately, this high build quality is also associated with a higher weight. I'm selling my new Evolution 6 because I'd rather go with a flimsier bag that weighs less.

I have a Tamrac Cyberpack 6. It's easily as durable as my various Lowepro bags, and likely more so. It also has fantastic padding in the shoulder and waist straps as well as the top loop handle. The zippers haven't given me a problem, although they're not up to the same quality level as the ones on my Think Tank Urban Disguise 60.

My 15" MacBook Pro fits snugly but without problems in the Tamrac's heavily padded laptop compartment.

My only complaint is the way the bag can sometimes feel like it's sticking way out off my back. Just the design, I guess. It's still very comfortable.

I have a baby Tamrac backpack (can't remember the exact model....5371? something like that) I really like it EXCEPT...the front pocket is really awkwardly designed...it's so hard to get anything in or out of it, especially if you have normal-sized hands...my other backpack is a Lowepro Computrekker AW, which has none of the idiosyncracies of this one...

with that said, I'd take a good hard look at the Tamracs if I were in the market for another bag

Not sure about your post...will the pack be used to "store" gear, or do you plan to actually use the pack out in the field? If just to store gear, forget these and get a Pelican case. If you plan on using the pack out and about (hiking, etc), I'd look for something else.

The Evolution has a tripod harness, which is a plus. However, the upper storage compartment is pretty small if you want to carry additional items (jacket, food, first aid kit, tool kit, etc). Also, there doesn't seem to be any way to carry a water bottle or two (necessary if you plan on doing anything more than storing gear or urban walking). The Aero pack does not have a tripod harness...the only way to carry one is to purchase some Tamrac straps and lash it to the bottom of the pack...PITA and could lead to the tripod banging against things or people, or getting snagged. No way to carry water bottles either.

It all comes down to how you plan to use the pack. But if you plan on doing any type of hiking, there are definitely better/more functional packs out there. And if its just to "store" gear, there are better options too...Pelican case, or even a Tamrac Expedition series. The Expedition bags are extremely heavy when empty, but will hold a ton of gear (and not much else). My Expedition 7 is camped in the attic and no longer sees the light of day...