Backpacks and Camera Gear [take two]

[toonces]

Let's see if I can rebuild this after having it deleted ... :/

I'm currently looking for an internal frame backpack for 5-7 day trips around the Four Corners area. I'll be going solo mostly so I need to carry everything essential on my own. In addition, I'll be carrying about 16-18 lbs of camera gear (body, 2 lenses, film, batteries, flash, tripod). I figured I'd need a honker of a pack (5100-5500ci) for my purposes, but I've had a couple of people tell me to go smaller as I'd start looking for stuff to fill the empty pack space of the larger ones. I assume my camera gear will 'fill the space' just fine so that's why I was thinking bigger, but will all this gear realistically fit in a 4500-5000ci pack? I'm not looking to carry anything that I don't really need except a flask maybe (:)) so I'm not sure which way to go. If anyone's done this and done it well -- either big pack or medium -- please let me know what and how. Thanks!

[brad nicholson]

i have two packs, among four, that get more use than others...one a 50 liter pack that i have used for weeklong climbing trips and one a 100 liter beast that i have used for 18 day climbing trips. it is my opinion that you can always cinch a load down and carry it correctly. if you avoid "pack it becuase you can syndrome" it does not matter. if you routinely do long trips then i would go for a larger pack becuase you can always cinch down what you don't need but you can't create what you don't have. just a thought...but then you could be like most of us and have multiple packs and then where are you going to find the space to store them???let us know what you come up with.

[Skyeward]

Obviously what pack you buy really depends on the total weight and pack size of everything you'll be carrying. So all the regular backpacking gear is important to consider in addition to the camera equipment. If you're triming weight where ever you can, carrying an lightweight compact setup with say a silnylon tarp, small stove, ultralight down sleeping bag, minimal accessories and extra clothings et. al., then a 4500-5000 would offer plenty of capacity. Chances are you're not quite this lightweight though. I'd suggest gathering all your equipment, going to an outfitter, and trying it out in different pack sizes to see what works best for your needs. If you don't have a lot of your gear yet, many folks will tell you to buy the pack last. This makes sense becuase you certainly want to be comfortable carrying whatever you just bought, and not have to go out and replace gear right away.

[toonces]

Yes, I'm thinking this pack will be an investement (after looking at some prices, it HAS to be hehe) so what I might need in the future definitely lurks in my mind. I can always fill a larger pack with balloons if need be. Ok, maybe not. But I did think about waiting to gather all of my other gear, then hauling down to the local shops to try to get a better idea of fit. Thanks for the tips.

[EdK]

From the sounds of it, it seems like you could be carrying a substantial amount of weight. I would only add, to what has already been said, to not only look for a pack with the capacity you need, but a pack with the suspension components able to carry the weight. There are some light packs on the market that may have the volume you need, say, in the 3# -3 1/2# range, but no way will they handle a 45# load. Just make sure your suspension is beefy enough to handle the weight you plan on putting into it. Ed

[Montana Ron]

Let's see if I can rebuild this after having it deleted ... :/

I'm currently looking for an internal frame backpack for 5-7 day trips around the Four Corners area. I'll be going solo mostly so I need to carry everything essential on my own. In addition, I'll be carrying about 16-18 lbs of camera gear (body, 2 lenses, film, batteries, flash, tripod). I figured I'd need a honker of a pack (5100-5500ci) for my purposes, but I've had a couple of people tell me to go smaller as I'd start looking for stuff to fill the empty pack space of the larger ones. I assume my camera gear will 'fill the space' just fine so that's why I was thinking bigger, but will all this gear realistically fit in a 4500-5000ci pack? I'm not looking to carry anything that I don't really need except a flask maybe (:)) so I'm not sure which way to go. If anyone's done this and done it well -- either big pack or medium -- please let me know what and how. Thanks!


I am a professional guide who needs a pack that can expand and contract, as needed, during a trip. After a lot of looking I decided on a Mchale pack www.mchalepacks.com. I purchased a Non Critical Mass Alpine 2. This pack will adjust through a variety of sizes with very little work from me. It can be reconfigured from big to medium to small in a matter of minutes.. My main concern was bulk and not weight. Even in the fully expanded mode I will not likely be carrying anymore than 60 lbs. If you were expecting to ocassionally carry a heavier load than that you could look into a Critical Mass style pack.

These packs are expensive but the workmanship and functionality made the $'s easier to dish out in my case.

If your at all interested, give them a call and let Dan know what your needs are. He can steer you toward the pack which would best work for you.

Good luck with your search.

[Rick D]

Toonces,
I'm in your situation regularly. I'd leave behind food before I'd leave behind camera gear :rolleyes: . I've got a suggestion that might seem a little odd, but after years of trying to figure out how to carry a pack while having access to my camera equipment, this has been the best - and most comfortable - solution.

I've got two bags - a 5500 North Face and a more comfortable 5000 Gregory. I got the North Face to handle 4-night trips on my own, plus camera gear. But, after a few trips, I decided that carrying my camera gear (2 Nikon bodies, 3 lenses, and all the acoutriments....) in my backpack was a pain - too difficult to get to and I hated having to take my pack off and put it back on every time I wanted to make some images. So, I bought a LowePro Orion AW camera pack, and use that with my Gregory.

The Orion is a fanny pack with a detachable 'backpack' portion (maybe 500 ci). I detach the backpack part and spin the fanny pack part around front - cameras are right where I need them. The 'backpack' part gets flattened and goes in the Gregory; I pull it out and attach it to the fanny pack for dayhikes once camp is set up. If I'm going to be camping in a different spot every night, I just leave the detachable part at home.

It's not the most conventional setup, and probably not for everyone. Wearing a fanny pack as a 'tummy' pack, though, has put my gear where I can easily access it, and has allowed me to go with a smaller and more comfortable backpack.

Rick

[EdK]

I have just ordered the video from McHale about his pack line. I am interested in seeing what those of you who have them are so convinced of. I've been to his website and like some of his larger packs...especially the one you mention that can expand and contract. Ed

[toonces]

Hmm, I thought about camera bag with pack. I don't see myself needing to bust out the camera on a moment's notice, but I can see the convienience of having it outside of a stuffed pack for sure. I was thinking along the lines of a Crumpler Bunion to insert into the middle of the pack and pulling it out when I stopped to take pictures. More to consider, tho. I have two LowePro packs (Nature- and Mini Trekkers) but both are backpacks, so no play with real backpack. Since I haven't bought a small camera bag yet, I'll look into it.

Those McHale's are nice, but well above what I'm willing to spend. Someday, maybe.

[Montana Ron]

I really liked the option of specifying exactly what I wanted in a pack. When you order a pack from Mchale you work directly with Dan. He is very good at helping you get the pack that will fit your needs. The Non CM alpine 2 I have will extend to a good size multi day pack by inserting the bayonets, or remove the bayonets and have a nice long weekend size pack. You can also totally remove the stays and the pack will make a nice size ruck sack.
Dan Mchale requires a buyer to first demo a pack so you will know exactly what your getting. He had me send in digital photos of the demo pack loaded and on my back so he could tweak the fit. The new pack is the best fitting pack I've worn. I'll spend 40 days or so from June 1 to Sept 1 wearing this pack so a proper fit is crucial.

[EdK]

Thanks Ron......I currently use one of two Dana's, an older Bozeman Alpine in overkill, or a ReDirect. Both work fine, so I am curious as to how much better a McHale would work. In other words....is it really worth the added $$. This past October, one of the fellows I did Yosmite with had a McHale, a lighter Sub-Pop, if I got the name correct. I did check it out, for stitching, etc..and it looked fine, but fit and function is where the rubber meets the road, heh? So anyway....will look forward to the video :) Ed