My "perfect" solution to hiking with camera gear

[bdery]

Fries, if the bag is confortable and holds all you want, then it's perfect for you. My personal experience told me not to expect too much from the bags available here in Quebec city, and I'll never buy a hiking bag without trying it on first.

[dima]

Did u make the inserts?

[bdery]

dima, I didn't make the inserts, I purchased the Domke insert fully assembled Someone else on the forum did make his own insert, and it looks nice, but I don't have the patience and skills to make such an insert. Plus I figured the materials would cost me about the same price as the manufactured insert. It's really inexpensive.

[Jonson PL]

Originally Posted by Rico

Clik Elite is a manufacture making camera backpacks with true hiking in mind. They have the features built in like Lowell pointed out. The larger packs have adjustable torso feature for the straps. They all have hydration built in. Materials are very durable. They are built like proper hiking backpacks.

Several months ago I switched from a Kata 3n1 10 to the Clik Elite Compact Sport. Ergonomically the Clik Elite pack is the most comfortable pack I have owned. It is ideal for prime shooters. It is not a large pack so it is either one zoom and a prime or two or several primes. It is tight fit inside but the Compact Sport model is just that Compact.

It makes for a great system with their chest pack or top loader as the packs have snaps built into the straps to receive them.

The only downside is they are more expensive. The upside they are made with quality materials.

Thanks for the link

[Fries]

Originally Posted by bdery

Fries, if the bag is confortable and holds all you want, then it's perfect for you. My personal experience told me not to expect too much from the bags available here in Quebec city, and I'll never buy a hiking bag without trying it on first.

You are right. Try before you buy if possible. I couldn't find a local shop that had the bag I was after. But I had the next best thing. A friend I trust, used a similar Ortlieb product and recommended it and I bought it online. This year I gambled big time and bought my 130 liter main backback online without trying and luckily that went well. If the online store has a good return policy, good reviews and you trust the brand it is a calculated risk you can take.

Anyway, whatever you use; the combination hiking/photography is great!

[Zarkon]

I've been looking at various options, including going with just the Pentax crossover bag. So many choices - so little money. Some inserts seem to cost as much as some bags do (or more). I like the look of brown canvas for a bag - especially the older Domke's just a little smaller than that. At the end of the day - it is just a bag after all. Stealth is an advantage if possible - too many thieves around.