Can't say I've had any disappointments yet as I've only owned two bags and both are very good. So what's my favourite bag? The one I'm using right now, an
fstop Loka backpack with a
Small Pro ICU.
fstop is an American company producing photography backpacks and bags. The system is different to that of other manufacturers as most of their backpacks come without a camera compartment - these are called ICU, are sold separately in various sizes and can be inserted into the backpack and fixed in place by velcro straps. Access to the ICU is via the zippered back panel.
The reason I went for the Loka is that I travel a lot and am out and about in the Scottish highlands on a weekly/monthly basis. The size is perfect for day trips in the winter (crampons, spare gloves and hats, helmet, over-trousers etc.) or weekend trips in the summer (thin and light clothing) and when not deliberately crammed it fits even the cheapest airlines' carry-on luggage restrictions. I partnered the Loka up with one of their smallest ICUs (
Small Pro) as it comfortably fits my current gear (K3 + 18-55 WR + DA 35 f/2.4 + SMC-A 50 f/1.7) and future purchases (a tele-zoom and an ultra wide-angle) and still leaves enough space for hiking and mountaineering gear.
I got the backpack in mid-December and so far had three opportunities to try it out, twice travelling to visit my grandparents/friends within Germany and once today on a winter skills course in the Cairngorms (Scottish Highlands).
What I like: Outstanding material and build quality - feels great and sturdy, most zippers are weather sealed.
Doubles as a photography backpack/normal backpack - you just take the ICU out for more space and have a normal hiking pack.
Compression straps on both sides for tripod/snowboard/ski/ice axe Expandable - when you acquire more and more gear, you can just buy a larger ICU instead of having to get a whole new pack.
Loads of little pockets and pouches for filters/batteries/SD cards etc. Access from top and back - means that especially in winter mountaineering you don't have to spend a lot of time planning what you expect to need at which time and packing your pack accordingly, as you have easy access from two sides and can pretty much reach any piece of gear in your backpack instantly.
Secure - access from the back means that it is virtually impossible for anyone to steal your photo gear when the pack is worn.
Great fit, well padded - unlike many other photography backpacks, this one fits great and is as well padded as any dedicated hiking/trekking/mountaineering pack.
Looks great (subjective though) - let's be honest, unlike camera sling backs most camera backpacks look extremely boring. Not this one
Can fit a hydration pack What I don't like: Unpadded laptop sleeve on the front - since the back part of the pack is reserved for access to the ICU, the (unpadded) laptop sleeve is on the other side. It's happened to me a couple of times now that I have casually thrown the pack on some luggage rack in trains or buses just for my MacBook to utter a a loud, metallic *klonk* of complaint and I facepalming myself.
No rain cover included - seriously, for that amount of money I would've expected it. The pack is well sealed but not absolutely waterproof, something you want to have when living in Scotland.
And now a couple of pictures.
The pack with my tripod (Manfrotto 055XPROB) attached - tripods can be attached on either side or on the front.
This is the ICU - the empty part is where my K3 with attached 18-55 WR would normally sit, the Kr has left and its space has been taken over by a first aid kit:
And here's the pack sitting on top of a Munro in the Cairngorms just a couple of hours ago:
On top of the ICU with my camera gear and first aid kit, today it carried a helmet, lunch (sandwiches, biscuits, chocolate), crampons, extra gloves, waterproof trousers and glasses in the main compartment, small stuff like my phone, wallet, compass, headlight etc. in the top pouch, bottles of water in the nets and the ice axe on the side (under the compression straps).