[acoufap]

Some time ago I was looking for a real hiking backpack for a photographer (that's me ) with heavy gear that would have a very good carrying system. I found one that was in the project phase collecting community ideas and critics. Cosyspeed developed the final product functional design and Vaude put in some of their backpack DNA. A first batch in a more classic color style black with grey straps was sold directly via the Cosyspeed website with a discount. The backpack is manufactured by Vaude using its great and flexible carrying system.

I ordered it some months ago and was happy to receive it yesterday. Some delivery delay due to international covid pandemic transport delays in general.

The backpack looks and feels like very well made and fully meets my expectations.



Into the XL cube you can put the K-1 with DFA28-105, DFA150-450 - even possible with lens hood attached, another lens and some accessories. On top there's a lot more room for what you generally need for a hiking tour. I can attach a bigger tripod easily on one side and carry my walkstool 55 comfort on the other side. These were some of my demands. I get everything with me what I want but of course the pack get's very heavy. The good carrying system should help. I'm looking forward to my coming hikings.

The backpack cannot be ordered directly on the Cosyspeed website anymore - so maybe not enough people were interested? - Wrong! You'll now find a kickstarter advertisement.

I had a look at Kickstarter and found a new campaign addressing two sizes of the Photohiker backpack. They are called Cosyspeed Photohiker 24 and Photohiker 44. The 44 is my version now offered with a more modern color scheme. I think if it would have been available I'd have ordered the dark blue one. The black one to me looks more boring than mine . But of course these things are personal taste.

I think some of you who are more hiking oriented photographers and like Vaude's carrying system could be interested. So I thought it's worth writing some words - here's the link to the kickstarter campaign.

[Paul the Sunman]

I like the look of it. They haven't tied themselves (and the wearer) in knots trying to design a system where the camera gear can be accessed without removing the pack. That is ideal, but provokes its own compromises.

It looks like the Photocube M is just large enough to hold the DFA 150-450 (unmounted), so the 24L pack may be big enough for my uses. However, "ships to only certain countries" is not encouraging from an Australian's point of view.

[reynb]

Looks like a nice bit of gear, but only 8 backers so far. Would like to know which "certain countries" as Paul said.

[3by2]

That looks decent and I like the flap opening and the position of the insert. A lot of the side access ones tend to have the load too low and the balance is necessarily to one side and the easy access isn't all that easy. I may have missed it but I can't see a reference to that hip pouch. I still use a hip pouch sometimes but the increasing weight of modern digital cameras compared to old film slr's sometimes makes them uncomfortable over a longer period of time. Also, I've never had a rain cover survive contact with a windy UK storm, which is one of the reservations I have with camera backpacks. The other problem is, as with all specialist photo backpacks the eye watering cost.

[acoufap]

I like the look of it. They haven't tied themselves (and the wearer) in knots trying to design a system where the camera gear can be accessed without removing the pack. That is ideal, but provokes its own compromises.

It looks like the Photocube M is just large enough to hold the DFA 150-450 (unmounted), so the 24L pack may be big enough for my uses. However, "ships to only certain countries" is not encouraging from an Australian's point of view.

There were a lot of discussions about the design of this backpack. I own a Vaude backpack with such a flexible carrying system since years and I'm very happy with it. So for me it's a very good fit and is something I was looking for.

Of course if you wish to access your photo gear from the backpack side or back where the Vaude carrying system is implemented than this may be the right choice for you. Then there hopefully are other backpacks that will make you happy.

I like the smaller Photohiker 24L too. When I'm on the road with only a few gear I today take my small Deuter backpack plus camera inlet. It could substitute this solution. For pure photo sessions the Lowepro Vertex 100 is my choice. A great backpack too but doesn't fit my hiking needs.

Concerning your hint "ships to only certain countries" I'd simply ask in the comments section of the kickstarter campaign if Australia belongs to these "certain countries" or maybe you find an email address on the Cosyspeed website to write to.

[acoufap]

Looks like a nice bit of gear, but only 8 backers so far. Would like to know which "certain countries" as Paul said.

Looks like the campaign just started.

[acoufap]

That looks decent and I like the flap opening and the position of the insert. A lot of the side access ones tend to have the load too low and the balance is necessarily to one side and the easy access isn't all that easy. I may have missed it but I can't see a reference to that hip pouch. I still use a hip pouch sometimes but the increasing weight of modern digital cameras compared to old film slr's sometimes makes them uncomfortable over a longer period of time. Also, I've never had a rain cover survive contact with a windy UK storm, which is one of the reservations I have with camera backpacks. The other problem is, as with all specialist photo backpacks the eye watering cost.

Years ago was looking for a photography backpack that should resist strongest wheather - rain, storm ... what you can think of. Then there was a fair and I thought that I had found the right backpack for these needs. Not made particularly for photography but it was advertised with a fitting camera inlet and some other features also supported these needs It was an Ortlieb Mountain X31, If you know the cylcling backpacks of Ortlieb than you can imagine what material it is made of - totally long life water repellent and at half height you could open the backpack by half using the waterproof zipper.

As I experienced soon the backside of the medal was that this backpack had the worst carrying system I could imagine - at least for me. It only really fits people that are built for it, I'd say.

Looks like we never get what we need. So I'd say the words "horses for courses" also fit on backpacks!

[acoufap]

I may have missed it but I can't see a reference to that hip pouch.

I think this is an already existing standard product of Cosyspeed. Have a look at their website.

[3by2]

I think this is an already existing standard product of Cosyspeed. Have a look at their website.

Ahh yes it is and I've seen that before now I look at it closely. It's more or less a system I still use but with an old Camera Care System belt and a Tamrac holster case, though I use it less than I did.

And you're right, it is very much 'horses for courses'. One of the reasons I've stuck with a KP and Ltd lenses is easier carrying and packing, I think bigger and heavier gear needs more specialist bags.

[clickclick]

Looks like a nice setup. Of course, want to know your thoughts after a couple rigorous hikes.

[DWS1]

Finally somebody addressing a photo backpack from a backpacking point of view.

[bdery]

Looks like a nice bit of gear, but only 8 backers so far.

That's alarmingly low for a product which looks nicely designed.

Finally somebody addressing a photo backpack from a backpacking point of view.

For the record, Mindshift Gear has been doing this for years.

Some time ago I was looking for a real hiking backpack for a photographer (that's me ) with heavy gear that would have a very good carrying system.

I think some of you who are more hiking oriented photographers and like Vaude's carrying system could be interested.

I believe Cosyspeed is not the only company offering a camera backpack with a trampoline mesh back. Manfrotto did at some time, but not anymore. I'm not a fan of the front access, but the rest of the backpack looks great.

They haven't tied themselves (and the wearer) in knots trying to design a system where the camera gear can be accessed without removing the pack. That is ideal, but provokes its own compromises.

Weight is probably the biggest compromise of a system like Mindshift Gear's rotation180, but the convenience trumps it for me.

[acoufap]

I'm not a fan of the front access, ...

Of course this issue was discussed widely in the community.

For repeatedly quick lens changes out of the backpack I wouldn't recommend this backpack. When on tour I mostly only use two lenses in quick exchange. When using my Lowepro Vertex 100, I in addition use a lightweight Lowepro Pouch (11 x 14 cm) with shoulder strap. The DA11-18, a blower and cleaning cloth and a filter fits in.

So I don't need to put down the backpack for a standard lens change - say 11-18 against 18-135 or 55-300PLM and vice versa. Same now with the Photohiker 44.

When I decide to do a session making a lot of captures and maybe using different filters etc., I put down the backpack. No need to hurry. Why should I? Good composition and appropriate usage of the gear often takes time. Of course nothing for family walks.

Besides hiking I'm mostly using my folding bike with or without my Burley Travoy (trolly) for transport. And I very often have my Walkstool 55 with me. If so, this is where I put down my backpack - did (and do) it with the Vertex 100 and now also with the Photohiker 44. So I have easy and not too low access to the backpack front access.


Photohiker 44 placed on Walkstool Comfort 55, near by my folding bike.

So in my case no problem using the front access backpacks.

[bdery]

For repeatedly quick lens changes out of the backpack I wouldn't recommend this backpack.

Good composition and appropriate usage of the gear often takes time. Of course nothing for family walks.

Right, that's my point. Walking / hiking with non-photographers means little patience for photography, in general. Side or back access (or rotation like Mindshift Gear's) is more desirable in that case. When you can take your time,, or when you go to a place and then remain there for a while, this backpack makes more sense (though I'm a fan of never having to remove my backpack).

[gatorguy]

Right, that's my point. Walking / hiking with non-photographers means little patience for photography, in general. Side or back access (or rotation like Mindshift Gear's) is more desirable in that case. When you can take your time,, or when you go to a place and then remain there for a while, this backpack makes more sense (though I'm a fan of never having to remove my backpack).

Quick access can be partially mitigated with a SpiderX backpack mount. There's others too of course.

And your comment about hikers having little patience for photographers is spot on. I've no idea why hiking groups tend to use a brisk pace, I end up missing some interesting features and "things", but all the ones I've gone on simply refuse to take a pause unless it's a scheduled one. I don't bother with hiking groups any longer, not fun for me.