Photo Backpacks - Perfect Upgrade

I needed to replace my Mini Trekker backpack with one giving more depth and greater protection for my Canon 1D Mark II after a recent incident. I wanted something similar to the Mini Trekker but a bit larger and deeper but Lowepro did not appear to have what I wanted so eventually, I ended up buying a Tamrac Expedition 7. It was too big and bulky however and most definitely not suited for women, so I returned it but during a visit to PFD in Manchester, I found the perfect solution. I told them my problem and they happened to have one last, now discontinued, Lowepro Photo Trekker Classic in stock so I was able to try it out with kit similar in size and weight to my own. I fell in love with it instantly - it was just the right size, gave proper support for my back, had curved shoulder straps to allow for a female form and all the usual Lowepro refinements. Thanks to PFD for their help and advice, I now am extremely pleased with my Photo Trekker Classic and am sure it will last me for a great many years.

It is the perfect upgrade, for me, from my Mini Trekker. The curved shoulder straps mean that there is no pulling or rubbing under my arms and the whole thing just sits really comfortably on my back. The extra support in the waist belt makes the weight in the pack sit more on my hips than my shoulders, partly due to it being longer than the Mini Trekker and there is plenty of room inside to be able to hold two bodies with lenses attached, when necessary as well as the usual array of extra bits and pieces, extenders, extension tubes, lenses etc. and of course, all of the interior sections can be removed or re-arranged as required. The pack also comes with a separate padded strap so it can be used as a shoulder bag if required. The outer pocket is perfect for rain jackets, woolly hat, gloves, knee pads and sandwiches etc and it also has room for my MacBook laptop if needed although it will need some extra padding but I can use the laptop section from my Lowepro Stealth 650 shoulder bag if necessary, which will do the job nicely. I have several Lowepro Street and Field lens pouches which attach to the side of the Photo Trekker quite easily although extra cinch straps are needed for this but it means that if going away or on a long journey I could have everything in one pack instead of having to carry several bags. The straps underneath can be used for carrying a tripod but of course, that would mean the pack would no longer be able to stand upright.

Backpacks have to be able to fulfil two important functions in my opinion, they need to be able to carry the equipment you need, comfortably, in all weathers but they also need to be accessible. One of the major issues I have is that when doing outdoor sports and nature photography, you often need to remove the pack and put it down so that you can get to the contents and also so you don’t overbalance when crouching down. It also comes in useful as a support now and then. The problem though is that when you want to put it back on, the underneath is wet or covered in mud or sand, as are all the straps, so your clothes get dirty. The best feature of the Photo Trekker, in my opinion, is that you can just use the carrying handle and stand it upright on the ground on the plastic base, thus keeping clean and dry the section which will be next to your back when you put it back on. Additionally, there are special recesses in the back of the pack where the shoulder straps and waistbelt can be tucked inside, ensuring they are kept clean and dry! Brilliant! Must have been designed by a woman

I had an opportunity to try it out properly yesterday - I went up into the Pennines in West Yorkshire and took a long hike around Ogden Water and beyond, walking around 3 miles in total, on what was a very hot afternoon with just a tee shirt, wearing the Photo Trekker almost fully loaded. It was really comfortable, no rubbing of straps or discomfort of any sort. The support on my back was just right and I felt like I could have walked for hours. I am very happy with this pack.