Update!
Another month has gone by and I actually look forward to my backpacking trek around the neighborhood, taking advice from several here, I switched to my old Nike shoes that I once reserved for walking/power walking and it has made all the difference. Wow! No hiking boots anytime soon, I will probably not need that level of foot protection this year, but maybe later.
With the Satori, I could not be happier lugging the Hasselblad H system around. But that is the Studio kit and I am working on my own personal smaller kit and I am wondering if anyone here has used the Lotus pack? I think it might be the answer for the smaller kit, which is much less volume to carry and appropriate when all I want is to carry a DSLR, one lens, a few filters and accessories for a smaller project. The Medium Slope ICU should be large enough.
For now, all I can say is that I love the inclusion of a loaded backpack on my daily walks. It is making quite a difference.
Hello Dave,
Maybe I missed it somewhere in the thread, but I've not seen any mention of ThinkTank backpacks
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/pages/backpacks
To provide some reference on my comments, I'm 62 and been carrying photo gear in backpacks for over 40 years. For most of those years I used Lowe's b/c that's what was largely available and having been a climber in my pre 60's years, thought the climbing Lowe brothers did a nice job of thinking through the designs. While I found improvements over time and was (and can still be at times) really happy w/ the Whistler 450
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Backpacks/ci/4330/N/4232860972?sts=cat I found it too small or not shaped well for MF and tech cam gear. Its great for 35mm DSLR, lenses, accessories, extra clothing, and very bomb proof, but the depth doesn't accommodate tech cam bodies (Arca R, Factum, Universalis) unless they're placed flat, which then takes up too much space.
This led me to a great Osprey pack, the Farpoint, b/c the straps tuck in and there's a side handle so depending upon the size its a tidy carryon. The "lid" is a full front zip to access the interior body so its open enough allowing me to put a big box Lowe insert I thieved from a roller bag, to place in good dividers all of the gear. There's still plenty of room for all the other stuff as well. It does cinch down well w/ its compression straps, but kept looking around for alternatives b/c I find it a bit cumbersome to unzip the lid to access the insert that I also unzip. Its not an elegant solution, but it carries well on the back, holds lots of gear and other stuff.
This led me to look at ThinkTank models. My first TT purchase was actually a carry on roller bag b/c that's what I also needed and was using the Osprey alongside to check w/ clothes and then switched out my gear when on location. But b/c I was so impressed w/ the TT roller bag, started looking at their backpacks. I ended up getting the Firstlight 40L
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/firstlight-series/products/firstlight-40l because; 1) its a carryon size, 2) its depth allows for tech cams, and 3) their dividers are super rigid/sturdy as is the overall body of the pack. I've found this sturdiness to be the case w/ their gear and why all of my other packs are now collecting dust. I've found their packs to be incredibly well designed, built, damage resistant, and very sturdy. I don't like sloppy packs. Not only do they need to hold the gear tightly and securely, especially Copal shutter lenses, they need to remain secure on your back when hiking, climbing, etc. Any left/right movements or sag cause one to adjust their body which will wear one out and potentially cause muscle issues. Our bodies are constantly seeking to be in balance and a sloppy pack makes that task a constant workout! I'm too old to fight that and there ain't enough Advil...
I just returned from Patagonia w/ the TT w/ both the Arca R-Factum and Universalis, 2 Roden lenses, and IQ4, plus all of the needed accessories and tripod and the pack worked like a charm both on the flights and in the field.
My general rules for packs are; 1) comfortable AND stable on my back, 2) rigid interior to keep each piece of equipment stabilized, 3) enough well thought out pockets, attachments, etc for accessories, BUT clean exterior to prevent snagging on limbs, rocks, etc. And durable...
Hope this additional info helps
Cheers,
Robert
PS: I always walk in hiking boots in the field b/c ankles need the support to maintain stability on uncertain terrain. And I also use 2 ski poles for further stabilization/balance and they really help the knees and hips on descents