Backpack Recommendations

[loopy]

I'm planning on doing a lot of camping/hiking this summer and I need a good comfortable backpack.

My boyfriend will be packing most of the stuff, but I need a good bag that
- Has easy camera access
- Able to fix 1-2 small bodies, a 55-300mm, 50mm, and 18-55mm
- Is water resistant
- Able to attach my tripod / sleeping bag
- Has extra room for clothes/food
- Isn't too bulky or heavy

Ideally I'd like to spend around $300, but don't mind putting in the extra dough for the perfect backpack.

This is the bag I'm currently looking at but would appreciate any recommendations.
Clik Elite Contrejour 40 Backpack CE610BU B&H Photo Video

Thanks!

 

[Ginu]

This is a very tough question as it a backpack can be quite personal due to the capacity and comfort; best idea is to go to your local photo or hiking store and trying on diff packs to see what suits you best in terms of comfort, size, durability and so on...

One of my coworkers ordered a large waterproof camera backpack for hiking and canoeing which he loved but did not fit me at all when I tried it on. He got lucky and liked it for 500$ as it was ordered off Ebay.

 

[Formatted]

Would you not be better getting a big 70L backpack and then just putting your camera stuff in the top in tea towels, rather an a specific camera back pack.

Check out Reviews - Cambags.com Camera Bag Resource. they've got a massive datebase of bags and reviews.

 

[Samerr9]

I have got the Tamrac 3385 Aero 85 Backpack, i am really happy with it, as it is enhough for me now and for my future planned items.. and it is very comfi.. check it out

 

[photocraziness]

I recently got a Portare' PBP1-O bag from Amazon. It is extremely light and I can carry my 3 lenses and the camera plus some extra stuff on the upper compartment. When I am out shooting I also carry my tripod, so it fits well. I went to Niagara falls 4 months ago and the waterproof rain cover worked well, not a single drop of rain got into the bag.

 

[loopy]

Thanks for the replies!

Ginu I know backbacks can be quite personal, and I plan on trying to find the bag locally to try before buying.

Both the Portare' PBP1-O bag and the Tamrac 3385 Aero 85 Backpack look good but I think I need something bigger with more hooks on the outside. I'll need to be able to strap my sleeping bag onto backpack.

Formatted, I thought about getting a 70L but the only problem is, I want easy access to my camera. I'd rather not have to take off the bag every time I want to get the shot so I like the idea of the side access. Also if I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather find a camera bag that fits my needs. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.

 

[McNugget801]

I spend an insanely abnormal amount of time outside hiking, camping, and shooting. My current camera pack is the Clik Elite hiker and I love it. The 4000 ci storage space cant be beat.. love it so much that I use it as my day to day camera bag.
The fact is that no camera specific bag out there that I have used even comes close the quality of the Clik packs. Pretty confident my next pack with be the new contrejour-40 Clik Elite Camera Back Packs | ClikElite .

My colder weather set up w/ bulkier -10° bag and insulated sleeping pad.
Clik Elite Hiker Large | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

All packed up
Clik Elite Hiker Large | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I want easy access to my camera. I'd rather not have to take off the bag every time I want to get the shot so I like the idea of the side access. Also if I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather find a camera bag that fits my needs. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.

http://www.clikelite.com/shop/telephoto-slr-chestpack/

 

[loopy]

I spend an insanely abnormal amount of time outside hiking, camping, and shooting. My current camera pack is the Clik Elite hiker and I love it. The 4000 ci storage space cant be beat.. love it so much that I use it as my day to day camera bag.
The fact is that no camera specific bag out there that I have used even comes close the quality of the Clik packs I have seen and used. Pretty confident my next pack with be the new contrejour-40

I've been looking at the Contrejour 40 too but the Elite hiker looks perfect. Why are you planning on upgrading to the Contrejour? They look to be about the same size?

Do you have the Clikstand?

 

[Ginu]

Thanks for the replies!

Ginu I know backbacks can be quite personal, and I plan on trying to find the bag locally to try before buying.

Both the Portare' PBP1-O bag and the Tamrac 3385 Aero 85 Backpack look good but I think I need something bigger with more hooks on the outside. I'll need to be able to strap my sleeping bag onto backpack.

Formatted, I thought about getting a 70L but the only problem is, I want easy access to my camera. I'd rather not have to take off the bag every time I want to get the shot so I like the idea of the side access. Also if I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather find a camera bag that fits my needs. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.

The contrejour 40 looks awesome. Also I would suggest investing in a nice small sleeping bag like McNugget's. I used one of those last year and it was awesome and extremely small.
I see a little contradiction in what you are wanting/asking for... easy camera access to a backpack will imply the backpack has to come off which contradicts with easy fast access; perhaps a separate bag would be a better idea, not to mention this can be used on its own at any given time.

 

[McNugget801]

I spend an insanely abnormal amount of time outside hiking, camping, and shooting. My current camera pack is the Clik Elite hiker and I love it. The 4000 ci storage space cant be beat.. love it so much that I use it as my day to day camera bag.
The fact is that no camera specific bag out there that I have used even comes close the quality of the Clik packs I have seen and used. Pretty confident my next pack with be the new contrejour-40

I've been looking at the Contrejour 40 too but the Elite hiker looks perfect. Why are you planning on upgrading to the Contrejour? They look to be about the same size?
Do you have the Clikstand?

Just trying to get everything smaller and lighter in order to go bigger and the click hiker is a heavy pack. Dont get me wrong.. i love it. Also I recently attended the Outdoor retailer show in SLC and fell in love with the new line of Clik Elite packs that will come out later this spring.
http://www.clikelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Clik_Cat_2011_email.pdf
The one i really liked was the venture 35, just seemed perfect for day hikes with no camping.

For bigger hikes (8+ miles) and backpacking trips I have been using a holster bag for my camera and have been packing and extra lens, flash, with in a normal pack...
Here is my gear from a trip this past summer, if you click the link I have notes describing each item
Packing for Timp | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and no to the Clikstand
I have a 1.3lb slik tripod that I use.

 

[ghache]

Baltoro? 75 - Gregory Packs - Products - Men's - Technical

 

[RJT]

I like Kata , very light and well made....this will hold lots of stuff.

Kata 3N1-30. Slings & Torso Packs Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags)

 

[Ginu]

I like Kata , very light and well made....this will hold lots of stuff.

Kata 3N1-30. Slings & Torso Packs Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags)

Kata was neat and I really loved the ability of being able to make it as a backpack or a sling bag although I didn't like the way the camera's sat in there and I really dont think its a big enough bag for what the user wants to use it (backpacking with quite a bit of photo gear and camping gear)...

 

[spacefuzz]

Thank you for the informative thread, I think I might end up getting one of those clik bags. Ive been wanting something where I can hike with my camera easily.

 

[wirelessnikon]

I like all the options mentioned