Lowepro gets it right, February 11, 2009

I have had Lowepro backpacks for many years and always loved how they fit me and how practical their compartments & configuration were. I bought my Tamrac camera backpack 4 years ago and it is also a nice backpack but I outgrew it and on a recent trip to Europe, it developed a split on one side. A couple other photographers in Europe were using various Lowepro Vertex packs and I soon bought the Vertex 300 AW to upgrade and replace my Tamrac.

I don't know why I didn't get a Lowepro to begin with as I knew their reputation and my own experiences with their packs. It is simply a great backpack and fits 2 DSLRs, 100-400mm, 70-200mm, 100mm macro, 24-70mm, 17-40mm, 10-22mm, 580EX & 430EX flash, Macro ring light and all my CF cards, batteries, card readers, & my 15.4 inch laptop (although it will fit a 17").

The straps are easy to control and snugs up tight & comfortable making this heavy load easy to carry.
It is harder to pick this loaded backpack off the floor than it is to carry it on your back.

It also comes with 2 pull out covers: 1. for covering the belt/shoulder straps for storing in overhead bins, etc.. & 2. a rain cover that covers the entire backpack to keep everything inside protected from rain/weather. I love this feature as I live in the Pacific Northwest and it rains a lot here.

On top of all this is a tripod carrier that is also easy to position and use.

I highly recommend this pack but will warn that when it is full, it is very heavy. Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack