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Waist/Day Pack?
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May 29, 2018 10:22:10   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
I thoroughly enjoyed my recent trip to Costa Rica, and have posted some early pictures, but I had one issue that I feel I need to address before I head out on another trip. Equipping myself with a waist- or day-pack.

I found myself with gobs of stuff hanging from my neck: camera strap, hat strap, id strap (yes, I take those kind of tours), audio guide strap, etc. Plus, hiking rainforests and traversing hanging bridges requires hands-free maneuverability and often re-hydration. One of my fellow travelers wore a waist pack that had pockets, water bottle holders, and seemed to be the perfect thing for carrying lens filters, snack bars, bandanas, and assorted stuff needed for a day out in the wild.

The biggest problem I have is finding one that I can pack into my suitcase. When I travel, I have a suitcase and my ThinkTank Airport Essentials, which contains my laptop, camera, lenses, etc. I'm pretty good at packing pants, shirts, socks and underwear for up to a ten-day trip. So, if I add a day/waist pack, it will need to pack tightly into my suitcase.

I've been looking at the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack (MSRP $79.95), but I don't know how well it packs (I can stuff it with toiletries and sunscreen). I've also seen the Columbia Sportswear Pocket Daypack, which folds up into its own little pouch. They are two different approaches; the Columbia is a space-saver and the Mountainsmith a utilitarian item.

Does anyone have any experience with backpacks/daypacks/waistpacks? Thanks in advance.

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May 29, 2018 10:30:37   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
https://www.rei.com/product/895174/mountainsmith-tour-lumbar-pack

https://www.columbia.com/pocket-daypack-CB0700.html

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May 29, 2018 10:32:39   #
AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!
 
Fanny packs are nice. I actually have several (which I purchased at Walmart). The latest one is large enough to carry a diet bar, cell phone, I-pad, tissues, $$ and the like when I do art shows. It has two pouches for water bottles (that came with it) and I use one of them for an extra lens when I hike. Luckily they fit snuggly, so I don't worry about them coming out.

What I'm having to get away from is hanging anything around my neck. So I wear the cotton carrier to carry the camera. I do wish it had attachments for a water bottle!

Sometimes I wear a vest. I bought a fishing vest once, then tore it up to make a pattern to make my own. It has pockets just the right size for everything and d-rings to actually hang my camera from. Works well for a day.

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May 29, 2018 10:38:14   #
Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado
 
I used to work for BackPacker Magazine and have tested many "fanny packs". The Mt. Smith is in a totally different class than any pack that can be folded up into a tiny compression sack. I liked the big named brands of Kelty, Mountain Smith, North Face, Lowe Pro, etc. These nicer fanny packs will support a lot more equipment/food than the flimsy cheap models. But they do not fold up into small packages. Go to REI and try on for fit and comfort. Not sure you will find anything that will fill your requirements but some should come close. There are also the "hydration" packs by Gregory, Camel Back, Osprey, etc. You have some hands-on testing to do, hope you find something that will do you well.

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May 29, 2018 11:14:50   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Bill Munny wrote:
I used to work for BackPacker Magazine and have tested many "fanny packs". The Mt. Smith is in a totally different class than any pack that can be folded up into a tiny compression sack. I liked the big named brands of Kelty, Mountain Smith, North Face, Lowe Pro, etc. These nicer fanny packs will support a lot more equipment/food than the flimsy cheap models. But they do not fold up into small packages. Go to REI and try on for fit and comfort. Not sure you will find anything that will fill your requirements but some should come close. There are also the "hydration" packs by Gregory, Camel Back, Osprey, etc. You have some hands-on testing to do, hope you find something that will do you well.
I used to work for BackPacker Magazine and have te... (show quote)


Thank you, Bill. I just came across a nice price on the Mountainsmith Tour 9L, so I placed an order. I may still consider the Columbia, but it's available only in a ghastly color, so I'm holding off. I have reward points at Columbia, however, so maybe I'll just spring for it.

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May 29, 2018 18:31:04   #
Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado
 
Seems every photographer has at least 3 camera bags/packs. If you have more than one, and if you have traveling buddy, they can carry some of your stuff too. I think you made a good decision on brands, just hope the pack works for you. Happy trails.

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May 29, 2018 19:50:06   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
I have a Scottevest Sportsmans vest, which is very lightweight, and has more pockets that you will ever fill.

https://www.scottevest.com/shop/mens-vests/mens-hunting-vest/sportsman-vest-men.shtml

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May 30, 2018 05:42:04   #
11bravo
 
I've used the LLBean stowaway pack for a number of trips/years. Light weight yet strong. Easy to pack in a suitcase while getting there. Not for any camera gear, just as a day pack. A Lowepro AW-140 carries my photo gear.

https://m.llbean.com/product.html?bc=&skCatId=86674&csp=a#86674

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May 30, 2018 07:26:53   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
Just Fred wrote:
I thoroughly enjoyed my recent trip to Costa Rica, and have posted some early pictures, but I had one issue that I feel I need to address before I head out on another trip. Equipping myself with a waist- or day-pack.

I found myself with gobs of stuff hanging from my neck: camera strap, hat strap, id strap (yes, I take those kind of tours), audio guide strap, etc. Plus, hiking rainforests and traversing hanging bridges requires hands-free maneuverability and often re-hydration. One of my fellow travelers wore a waist pack that had pockets, water bottle holders, and seemed to be the perfect thing for carrying lens filters, snack bars, bandanas, and assorted stuff needed for a day out in the wild.

The biggest problem I have is finding one that I can pack into my suitcase. When I travel, I have a suitcase and my ThinkTank Airport Essentials, which contains my laptop, camera, lenses, etc. I'm pretty good at packing pants, shirts, socks and underwear for up to a ten-day trip. So, if I add a day/waist pack, it will need to pack tightly into my suitcase.

I've been looking at the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack (MSRP $79.95), but I don't know how well it packs (I can stuff it with toiletries and sunscreen). I've also seen the Columbia Sportswear Pocket Daypack, which folds up into its own little pouch. They are two different approaches; the Columbia is a space-saver and the Mountainsmith a utilitarian item.

Does anyone have any experience with backpacks/daypacks/waistpacks? Thanks in advance.
I thoroughly enjoyed my recent trip to Costa Rica,... (show quote)


I have a couple of lumbar packs from LLBean, pack rather flat when empty, the one with bottle holders not as flat as the smaller but then it does have a thin shoulder strap also if you want extra stability, bottle holders will probably hold a 1 liter bottle each. lots of pocketsbig enough for camera with a lens, bob.

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May 30, 2018 08:38:01   #
mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma
 
IMO, you're traveling with too much stuff to start with and it's making you miserable. You didn't say what camera or lens(s) you were taking so it's hard to know what would work. Check out Peak Design. I just bought the Sling Back 10L which can be worn cross body or as a waist pack.

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May 30, 2018 10:25:34   #
Saleavitt10 Loc: Maine
 
I have a Mountainsmith Tour lumbar pack. I find it extremely comfortable to wear all day. It is quite roomy. I do find that if I use small zippered bags to organize my stuff inside it's more functional. I have a couple of zippered pencil cases I got from LL Bean that work well and are fairly rugged. Batteries in one, memory cards in another and any allen wrenches needed for tripods/heads, etc in another. Still room for my phone, snacks and whatnot in the pack. Water bottle(s) in the mesh pockets on the sides.

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May 30, 2018 12:39:55   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
mizzee wrote:
IMO, you're traveling with too much stuff to start with and it's making you miserable. You didn't say what camera or lens(s) you were taking so it's hard to know what would work. Check out Peak Design. I just bought the Sling Back 10L which can be worn cross body or as a waist pack.


In this case, you are correct. I don't often travel with a name tag/pouch, an electronic hearing aid so that the guide can be heard, and (in this case) a hat with a neck strap (to keep it from being blown off). Most of the time, I just carry my Nikon D7500 on its strap around my neck and leave my hands (and neck) free of extraneous items.

In truth, I think my goal is to have my camera fastened with a body harness to reduce/eliminate camera sway as I navigate hanging bridges, and a fanny pack to carry my water bottles and small items (filters, lens cleaners, etc.).


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May 30, 2018 12:49:35   #
Acufine3200 Loc: Texarkana USA
 
It seems your original conundrum concerned packing the waist pack amid the other items. I’m in this position a couple of times a year and have found loading the pack with luggage items allows it to use the space those items would have. Just a suggestion.

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May 30, 2018 12:55:10   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
I sometimes carry a back pack that has a sternum strap, if I fasten the sternum strap over the camera strap it prevents most of the annoying swinging of the camera and yet lets me lift the camera for landscape orientation shots, portrait I have to unbuckle.

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May 30, 2018 13:14:35   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Acufine3200 wrote:
It seems your original conundrum concerned packing the waist pack amid the other items. I’m in this position a couple of times a year and have found loading the pack with luggage items allows it to use the space those items would have. Just a suggestion.


Yep. My thinking, too. Thanks.

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