Help me choose a backpack…

I know this isn’t what you asked for, so feel free to ignore it, but if I had to carry 70 liters of 5-7 days worth plus camera gear, I would first think about frame and suspension rather than weight. What does a pound or two matter compared to whether it feels as though you are carrying half the weight?

The first place I would look is Seek Outside. They have a lot of packs with meaningless names, so maybe call them and discuss your needs. Their thoughtful design and focus on carry-first seems like the right set of priorities to me. They are the only company I know of that can change the size of their frame in the field (supposedly to adjust for different carry weights). (Others can adjust torso length by a few inches, but SO has essentially limitless adjustment). Plus I like that their frames extend to the wings of the hip belt. The hip belt is the key to carrying weight effortlessly.

Did I hear a rumor that Ben Kilbourne is making packs? He is a forest ranger and knows a thing or two about carrying stuff. His recent article, Unresting Event, mentions some of the stuff he carries.

Mystery Ranch and Eberlestock have good reputations for carrying well. Both have external frames that allow you to attach whatever bag/case you like.

Osprey Aether.

I have not owned any of the above, so this is all theoretical; based on recent market search.

Hello,

I agree with Bill. It really doesn’t matter if the pack doesn’t carry well. I know camera people carry a lot of extra weight. I was a wilderness therapy guide…I had to carry a lot of extra gear. Now that my pack (food, water…all in) weighs under 25 lbs I still carry a comfortable pack. I tried to lose some pack weight by changing my backpack…well my base weight went down but so did my comfort. I went back to what I know best and I’m much happier. I use a Mystery Ranch Terraframe 50. Weighs 5 lbs but it’s REALLY comfortable. Also, take this with a grain of salt. I’m a mom of a 2 and 5 year old so I pack extra weight when my littles go with me. I will say that if you aren’t carrying a lot of weight (20lbs or less) pack feels like it’s not there. When it’s over 25lbs your so happy to have that robust frame. I like the MR Terraframe because of its versatility. It’s adjustable (my husband and I can both use it), I can also attach things to the frame, I can switch the bag that’s attached to the frame and it rides batter than any bag I’ve ever used. YMMV but I agree with Bill look into the frame…the UL makes you feel as though everyone’s needs are the same. “Lose pack weight.“ It’s true, the less you have on your back the better. But, you have a specific need that isn’t considered by most pack manufacturers. I have weird needs (carry kids gear, winter trips, taking group gear) 2lbs wasn’t worth it for me but my needs are not the typical UL needs. Again YMMV. Good luck.

Thank you both for your feedback!
I should have mentioned that I’ve used my Osprey 48 (which is quite a small pack) successfully on many outings and it was perfectly comfortable albeit a bit lacking in space for my needs. Previously I was using a Dana Designs 65L Terraframe (now Mystery Ranch)… that thing was BOMB proof but holy hell it was heavy. So, I’m certainly not looking to go back that direction.

I’m looking hard at the LiteAF Curve 46 because it has load lifters and suspension (which is removable for lighter loads) and by all accounts its comfortable and nearly weather proof based on the materials used.

Seek Outside Divide and Unaweep are both 80L packs that weigh less than 3lb and have far more robust frames than LifeAF.

If you want some type of zip access to your main compartment you could look at the Granite Gear Blaze 60.  Weighs 3 lbs. rated to Carry up to 50lbs.  Zpacks has the Arc Zip 62L at 25 oz.

Superior Wilderness Designs Big Wild or Wendigo will carry weight comfortably.  You can get a large zip outside pocket they make (bow bag) to attach to the front of the pack.

Since this is BackpackingLight, I have couple of observations

1) If without the camera gear, you are using a 48 liter Osprey for a 3 to 4 day trip, you might seriously consider getting out a scale and weighing all your gear, finding more multipurpose items, moving to a lighter shelter, etc.

2) I love my tripod and will carry it all day for landscape photography when I am only a mile or two from my SUV.  But unless you are a professional landscape photographer, perhaps you could get by without the tripod for backpacking?  Modern in camera image stabilization is like magic.

3) Reduce the number of lenses. For my minimalist landscape kit, I carry just two lenses: a medium telephoto and an ultra wide angle packed in foam and just one camera body.  I also moved to micro 4/3 to get lighter glass and smaller bodies.

4) If you do want to still carry a tripod, and have slimmed down the rest of your kit, I would consider 40 to 50 liter ski touring packs and climbing packs from Patagonia, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardware, etc.  I have never been all that impressed with how camera backpacks carry loads and they are always way too heavy.  But a pack designed to carry skis or climbing gear will certainly be able to carry your tripod. Many of them have side entry, and some of the Patagonia packs have a full zip “front” entry to access gear, and many of the packs are water proof such as certain models from Arcteryx.

Hi @btolley – thanks for your comment!
A few things worth mentioning:

1. I use my 48L Osprey with all of my camera gear, including my tripod, which gets strapped on one of the side pockets.

2. I have weighed everything and built a pretty robust usable spreadsheet already so I know what every thing weighs already. You can play with it if you want: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ru8fgkymi2sej746mxall/Backpacking-Gear-Planner-and-Calculator.xlsm?dl=0&rlkey=1nenmsrvdwddt3kczennupuc4

3. My lens compliment varies trip to trip and I even have different ICUs etc. depending on the outing. All of my lenses are also in my spreadsheet for easy plug and play. I will never go to a M4/3 body. I print 100″ and up and need pixels.

4. Thanks for those recommendations!

Thanks @bajabob for those recommendations!

Hey Matt

Well if you are going to carry a tripod you might as well carry the very best, an FLM CP30-L4 II. I bought one late in my photography journey and now hardly ever use my Gitzo.

With the loads you want/need to carry and the need to strap the tripod on the back, some of the climbing packs might work. But if you are aiming >= 50 liter pack that is under 3 lbs, I think you should examine the lightweight packs designed for hunting and/or packrafting such as the Superior Wilderness Designs and its competitors. You need carrying capacity. Check out some of the hunting pack threads in this forum. I do not think a Zpacks pack will fit your spec.

Buy once/cry once.

I own a FLM CP30-L4 II and agree – it is one of the best. I don’t use it for backpacking though.

Seek Outside is great. I would not discount SWD, although like Baja Bob, I would recommend the Wendigo or Wild Bill in 70L. The thing that sets SWD apart from other 2 lbs packs is that they have a plethora of attachment points all over. So fixing that tripod or different pouches/pockets to the pack will not be an issue.

I’ll second taking a look at Seek Outside. I have a Goshawk. Def think more about your suspension than just the pack.

Piling on – I love my Seek Outside Divide, it’s 48 oz and can carry 70 pounds comfortably when necessary (fortunately, very rarely).

I guess if I had lots of camera equipment, I would like to take my backpack as carry on with me on the plane (my preferred 1st choice always) rather than checking it in or have one small backpack for the camera gear and check in a bigger backpack while flying (second choice). Of course if you are always driving, then I suppose it doesn’t matter. Though when planning, you may want to plan with 1st choice in mind.

If 1st choice is the preferred choice, I guess you would need a backpack that can fit into the carry-on compartment in the plane. Which means you are limited to 22 inch height backpack. Or a backpack where you can easily remove the frame and put it under your seat – like aluminum stays of HMG or SWD etc.

Finding a 22 inch height backpack that can carry say 40 lbs (assuming 10lbs for water 10 lbs camera gear, 10lbs food, 10 to 12 lbs base weight) is going to be challenging. I don’t know what your torso size is. If it is say large or tall, then you don’t have any choice but to go with choice 2 – check in your bag. Then you might as well go with a heavy hauler – like Seek Outside Divide or Seek Outside Revolution Suspension frame. With the seek outside revolution frame and no bag or ability to add different bags, there is a possibility for you to carry the backpack of your choice as carry-on while checking in the frame in a lightweight duffel bag etc and then attach it once you reach destination which is what the Revolution frame helps you achieve easily.

If your torso is medium – then you could take the whole thing as carry on with you. HMG 4400 or Arc Haul 70l will definitely fit into carry on – but, don’t know if you can carry low 40 lbs in those comfortably. Some can. Some cannot. Durston Kakwa 55 with a 25 inch frame may be a good choice – if you remove the frame. Similarly SWD backpacks as well.  I have not used Kakwa or SWD framed – so can’t say much other than they have good reviews about carrying ability.

I also like Sierra Designs flex capacitor – except the backpack heights are large like Exos and it is a pain to remove the frame and put it back. You will have to check it in and you don’t want to do that with camera equipment.

If you can get it under 35lbs for the total packed weight on first day and medium torso, then HMG 4400 maybe a good choice as you can check it in, black fabric is pretty tough etc. Or a SWD/Kakwa where you remove the frame and put the frame under your seat (if you are 40 lbs plus) or a Seek Outside Revolution frame with your own bag etc Some people have claimed they have carried their Seek Outside Divide class bags as carry on though (which has a 24 inch frame at a minimum).

“If you can get it under 35lbs for the total packed weight on first day and medium torso, then HMG 4400 maybe a good choice as you can take it as carry on – check it in, black fabric is pretty tough etc.”

Check out fstopgear.com, they have their own line of packs but also sell internal organizer  units that protect your gear https://shop.fstopgear.com/other-products/f-stop-icu-internal-camera-unit-slope-medium-camera-insert-and-cube/.

Thanks – I’m very familiar with fstopgear, in fact, they used to sponsor my photography competition. I’ve used their backpacks for backpacking and its not a great experience, if I’m being totally honest. FWIW, I landed on a LiteAF Curve 46 and it seems great so far. Will be testing extensively before my big trip.

I just took a look at your website, Matt, and your photos are really beautiful, and of course I love to look at images of some of my favorite places in southern Colorado. I’m wondering if perhaps we have met you at the Crested Butte Arts Festival in recent years.

Hi @dan-s – thank you for your kind words. I have not displayed my work in any art fairs yet – that’s quite a monumental under-taking. Maybe when I’m closer to retirement! =)