Posted by Jamie Botdorf on January 2, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Help! I'm trying to find a good way to carry my equipment while hiking. I have had a hard time coming up with a combination of back pack/straps that work for my tripod. I have a small to medium sized camera day pack that includes a tripod strap on the back (the kind with a "foot" to hold the bottom of the tripod and bungee straps for the rest of the body to hold it vertical), but the main zipper keeps blowing out - I think because the tripod is heavy. I have only basic equipment - one camera body, 2-3 lenses and accessories (filters, memory cards, etc.).
Any suggestions? Recommended packs? Other ways of strapping the tripod on a pack (does anyone like carrying it horizontally across the bottom of their pack? lashed to the side of a pack?) Just carry it separately?
Jamie, I'm not sure I understand what is happening. How is the tripod holder related to the zipper blowing out? If you have one of the Lowe packs, the top bungee is attached to the pack itself, not the lid, so should not put any stress on the zipper.
I've never like tripods, especially heavy ones, mounted vertically on a pack. It simply throws too much weight up high, as well as out and away from my back. Instead I prefer to carry them horizontally across the bottom of the pack. If there are loops there to accept nylon straps, attachment is easy. This usually requires using a tripod with four leg sections rather than three, a potential sacrifice in tripod stability that I've found to be more theory than fact. In any event, the shorter tripod length makes it easier to move through obstructions without snagging, compared to a longer 3-section model.
Posted by Kent Staubus on January 2, 2007 at 6:44 PM
I have done two things to carry my tripods. If I'm using my LowePro belt pack system (which is all I use unless carrying 4x5 now,) I have put a rifle sling on the tripod and sling it over my shoulder like a rifle. I have a big rubber band holding the legs together at the bottom end. Works fine. When using my Tamrac backpack, I have woven nylon straps that I use to cinch the tripod to the side with. Either seems to work.
Kent in SD
Posted by Matt Dallos on January 2, 2007 at 7:02 PM
I have a daypack that I still all of my 4x5 gear in and then strap the tripod to the side straps, which were designed to hold skis.
I think a sling is the best solution when you are walking a distance. I have one that has quick release clips top and bottom. I think is an OpTech. I don't know if you can get them anymore. Lashing your tripod to your pack is just another impediment to using it. Then again, most of the time, I just shoulder my three-legged friend. Photographers may consider their tripods as on their way to anachronisms, but they're not there yet. So there.
Pete D.
Posted by Bruce Painter on January 2, 2007 at 9:53 PM
My Lowepro micro 200 backpack has straps on the bottom and works great for my Manfrotto 3021. I would not want to try it with the Bogen 3033 though.
When in hill country I go for on the bottom. If I am walking on a trail with camera and tripod at the ready on my sholder I keep the tripod on my sholder that is going to hit the ground if I slip. (The one next to high ground.) The last thing you want is to have it hit your neck as you hit the ground. OUCH! Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on January 3, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Guy - I have an imitation version of the Lowepro Mini Trekker - and you're right, the top bungee is attached to the bag. However, a "mid" bungee and the foot holder are attached to the lid. Maybe the zipper problem is more related to poor construction than the weight of the tripod.
I've thought about carrying the tripod upside down (putting the head in the foot bag, legs pointing up) to move the tripods center of gravity lower...bad idea??
My next fix may be to spend the money on a higher quality bag.
Posted by David Senesac on January 3, 2007 at 1:21 AM
You might take a look at my custom system at http://www.davidsenesac.com. Select the Backpacking link that enter a subpage showing my photo gear including my pack.
I carry a big Gitzo G-1325. Near the bottom are a couple of images showing how I carry my tripod on both my backpack (right) or daypack (left). I bought a cheap surplus ammo bag and custom attached it near the bottom of my climbing daypack (orange & black). Thus the folded tripod legs fit in that. Then use a single Quickrelease buckle to secure just one leg and a mini-bunji to attach around the neck of the tripod head. I can detach my daypack from the backpack in a just few seconds and the tripod comes off from the backpack just as easily to mount on the daypack. ...David
Posted by Brent Murphy on January 3, 2007 at 6:40 PM
I have the LowePro Photo Trekker. I hated having the tripod strapped to the center of the main panel, since it just made it more troublesome to open the panel. I moved the little "foot" to the side of the pack instead. Not sure if you can do that with your pack. Then, I left the bungee where it was. I didn't trust it to support my Bogen 3021. I just got some small nylon straps with buckles instead. I use the bungee on the back to hold a jacket or extra shirt if needed.
If I am only carrying a waistpack, I love to lash the tripod to my back using the Bogen Quick Action Strap. Similar to what others mentioned above. Works great.
Depends on the pack but for my day hiking pack I went ahead and sewed my own loops where I wanted them with quick release snaps. I roll my tripod up in a small section of z rest I cut up then strap it to the lower part horiz. .
The zrest makes a great sit pad for taking a break, knee pad for those low shots, or a rest for the bag itself if the ground is muddy....
Sewing isn't all that hard and let's you modify packs you like but miss a few things you wish you had.
David, this is kinda off-topic, but it looks like hauling your daypack on top of your hiking pack seems to pull the center of gravity away from your back - it looks very awkward. I would've thought that wearing the daypack on the front would've balanced the CG a bit better?
Posted by David Senesac on January 4, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Ashutosh,
Yes having that weight of 20>23 pounds in my daypack attached to the back of my regular backpack does offset the normal balance that needs to be compensated by a more forward lean. My tripod weighs 6.5 pounds so my daypack photo gear is near 30 pounds. However when both packs are attached, the tripod is attached to the main pack closer to my back. The rest of my pack is 35 to 50 pounds depending mainly on the amount of food. For ten-day trips that would be at least 15 pounds. I weigh just133 pounds so even if not considering the balance issues, that weight would be quite difficult for most backpackers to heft. However I've been averaging over 5 backpacks a year since the early 70s and have been carrying piggyback photo gear since 1980 so have adapted to carrying a heavy weight in that manner and balancing it. The worst situation is climbing up steep rock since one may not be able to lean forward so the weight tends to pull one backward away from one's handholds. Note I regularly backpack offtrail through difficult terrain. ...David
Posted by Wyatt Glen on January 4, 2007 at 6:31 PM
If you are distance hiking then simply get a dedicated backcountry rucksack. I currently use an Osprey Stratos 32. The tripod goes into one of the side wand pockets and it held up top by a strap with fastex buckles. The hip belt works as a good belt should and carries the weight of the rucksack on the hips and that carries the tripod and balances it perfectly. The camera goes on the frontof the chest with a harness system made by Op/Tech. You can go a lot of miles with this type system and have room for backcountry essentials.
Jamie, I wouldn't carry it upside down. I actually prefer to have some weight on top to pull the pack away from my shoulders and onto my lower back.
On my LowePro Mini Trekker I carry the tripod in the usual (centered) carrier, though I can see how it may not be ideal past a certain length of tripod. Mine is a 4-section lightweight which fits well.
When I'm backpacking I prefer to lash the tripod to the side of a "real" backpack. My Gregory pack has mesh pockets on both sides and I stick the legs into one of them and use the side straps to hold the tripod snug.
I also have a tripod strap that makes it easy to carry the tripod across my back when I want to travel very light (e.g. on quick mountaineering hikes with a small pack).
My wife insists that I have way too much gear but really, an investment in good gear pays off in terms of comfort in the backcountry. If you're miserable you will not be inspired to explore or to make images with that expensive camera
Guy
Posted by Mark Hudon on January 5, 2007 at 1:53 AM
Guy, which tripod do you have? I'm looking for a lighter weight tripod for backpacking.
Mark, I have been meaning to write an equipment review, but I like my Velbon Ultra Luxi F. It folds up small, it's light, and extends tall enough for me. Sure it isn't like it's heavyweight brothers but I've been using it exclusively for the last seven or eight months without issue.
Posted by Steve Zimic on January 6, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Jamie,
I'm with Hank on this one. Four section legs are the way to go and mount it on the bottom. If you find a pack you like that doesn't have the bottom carry feature, just get some straps and sew them on. I've got mine sewed on with Fastex connectors so that I can easily remove the tripod without taking off the pack. The pack is the Lowe Computrekker which had it's weather proof cover in the bottom. I cut it out and now store it in the outside pocket. It actually covers the pack better after I detached it. I then sewed the straps completely through the pack with carpet thread and sealed the stitched area with seam seal - used on tents. I had done the same thing on my original Lowe pack and it's lasted almost twenty years.
Discussion
19 repliesAny suggestions? Recommended packs? Other ways of strapping the tripod on a pack (does anyone like carrying it horizontally across the bottom of their pack? lashed to the side of a pack?) Just carry it separately?
Any ideas are appreciated thanks!
Guy
Kent in SD
Pete D.
Bruce
I've thought about carrying the tripod upside down (putting the head in the foot bag, legs pointing up) to move the tripods center of gravity lower...bad idea??
My next fix may be to spend the money on a higher quality bag.
I carry a big Gitzo G-1325. Near the bottom are a couple of images showing how I carry my tripod on both my backpack (right) or daypack (left). I bought a cheap surplus ammo bag and custom attached it near the bottom of my climbing daypack (orange & black). Thus the folded tripod legs fit in that. Then use a single Quickrelease buckle to secure just one leg and a mini-bunji to attach around the neck of the tripod head. I can detach my daypack from the backpack in a just few seconds and the tripod comes off from the backpack just as easily to mount on the daypack. ...David
If I am only carrying a waistpack, I love to lash the tripod to my back using the Bogen Quick Action Strap. Similar to what others mentioned above. Works great.
The zrest makes a great sit pad for taking a break, knee pad for those low shots, or a rest for the bag itself if the ground is muddy....
Sewing isn't all that hard and let's you modify packs you like but miss a few things you wish you had.
Scott
Yes having that weight of 20>23 pounds in my daypack attached to the back of my regular backpack does offset the normal balance that needs to be compensated by a more forward lean. My tripod weighs 6.5 pounds so my daypack photo gear is near 30 pounds. However when both packs are attached, the tripod is attached to the main pack closer to my back. The rest of my pack is 35 to 50 pounds depending mainly on the amount of food. For ten-day trips that would be at least 15 pounds. I weigh just133 pounds so even if not considering the balance issues, that weight would be quite difficult for most backpackers to heft. However I've been averaging over 5 backpacks a year since the early 70s and have been carrying piggyback photo gear since 1980 so have adapted to carrying a heavy weight in that manner and balancing it. The worst situation is climbing up steep rock since one may not be able to lean forward so the weight tends to pull one backward away from one's handholds. Note I regularly backpack offtrail through difficult terrain. ...David
On my LowePro Mini Trekker I carry the tripod in the usual (centered) carrier, though I can see how it may not be ideal past a certain length of tripod. Mine is a 4-section lightweight which fits well.
When I'm backpacking I prefer to lash the tripod to the side of a "real" backpack. My Gregory pack has mesh pockets on both sides and I stick the legs into one of them and use the side straps to hold the tripod snug.
I also have a tripod strap that makes it easy to carry the tripod across my back when I want to travel very light (e.g. on quick mountaineering hikes with a small pack).
My wife insists that I have way too much gear but really, an investment in good gear pays off in terms of comfort in the backcountry. If you're miserable you will not be inspired to explore or to make images with that expensive camera
Guy
Guy
I'm with Hank on this one. Four section legs are the way to go and mount it on the bottom. If you find a pack you like that doesn't have the bottom carry feature, just get some straps and sew them on. I've got mine sewed on with Fastex connectors so that I can easily remove the tripod without taking off the pack. The pack is the Lowe Computrekker which had it's weather proof cover in the bottom. I cut it out and now store it in the outside pocket. It actually covers the pack better after I detached it. I then sewed the straps completely through the pack with carpet thread and sealed the stitched area with seam seal - used on tents. I had done the same thing on my original Lowe pack and it's lasted almost twenty years.