Finally...a photo backpack for hikers!

Back in June I saw an ad for Clik Elite, a company claiming to make "performance backpacks for adventure photographers". I was intrigued and logged on to their site. I liked what I saw so I ordered a pack from REI. I've been using their Large Hiker now for two months and the results are in. Interested in what I discovered? Read my full review of the pack on my new blog.

I'll be using the blog to post trip reports, gear reviews, tips, tricks and techniques, etc. Check back often to see what's happenin' in Moab!

In the interest of full disclosure, I am now sponsored by Clik Elite. However, my review is based on my opinion of a pack I purchased at full retail before receiving the sponsorship.

To be honest, I'm 99% certain I'll never own a "photo" backpack. I have 7-8 packs for various uses and I've never felt the need. What you describe in your blog sounds like a nice pack, but.. I accomplish that with a few pieces of extra clothing I carry - using a pack designed solely for carrying crap comfortably. I looked around their website for awhile, and they certainly have some cool ideas. But I'm not sold. I just can't come up with a reason I'd need anything other than a big cavernous sack.

Anyway, I enjoyed your review, and congrats on the sponsorship! You need it to afford those prices!

Bret, did you compare to the fstop packs? I just recently got an F-stop Tilopa pack, which is very similar in concept. The nice thing about those is that their ICU (Inner Camera Unit) can be exchanged for different sizes. Anyhow, I have only gotten a couple of outings with it, so it is too soon for a full review.

http://www.fstopgear.com/now/product

Kurt: It's nice to know I'm not the only one with a ridiculous collection of backpacks. I've got several and I use them all at various times for different purposes, i.e. mountain biking, climbing, backpacking, etc. My interest in a good photo pack lies not with the padding but with quick access. I carried my lenses in an Outdoor Research padded cell that always ended up on the bottom of my top-load pack. Were they well protected? Yes. Were they easy to access? Nope. I like that with the Clik Elite pack I just have to unzip one compartment and all the shiny stuff is right there. Thanks for taking the time to read the review.

Koveh: I've never heard of F-stop gear. Thanks for sharing the link. They appear to have a nice product line with some really well thought out designs. I've only ever used Lowepro and Tamrac, neither of which kept me happy. However, I do love my Lowepro Topload Zoom chest pack and don't imagine I'll ever give it up. Looking forward to your review of the F-stop pack!

I guess I am like Kurt, I don;t like the cost of specialised photo packs, I have a custom designed (that means home made!) back pack liner for my regular backpack and then have various other top loader front pack and small backpacks and waistpacks etc etc for different uses. The main time I use a full backpack is when I trot off to Europe, it's easier to get everything in one pack then. Sounds like an interesting pack though.

Hello Koveh,
I just ordered the Tilopa - can't wait to try it out. Bret, will check out what you had to say as well, tnx

Thanks for the review, Bret -- I too have struggled for a long time for find a decent bag for hiking. I've been making due with a Lowepro backpack and frankly have not been very happy with it. I have big problems with most bags because, at 6'6", the harness usually doesn't fit well. The bag you tried, and the bags from f-stop, look much more usable to me.

Paul M: I can't even imagine what kind of hassles you must confront at 6'6" when pack shopping. Not fun! I doubt the Clik Elite pack would fit you perfectly but I can't imagine anything outside of a custom pack really fitting appropriately. Best of luck in your search!

Thanks for the review Bret. I like the pack and think I may get one after they release the "new and improved ones".

Kewl. My name is Scott and I'm a bag-aholic.

I love seeing the market move this way. Count me in as another whose constantly looking for a backpack that can carry my photo gear and day-hiking gear ALL DAY. And not just for a stroll around the park. I've tried many, many, many different photo and non-photo backpack solutions. Both Clik Elite and Tilopa look like they're designing some nice stuff.

FWIW, I've been using the LowePro Primus and now the CompuPrimus (bigger) for a couple years. And I'm lovin' the quick side access panel - works great. I still use a toploader on the chest for overnight backpacking trips, but I've ditched that for day-hiking. Can't wait to see some of these other packs in the field!

I've been eyeballing this for awhile-actually I was waiting for black. Hadn't looked for awhile until your post. http://www.clikelite.com/shop/large-chest-pack/

Sweet!

My genius wife discovered a great backpacking solution earlier this year. I have a LowePro belt-pack (not a current model, I think) that has a soft detachable backpack that can be optionally fitted, making a great photo day-pack. She found that the fully loaded belt-pack (similar the currently available Inverse models) fits snugly into the base of the Deuter Aircontact Lite 65+ http://www.rei.com/product/765140.

Carrying a D700, 17-35 f/2.8, 24-85 f/3.5-4.5, 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 plus a bunch of filters, batteries, this combination has allowed me to avoid spending even more dollars on photo backpacks (even though it's always tempting...).

This way, I get a great back-country backpack to which the tripod can be attached, plus a workable day-pack for expeditions out from camp.

Great review

I've been using this pack for about a year and half and for day hikes and I've loved it. It has a great bottom compartment for my camera gear, a nice upper compartment for my food/clothing etc, a full length slip pouch on the back for my 1 gallon hydration pack, and a harness system for carrying my large tripod. It's also partially made from recycled plastic if you care about that sort of thing. My only complaint is the pads on the back are flat and not vented like more modern packs.

I paid somewhere around $130 when I got it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TWUR5C/sr=8-1-spell/qid=1253516823/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253516823&sr=8-1-spell

I too have a collection of backpacks. The one I have found most useful and keep returning to, has been the Tamrac Expedition 6 (for day hikes). Since I don't carry a laptop on dayhikes I use the laptop pocket for additional storage. I love this pack, it is rugged, well padded and comfortable. I can't remember exactly what I paid for it but believe it was around $125.

http://www.tamrac.com/5586.htm

Thanks for posting Bret. It is always good to hear and see what is out there. I would be interested in hearing more about the bag's weight and their time-tested durability. Keep us posted on how it does over time.

Check out the Think Tank (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/) line of bags; particularly, the "Rotation360". They mainly cater to the photojournalist crowd - who are on their feet all day, as well. Their stuff is top quality and Mike's in Denver carries the line.

Ken

Nice review Bret. How much does the pack weigh empty. I can't seem to find that info on their site, just dimensions.

Does any body know if anybody in town is a reseller for them? I would like to see how my gear fits in it.

RichieV

Larry: I'll have to weigh it at home. I have no idea. It isn't a flyweight, I can tell you that.

Richie: You might try the REI superstore. REI seems to be one of their largest distributors.