Posted by Bret Edge on February 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Hey folks,
Since Jason just mentioned the F-Stop backpacks AND it's the current group buy here at NPN, I thought y'all might be interested in my review of their Tilopa backpack. I've had it now for several months and have put quite a few miles under it's hipbelt. What do I think about it?
Posted by Paul Martin on February 1, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Thanks, Bret -- I am seriously considering one of these packs and your experience is appreciated. I just need to figure out if it will fit me correctly -- at 6'6" that is my #1 concern.
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 1, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Thanks Bret. Covered the important details.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Darren Huski on February 1, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Brett, good review, the Tilopa and Tilopa BC look interesting. Couple of questions:
-Does the ICU attach to the pack interior or do they just ride freely in the pack?
-Does the ICU carry pretty stable or does it move around a lot?
-How does the Tilopa carry compared to a traditional backpack like an Osprey or Gregory? I see it looks like a better fit than a photo backpack, but what about a real backpack?
I have a LowePro Flipside 400 which opens similar to the Tilopa and is easy to get into while still wearing it (can you do that with the Tilopa?), however much like you state in your review, it is best for short day hikes. Longer hikes mean I move my gear to smaller bags and put them in a Osprey. Carries great that way.
If the Tilopa carried as well and could be opened like a Flipside, it would be worth a look.
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 1, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Just throwing this out there folks, you could always buy the individual ICU's and use them in your normal packs too.
@Darren The pack has attachment points for the ICUs if you want to use them.
It carries very stable in my Loka.
For me it carries just as well as my daypack and backpacking pack, if not better in some ways. It definitely carries a lot better than any lowepro bag I've owned.
@Jody That's one of the reasons I bought the ICUs, I intend to use them in my backpacking pack when doing multiday backcountry treks.
Darren, I think Jason covered almost all your points and I agree with them all. The only thing is that there is not an easy way to have the pack strapped on and access the back to get to your gear. I had a lowepro that did this, but it was able to do it by having a light weight and flexible waste strap. You give that up when you go to any real pack that is supposed to hold weight. I don't know of any serious hiking pack you can flip around and get to it while the waste strap is still attached.
Lastly, I think the ICU technology is outstanding. The pack works extremely well for single day hikes, but the size is bit small for multiday (they do sell larger models). I just pull the ICU out and throw it into my Detuer pack and I am set to go with space for all my camping gear and multiple days of food/gear.
Posted by Darren Huski on February 1, 2011 at 5:36 PM
Jason and Koveh, thanks for the info that does answer alot of the questions I had. I would really agree about the ICU idea.
The ICU's kinda remind me of the bags I use when I move from a camera backpack to my Osprey, it's a LowePro Omni Sport. The now defunct Omni series was of similar size to the ICU units but had a shoulder strap. I usually pack it on the trail and then remove the Omni Sport and now carry that like a shoulder bag up front, with the now lighter pack still on my back when at a location I want to photograph.
Since they quit making them before I could buy a bigger one, I use a FishPond reel case that does similar thing.
But if I could find a more photographer friendly setup I might jump to it.
Wish F-Stop had local dealers so we check em out in person.
Posted by Dan Walters on February 1, 2011 at 8:19 PM
Great review. Checked their website out and they have some great looking bags!
Posted by Bret Edge on February 2, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Sorry for my absence today, folks. Made the trek to Grand Junction for the day and am just now catching up.
Paul - I'm sorry to say I don't think the Tilopa or Tilopa BC will fit you. It'd be worth trying but the hipbelt will likely ride too high. That said, my contact at F-Stop is about 6'4" and he said it fits him perfectly. So, you might give it a shot. F-Stop has a very generous return policy so you could order it and if it doesn't fit, send it back.
Jody: I use the ICU in my Works at Mystery Ranch backpack for multi-day trips. The Tilopa carries as comfortably, if not more so, than any standard daypack I've worn.
Darren: Jason covered most of your questions but I'll add a couple things. I don't attach the ICU inside the Tilopa and it's rock solid. Never has it felt unstable or unsupported. My favorite daypack EVER was my old Osprey from 10 years ago. Can't remember the model name now. At any rate, the Tilopa carries just as well as it did. I've done 15 miles in a day with the Tilopa, loaded with all of my gear as seen in the photo, and never once felt it was inferior to a regular daypack. Re: gear access, I hike w/ a Lowepro Toploader Pro 70 AW on my chest w/ my 5D2 and 24-105mm lens attached, a couple filters, remote cable release, etc. and the Tilopa on my back. This way I have immediate access to my camera without having to remove the backpack or flip it around to the front. I've used this set-up for 10 years and it's still the best solution I've found.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 11, 2011 at 10:20 PM
My Tilopa BC from the NPN group buy arrived today.
It's remarkably comfortable when loaded with 30 lbs. of gear / water / tripod.
The tripod is very secure on the side, and has such easy access.
It came with the small ICU and am waiting for the medium ICU to ship.
I figured the combination of one or both ICUs would give me the maximum flexibility.
I'm very happy with the fit, feel and capacity. I hope to get out this weekend for a hike.
It was a tough decision between the Tilopa BC and smaller Loka. I'm glad I went with the larger capacity. It feels remarkably small!
Discussion
10 repliesSince Jason just mentioned the F-Stop backpacks AND it's the current group buy here at NPN, I thought y'all might be interested in my review of their Tilopa backpack. I've had it now for several months and have put quite a few miles under it's hipbelt. What do I think about it?
Read my review of the F-Stop Tilopa here to find out.
Bill Brennan
-Does the ICU attach to the pack interior or do they just ride freely in the pack?
-Does the ICU carry pretty stable or does it move around a lot?
-How does the Tilopa carry compared to a traditional backpack like an Osprey or Gregory? I see it looks like a better fit than a photo backpack, but what about a real backpack?
I have a LowePro Flipside 400 which opens similar to the Tilopa and is easy to get into while still wearing it (can you do that with the Tilopa?), however much like you state in your review, it is best for short day hikes. Longer hikes mean I move my gear to smaller bags and put them in a Osprey. Carries great that way.
If the Tilopa carried as well and could be opened like a Flipside, it would be worth a look.
It carries very stable in my Loka.
For me it carries just as well as my daypack and backpacking pack, if not better in some ways. It definitely carries a lot better than any lowepro bag I've owned.
@Jody That's one of the reasons I bought the ICUs, I intend to use them in my backpacking pack when doing multiday backcountry treks.
Lastly, I think the ICU technology is outstanding. The pack works extremely well for single day hikes, but the size is bit small for multiday (they do sell larger models). I just pull the ICU out and throw it into my Detuer pack and I am set to go with space for all my camping gear and multiple days of food/gear.
The ICU's kinda remind me of the bags I use when I move from a camera backpack to my Osprey, it's a LowePro Omni Sport. The now defunct Omni series was of similar size to the ICU units but had a shoulder strap. I usually pack it on the trail and then remove the Omni Sport and now carry that like a shoulder bag up front, with the now lighter pack still on my back when at a location I want to photograph.
Since they quit making them before I could buy a bigger one, I use a FishPond reel case that does similar thing.
But if I could find a more photographer friendly setup I might jump to it.
Wish F-Stop had local dealers so we check em out in person.
Paul - I'm sorry to say I don't think the Tilopa or Tilopa BC will fit you. It'd be worth trying but the hipbelt will likely ride too high. That said, my contact at F-Stop is about 6'4" and he said it fits him perfectly. So, you might give it a shot. F-Stop has a very generous return policy so you could order it and if it doesn't fit, send it back.
Jody: I use the ICU in my Works at Mystery Ranch backpack for multi-day trips. The Tilopa carries as comfortably, if not more so, than any standard daypack I've worn.
Darren: Jason covered most of your questions but I'll add a couple things. I don't attach the ICU inside the Tilopa and it's rock solid. Never has it felt unstable or unsupported. My favorite daypack EVER was my old Osprey from 10 years ago. Can't remember the model name now. At any rate, the Tilopa carries just as well as it did. I've done 15 miles in a day with the Tilopa, loaded with all of my gear as seen in the photo, and never once felt it was inferior to a regular daypack. Re: gear access, I hike w/ a Lowepro Toploader Pro 70 AW on my chest w/ my 5D2 and 24-105mm lens attached, a couple filters, remote cable release, etc. and the Tilopa on my back. This way I have immediate access to my camera without having to remove the backpack or flip it around to the front. I've used this set-up for 10 years and it's still the best solution I've found.
Finally, I posted an update from F-Stop Gear on my blog re: my minor complaints about the pack. Read the updated information here.
It's remarkably comfortable when loaded with 30 lbs. of gear / water / tripod.
The tripod is very secure on the side, and has such easy access.
It came with the small ICU and am waiting for the medium ICU to ship.
I figured the combination of one or both ICUs would give me the maximum flexibility.
I'm very happy with the fit, feel and capacity. I hope to get out this weekend for a hike.
It was a tough decision between the Tilopa BC and smaller Loka. I'm glad I went with the larger capacity. It feels remarkably small!
Thanks Bret and Jason for all the advice.