Would the Lowepro Flipside 400 backpack be able comfortably carry a fairly large tripod like my Manfrotto 055 Pro (About 29 inches tall with head when fully retracted)? Obviously I don't want it to weigh bag down to much and be uncomfortable or have it stick up too far and clonk me in the head if I'm not careful I would be using it for short walks (Up to 5 or so miles), mostly at night.

I don't need to carry many lenses or a laptop or anything else so my priority is finding a backpack good for carrying the tripod, and I like the easy access feature of the Flipside bags. I've looked at other backpacks but I would prefer one that I can access without taking it off.

I use the 400 and sometimes with a Gitzo GT 4125 EX - I have forgotten the weight but it's about as large as a 055. I use additional mini bungees to tighten the tripod to the pack to keep it from swinging. That pack gets kind of deep - if you over stuff the back pocket - so the tripod gets further away from your body.

Nice pack for larger loads - the harness system can handle the full pack (camera gear) weight. As most camera packs it is more comfortable in cooler weather.

The problem with the tripod sticking out too far is not only the center of gravity being off, but also bumping into people. Even with my smaller Flipside 300 and tripod, I still had to apologise to a few people for bumping into them when I went to the zoo and museum.

Another reason not to use the tripod holder is that the pocket extends below the bag so when you have your tripod in there, your bag can't stand up.

In the end, I just use a dedicated tripod bag. It'll be better if there's an attachable module for the tripod so I can put it sideways on the top or bottom of the bag and pull it out like a ninja pulling his sword out.

Yeah, I carry my tripod down crowded sidewalks and I have to take it on the bus and I don't want to end up bumping into anyone with it. I'm already using a tripod bag and it's cumbersome to carry it and and a shoulder bag for my camera, and when I'm walking I find it a lot more comfortable to just carry the tripod by hand.

After reading some reviews of the Flipside 400 it looks like I would be too tall (6") for the waist strap to be anywhere near my waist. Now I'm looking at the Dakine Sequence, it doesn't have easy access like the Flipside but did find a couple accounts of people using them to carry a 055 and there's a whole thread here with positive comments about Dakine bags,

My Computrekker AW plus allows for carrying the tripod vertically, as does my Think Tank Airport Acceleration. Somewhat convenient, although I never felt it was secure enough on the LowePro. Upside is it gives you the Boba Fett look...

I use separate tripod bag as using with backpack is too cumbersome for me

I use separate tripod bag as using with backpack is too cumbersome for me

PeepingTom wrote:
I use separate tripod bag as using with backpack is too cumbersome for me

The benefit of a backpack is that your hands are free. Carrying another bag would just seem way to cumbersome. A backpack ( I have the LowePro Nature Trekker ) that has a proper tripod holder is the way to go.