MikeW wrote:
F-Stop Loka! Despite their inventory status my bag arrived very fast, too fast as it was suppose to be an xmas present...lolz
My only gripe with the Loka is I think it needs the zipper an inch or so in from the edge so you can actually zip the icu up. It is more than frustrating trying to zip it up especially for the price you pay. Otherwise, very comfy & nice bag.
Are you trying to zip up the ICU and the external flap? I've found after suggestions from others that the ICU flap is best to be just folded back and under the ICU and forgotten about unless you take out the ICU and carry it around separately. Others just leave the ICU flap unzipped but not tucked away. I say tuck that thing away and life will be much improved. It is virtually impossible to zip and unzip that flap while in the bag (at least with my Guru but I think its the same with the Loka and other bags)
JJuLLiAAn wrote:
Yeah and I think you can also remove the internal part of the flap to make it not hard and easier to move around.
Julian
Yep that's right, you can remove the foam insert from the flap but not the flap itself (at least not without some scissors!) but I actually left it in after trying it both ways. Doesn't seem to make much difference but it did come in handy one day when I needed to store my camera in a locker and couldn't fit the whole bag but could fit just the ICU and having the padding in the cover gave it that little bit of extra protection. Either way will work though.
It says on there website that they should have some Lokas in February, does that mean they are going to ship them out to the people on backorder before they will sell them to other non backordering customers?
I would assume that people who've been waiting will get their backpacks first. I placed an order for a Loka in early December and it was shipped earlier this week.
TheWengler wrote:
I would assume that people who've been waiting will get their backpacks first. I placed an order for a Loka in early December and it was shipped earlier this week.
Yup, those on the list get first dibs...although from what I gather they should have in additional ones to meet the need of those not committing to the wait-list.
Their customer service line is very helpful, I would suggest getting up with them on this topic.
Glenn Kendall wrote:
F-Stop, with heart-stopping prices and famously backordered availability, does. Their Tilopa BC, at least, opens from the back. Not sure about other models.
Heart stopping prices are about the right description of F-stop stuff. Someone here once said that ICU means Insanely Costly Unit. Having said that they do offer functionality not found in any other bag I have tried, so if you can afford it go for it.
I was looking for packs that worked similar to f-stop loka as it was out of stock when I wanted it and was going on a trip.
I checked out a bunch of climbing packs sold on REI's website including Mountain Hardwear Splitter Pack and the Mammut Neon Gear 45 Climbing Pack. In the end, I decided to go with the tilopia BC and I am glad I did. It was the correct size I needed.
