RobDMB wrote:
Are the F-Stop ICU's significantly better (or better at all) than the Pacsafe?
It seems to me as if there's a lot of peer pressure or elitism or ego or sheep involved in buying expensive ICUs or maybe it's just simply a case of trepidation with buying, unknown to most, inexpensive units from the Far East. I've never been able to figure out what it is because, let's face it, an ICU is a very simple piece of equipment.
I have Shimoda's and TBH I don't find it does a better/worse job than one of the 3/4 cheap Chinese ICUs I have. I have never in all my years, damaged a lens that has been packed in my backpack with whatever ICU I have in place.
Seems like A LOT of the hiking backpacks nowadays eschew water bottle pockets in favor of bladders. I find bladders too fussy to deal with and difficult to control how much water weight I carry. I often shoot in the desert, where if I am going on a daylong trip away from base camp I will carry 2x32oz bottles plus an Evernew collapsible bottle. But if I am dashing from the Jeep into a canyon to see what is there I may take just a half-full 32oz Nalgene. I have two of these that I attach/detach as needed. There are cheaper options that are good now https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QWFVK1A ...Show more →
Ditto. I usually carry two bottles (total 1.5 - 2L) and if I need more, maybe for multi-day treks in low natural water resource areas, then I'll add a Deuter 3L bladder but it is rare I need it.
Peter Gutbrod wrote:
First thought the removable waist belt on the Shimoda 30 is an improvement over the 40 but just realized you can’t swing the pack around your hips to the front and open the back panel as shown in some videos of the 40/60. Because the waist belt is attached to the back panel on the 30 the whole pack would swing down upon opening the zipper with your gear likely falling to the ground. The 40 seems to be the better choice if you want to access your gear this way.
Just want to say I've tried this a few times with my 40 and it is indeed possible but very clumsy. I gave up using it that way and just put the bag down. The material is very tough and it's hardly marked after some tough workouts on rocky mountains (and in towns).
sjms wrote:
it's an on going process for some. there is no "last word".
Yes, I agree. And it seems like every one of these bags come with some sort of compromise. I am actually now thinking about just trying one of the Mindshift bags. (26L). When you add in an ICU to these snowboarding bags, there is really not much of a weight difference if any at all. And the Mindshift has the features I am looking for like water bottle pockets. It's disappointing that even F-Stop is moving away from water bottle pockets. I'm sure the harness won't be as nice but I am not going on an expedition so I am hoping that won't be as big of a deal for me. We shall see. Thanks.
i debated the MS pack too. regretfully from my POV not being able to remove and replace the internal compartment and only a single access point was too much of a compromise. you'll find that when you are playing with "mixed media" aka: hardware and soft goods hiking and travel. my bags are not strictly photo gear bags.
i don't do selfies but sometimes a nearby individual gets one of me with gear. that day in a Quasi National Park in JP chillin out with my "daypack" of the moment
sjms wrote:
i debated the MS pack too. regretfully from my POV not being able to remove and replace the internal compartment and only a single access point was too much of a compromise. you'll find that when you are playing with "mixed media" aka: hardware and soft goods hiking and travel. my bags are not strictly photo gear bags.
i don't do selfies but sometimes a nearby individual gets one of me with gear. that day in a Quasi National Park in JP chillin out with my "daypack" of the moment
