Lowepro PhotoTrekker AW II Camera Backpack Review

The only way to carry large, heavy cameras any distance on a hike is with a backpack. Photo backpacks, as with all other bags, involve tradeoffs which include such variables as weight, protection afforded for camera equipment, comfort, size, quality of construction, and price. Many experienced photographers eschew photo backpacks altogether preferring bona-fide hiking backpacks which usually sport better harness systems, and are lighter. The trade-off is, of course, that there will be no provided padding for your camera. Weight is another serious concern of photographers, as hiking with heavy equipment is never easy.

The Lowepro PhotoTrekker AW II is one of the most expensive photo backpacks available. It is also huge, but not as huge as the ridiculously huge Super Trekker AW. We chose the PhotoTrekker as its measured dimensions allowed us to just fit our 8x10 large format camera. The workmanship on this bag is first-rate, with double-sewn seams, and weather-proof zippers. The material used for the exterior (a combination of rip-stop nylon, and other special stuff) has held up to the really harsh treatment we have subjected this bag to over 3 years of ownership. The exterior still looks new, that is, after we scrub off all the mud. There are external attachments for a tripod, and other Lowepro accessory bags. The backpack ships with a 'daypack' for food etc. that can be lashed to the outside of the pack, or carried separately. We usually carry our 35mm or medium format camera in this pack. Although our smallish Gitzo 1228 Mk II/ Arca Swiss B1 tripod/ballhead combination fits in the tripod carrier fine, we prefer to carry the tripod by hand, more for self-defense rather than anything else.

Our camera fits with just a bit of room to spare. Smaller 4x5, medium format, or 35mm systems will fit easily with a ton of lenses and accessories. Padding for camera equipment is excellent, as Lowepro seems to take this aspect of its bags very seriously. The dividers can be rearranged to suit your particular style of packing, and your particular camera setup. For our camera, we removed most of the dividers and compartments.

The bad news about this bag is its weight. You may note that the weight of the bag is not even mentioned in the specifications section of the Lowepro website. Yes indeed, this bag weighs in at a horrific 10lbs empty. EMPTY. Loaded up, and without our tripod attached, we have to carry a load of 25lbs worth of camera and infernal backpack. To the bag's credit, the harness system does an admirable job of distributing most of the weight of the bag away from the shoulders to the hips. Nevertheless, a real hiking backpack would be equipped with a superior harness and weight distribution system. We're not exactly fit, and we need to take a breather every 30 minutes or so after hiking with this bag. For the weight alone we would have issued a failing grade to this bag if we had written this review a month ago. As chance would have it, during a recent hike our photographer slipped in a stream, and performed an incredible back-flip. He landed on his back, on a pile of rocks in 2 feet of water. Naturally, all of his weight was absorbed by the PhotoTrekker which was now completely submerged and resting on some very sharp rocks below. After ascertaining that he wasn't paralyzed from waist-down, our photographer managed to right himself turtle-style. The damage? None at all. The bag looked pristine, the interior was bone dry, and the camera looked happy, without even a chink in the very vulnerable ground-glass. All hail the PhotoTrekker. Also of note is that this bag is NOT waterproof. However, there is a pull-out rain cover that makes it so in a downpour.

If we had to do it all over again would we buy the PhotoTrekker? Unfortunately, no. It's just too heavy for us, though we've become used to it. It is also not designed for long hikes, unlike specialised hiking backpacks. We would instead opt for a hiking pack and outfit it with foam to fit our camera. For users with fragile digital cameras, and lighter camera systems in general, this backpack will protect your investment like no other, and will withstand years of harsh use.

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