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Camera Belt Bag for Hiking

jalagl

jalagl

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 5, 2003
802
1
Costa Rica
I am looking for a "hiking" belt pack for the following gear:

  • Canon Digital Rebel XT
  • Canon 50mm f/1.8 (I may end up leaving it at home)
  • Canon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5
  • Tokina 12-24mm f/4
  • Water Bottle
  • A few snacks
  • Eventually a tripod (attached to the bottom)

I've been doing some research, and have narrowed the list down to the following options:

Lowepro Inverse 100 AW or Lowepro Inverse 200 AW Camera Beltpack: I had almost made my mind to go with either one of these bags. I like the rain cover and Lowepro's bags are very dependable. Right now I'm leaning to the Inverse 100 - does any one knows if the equipment I mention above fits in the 100? The water bottle can be attached to this bag easily.
Kata W-92 Waist Pack: Looks like a nice bag, made me think about going with the Lowepro. It also has an "Elements cover" to protect the bag from the rain, can hold two water bottles in the sides, etc.

So, does anyone have any experience with these bags? I want the smallest waist bag that would fit my requirements, since each oz. counts on long hikes (and yes, I'll be carrying the Tokina which weights a ton).
 
Cliff3

Cliff3

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2007
1,556
178
SF Bay Area
If you like Lowepro, I would be more inclined to use bags from their Street & Field system to mix up whatever you might need on any given day. One of the Toploader bags and a belt would serve as the starting point, then you add individual lens cases, other cases, water bottle holders, etc. as you need them. I use a Specialist 85 plus a waist belt and shoulder harness as my base, but the Toploader cases ride low enough to manage without the shoulder harness. FWIW, I usually carry a body, 2-3 f2.8 lenses, one or two flashes, and miscellaneous stuff. I have an Optech sling strap for my tripod and carry it on my back slung across my shoulder (the legs have padded coverings).
 
H

H2Ockey

macrumors regular
Aug 25, 2008
216
0
I can't give input on the Kata bag as I've never touched one.

As far as the lowepro's, i tried out in store the Inverse 100 and 200 and I *think* you might end up a little short on room in the 100, depending on the size of your snack i guess. The 200 should have plenty of room for what's on your list.

I ended up going with the Off Trail2. I now use the removeable lens cases to hold a few extra lenses all the time. If i'm heading out for a quick hike and only take one lens on the camera it fits in the bag nicely with a SB-600 and I can attach a water bottle to the side with the extra lens cases removed. The only issue with this set-up is the need to cary the tripod by hand as there is nothing to strap it to.
The offtrail is similar and the same weight as the inverse 100, less if you remove on or two of the soft lens cases.
 
G

GotMyOrangeCrus

macrumors regular
Jan 15, 2009
243
0
I spend half the year in Detroit, Mi and the other
I would say to give the Lightware Gripstrip modular belt a look. Their stuff is a bit pricer than other companies offerings but their stuff is basically bomb proof and it will last you forever. I have had one for around 5 years. You can really set it up however you want with a full line of optional pouches and accessories. Again its gonna cost a bit more but with Lightware, its 100% worth it.
 
M

Milessio

macrumors newbie
Nov 20, 2008
11
0
Another option?

Though not specifically designed as a camera waist bag The North Face Sport Hiker serves me well & is not expensive (£35 in UK).

It can carry a D300 with 80-200mm & a 50mm with room to spare for another lens etc, and there are outside pockets for waterbottles & snacks. I have put a piece of closed-cell foam in the bottom for protection. It has a removable shoulder strap & a top carrying handle, so is versatile & I use it as a plane carry-on.

Like Cliff3 I find that carrying a tripod is most comfortable using a shoulder strap, and mine doesn't have any padding.
 
jalagl

jalagl

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 5, 2003
802
1
Costa Rica
Hi all, thank you for your suggestions!!
Cliff3 said:
If you like Lowepro, I would be more inclined to use bags from their Street & Field system to mix up whatever you might need on any given day.
Click to expand...

GotMyOrangeCrus said:
I would say to give the Lightware Gripstrip modular belt a look.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your suggestions. I was looking at them online, they seem interesting but I think I prefer a single pack against my back than a "Bat-Belt". The Lightware looks nice, but is out of my budget.

Milessio said:
Though not specifically designed as a camera waist bag The North Face Sport Hiker serves me well & is not expensive (£35 in UK).
Click to expand...
You know, I actually like this. Don't know if I would get it for the camera, but I will definitely consider it for non-camera hikes. I need to check them out in person.
Cliff3 said:
I have an Optech sling strap for my tripod and carry it on my back slung across my shoulder (the legs have padded coverings).
Click to expand...
Milessio said:
Like Cliff3 I find that carrying a tripod is most comfortable using a shoulder strap, and mine doesn't have any padding.
Click to expand...
This is how I currently use it - I have an unpadded case that I carry on my shoulder, with my Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home across the chest. I think I could manage the tripod this way, but the Crumpler moves too much for serious hiking.

H2Ockey said:
As far as the lowepro's, i tried out in store the Inverse 100 and 200 and I *think* you might end up a little short on room in the 100, depending on the size of your snack i guess. The 200 should have plenty of room for what's on your list.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your comment. The snack is usually just a couple of energy bars... I might risk getting the 100 so everything is packed tightly (even if that means leaving the 50mm lens)
H2Ockey said:
I ended up going with the Off Trail2. I now use the removeable lens cases to hold a few extra lenses all the time. If i'm heading out for a quick hike and only take one lens on the camera it fits in the bag nicely with a SB-600 and I can attach a water bottle to the side with the extra lens cases removed. The only issue with this set-up is the need to cary the tripod by hand as there is nothing to strap it to.
The offtrail is similar and the same weight as the inverse 100, less if you remove on or two of the soft lens cases.
Click to expand...
I hadn't seen the Off Trail 2, only the Off Trail (which I dismissed because it seemed too small). Will read up on it some more.

Thank you all again for your advice!
 
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