which is more comfortable for a day of walking

[bowlesbe]

Lets say you wanted to take your camera and your gear with you on a trip but have to carry a big load of camping gear on your back, how would you swing it?

Im trying to figure out whether I should get a waist belt to put my gear in or a chest type harness thing to put the gear higher up. Ultimately I want to go with what is most comfortable, I've got 75 kilometers to walk in this situation!

Any insights / help would be useful. My goal would be to my 30d, my tamron 17-50, and my 70-300 IS accessible at all times.

[crn3371]

The lower, the better, for carrying your gear. If you need to be able to personally access your gear without taking off your pack, the waist belt sounds like a good idea. But, would a waist belt interfer with the belt on your pack? Another option might be something like the MAS system from Tamrac, where you could attach individual pouches/cases to your backpack.

[Needsnow]

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, buy a couple of Lowepro Lens bags, like the #3 and attach them directly to the belt of your backpack. The #3 is 8 inches long and doesn't hang down low enough to bother my stride. One thing too, is that when you attach them directly to your pack belt, it really doesn't throw the balance off. I don't think it would be comfortable at all to have a big pack on and then a separate hip pack. WIth this method, your camera will be attached to the lens and not protected. It didn't bother me at all. I attached my neck strap to my backpack with a clip and then didn't have to worry about dropping my camera when I pulled it out of the lens case to take a picture. I even put a Giottos QU-200 on my backpack strap and could do solid shooting from a monopod without putting my pack down at all.

[purelithium]

CRN you certainly have a whacked out view on how to carry loads for long distances/periods of time.

For your camping gear, you need to carry the load higher on your back, not too high, or you'll have horribly cramped shoulders. Get a rucksack with a waist and chest belt. This distributes the load evenly over your shoulder muscles, chest muscles and your hips, thus not stressing or straining any one muscle group.

As for your gear, check out some military tactical vests, with machine gun drum pockets, easily padded by domke inserts, and lots of room for water, etc. Also, they're often designed to be used with a rucksack, whereas any camera-designed harness may not fare so well when you're on your 20th km of the day, and you have some f-ing buckle digging into your lower back ;)

Being in the infantry helps you know what works and what doesn't when you're marching dozens of kms a day ;)

Have fun!

[bowlesbe]

Those resposnes are really hellpful!

I can see myself hanging lenses from the side of my backpack, its got a pretty nicely padded waist belt.

I just tried walking around like that and the only problem I see is the camera. I dont want to just hang it around my neck, cause it'll bob all over the place. I need it to be a bit more secure than that.

What about getting a small chest harness for the camera only, and having lenses around my waist belt?

I coudl get a vest but I'm not sure whehter it would accomodate a full dslr.

[SYS]

If I were in your situation, the ideal thing for me to have is the following Torso bag:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=228&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

and the camping gear on my back -- nicely balanced. The photo in the link shows the model 212, which I own, but they also do have 214 which is bigger. This Torso bag is very comfortable.

[crn3371]

I don't think I have a whacked out view at all. I assumed that the OP would be using a dedicated backpack for the camping gear, one with a padded hip belt to help distribute the load. That being said, I would much prefer to have my lenses supported off my hip belt, rather than up around my chest, which is why I said the lower the better. And, in my younger days, did a fair amount of long distance backpacking with good size loads on my back.

[SYS]

The potential problem with the waist belt is that it could easily hinder hiking/walking, especially any terrain with upslope....

Here's the picture of the Kata's "modular" bags that include: Torso bag attached to the waist bag attached to the backpack:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=240&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

[bowlesbe]

That Kata thing looks sweet. However, would it be possible to sport that thing even with a large backsack on as well with camping gear?

[cdifoto]

75km? Sheesh. I couldn't even walk that empty-handed and at a down slope! :rolleyes: :)

[bowlesbe]

yeah, tell me about it, now you see why I'm thinking so carefully about how to bring my gear?

I probably wouldnt bother, but its the west coast trail on vancouver island by the ocean, and the photo ops will likely be some of the best imaginable.

[purelithium]

I don't think I have a whacked out view at all. I assumed that the OP would be using a dedicated backpack for the camping gear, one with a padded hip belt to help distribute the load. That being said, I would much prefer to have my lenses supported off my hip belt, rather than up around my chest, which is why I said the lower the better. And, in my younger days, did a fair amount of long distance backpacking with good size loads on my back.

Ok, that wasn't clear in your first post. I thought you were referring to everything being low ;)

[SYS]

That Kata thing looks sweet. However, would it be possible to sport that thing even with a large backsack on as well with camping gear?

The Kata's Torso and Waist bags don't interfere with whatever you choose to have on your back. The greatest thing about Kata bags is that they're extremely comfortable. After I bought my first Kata bag, I liked it so much I bought three additional bags for different shooting purposes. :D

[freaking102]

When backpacking you want to put the weight high on your back, not low like somebody incorrectly informed you in earlier post. You will quickly find that a heavy pack plus heavy camera gear on your belt or chest is the most annoying thing in the world. If you insist on keeping your camera ready to get a pic of every chipmiunk you meet on the trail, then get a thin/small chest holster and support it from the bacpack straps. That rules out Lowepro toploaders because they are bulky. Look at Tamrac

[bowlesbe]

Really?

Thats impressive because the Kata bag does look like it has a shoulder strap... your saying this wouldnt necessarily bother the shoulder strap on my backsacK?

[SYS]

Really?

Thats impressive because the Kata bag does look like it has a shoulder strap... your saying this wouldnt necessarily bother the shoulder strap on my backsacK?

Yes, the Torso bag has a shoulder strap, but it's thin enough that overlapping with the backpack's strap isn't a problem as you can see in the photo.

[SYS]

Here are more photos of the backpack + torso + waist bags...

http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/katat212w92

[bowlesbe]

You will quickly find that a heavy pack plus heavy camera gear on your belt or chest is the most annoying thing in the world. Look at Tamrac

That was my suspicion!

I just tried walking around with the backpack Im going to be hiking with the whole 76 km, and I realized I do not particulalry want to get in the way of my chest or my waist.

Im thinking that the best solution, given how far Im walking, is to:

1) keep the backpack up high
2) take advantage of the waist belt, by hanging LIGHT stuff around the sides, where the padded part is. My thought was to get a small waterproof tight dslr case and actually hang my 30d with my tamron 17-50 attached on one side.
On the other side, I'll have my 70-300 IS in a waterproof lens case.

[bowlesbe]

Here are more photos of the backpack + torso + waist bags...

http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/katat212w92

Wow, that is much clearer actually. I like that it straps onto a backpack, although do you think I could strap it onto my big LowePro backback as well?

Is the thing waterproof?

[redone]

bowlesbe, I have hiked the west coast trail, it is definately a hike and a half HAVE FUN, man i wish I had my DSLR when I went. Anyway i saw several peeps with SLR cameras on the trail and what i saw was people attaching a small body only bag, like the ones that look like a V and hanging it off their chest strap. I can tell you that you probably don't want anything hanging off your waist on that hike for sure because some of the terrain as you probably know can be tricky., also I would definately keep any additional lenses in your side pouch as me and the girl I was with fell a few times and the side of the bag would be the safest.
Also, not sure if you are taking the water taxi at all, if you do, definately leave your camera in a waterproof and well padded bag for the trip, it can get crazy.
Looking forward to your pics, oh and I don 't forget to get a burger and a beer at MONIQUEs, best part of the trip

[SYS]

Wow, that is much clearer actually. I like that it straps onto a backpack, although do you think I could strap it onto my big LowePro backback as well?

Is the thing waterproof?

Can't answer that, as I've never owned a LowePro....

[bowlesbe]

bowlesbe, I have hiked the west coast trail, it is definately a hike and a half HAVE FUN, man i wish I had my DSLR when I went. Anyway i saw several peeps with SLR cameras on the trail and what i saw was people attaching a small body only bag, like the ones that look like a V and hanging it off their chest strap. I can tell you that you probably don't want anything hanging off your waist on that hike for sure because some of the terrain as you probably know can be tricky., also I would definately keep any additional lenses in your side pouch as me and the girl I was with fell a few times and the side of the bag would be the safest.
Also, not sure if you are taking the water taxi at all, if you do, definately leave your camera in a waterproof and well padded bag for the trip, it can get crazy.
Looking forward to your pics, oh and I don 't forget to get a burger and a beer at MONIQUEs, best part of the trip

Hey, awesome advice! I think the small body only bag (with lens) is probably the way to go as well. It'll have to be waterproof. I can try setting it up so that I can alternate between hanging it off the side of my padded waist belt that comes off my backsack, or hanging it from the backsack check strap. I'll might even keep the telephoto lens in a waterproof container actually in my backsack, depending if I can find a way to hang it off my side somehow.

[bowlesbe]

ps what is a water taxi.

[redone]

Tip for the waterproofing, just put your camera in a large ziploc! Most of these single camera with lens attached bags have a belt loop on the back so you could put in on your chest strap or your belt loop whatever is more comfortable. I can't stress enough how important it is to pack light and simple. If I was going to do this trail again, and I hope to one day again, this is without a doubt the way I would go.

The water taxi is the boat that you take from one end to the other end, like we parked at the north end, took the water taxi down to the south end (the harder end), spent the night in the hotel and then hiked north to the truck.

Which end are you starting from?

Also if you have any questions about the trail itself or what to pack etc., feel free to ask. You will have a blast

[bowlesbe]

redone; see msg.

[redone]

do you mean a pm? nothing received yet :-)

[gcogger]

I wouldn't hang anything at your side while walking. Your arms will naturally swing, and anything that gets in the way of that will become extremely annoying. For shorter (than 75km!) walks, I have my 400D + wide angle zoom in a small case that is attached to the rucksack belt at the front, to one side of the centre. This seems fine, even on fairly rough terrain. For serious scrambling, I temporarily take the bag off the belt and put it in the rucksack so it doesn't get in the way.

[bowlesbe]

I think that is probably the only option as well. How do you attach it to your backsack?

[Jon]

The potential problem with the waist belt is that it could easily hinder hiking/walking, especially any terrain with upslope....

Here's the picture of the Kata's "modular" bags that include: Torso bag attached to the waist bag attached to the backpack:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=240&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

That Kata thing looks sweet. However, would it be possible to sport that thing even with a large backsack on as well with camping gear?
I have an earler version of that set-up, which was sold under the Domke label. You might (probably would) find the clips on the torso bag harness falling under your pack's straps. It really works well with the complete Kata set since the torso pack replaces the shoulder straps of the pack, but the stand-alone torso pack is less comfortable with someone else's pack. If you have somewhere on your regular backpack that you can connect the Slik-Clips to without their slipping (top and both bottom ends), that will still let you get the backpack off, then you'll be OK, but it may require some ingenuity. I'd suggest ThinkTank or LowePro lens cases on the backpack's hip belt and sides and a binocular harness for the camera.

Really?

Thats impressive because the Kata bag does look like it has a shoulder strap... your saying this wouldnt necessarily bother the shoulder strap on my backsacK?

Yes, the Torso bag has a shoulder strap, but it's thin enough that overlapping with the backpack's strap isn't a problem as you can see in the photo.

[Rudy M.]

If you are carrying a full pack of clothing, sleeping bag, tent and food, you would have all this stuff on your back, including your extra lenses and photo stuff you don't need at hand. For the camera body and lens of choice, I would carry that on a chest pack and prefer a Lowepro Top Loader 75 AW. Put this on first, then your pack. The TL75AW has an AW cover built in so rain would be no problem. You could ad a lens pouch or two to the pack waist belt, but I would rather have water bottles there. The TL75AW is large enough to hold a gripped 20D with an attached 70-200 f/2.8 with attached 1.4x T-con, hood reversed. Plus, you can put a 580EX flash in the front pouch, and a Better Beamer along the side of the camera in the main compartment. This would sure cover most wild life and birds you would normally encounter on a hike. For the main pack on your back, sort of center the heavier items higher on your back, but not higher than your shoulders, and make sure most of the weight is resting on top of your hips, using the shoulder straps for stability. By donning the TL75AW first, you can easily jetison the main pack for staulking or safety. That Kata bag mentioned above looks nice, but doen't appear to be too convenient IMHO. If you get tired of having the TL75AW on your chest, simply remove the harness and put it on the belt, or lash it to your main pack--it has 4 D rings to lash to (used for the chest harness straps) and also a built in waist belt slot on the back--and no matter how you carry it, you still get the AW cover. In addition, you can also attach other Lowepro accessory pouches or lens cases to the TL75AW case, but this really makes for a substantial load! YOu might also consider a Lowepro Rover Plus AW pack--but you need to remove it to access your camrea.