Camera Bag for Hiking-Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW

I have been looking for a bigger camera bag for some time and jumped on the opportunity to get the Whistler BP 450 AW (Gray) on a B&H special. When I first opened the shipping box, the bag felt heavy and it is (more than 7 pounds). My initial reaction was to send it back. Eventually I decided to test it out. I put my gears in (5D mark III, 70-200mm f2.8L II, 16-35mm f4L II, Sigma 50mm f1.4 art, two speed light and other small accessories). Another lens can fit in snugly. Overall, the bag can hold less than I initially anticipated. However, it should be adequate for most purposes, especially that there’s more space on top and front (I can fit my travel tripod in the front bag).

4 lenses and 2 speed lights fit in the bag with 5D mark III

After hiking for two and half hours at Anthony Wayne Recreation area in the snow (see my pics at hikingape.com), I decided to keep it. It is surprisingly comfortable and does not feel as heavy.

The stiff insert to hold the camera gears is great at distribute the weight away from your shoulders and keep the bag steady on your hips. With a softer bag, the contents are prone to move around when you go up and down slopes. Those movements cause weight of the bag shifting around and put pressure on your shoulders. The Whistler BP450, on the other hand, is really stiff. No weight shifting happens to any direction. After one short trip, I feel that this bag is a keeper. I will update my review for a longer term testing.

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I took another hike near Tuxedo area about a week ago (2/6/2015) with the bag and so far it has been great. It love the fact that it can lay on the ground flat, making lens changes easy. One disadvantage is that you have to put down the bag to take your camera out. In comparison, the Fastpack (I have the 350) bags you can take out your camera on the run.

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Yesterday (2/13/2016), one of the coldest day (low teens) of the winter with wind up to 40 mph, I packed the bag to the full for a hike in Ramapo Mountain. I also tied my tripod on the bag and now it was close to the weight limit I am willing to carry on a hike (30 lbs). The bag felt comfortable with the weight and it was much less taxing than I anticipated. Now I feel confident that I can hike with this bag packed full for 10+ miles and 3000 feet up and down. However, on a cold day like this, the disadvantage is even more clear if you can’t take out your gear on the run.

So far I love the bag despite some of its shortcomings.

Finally, I can sit down and update my review (9/16/2017).

This past summer we went on the longest hike so far: 225 km (140 miles) with elevation gain of over 18000 meters (59000 ft). The longest day took 13 hours to cover 16 miles and over 2800 meters elevation gain. It was under a blazing sun and over 90F (32C). Some days are just grueling! But this segment of GR10 (Midi-Pyrenees, Borce to Vielle Aure) is breathtaking and one day we will revisit it and finally scale Vignemale.

Aside from the camera compartment, the front of this camera bag can hold many items, which is essential for long distance hikes. At the peak, I can fit all the emergency supplies (food and medicine), rope, clothes, lunch, and three bottles of water (2x1liter and 1.5 liter). On the side I can hang my ice-axe (never needed) and tripod. It went through thunder storms, tumbled down the slope, and slid on the rocks. The bag is unscathed and can last, I think, forever.

On the other hand, on those grueling days I wish this bag is lighter. 7.5 pounds by itself is a lot of heft and every once counts on the hot days. I have been searching for something lighter (less than 5 lbs) and have not found anything so far. Quality camera bags are not cheap and I cannot afford to buy a few models to test them all, and I may not find the shortcomings until after a long-distance hike. Hope some of you can give me some suggestions.

Another thing has bothered me for a long time: I could not find a perfect position for the chest strap. Of course, it could have been due to my lack of muscle there. However, I find the fit to be perfect for Lowepro 350 (too small for long hike).

Overall, it is an excellent bag and has gone through two long-distance hikes with me. Still, there are a few things to be desired------