Pelican Archives - Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry

Carry 101: My Essential Car Camping Gear

Andrew Sporrer — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 23:29:11 +0000

Winter has been rough here in the northern hemisphere and I for one am itching for warmer temperatures and hopefully some sun. If you haven’t already, there’s no better time to dust off your party equipment than spring. Use this rundown to make sure you’re ready to roll when adventure calls.

Coming from a backpacking discipline, car camping requires you take more or less the same stuff, but with one exception—you don’t have to carry it, so weight and bulk are an afterthought. Since you’re just tossing everything in your car, we recommend you use a bin and bag system to keep everything compartmentalized and easily accessible.

For easy of readability, let’s break it down into four categories of gear:

– Sleep system
– Shelter
– Kitchen stuff
– Food and water storage

You can obviously break that down a little further, but there’s really no need to complicate this.

Sleep System
- Sleeping bag: The North Face Blue Kazoo
- Sleeping pad: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated & Therm-a-Rest Z Lite
- Cot?

Noteworthy New Release: Pelican Go Case and Ruck Case

Carry HQ — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:30:58 +0000

The name Pelican is synonymous with rock-solid protection for fragile and valuable gear. Their cases are legendary in the amount of abuse they can endure, both on land and at sea. So when they put that design focus and commitment towards personal utility cases, the results were always gonna be good. But just how good are they? Well let’s take a closer look at the Pelican Go Case and Ruck Case…

Ready to go every day

Pelican designed the cases to meet two different needs. The Go Case caters to everyday use, organizing and protecting daily essentials. Two sizes of case give you the ability to store a phone, cords, keys, cards and more. The G10 is great for smaller setups, while the G40 includes a divider tray to store your phone separately from the rest of the contents. The divider features card slots and a cable strap, along with a pass-through point for charging your phone on the go.

The Go Case’s trusty build easily handles day-to-day abrasion, drops and inclement weather. Offering an IP67 rating, the case is waterproof to a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes. Plus it also passes a 1.2-metre drop test, provides pressure equalization for air travel and endures temperature extremes from -10ºF up to 199ºF. A cushioned EVA lining in the lid and base adds protection inside, while an ABS outer shell, co-molded bumper and gasket and sectioned ribs for rigidity ensure the exterior protection is on point.

And when it comes to portability? The case’s micro-texture improves grip, with a loop for hand carry use or to attach a carabiner.

Ready to ruck anywhere

While the Pelican Go Case takes care of day-to-day needs, the Pelican Ruck Case sets its sights on adventure use. Fully mil-spec tested, the Ruck Case has an IP68 rating and is waterproof to a depth of 2 metres for 30 minutes. It survives up to 12-metre drops and handles temperature extremes from -10ºF to 199ºF. And like the Go Case, you don’t need to worry about pressure equalization for air travel.

The shockproof and dustproof case features a rubberized exo skeleton and an ABS/PC outer shell for reliable ruggedness wherever your next adventure takes you. And how about the interior? Organization-wise you’ve got flexible options including a snap-in lid organizer and a divider tray with a cable routing hole. A loop system with Velcro straps lets you tailor the setup to changing loads. And the base cavity has a cushioned lining for extra protection.

Speaking of changing loads, the Ruck Case comes in three sizes including the R60, R40 and R20 to accommodate a variety of gear. And because you never know who might try to get their sticky fingers on your gear, the case has an integrated lock hasp that allows you to secure a small TSA padlock.

Guaranteed for the long haul

You don’t just want gear protection for now. You want it years from now too. So Pelican have built their cases accordingly. Both the Go Case and Ruck Case have lifetime guarantees. Ruggedly built to endure whatever the day or the adventure brings.

Beyond protection into personal utility

The Pelican Go Case and Ruck Case amply deliver on Pelican’s promise of waterproof protection you can trust. But they’re not content to stop there. These are cases designed to offer real utility. Not only do you get great durability and waterproofness but practical organization too. A versatile means to protect and organize wide-ranging setups, from first aid supplies and outdoor essentials, to electronics, fragile travel items and EDC necessities. Available in the coming months (details below), the Pelican Go Case and Ruck Case are set to welcome your carry setup to the big leagues of elite protective utility.

Release dates:

The Go Case

G40: USA Retail. $39.95. Available now at REI. Worldwide March 1^st

G10: USA Retail. $29.95. Available worldwide March 1^st

Ruck Case

R20: USA Retail. $44.95. Available worldwide March 1^st

R40: USA Retail. $54.95. Available worldwide March 1^st

R60: USA Retail. $64.95. Available worldwide May 1^st

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The Best Black Friday Deals 2018

Carry HQ — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 01:25:56 +0000

Black Friday is known for getting a little crazy. Crazy with crowds. Crazy with queues. Not to mention, crazy with savings too. But you can skip the chaos and go straight to carry calm with the Black Friday deals below. No need to stand in line. No getting up super early. Just the simplicity of you, your screen, and scoring those sweet deals on the wish list pieces you’ve had your eye on for months…

Huckberry

Curators and purveyors of suave, practical and quality gear, Huckberry is serving up a tasty selection of Black Friday deals. Score discounts of up to 50% off on everything from backpacks to boots, and wallets to whiskey glasses.

Trakke

The crafters of quality Scottish-made carry are offering a 20% discount off all bags and up to 30% off accessories. The sale starts 7am GMT, Friday 23 November 2018. Learn more here.

GORUCK

If you’re keen on military-grade toughness with mighty discounts, check out GORUCK’s Black Friday sale. You can pick up great deals on a range of apparel, accessories and bags, including a $110 discount on GR1 limited run colors.

Flowfold

Keen to pick up lightweight, handmade gear ready for everyday and adventure needs? Flowfold is offering a cool 30% discount by using the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.

Pelican

Scoop a tasty 20% off Pelican’s backpacks and duffels as well as select coolers during their Black Friday sale. No promo code is needed and the sale runs until 3 December 11:59 PM EST.

Mission Workshop

If slick and hard-wearing urban carry is on your mind, Mission Workshop is the place to go. And from now through to 26 November, you can receive 20% off, plus a $20 gift card for future use. Just use the code 2020MW at checkout.

Pacsafe

If you’re keen to pick up a real steal on anti-theft carry head over to Pacsafe. They’re offering up to 30% off select pieces during their Black Friday sale.

YNOT

YNOT are offering super savings with up to 40% discounts. The more you spend, the greater the discount. Use the code 2018BLACK to get $15 off a $75 spend, $40 off a $150 spend, $75 off a $250 spend, and $200 off a $500 spend.

Recycled Firefighter

Score a scorching hot 20% off Recycled Firefighter’s tough and functional gear by using the code BLACKFRIDAY2018 during checkout. Plus you get a free Field Notes notebook too.

Ethnotek

Keen on rocking ethically sourced handmade textiles in your carry setup? Ethnotek has a selection of deals including freebie bundle deals and 40% off their Setia packs and Bagan bags.

5.11 Tactical

If you want practical gear with a tactical vibe, don’t miss out on 5.11 Tactical’s savings. They’re offering 25% off sitewide (some exclusions apply), valid until 25 November, with the discount applied at checkout.

Timbuk2

From two wheels to two feet, Timbuk2’s trusty carry gets your gear where it needs to go in urban and travel environments. And you can enjoy up to 50% off through their Black Friday deals.

U.S. Elite Gear

If you’re eager for a variety of bargains across a range of brands, scope out the deals on U.S. Elite Gear. You can scoop plenty of enticing savings on top-notch gear from brands such as Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Magpul, Salomon and more.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Want to cut down your carry weight while keeping spending down too? The ultralight gear experts at Hyperlite Mountain Gear are offering a 20% discount on most of their gear.

Mismo

Fancy a savvy saving on luxurious and understated Danish sophistication? Mismo are offering a 20% discount off all full-price items. Simply use the code BLACK20 at checkout.

Orbitkey

Orbitkey offers great solutions to declutter your pockets. And a great Black Friday deal. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY to enjoy 25% off sitewide. The deal ends Saturday 24 November 11:59pm EST.

LifeProof

Looking for a versatile EDC bag or a protective case to keep your phone safe on the go? Scope out LifeProof’s Black Friday deals where you can score a 25% discount sitewide, with no promo code required. You can also enjoy 50% off Aquaphonics and up to 50% off clearance items. The sale runs from 11/22 through 11/27.

DUER

DUER are dishing up tempting deals to spruce up your wardrobe for work and play alike. From 23 November to 26 November all of their pants will be available at 20-30% off including sale items.

Alchemy Equipment

Alchemy Equipment deliver the Black Friday magic with a 25% discount sitewide, including clearance items. To enjoy the winning formula simply use the discount code BLACK at checkout.

Have you come across other great Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals? Help your fellow carry enthusiasts out by spreading the love and sharing the details in the comments below…

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The Perfect Photographer’s Packing List for an Action Sports Adventure

Carry HQ — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 20:34:40 +0000

Award-winning action sports photographer Lorenz Holder doesn’t do things by halves. When his imagination was captured by the awe-inspiring Westeros locations from Game of Thrones, it sparked the idea for an epic BMX photography project. Holder fanned that spark over the course of many months, flying to Northern Ireland to scout out the filming locations in person. Also key to the project was getting friend and BMX pro rider Senad Grosic on board. An opportunity he literally jumped at. The plan? Spend ten days capturing shots of Senad’s tricks against the backdrop of GOT locations.

The team used two bases during their project. One near the small town of Bushmills to capture rougher coastal locations, and the second near Tollymore Forest Park for the Haunted Forest. From avoiding tourists getting in the shots, to working around unpredictable weather and hauling gear across a variety of tricky terrains, it wasn’t a shoot without its problems. But conquering problems seems fitting for a project named Riding Thrones. Go behind the scenes of the shoot and discover the photographer’s packing list that helped make it happen…

About the gear

Sukha

We spent a lot of time in the forest on this shoot so the Sukha was perfect for carrying the Phase One and all my lenses. The camera body and lenses are larger than my DSLR gear so I needed a larger pack to protect everything.

Loka & Ajna

It looks pretty funny trying to carry three backpacks around, but my setup for this shoot required it. I used the f-stop Ajna to carry my battery packs and a Loka to carry my strobes. Both packs were also full of cables and other accessories.

The packs also helped weigh down the light stands so they didn’t fall over in the wind!

For this project, I carried the Phase One IQ3 100MP in my Sukha because I thought the large format was the best way to truly capture the beauty of each Game Of Thrones location. The camera captures so many pixels and has an incredible dynamic range. Because of the large sensor size, all of the lens focal lengths are different than traditional DSLR cameras. I had a range of medium format lenses from 35mm to 240mm. The 240mm was my favorite because it really allowed me to compress the space for the Dark Hedges shot.

Camera Unit:

– Sukha Backpack

– Camera:Phase One IQ3

– Lenses:

– 35mm f. 3,5 Schneider Kreuznach LS

– 55mm f. 2,8 Schneider Kreuznach LS

– 80mm f. 2,8 Schneider Kreuznach LS

– 110mm f. 2,8 Schneider Kreuznach LS

– 150mm f. 3,5 Schneider Kreuznach LS

– 240mm f. 4,5Schneider Kreuznach LS

Flash Unit: 2x

– Ajna Backpack

– Elinchrom Ranger RX Flash

+ f-stop Loka (old edition)

ICU’s

XL Pro ICU

f-stop’s XL Pro ICU is a great option for protecting and organizing very large gear setups. The customizable dividers adapt to a variety of loads and keep gear easily accessible when you’re working out of the pack’s back panel opening.

Large Pro ICU

Like the ICU above, this is a good way to protect larger camera gear setups while keeping them tidy throughout the day. The water-resistant material also adds that extra layer of protection when you’re dealing with inclement weather.

Manfrotto tripod

Manfrotto’s 055 Aluminum Three-Section Tripod offers excellent versatility, easy adjustment and long-lasting durability. Well worth considering if you want to shoot from multiple angles and on a variety of terrains.

Elinchrom flash head

The Elinchrom FreeLite A Flash Head is both compact and lightweight. It offers a good balance of portability with a short flash duration to get those perfect shots, with up to 2400 w/s output.

Elinchrom battery pack

The Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS is a portable battery pack. It can be fired by remote control and pairs with the Elinchrom FreeLite A flash head to provide a fast flash duration.

PocketWizards 3

These were important for long-range remote triggering, particularly useful for the challenging environments we were shooting in and the kinds of photos we wanted to achieve.

Pink boots

In damp, muddy and rocky conditions, a trusty pair of boots is important to keep your feet dry and grippy throughout the day.

Pelican 1510 Protector Carry-On Case for shipping

Airline travel isn’t kind to camera gear. But Pelican’s 1510 Protector Carry-On Case provides some much-needed peace of mind that your gear will survive the journey as well as harsh use environments. It’s waterproof, crushproof and dustproof and meets maximum carry-on size. It’s also easy to transport with its inbuilt wheels and extension handle, as well as top and side carry handles.

DJI Phantom 4

If you’re wanting to add an aerial element to your shoot, this camera drone is a worthy pick. It can shoot 4K/60fps video and offers up to a 7-kilometer control range. Additionally it features inbuilt 5-direction obstacle sensing and 4-direction obstacle avoidance, so you don’t need to worry so much about sending your expensive piece of kit on a solo journey.

Lume Cubes

When you need compact, durable and waterproof lights for demanding conditions, Lume Cubes will get the job done. The Lume Cube provides up to 1500 lumens of dimmable light and includes a rechargeable battery.

Rylo camera

The Rylo is a 360-degree camera with a host of features in its compact, unassuming design. It records in every direction in 4K and includes stabilization technology, with easy editing via a smartphone app.

Video shot with Sony A7S

This 12.2 MP camera provides 4K video output, image stabilization and a variety of additional features to adapt to changing environment conditions. All in a lightweight, durable and compact design.

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The Ultimate Hard Cooler vs Soft Cooler Roundup

Frank Sedlar — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 01:00:35 +0000

Gone are the days when a styrofoam cooler bought from the gas station on your way out of town would cut it at a weekend campout. Enter the hyper-engineered, bear-proof, super coolers that will practically replace your refrigerator. Since Yeti began churning out behemoths of coolers in 2006, nothing else has come close to reverberating as thoroughly through the outdoor world and becoming a must-have item. This new breed of coolers ain’t cheap but having a cold beer is priceless, right? So now you’re ready to saddle up and buy one. But before you fork over your hard-earned cash for a precision-engineered ice cooling vessel, I’ve tested and reviewed some of the industry leaders in this Hard Cooler vs Soft Cooler roundup.

What’s changed in the cooler game?

Let’s start with the elephant in the room – what happened to your parents’ cooler, and why are these new ones so much more expensive? One word for you cowboy, “rotomolded.” Basically “rotational – molding” is a manufacturing technique where a mold filled with hot plastic is continuously rotated to ensure uniformity throughout the mold. This process allows for multilayered (i.e. insulated) walls to be manufactured in, and complex shapes to be produced as a single part.

Gone are the days when a styrofoam cooler bought from the gas station on your way out of town would cut it at a weekend campout.

What all this means for you is that these new coolers are now a heck of a lot more durable and insulated than your parents’ cooler could ever dream to be. But it’s not all sunshine and flowers in cooler land. Rotomolding is a more expensive process than how your parents’ injection molded coolers were made. But the manufacturing process is only part of the reason these new coolers cost 10 times as much as older coolers. The other half of this equation boils down to some good old-fashioned design and some fancy features.

Hard Cooler vs Soft Cooler

Here’s the big question: soft cooler or hard cooler. Hard coolers are what you think about when you think about a cooler. They’re big, heavy, rotomolded beasts, that keep your beer cold for over a week. These coolers come in sizes from 20L up to a massive 350L.

For a nice weekend in the woods, 50-70L is a good size to be looking at. At the larger end of the spectrum, your back gets sore at the mere sight of a cooler this large, so some of these coolers are now outfitted with wheels to make towing them to camp that much easier.

Soft coolers, as you might have guessed, have forgone rotomolding in favor of softer materials that are typically RF welded together. Soft coolers come in a variety of shapes and sizes less than 40L and they’re generally cheaper by a few hundred bucks than their hard-sided brothers. You’re not going to hold a week’s worth of food in a soft-sided cooler, but it will carry up to 30 beers.

Rotomolding is a more expensive process than how your parents’ injection molded coolers were made.

What you lose in insulation ability (they keep beer cold for a mere 2 days) you gain with “carry-ability”. That’s a big word I just made up that means that lots of soft coolers can now be carried as a backpack which makes schlepping your beer into the woods mighty easy.

While you might be tempted just to put a soft cooler on your back and call it a day, once you actually lug a hard cooler to camp you’ll be glad you did. The durability of hard coolers makes them great seats and tables. Some have cup holders built in. Others have trays that attach to give you more food prepping space. Still others have a beer opener. And once you’re done making your fancy dinner, toss everything back into the cooler and don’t worry about the local wildlife because these coolers are also bear-proof (as certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee).

The Big Test

Cons

– Feels a little flimsy when fully loaded

Frank Sedlar — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 22:30:39 +0000

As Outdoor Retailer 2018 rolled on, we pushed ever deeper into the Colorado Convention Center to get the details on the latest world of carry. Throughout three days of the show we battled the Denver altitude, high blood pressure from seeing too many good bags, and sore shoulders from all the swag for the Outdoor Retailer Awards.

Before we dive into the goodies, a couple of observations from this year’s show. First, more and more kickstarted brands are making an appearance. Whether this is Peak Design, who launched (and funded) a new bag on Day 1 of the show, to smaller brands such as Boundary Supply who we caught up with for some out of booth dealings, it’s awesome to see this infusion of new brands into the scene.

Second, there were numerous Carryology logos dotting the convention center floor. Award recipients from the annual Carry Awards, such as Mystery Ranch and Pelican, had emblems denoting bags that the Carryology Community had collectively voted on. The Carryology contingent at the show was also doing our best to dish out fresh-off-the-press Carryology patches (keep an eye out for how to get one). It’s great to see this community growing.

Third, this year’s show had the biggest emphasis on sustainability of any show yet. In many ways Patagonia led the charge (and the push to move the show from Salt Lake City to Denver) with not just new sustainable textiles, but also spearheading legislation here in the U.S. to for instance grow hemp. Additionally lots of textile suppliers were touting less water-intensive coloring processes (cheers Cordura) to material made from plastic bottles, factory waste, and even algae biomass. Very cool to see such an emphasis taking hold on many levels at this show.

Finally, there seemed to be more parties at the show than ever before. Whether this is simply a welcome party for OR moving to Denver, or just the regular Denver party scene remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, carry brands can get down. With that said, here’s part two of our Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2018 roundup.

Pelican

Pelican came to the show with an array of hard and soft carry goods. Their insulated cooler line is expanding with new colors and sizes. Their much applauded Pelican Air line has also been updated with some sharp-looking colorways.

While Pelican is perhaps most known for hard luggage, they are just now getting into soft goods. Along with their Mobile Protect backpack (official Sixth Annual Carry Awards nominee), they’re expanding to include two sizes of duffels. In true Pelican fashion, the laptop protection on these bags is second to none.

Gossamer Gear

Gossamer Gear wowed us on the show floor with updates to a couple of their most popular backpacks, the Vagabond, Kumo, and Silverback. While the packs more or less remain the same, the team at Gossamer Gear has been working to develop a new series of super lightweight textiles, weaves, and colorways which look really sharp. We’re excited to see these hit the market and the trail.

Dakine

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Dakine is dropping a new line which pays homage to their original headquarters in the Cannery Building in Maui. I’m personally hoping to have this much swag when I turn 40.

Rounding out their updates are a new Decent Duffel which is lined with an actual tarp and some additional bags in their Cyclone welded construction collection.

OtterBox

One of the things we love about Outdoor Retailer is the chance to talk with designers and hear about their process designing the bags we’re seeing. Case in point is the new Yampa dry duffel from OtterBox.

The duffel itself packs a whole lot of goodies and will definitely be on our radar, but what really made this bag stand out was hearing how the designer made a raft out of four of these duffels and rafted down a river just to test the durability. He was in one piece at OR which sounds like a successful bag review to us.

“The designer made a raft out of four of these duffels and rafted down a river just to test the durability.”

WANDRD

We’ve recently seen WANDRD on Carryology with a small collection of good-looking travel bags. At the show the team had the Prvke and Hexad on display for us to ogle, along with some good-looking new products in the works that we swore on our favorite backpack we wouldn’t talk about.

North St. Bags

While at OR we dig meeting with smaller brands such as North St. Bags because we get to hang with the founder and see their personal bag choice, which is always carry candy. Curtis was rocking their new Weekender Backpack, which is handmade in Portland and really dialed in for a week of traveling.

What’s more, we got ahold of a coveted North St. OR survival kit – one of their Pioneer 12 hip packs, decked out with essentials to get us through the week (i.e. whiskey, Advil, and syrup from Vermont). But really, the colorway alone on this bag would have gotten us through just fine.

Yeti

Yeti continued to impress with their uber-durable cooler line and expanding carry line. Building on the success of their Panga submersible duffel, they’ve now got a 28L Panga backpack, complete with the same zipper used on hazmat suits. There’s a smaller, waterproof pouch with an awesome magnetic opening, and a cooler that now has wheels.

We geeked out about the design of this rolling cooler and found out that it’s engineered so there is no through axle on the wheels. The reason being that a through axle would generate friction, which in turn would heat up the cooler, which in turn would warm up your beer. Cheers for keeping our beer cold, Yeti.

Thule

To all the travelers who carry a hiking backpack on their back while simultaneously carrying a smaller bag on their front, Thule has got you covered. Their new Landmark backpack for adventure travelers is a genius design that gives you two bags in one, with a beefy suspension tying the two of them together.

If hard rolling luggage is more your style, well Thule has that sorted too. With their Revolve line, Thule is making their first foray into hard luggage, which we’re excited about. The luggage has a tamper-proof zipper, wheels that absorb bumps, and because they’re Thule, they have tested this luggage to the same test standard as their roof racks. Super impressive!

“With their Revolve line, Thule is making their first foray into hard luggage, which we’re excited about.”

The North Face

The big thing we saw at The North Face this year was their Dyno carry line – basically picture four backpacks with some of the most dialed-in and adjustable suspension you can imagine. These bags have been in design since 2016 and pick up where the Prophet Pack from last year left off.

After trying these bags on, I’ve got to say that they’re some of the most comfortable bags I’ve ever worn. Very good stuff.

Mystery Ranch

An annual OR favorite of ours, the team from Montana wows us year after year with the craft they put into their bags. The big one for this year is the Glacier pack, which according to some of their designers is the best carrying pack they’ve ever made.

It’s got their new Astral Frame embedded in it, and was part of a wider overhaul of suspension system that was the result of a super detailed study of how their bags wear. I find myself adjusting my calendar in order to find a week to go into the wilderness to play with this bag.

Timbuk2

In lieu of a booth at the show, Timbuk2 decided to hire a team of bicycle pedicab drivers to ferry people from the convention center to their Denver showroom. “Fitting” I thought as I was whisked through the streets of downtown Denver.

Timbuk2 unleashed a torrent of new bags this year. So many that I had to ask about the sanity of their design team. In all seriousness though, the entire range of new bags look awesome. There’s the Authority pack which is an office-friendly day bag, the Sacoche Sling, which was actually brought over from their Japanese market, a small line of luggage affectionately known as the ‘Never Check Collection’, and a soft cooler that was still wet from the party at the store the night before.

Atlas Packs

We met up with Atlas to dive into their Atlas and Expedition packs and get the lowdown of how Atlas Packs came to be. That’s for another article but needless to say it’s an awesome story that will make you want to grab one of their bags, a camera, and start shooting.

After playing around with these bags, it’s easy to see how Atlas Packs have emerged onto the scene so quickly. I ended up taking one of these bags home with me and was able to fit camera gear and all of the OR swag into it. As anyone who’s been to OR knows, that’s a serious carry potential.

Hydro Flask

Even though we met at 11 am, the team at Hydro Flask was kind enough to supply beer in order to test out their new Cooler Cups. Along with the Cooler Cups, Hydro Flask has a range of new mugs, bottles and tumblers coming out which play very nicely with a miniature version of their Unbound Coolers.

After doing laps through Hydro Flask’s booth, it’s clear that they’ve got not only some of the best drinkware/drink carry options at OR, but also the best colorways.

Mammut

After a few days at OR, even the most hardcore, bag-loving Carryologist will tell you that there’s a lot of the same stuff. That’s why when we descended upon the Mammut booth we were blown away by what they had in store for us.

Their flagship is the new Trion Pack which boasts one of the best suspension systems not just at the show, but that I’ve ever come across. But what really stood out was how Mammut embedded a near field communication (NFC) chip (think the same technology as Android or Apple Pay) into the shoulder strap of the bag. The chip is paper thin and can be scanned to provide warranty and repair information, as well as sport specific instructional video and even access to some specific Mammut trip planning services. We’re really curious to see how this evolves.

“Mammut’s flagship is the new Trion Pack which boasts one of the best suspension systems not just at the show, but that I’ve ever come across.”

As the exhaustion that only working a trade show can bring began to sink in, we ducked out to some of the extracurriculars of Outdoor Retailer. After another successful rendition of Product Underground, a small Snow Peak hosted dinner with a wine truck trucked in from Portland, and parties hosted by just about every outdoor brand, we managed to pool the carry insight we had gleaned over the past few days to decide upon the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Carry Awards.

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Best Everyday Bag Finalists – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards

Mike — Thu, 17 May 2018 01:11:03 +0000

Bagging the top spot in our Best Everyday Bag category is not easy. These are our pure all-rounders. Delivering considered blends of versatility, durability, access and organization to help you get through your diverse daily tasks with ease. These are the kinds of bags you’ll reach for more often than not, flexing from scenario to scenario, always ready in their functional adaptability.

But which one has worked hard enough to merit the top spot on the list?

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Best New Gear: November 2017

Carry HQ — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 01:34:25 +0000

At speed on a motorbike to two-footed travel roaming…however you carry, November has welcomed a great selection of new pieces onto the scene that are bound to intrigue. Discover some of the best new gear below…

pinqponq x Sneaker Freaker collaboration

Love sneakers and carry? Then you’ll dig the collaboration between pinqponq and Sneaker Freaker, which brings the brands together in three pieces that have your everyday and travel needs well covered. The capsule collection features a Sneaker Freaker twist on the Cubik Backpack, Karavan Duffel and Brik Hip Bag, with pops of Sneaker Freaker red, custom ‘loose laces’ zipper pulls and branded satin linings. The Cubik Backpack handles a variety of work and play needs, with a front-panel opening for convenient access and plenty of pockets to stash your gear tidily. The Karavan Duffel is a versatile piece for day-to-day needs, hauling your gym gear, or overnight trips and includes a dedicated shoe pocket. The Brik is a handy piece for carrying the essentials, and can be worn at the waist or across the chest or back. And with their water-repellent, recycled fabrics these pieces not only drop some serious urban style but also help protect your gear from the elements too.

Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack

Understated in aesthetics and practical in design, the Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack is a sleek and versatile piece that works equally well as a daypack or carry-on bag. There’s no need to rummage for your gear, as a combination of top and side access allows you to easily reach items throughout the bag. A choice of quick-access pockets keep frequently used items at the ready, while the exterior-access laptop sleeve protects your tech on the go. And for added functionality, the pack also features a luggage passthrough sleeve, making it easy to secure to a trolley handle for all-in-one carry convenience.

Pelican Mobile Protect Backpack Range

Whether you’re commuting or traveling, your precious gear is at the mercy of the elements and life’s bumps and scrapes while you’re on the move. But Pelican’s Mobile Protect backpack range is ready to step in and serve as a carry shield. The range features 20L, 25L and 35L packs, each crafted with a durable and water-resistant 1000D nylon shell and water-resistant YKK zippers. Ballistic nylon-coated impact zones and compression-molded EVA shoulder straps, back panel and impact zones help protect your gear against impacts while providing comfortable carry along the way. And with a loop-and-lock zipper pull system on all laptop and media pockets, you can enjoy extra peace of mind that your tech is safe and secure.

Tortuga Setout Backpack

Image credit: Jessie Webster

Traveling with wheeled luggage in urban settings can be tricky. A backpack is much easier when it comes to navigating crowded streets and steps. But that pack needs to also offer travel functionality. Just like the Tortuga Setout Backpack. Ideal for urban travel, the Setout suits carry-on use and offers a clamshell main compartment for easy packing and gear retrieval. Quick-access pockets keep travel essentials within easy reach, and there’s also dedicated space for a laptop and tablet. All in a design that looks right at home in the city.

Velomacchi 40L Roll-Top Backpack

When you’re flying down the road at high speed, you need your gear to hold steady. And that’s just what Velomacchi’s 40L Roll-Top Backpack is built to do. Designed with motorcyclists in mind, the pack features a three-point rotating harness system designed to keep the load close to your center of gravity and off your shoulders for improved comfort during your ride. There’s even a magnetic sternum coupler for quick and simple harness closure. Crafted with weatherproof and abrasion-resistant fabric, the pack will handle the elements and high speeds with easy. As an added bonus it’s hydration bladder compatible, and offers plenty of space for overnight trips or days when you need to carry more.

Bramble Outdoor 27L Alpine Commuter

Mountain meets the daily grind with the Bramble Outdoor 27L Alpine Commuter. The pack is crafted with X-PAC VX21 sailcloth for durability and protection against the elements, making it great for roaming outdoors. But a range of handy features keep it functional for daily urban use too. The pack can be secured in rolltop or flap-down mode to suit a range of loads and access preferences, with additional zippered access to the main compartment for added convenience. A front pocket keeps your EDC or trail essentials at the ready, and there’s also a padded laptop compartment for securely hauling your tech.

High Above Lost Lake Duffel Bag

Fancy being able to simply reach for one bag to handle a variety of day-to-day and adventure needs? Meet the High Above Lost Lake Duffel Bag, a tough, simple, and multifunctional bag that can haul your gym gear, groceries, outdoor adventure supplies and more. The duffel is crafted with Phifertex® that is not only durable but also antimicrobial to help keep unpleasant odors at bay. Additionally, the mesh material enables gear to ventilate and dry, allows loose dirt and sand to fall to the ground, and also allows you to easily spot items in the bag so you don’t need to rummage for gear. The duffel comes in two sizes, 22L and 46L, and will be built in Washington with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

Mission Workshop The Rhake

An everyday backpack that can handle work, play and travel? No problem for the Mission Workshop Rhake, a rugged and adaptable pack that handles the commute and weekend getaways equally well. The weatherproof pack features an exterior-access padded laptop pocket, a stowable water bottle pocket, and multiple quick-access pockets for organizing daily essentials. The 22L rolltop main compartment accommodates a range of loads, and a luggage handle passthrough sleeve provides convenient portability during your travels. The Rhake is handmade in the USA with a choice of fabrics and hardware, and guaranteed for life.

The James Brand Elko

Compact minimalism is great for decluttering your carry. But what if you could enjoy minimalist style with maximum functionality? The Elko delivers on both fronts, combining a range of functions into one sleek and easily portable tool for everyday use. The Elko features a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and a pry tool that also serves as a bottle opener, screwdriver and attachment point for keys or other small EDC items. And with a choice of three colorways you can pick to suit your personal tastes.

The post Best New Gear: November 2017 appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Packing List: The GORUCK Tough Event

Carry HQ — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:24:26 +0000

GORUCK make some of the toughest carry gear around. But they also offer grueling events, ideal places to put your gear and yourself to the test. Think a lot of pain, but a lot of gain too. GORUCK events are a challenge, but they’re also an opportunity to make new friends and push yourself beyond your previous limits. Having the right gear though is crucial to help you successfully complete the events. So we reached out to Brian Lohr, founder of All Day Ruckoff, to share his packing list for a GORUCK Tough event…

When I graduated college in 2011, I wanted to find something to train for so I wouldn’t get out of shape. While in school I had the luxury of a newly renovated gym at my disposal and would find myself there once or twice a day. When I graduated that privilege disappeared and I didn’t want that, along with starting a new job, to get me out of shape.

I searched the Internet for months and stumbled upon something called the GORUCK Challenge. I registered for the event, bought a GORUCK GR1, and started training for what I thought would be my “summer event” and that would be it. Was I ever wrong.

Six years later I have completed dozens of GORUCK events and never would have guessed that this is where I would be. I run All Day Ruckoff which is one of the largest websites dedicated to rucking and have the All Day Ruckoff Podcast which is the only podcast (as of writing this) on the topic of rucking.

The first event I ever completed was GORUCK Challenge Class 053 in Seattle so it seems only fair that this article is how to pack for a GORUCK Challenge aka the GORUCK Tough. There may be some lingo specific to the rucking community, so I recommend checking out the All Day Ruckoff GORUCK & Rucking Glossary if there are any words you aren’t familiar with.

The GORUCK Tough Event

The GORUCK Tough event is a 10 to 12-hour team endurance challenge. Everyone who registers (and shows up) is on the same team and the GORUCK Cadre (the person or persons leading the event) provide you with challenges. Most GORUCK Tough events involve a lot of PT, 15 to 20 miles of rucking, and you’ll probably end up in the water at some point. These events are not easy which is one of its draws…it’s not often you get to truly push yourself and this is a great way to do that.

Because of the style and intensity of the event it’s important to square your gear away well in advance. You will have a hard enough time with the physical aspects alone…you don’t need your gear working against you too. With that in mind I’ve put together this GORUCK Tough packing list so that if you do decide to take the plunge and register you can show up prepared with at least the right gear.

Before we get going I want to mention that I bought all of this gear at retail pricing. None of this was given to me to promote in any way which hopefully says something about my recommendations.

Required Gear

There are two types of gear lists here: Required and Recommended. Required is gear that you need to show up to the event with or your team will get so smoked with PT (exercises) that it will only be funny for those watching…which won’t be you. The following is the required gear and it is of the utmost importance that you bring it all.

Backpack aka Ruck (GORUCK Rucker)

You need a backpack to participate in a GORUCK event and you want one that will not fail. There’s (almost) nothing more difficult to watch than someone with a backpack falling apart halfway through an event and you don’t want that person to be you.

The best way for me to relate how important a good backpack is for these events is to compare it to running. Let’s say you sign up for a marathon, train for 3 to 4 months, then race day comes and you toe the line wearing crocs. If you’re a runner then this will sound absurd to you…which is the level of absurdity I feel when people show up to a GORUCK event with an inadequate backpack. Does that mean you need a GORUCK pack? Absolutely not. But it does mean you should not bring a $10 Walmart special.

The GORUCK Rucker is built for these events and is fairly affordable when looking at the competition. The Rucker in the above picture has seen hundreds of miles of rucking and a solid number of GORUCK Light and GORUCK Tough events. It’s still living a happy life and I have no concerns using it at events. It’s a little dirty because I use it solely for rucking and don’t clean it anymore but if I had spent five minutes cleaning it I guarantee you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it and a brand new one. You’ll have enough things to worry about during the event…you don’t need your gear breaking to be one of them.

Weight (GORUCK Ruck Plate)

You need to bring weight to carry in your backpack which is why I recommended a high-quality backpack above. If you’re under 150 lbs you bring 20 lbs and if you’re over 150 lbs you bring 30 lbs. If you’re equal to 150 pounds then go use the restroom and weigh yourself again. There’s a few options for meeting the weight requirement: a plate, bricks, or sand. I don’t recommend sand because when it gets wet it gets heavier. Bricks were the original requirement when GORUCK first started off so they’re “fun” to use but they do take up a bit of space. Ruck Plates are great because they meet the requirement and don’t take up much space at all.

Hydration Bladder (Source 3L)

The GORUCK Tough is a 10 to 12-hour long event and you will need to drink water during it. I’ve used the same 3L Source Hydration Bladder for four years and it has held up wonderfully. It’s what GORUCK recommends and it is what has worked for me.

1L Water Bottle (Nalgene 1L)

New to the “Required Gear List” is a 1L water bottle. Nalgene makes a tough lightweight water bottle called the Tritan so it was the easy choice here. Everything you bring you will need to carry with you so consider that before you reach for a metal water bottle. The one in the picture has a PACElid on it. They’re cool but not necessary to the event.

Reflective Ruck Bands (HVS-V or Ruck Bands)

You need reflective bands on your ruck. These became required gear after the GORUCK community tragically lost Jeff Proietti back in 2014 at an event when he was struck by a car. It was a horrible accident and one that the community will never forget…there’s even a yearly memorial event for it. Grab either the HVS-V from All Day Ruckoff or the Ruck Bands. You can’t go wrong with either.

Headlamp (NiteRider Adventure Headlamp or Something Cheap)

99% of GORUCK Tough events start at night and end in the morning which means you’re out all night. The headlamp is essential gear because you need to see where you’re going. There’s a chance the Cadre will lead you through the woods, to parks, or through parts of town with no street lamps. You need to be able to see and you need to be able to use your hands at all times and a headlamp makes that possible. I bring my NiteRider Adventure Headlamp but have had great success with $15 headlamps on Amazon. Don’t splurge here…I used that Streamlight for numerous events and it’s a fine headlamp.

Pro Tip: Get one that has a red filter on it so you don’t blind your team looking around.

Photo ID

You need to bring photo identification with you to the event.

$20 Cash

This is routinely called “quitters cash” and is necessary in case you decide to quit and need to take a cab home. This is one of those items that Cadre hope you forget so they can beat you down with PT. Don’t forget to bring $20 in cash please…for the love of your team.

Windbreaker*

You will want to bring a windbreaker no matter what because there’s a great chance that you will end up in the water during your GORUCK Tough event. The windbreaker will do its job and block that wind so you don’t freeze when you get out of whatever body of water you were unlucky enough to end up in at 4 in the morning. Grab a packable windbreaker like mine so you can store it nicely in your ruck. The brand doesn’t really matter…you’re going to sweat like crazy in it and it will never stop smelling like grass if you end up in a park during your event.

* The windbreaker is only required if temps will drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recommended Gear

Recommended gear is not required but it is stuff that I definitely bring to every single GORUCK event I participate in. To me this is required gear but GORUCK won’t smoke you if you don’t bring it so it falls under recommended gear.

Gloves (Mechanix)

Bring gloves. If you bring nothing else in the “Recommended Gear” section please make sure you bring gloves. You will be doing push-ups on concrete, bear crawls down steps, crab walks in a park, your hands will see countless horrors and you will want to protect them. You also use your hands to put food in your mouth so keeping them as protected as possible to prevent yourself from accidentally eating whatever you crawled through during that last park. I have used Mechanix Gloves for all but one of my events and they’ve been great.

Bladder Hose Retention System (GrimLoc)

“Bladder hose retention system” is a fancy way of saying something that will prevent your bladder hose from flopping all over the place. A GrimLoc only costs a few bucks and it will save you a ton of frustration by securing your bladder hose.

Secondary Handle (Reflective Padded Handle)

The secondary handles are great for overhead presses and using if you lose strap privileges. I sell the handles on my website so I won’t say too much about these. If you’re interested in what others think you can check out the reviews. The handle in the above picture has been in use for years, is still going strong, and never leaves my pack.

Food

Food isn’t on the required packing list but your class is not stopping for dinner or breakfast anywhere until the event ends. That means 10 to 12 hours where you will need to provide yourself with enough food to keep going. I find that six protein bars is more than enough to get myself through an event. Usually I’ll only eat four of them and either save or give the last two away in the event someone else needs food. I don’t have a strong recommendation here except to say that I bring Costco protein bars which are a near clone of the Quest bars. Every stomach is different so figure out what works for you (eat a bar then do a workout or go for a run) and make sure it doesn’t upset your stomach.

Dry Bag (USMC Military SealLine MAC Sack Waterproof Dry Bag)

You’re bringing food, a windbreaker, and maybe a spare pair of gloves to the event. There’s a great chance you’ll end up at some point in the water. You need that stuff to stay dry until it’s time to use it. Don’t eat lake water protein bars and get sick. Bring a dry bag and put your essentials in it so that they’ll stay dry. I love my USMC Dry Bag because it keeps water out and also lets air out so it stores nicely. It’s fairly cheap and mine has been through a dozen events and still works perfectly.

Pelican Case (Pelican 1120 Case)

I bring my 1120 Pelican Case with me to every event and keep my phone and my watch in there. I like to have my phone with me so that at the end of the event I can tell my wife everything is okay and I like to have my Garmin Fenix 5X so that it can track our route for the event. Watches are not permitted to be worn at GORUCK events so keeping it stashed in there is a safe move.

I often get the question why not the plastic Pelican cases? Short answer: they are water resistant, not waterproof. I have taken those through GORUCK events and they let water in. I could always toss them in a dry bag but that’s just another item…the 1120 case is nearly indestructible and I just don’t have to worry about it.

Second Hydration Mouthpiece

Last on the list is a second mouthpiece for your hydration system. If for some reason you lose the one on your hose it’s nice to have a spare. I know this because I lost one once and it sucked. Now I carry a spare so I can laugh at fate if it ever decides to take one of my mouthpieces again.

Final Notes

The GORUCK Tough event can honestly be tough but you shouldn’t make it harder on yourself by bringing subpar gear or not bringing the right equipment. Trust me…when you are six hours into an event you will be hating yourself for skimping on your gear. Thanks for reading and I hope this list helps you prepare for your GORUCK Tough event.

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Best Camera Backpacks for Hiking Adventures

Carry HQ — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 00:03:21 +0000

Heading on a hiking adventure with your camera gear? A camera backpack needs to find that thoughtful balance between catering to camera equipment and personal and outdoor gear. So we’ve focused in on some key things to consider when choosing your bag, as well as our top picks of the best camera backpacks for hiking adventures.

Access

Whether you’re striding along smooth and easy trails or scrambling over rocky wilderness, having to stop and rummage for camera gear is frustrating. You’ll probably find yourself taking fewer photos if your gear is hard to reach, in which case what’s the point of hauling it all in the first place? When you’re eating up the miles you want to ensure that expended energy hauling gear is worth it. Having gear readily accessible makes it far more likely you’ll use it, and helps you get the shots you really want by having the right equipment close at hand. Different camera packs offer different kinds of access to suit different needs and environments. Front, back, side and top access are all options, so think about which ones are best for you. Additionally, a good mix of quick-access pockets are great for storing smaller, frequently used items such as camera accessories, snacks or a water bottle.

Protection

Camera equipment is often expensive and delicate – not a good combination when you’re entering demanding outdoor environments. Scrapes, bumps, accidental drops and the elements can all wreak havoc on your gear, so you want to ensure it’s adequately protected. Suitably padded storage spaces and dividers help provide shock absorption, while weatherproof construction helps keep the elements at bay.

Weatherproofing

As mentioned above, if you want suitable protection for your gear then you need to factor in weatherproof construction. Look for water-resistant materials and zippers, as well as raincovers for an additional barrier against rain and snow. Having different compartments for storing gear will allow you to access just what you need, which is handy when you want to shield the rest of your gear from inclement weather, grit, dirt and mud.

Organization

Photography can involve a lot of accessories, from additional lenses to memory cards and tech devices. Small items are easy to lose in the recesses of a pack, so having readily accessible pockets is important. Exterior attachment points for larger items such as tripods, skis, gear pouches and other items will also help you tailor your carry setup to different photography missions.

Extra Storage

Additionally, if you’re hiking you’re going to need space for personal and outdoor items such as snacks, water, maps, an extra outer layer, a first aid kit and more. Make sure the packs you are considering offer sufficient extra storage space for this gear.

Comfort

Camera gear is heavy. Add on top of that your personal gear and you could find yourself hauling a significant amount of weight. Combine that with a full day of hiking (or even a few hours) and things can get pretty uncomfortable, pretty fast. A camera backpack that distributes the weight across both shoulders and your waist is a must. Wider shoulder straps offer better weight distribution, and you’re going to want sufficient padding in the straps and waist belt for maximized user comfort, especially on longer hikes and for larger loads. Additionally, good ventilation is an important consideration too, as carrying all that gear over extended distances can be tiring, sweaty work.

Material & Construction

As touched on previously, look for water-resistant materials that offer protection against the elements. However, they should also be durable and abrasion resistant, with a tough pack construction that will hold up to the strain of hauling heavy gear for long periods of time in demanding environments. You may have to lay your pack on rocky ground, you might accidentally scrape against branches and rock faces, or potentially have to sling your bag in and out of cars and overhead luggage compartments in the quest to get to your destination. A tough build and durable materials will ensure your pack can handle the journey.

Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 350 AW (US$ 89.99)

Lowepro’s DSLR Video Fastpack 350 AW is a versatile pack that can handle a variety of equipment, including a DSLR with an attached lens (up to 70-200mm f/2.8), a 17″ laptop, a tripod and audio equipment. The pack also includes a removable audio pouch, a raincover for protection against the elements, and side access to quickly reach your camera.

Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and 600/800mm Lens (US$ 118.96)

The Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack is a handy option if you need to carry an 800mm lens with hood or a DSLR with a 600mm lens attached. The pack includes a range of useful interior and exterior pockets for storing accessories and EDC items, along with a raincover and tripod attachment points. There’s also a whistle integrated into the sternum strap and a comfortable padded harness and waist belt.

Manfrotto Off road Hiker Backpack (US$ 119.88)

The adaptable Manfrotto Off road Hiker Backpack features a removable photo insert and modular dividers to suit changing loads, with quick side access keeping your camera at the ready. The bag fits a DSLR with a 70-200mm/2.8 lens, with additional space for extra lenses and accessories, personal items and snacks. Tripod attachment points and a raincover are included too. And with its flexible design, this 30L pack also doubles as a regular hiking pack by removing the padded insert and dividers.

MindShift Gear rotation180° Trail 16L (US$ 119.99)

Ever missed a great photo opportunity because you couldn’t access your gear fast enough? This pack takes care of that problem with its innovative rotating beltpack which provides ready access to items without having to take the backpack off. The beltpack can also be worn separately for more minimalist carry setups. This pack is a good option for a compact DSLR or mirrorless camera, with additional space for a hydration bladder, personal items, snacks, small accessories and an 8″ tablet.

Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW Backpack (US$ 169.95)

The Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW finds a good balance between camera and outdoor gear carry, with dedicated storage space for photography equipment and personal items. Camera gear can be accessed through the back panel without having to put the pack on the ground, with sufficient space for a DSLR with attached lens and 1-2 extra lenses. In addition, multiple exterior attachment points let you tailor carry setups to changing needs.

Tamrac Anvil 17 Pro Camera Backpack (US$ 189.95)

Like lots of organization options? The Tamrac Anvil 17 delivers, with multiple compartments for camera gear and a 15″ laptop, along with plenty of pockets and attachment points for accessories, a tripod and EDC items. The clamshell main compartment provides ready access to camera gear throughout, with customizable dividers to protect different setups.

Pelican U160 Urban Elite Half Case Camera Pack (US$ 199.95)

Going into demanding environments with your camera gear in tow? If you need rugged and crushproof carry protection, look to the Pelican U160 Urban Elite Half Case Camera Pack. The pack offers separate storage for camera and personal gear, with a bright interior camera case for added visibility of the contents. The waterproof and crushproof case fits a DSLR with attached lens, an additional lens, and a flash. A mix of interior and exterior pockets come in handy for storing small accessories and EDC or outdoor essentials, and concealable tripod straps let you secure a tripod externally.

Mountainsmith x Chris Burkard Tanuck 40L (US$ 229.95)

Mountainsmith and Chris Burkard teamed up to create a versatile, durable and functional pack that could adapt to diverse environments and needs. The result is the Tanuck 40L, a rugged and weather-resistant pack that offers front-access storage for your camera gear, a dedicated 17″ laptop compartment and top-loading storage for personal items. The pack is compatible with Kit Cubes (sold separately) and is self-standing for easier packing and access. A host of pockets and attachment points let you keep items tidy and within easy reach, and the removable top lid can convert into a chest mount for fast access to a camera on the go.

Clik Elite Stratus (US$ 230)

Want a camera pack that doesn’t look like a camera pack? The Clik Elite Stratus is designed to look like a traditional hiking pack in order to avoid unwanted attention and help protect your expensive equipment from prying eyes. The back panel provides access to camera gear, while the top-loading compartment is handy for storing outdoor essentials and personal items. A ClikDraw camera gear loop and anchor points keep your camera securely attached to the pack and within easy reach when needed, while quick-access pockets keep frequently needed items at the ready.

f-stop Lotus (US$ 239)

Highly weather-resistant and durable enough to embrace a range of outdoor environments, the 32L Lotus is well suited to day-long shoots and accommodates a range of f-stop ICUs (sold separately) to organize your camera gear. The back panel provides access to camera equipment, with further storage and a host of pockets for personal gear and accessories. The pack is hydration bladder compatible and also allows additional bulky items to be secured externally.

MindShift Gear BackLight 26L (US$ 249.99)

Worried about mud, dirt, snow or puddles getting on your bag and gear? The Mindshift Gear BackLight 26L offers a nifty solution. The pack features back panel access and can be spun round while the waist strap is attached in order to get to gear without having to lay the bag on the ground. The back panel access also helps thwart opportunistic thieves while traveling. The pack fits a DSLR, along with 4-6 lenses and a flash. There’s also dedicated space for a 15″ laptop and a tablet, along with a range of pockets for organizing accessories and EDC.

f-stop Ajna (US$ 259)

The durable and weatherproof Ajna moves easily from snow to sun, with a 40L volume that accommodates a variety of gear setups. The pack offers back panel access to your camera gear, while a mix of pockets and attachment points keep accessories and personal items tidy and easily accessible. The Ajna is compatible with a range of f-stop ICU units (sold separately) to protect your camera equipment, and can secure a tripod, snowboard or other bulky items externally.

Clik Elite Escape 2.0 (US$ 279)

The Clik Elite Escape 2.0 packs plenty of useful features into its versatile design. Dual full-length zippers can be opened partially for access to specific gear while protecting the rest of the contents in poor weather. Alternatively open them fully for easy access to all your gear. Your camera can be kept at the ready through Clik Elite’s ClikDraw system featuring a camera tether and padded loop hip holster. Rounding things off are a tripod holder, multiple pockets, a hydration sleeve and a raincover.

Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW (US$ 299.95)

Comfortable, weather-resistant and tough, the Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW adapts easily to a range of environments and includes storage for camera equipment and outdoor essentials. Back panel access keeps camera gear secure on the move and away from rain, sand, snow and dirt. The pack is designed to fit a pro DSLR, 3 lenses, a flash and a GoPro or similar, and includes a removable insert. A choice of pockets and attachment points provide organization for smaller items and secure the likes of a tripod, snowboard or ice tools.

Lowepro Pro Trekker 450 AW Camera and Laptop Backpack (US$ 379)

The Lowepro Pro Trekker 450 AW is a durable and comfortable pack featuring Lowepro’s ActivLift System harness. Ideal for large loads and long days of shooting, the pack fits 1-2 pro DSLRs (with a 400mm f/2.8 lens attached to one), as well as 4-6 extra lenses, two flashes, a 15″ laptop, a 2L hydration bladder and personal items. And if you just need a minimalist load, the backpack lid can be detached to form a waist pack for carrying the essentials.

MindShift Gear rotation180° Professional (US$ 389.99)

If you’re keen on MindShift Gear’s rotating beltpack but need more space than the 16L rotation180° Trail offers, this pack is a great larger alternative. With a volume of 37.5L you have plenty of space for camera equipment, personal items and a hydration bladder, with a removable tripod sling and a raincover for added functionality.

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Packing List: The GORUCK Tough Event

The GORUCK Tough Event

Required Gear

Recommended Gear

Final Notes

Best Camera Backpacks for Hiking Adventures

Access

Protection

Weatherproofing

Organization

Extra Storage

Comfort

Material & Construction