Camera bag for snowboarding/skiing?

[djb5118]

Hey guys,

I'm heading out to CO for a week soon and am trying to figure out a good storage setup for while riding.

I plan on taking my D700 out with maybe 3 lenses. I've currently got an old Burton Zoom pack, but it's not very comfy and I don't think I need an entire bag dedicated to carrying just my camera.


Anyone have any good ideas for how to carry my gear another way and still have a fair amount of impact resistance?

I was thinking using a camera cube type storage thing and throwing it into a daypack, or maybe a pelican case?


Thoughts?

[PAFirefighter11]

I've been using my Dakine Sequence backpack since 2008 without ANY issues. I repeat that.. WITHOUT ANY issues. How rare that is for me, let me tell you :)

Check out my thread here on Nikon Cafe:
http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=202467

I absolutely love 100% about this backpack. I've gone skiing, hunting, hiking (Legit day hikes and more), on my motorcycle, off-roading in mud, snow, dirt, you name it, thrown in my car every morning, taken out every night, thrown on my floor when I get home every night for the past (almost) 4 years. I can't say enough about how much I love it! It has been redesigned, so I can't speak on the current model, but here it is:
http://www.dogfunk.com/dakine-sequence-backpack-w-camera-block-2000cu-in

I say buy it. You will love it.

[djb5118]

I need to sign up for Nikon Cafe I guess!

Did you find it to be really big when skiing? I think it's about the size of my Zoom?


I found the Lowepro Photo Sport 200AW...looks like a sick bag, but won't fit my gripped body.


edit: maybe theres a way i can mod my Zoom pack to make the waist strap fit better

[jspek]

my burton has been in thru hell and back. the focus is sweet but impossible to find.
http://www.altrec.com/burton/zoom-camera-pack

[PAFirefighter11]

I have never had an issue with the backpack being too big for any situation. It is really the perfect size.

Let me copy/paste photos & my writeup from that thread. They are blocked at work so I don't recall what they all are, so pardon if they are repetitive.

Hey all. I needed to upgrade backpacks. Storage was fast becoming an issue as was ruggedness. I do a LOT of hiking and mountain biking and I need something that will hold up and be comfortable at the same time. I ordered a DAKINE Sequence Photo Backpack from DogFunk for $111 on sale. It arrived just an hour ago. During my lunch I decided to grab some photos in our photo studio. It's just 1 medium sized Chimera soft box to illuminate it. The studio camera's were in use, as were the radio transmitters, so 2 second open exposures and f22 it was lol. Here are the photos:

Exterior:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439015552_ixCpV-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439016114_4nznn-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439016708_ng6aX-XL.jpg


Built in rain cover over exterior:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439017281_5mFyG-XL.jpg


Portion that rests against your back:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439021989_8ueBq-L.jpg


Opened up:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439018461_4fUKS-XL.jpg


Backpack portion on left | Camera bag portion on right:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439019169_T5MTD-XL.jpg


My old Case Logic Backpack | DAKINE pack | DAKINE Camera bag portion:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439019655_oUk7a-XL.jpg


Camera phone photos showing how I'll be using it...

(SB600, 70-300VR, D2x with 18-70mm, D70s with 50mm 1.8, Nikon Coolpix L5 lol):
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/477526938_4jogY-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/439019740_Akpmg-XL.jpg


I'll try fitting my laptop in the laptop portion tonight after my photoshoot if I have a free moment. I have a 15.4" Dell laptop & a 13.3" Macboo that love to travel. I hope it fits, but have heard it's really designed for 15" and smaller laptops. We'll see. There are also some other random pockets I am using for storage of cables, batteries, etc.

I did wear it. I love the feel. It's definitely got plenty of straps, which is exactly what I was looking for. For the few here who have tried on an SCBA Firefighting device, it's a feel VERY similar to that. The Draeger SCBA packs that we used feel nearly identical. It has great hip support that somewhat pivots with your hips, I love it. I'll let everyone know how it holds up after my first hike with it!

So far, I HIGHLY recommend this bag!

EDIT: So you don't have to scroll through the pages, two shots of me wearing the bag... I had it loose on the 2nd one FWIW.. and I am 6'4". There's plenty more slack for bigger people and smaller people as well.

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/451579990_Vyxmg-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/470315854_ujFKL-XL.jpg

I can JUST squeeze my 15.4" laptop into the bag.

I've run it with the following all at once:
-D2x with 28-105 mounted
-D70s w/ Jenis grip with 70-300 VR mounted
-L5 Coolpix
-18-70 3.5-4.5 & 50 1.8 individually stored
-SB600 w/ diffuser individually stored
-Manfrotto 055X PROB tripod & Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head & Bogen 3231 mounted outside
-Manuals for all equipment, lens cleaner/cloth, flashlights, gaffers tape, USB cables (12 feet+)

When the laptop is packaged, I would be scared to run the tripod/monopod on the direct back of the bag (as designed), but there are enough side straps to accomodate this. I've hiked for hours with it at almost full capacity, and it's been fine. You just have to put the weight on your hips, and adjust the shoulder straps accordingly.

I HIGHLY recommend it still!

[BlkWhtTSI]

IMO none of these look like anything i would put my camera in and take snowboarding. One decent fall on your back and you can kiss a lens a camera or both good bye. I have the lowepro micro trekker 200 and i like it. It has a few straps etc and the same padding as these, doesn't have as many pockets but it doesn't sound like you need 100 pockets. It looks like a small backpack and is fairly comfortable. How well would it protect against a fall? Couldn't tell ya but, the bag is $80 new.. a bargain compared to the other bags mentioned

[PAFirefighter11]

IMO none of these look like anything i would put my camera in and take snowboarding. One decent fall on your back and you can kiss a lens a camera or both good bye. I have the lowepro micro trekker 200 and i like it. It has a few straps etc and the same padding as these, doesn't have as many pockets but it doesn't sound like you need 100 pockets. It looks like a small backpack and is fairly comfortable. How well would it protect against a fall? Couldn't tell ya but, the bag is $80 new.. a bargain compared to the other bags mentioned

Your opinion is wrong :P I fell several times on my back while skiing, with my gear in there and have not broken anything. And this was on PA mountains - aka falling onto ice, not nice powder. It's got a LOT of padding on the bottom of the bag and the camera pouch itself is contained as a separate unit inside the backpack for added safety. I've never broken any of my gear (while inside my backpack), beating the living hell out of it day in and day out.

Evidence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8QdTmx6AiM

[BlkWhtTSI]

Thats not even close to a crash. Storing the camera in a plastic Shop Rite bag would be sufficient for that fall, that fall is like sliding into second base. I'm talking crash like a few of the crashes in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h_hdVxl9m8.
Having 150 pounds (my weight, chances are you weigh more, considering, I'm a midget) slamming onto the bag storing camera gear would surely damage equipment. A hard pack such as this http://www.midwestbags.com/ttp/Boblbee-Megalopolis-Executive-Hardshell-Backpack/products_id/1428.html would be much safer for your gear.

[djb5118]

IMO none of these look like anything i would put my camera in and take snowboarding. One decent fall on your back and you can kiss a lens a camera or both good bye. I have the lowepro micro trekker 200 and i like it. It has a few straps etc and the same padding as these, doesn't have as many pockets but it doesn't sound like you need 100 pockets. It looks like a small backpack and is fairly comfortable. How well would it protect against a fall? Couldn't tell ya but, the bag is $80 new.. a bargain compared to the other bags mentioned

So you are saying those bags don't protect for anything, but you suggest getting a smaller micro trekker with the same amount of padding?

That makes no sense.

Thats not even close to a crash. Storing the camera in a plastic Shop Rite bag would be sufficient for that fall, that fall is like sliding into second base. I'm talking crash like a few of the crashes in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h_hdVxl9m8.
Having 150 pounds (my weight, chances are you weigh more, considering, I'm a midget) slamming onto the bag storing camera gear would surely damage equipment. A hard pack such as this http://www.midwestbags.com/ttp/Boblbee-Megalopolis-Executive-Hardshell-Backpack/products_id/1428.html would be much safer for your gear.

I watched that video, and that must have been that guys first or second season. He can't even ride down the hill without catching his edge and bailing...not to mention he doesn't carry enough speed over any park features (obvious lack of experience). I don't plan on falling like that dude at all, and I don't think I have fallen like that in 8 years.

A hard pack might help, but I don't want to break my spine in case I do wreck. I'd rather have a bag that has a little give to it to absorb some impact.

I think I'm going to just suck it up and use my giant Burton Zoom pack or just use a daypack and wrap my gear in a fleece. I'm confident enough in my riding ability that it shouldn't be an issue, plus I might only have my camera on the hill for a few hours each day anyways.


I did end up renting a GoPro Hero2 though, which I'm super pumped about!

[Saab93Aero]

understand your looking to carry a gripped body and 3 lenses, but i just hate having a backpack on when jumping on lifts. i usually wear a camel pack with the bladder filled and junk in the pockets and find it sketchy sometimes, but that's just my personal feeling.

i went out to CO 2 years ago and was in the same boat, but wasnt looking to carry 3 lenses, just a gripped body and a 18-200. the bag i found to be the best suit, was the Clik Elite Chest Pack. it would only allow for a gripped SLR and a single lens. could hop on and of lifts and still get in a crouching position w/o having extra weight "sliding" around on you back.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767455-REG/Clik_Elite_CE703GR_Probody_SLR_Chest_Carrier.html
http://static.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/767455.jpg

they got a couple other chest mount bags too

http://www.clikelite.com/products/#Chest%20Carriers

here is their whole line up
http://www.clikelite.com/products/

[PAFirefighter11]

Thats not even close to a crash. Storing the camera in a plastic Shop Rite bag would be sufficient for that fall, that fall is like sliding into second base. I'm talking crash like a few of the crashes in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h_hdVxl9m8.
Having 150 pounds (my weight, chances are you weigh more, considering, I'm a midget) slamming onto the bag storing camera gear would surely damage equipment. A hard pack such as this http://www.midwestbags.com/ttp/Boblbee-Megalopolis-Executive-Hardshell-Backpack/products_id/1428.html would be much safer for your gear.

(Can't watch YouTube at work - go figure). Yep, I'm 6'4", 210. Either way, as I stated, I beat the hell out of it. There is more than enough padding on the backpack to protect my gear. Tried and tested. The only time I would not trust it is if I wreck my motorcycle and have the backpack on. But at that point, not much is going to protect the gear, even a Pelican case is going to really jostle around everything pretty good. I just hate to see someone purchase the wrong backpack for their wants and needs...

EDIT: dj: are you in MN or out there way? If you're local, you're more than welcome to check out my backpack setup in person.

[BlkWhtTSI]

So you are saying those bags don't protect for anything, but you suggest getting a smaller micro trekker with the same amount of padding?

That makes no sense.



I watched that video, and that must have been that guys first or second season. He can't even ride down the hill without catching his edge and bailing...not to mention he doesn't carry enough speed over any park features (obvious lack of experience). I don't plan on falling like that dude at all, and I don't think I have fallen like that in 8 years.

A hard pack might help, but I don't want to break my spine in case I do wreck. I'd rather have a bag that has a little give to it to absorb some impact.

I think I'm going to just suck it up and use my giant Burton Zoom pack or just use a daypack and wrap my gear in a fleece. I'm confident enough in my riding ability that it shouldn't be an issue, plus I might only have my camera on the hill for a few hours each day anyways.


I did end up renting a GoPro Hero2 though, which I'm super pumped about!

In my first post i was stating that if you were going to buy a bag like was mentioned you might as well save $100 and get the micro trekker.
I dont think anyone plans on bailing hard.. just one of those things that can happen. I've been boarding for about 4 years and i still occasionally catch an edge or get cut off by a pedestrian crossing my path.