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Recommendation for backpack

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Jotho:
I currently live in Southeast Asia. In September I will go on a motorcycle drive in central Vietnam for a about a week. I have done several trips like this before so I know what kind of conditions I will encounter - very hot and humid and sometimes heavy rain. But I haven't done with serious camera gear. This time I will travel with a 5D3, 24-105, a longer zoom - probably 70-300L,  maybe the 35L, S100 and a 270EX. I want to bring serious camera gear since I will write a couple of travel articles from this and include pics. Now since this is a motorcycle trip I will pack light. I will carry a backpack and probably one of those water proof 'soft tubes' that you would bring on a boat.

My question is about the backpack. I have looked at the Lowepro Pro Trekker 600AW. Questions around this, from those who have experience of this or the 400, is it waterproof? With above mentioned gear, will there be any other room for for example some clothes? Will the lid protect the gear against minor shock impacts? I have a couple of other Lowepro bags and I am very happy with them.

My backup plan is to use a regular larger backpack and stuff the camera gear inside, but that will make it so much more difficult to access the stuff. Also, as I will bring a couple of tools and a knife I will need one bag that I can check in, I will need a two bag solution.

Thanks in advance!

bkorcel:
I use the StreetWalker Pro by think tank.  Never TRUST a vendor to claim waterproof to protect your expensive gear.  When in doubt seal everything up in the backpack using ziplock freezer bags.  The thinktank product does come with a rain fly but on a bike it might not do much good.

Seriously, use the zip lock bags no matter what you decide to get!!!

neuroanatomist:

--- Quote from: Jotho on June 13, 2012, 09:40:28 AM ---I have looked at the Lowepro Pro Trekker 600AW. Questions around this, from those who have experience of this or the 400, is it waterproof?

--- End quote ---

No - they have an all-weather cover, basically a rain fly that goes over the pack.  Look at the Lowepro DryZone series, probably the DryZone 200.

Jotho:
Thanks to both. Yes, I will likely pack the gear in extra cover inside the bag. But with the tropical climate, overall humidity is also a problem. About the DryZone, I had a look at that also and it seems a bit small. Will likely go for the ProTrekker and pack the gear in plastic inside.

cnewley:
Hey Jotho,

I set out for a similar trip a few years ago. I bough a Minsk in Hanoi with the intent of riding it for a week or two, but ended up riding it for three months all the way to Bangkok. Just couldn't get off the damn thing. I'm jealous of your adventure.

For my trip, I bought two Northface knock-off backpacks in Hanoi and strapped them to the sides in the back like saddle bags. All my regular stuff went in there. My camera gear, similar to your requirements, was all in a Lowepro Slingshot. When It was nice out I strapped it behind me on the seat and when it rained I wore it on my back but under my rain slicker.

Never had any problems and I'm still using the gear today. I even carried a small hard drive with me and it survived too (thank god). It sounds like you could just get away with one bag. Wear it, with the rain cover deployed and under your jacket when it rains. Then when its sunny out, strap it to the bike somewhere.

Anyway, good luck and go with your gut, but remember that simple and low key is often best out there. We have a way of letting our mind come up with all sorts of problems before big trips that never really turn out to be substantiated. Just expensive.

Chris

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