There are lots of "what bags should I get" threads here, some of which have been mine. But, because of an injury, I need to change the way I carry my gear and the problem is that I don't often get to places where I can actually look at bags to try myself. So, I try to narrow down my decisions based on reviews and opinions before ordering (and somethimes returning) things.
My dilemma: I will be carrying my 5Diii, 24-70 f/2.8ii, 100-400 mkii, a 430 EXii and a WA (along with cards, batteries, etc.) on a long trip to Ethiopia. I've relied on shoulder bags (love my City Walker) but due to an injury and what this will weigh, will now carry a backpack. I've not decided on whether to bring a tripod. There will be no overnight trekking or long hiking on this trip. I do have access to a Guru Kiboko 22+ which is a great bag but feels too bulky for this load. I am trying to carry "smaller" especially because of some internal flights with restrictions.
My present system is to place my loaded shoulder bag into a carry-on duffle along with paperwork, some layers, toiletires and one a change of clothes and tablet into the duffle which is carry on legal sized and take this along with a rolling carry-onfilled with the remaining clothes to make the 2 items I carry on. Should the gate decide this is too heavy or large (only happened once), I'll always have the ability to not let my camera gear go into the hold of the airplane. I can just take out the camera shoulder bag, pull some items from the roll-aboard, and add them to the now almost empty duffle, carry the duffle and the camera bag as my 2 items and let the roll-aboard get checked.
Depending on the size of any new backpack, I still might put it into the carry on duffle (suspect it will occupy more of the duffle than the shoulder bag) and still have my roll-aboard with clothing and other items and use the same system. So, I don't want a large backpack, just one that can carry my walkaround kit on two straps instead of one and still be easy to travel with. My system to keep camera gear out of the hold would still work.
Right now I am thinking about Flipside 300 (or 200 or 400?) versus TT Streetwalker but have looked at lots of others online.
So, for the (hopefully) last time, given this gear, what would fit and what do you think you'd do? I know about the security benefits of the Flipside but my TT bags are all wonderful.
My dilemma: I will be carrying my 5Diii, 24-70 f/2.8ii, 100-400 mkii, a 430 EXii and a WA (along with cards, batteries, etc.) on a long trip to Ethiopia. I've relied on shoulder bags (love my City Walker) but due to an injury and what this will weigh, will now carry a backpack. I've not decided on whether to bring a tripod. There will be no overnight trekking or long hiking on this trip. I do have access to a Guru Kiboko 22+ which is a great bag but feels too bulky for this load. I am trying to carry "smaller" especially because of some internal flights with restrictions.
My present system is to place my loaded shoulder bag into a carry-on duffle along with paperwork, some layers, toiletires and one a change of clothes and tablet into the duffle which is carry on legal sized and take this along with a rolling carry-onfilled with the remaining clothes to make the 2 items I carry on. Should the gate decide this is too heavy or large (only happened once), I'll always have the ability to not let my camera gear go into the hold of the airplane. I can just take out the camera shoulder bag, pull some items from the roll-aboard, and add them to the now almost empty duffle, carry the duffle and the camera bag as my 2 items and let the roll-aboard get checked.
Depending on the size of any new backpack, I still might put it into the carry on duffle (suspect it will occupy more of the duffle than the shoulder bag) and still have my roll-aboard with clothing and other items and use the same system. So, I don't want a large backpack, just one that can carry my walkaround kit on two straps instead of one and still be easy to travel with. My system to keep camera gear out of the hold would still work.
Right now I am thinking about Flipside 300 (or 200 or 400?) versus TT Streetwalker but have looked at lots of others online.
So, for the (hopefully) last time, given this gear, what would fit and what do you think you'd do? I know about the security benefits of the Flipside but my TT bags are all wonderful.