Customer Reviews

Clik Elite CE302GR Large SLR Chest Pack (Gray)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased the pack to take carry by Canon 7D while downhill skiing. At first I was surprised at how big the pack was. It seemed to stick out in front quite far. Having said that the size disappears with actual use. The camera stays nicely affixed to my chest while skiing. It does not bounce around or move from side to side - even while skiing some very extreme terrain in order to get into position for a shot. It is very easy and quick to get the camera in and out. I did fall once with the camera on. The camera pack stayed in place and there was no damage to the camera. Having a camera on my chest seems to be the safest spot for it.

Update:

Just got a 70-200 f2.8 lens. It will not fit in this pack. A 17-55 f2.8 does fit.

I ordered this pack hoping it would meet my need of a pack ready to shoot active outdoor sports (ice climbing, snow skiing, mountain biking...). I'm tired of pulling around backpacks and slings throw me off balance while racing to keep up with athletes, so a chest pack that protects the camera and lens is critical. However, the large version of this pack cannot even fit my Nikon D700 with 24-70 f2.8 lens, let along a 70-200 f2.8 lens, so I had to return it. Surprising a chest pack that fits a larger camera is not available. Guess a chest baby carrier will need to be converted. Overall, the construction quality and materials seemed fine. I like some of the features but it needs space for another lens, filters, memory cards, keys, and water bottle. Harness straps are nice and large.

I bought this chest pack because I always seem to have my camera out and I don't like it hanging around my neck. This pack is perfect for this purpose. I have a Canon Mark V and the large holds this camera along with a standard size lens attached. It also has substantial room in a top pouch for a battery, compact flash card, etc. I could probably hold a filter in there as well. I also purchased the medium...but it wasn't big enough so I sent it back to Amazon and kept the large. The only down side to the large was that the harness was too big for me. I could not tighten it down enough to fit me snuggly. So..although I thought the large size meant for a pro camera - it also appears that it also meant for a large person. But...I called Clik Elite and explained that this harness was too big and could I switch it for the smaller version. They said no problem and they would get it in the mail for me today. Hopefully I will be getting it any day now. The chest pack is well made and the zippers are very substantial. I also purchased the probody sport pack. I haven't tried it out yet..but it looks like it will be perfect for day hikes. My only complaint is that the buckles on the chest pack do not fit easily into the probody sport like it is suppose to. I am hoping that once it is broken in this won't be such a problem..but right now it is quite a challenge. Clik Elite has the right idea for combining hiking with photography. I have been on a quest for the perfect pack. Currently I have an osprey which I love to death..but wanted the padding and ability to grab my camera without taking off my pack everytime that the Clik Elite provides. Although if I could design the perfect pack I would take the frame from the osprey and the pack from the Clik Elite..until then this is as close as it gets.

This bag was a bit more expensive than I would like to pay for something its size but...it is worth the extra cash.

I was also very concerned that I would look like a complete dork with this bag hanging off my chest. I have to admit that there will be no offers for you to walk down the runway with this bad boy on, but it isn't that bad.

My first trip with it (I also bought the backpack) I wore it while hiking Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. It clicks into the backpack or you can use the strap system that comes with it if you do not have the back pack. It also came with a thin strap for over the shoulder use if you don't want to use the chest strap system for your trip to the zoo with the kids.

When it came to accessing my Canon 7D, this bag was just plain awesome. Talk about getting to your camera with ease. This puts any bag I have seen to shame for accessibility. The only down side was when walking down the mountain...it was a little challenging to see where I was putting my feet. The bag is in your field of view on a steep slope. Going up the mountain was great. The wedge shape design kept my knees from hitting the bag even on the steepest slopes.

The first time I put it on the bag rode very high in my chest and I didn't like that at all. A little adjusting of the straps cured the problem and allowed me to carry the bag comfortably.

The most important part as a photographer; you can get your camera out in about 2 seconds. Simply unzip and the camera is in hand ready to shoot. When finished, drop it in the bag re zip and you are off and running again.

Construction: Clik Elite does an excellent, excellent job on construction. This is a very well made item. Have no worries about the overall quality of construction. It is excellent.

In general I would highly recommend this bag for anyone who is physically active and serious about taking pictures. It is good for casual use also though there are probably bigger sling-type bags that would be better for someone who is just walking around. If you want to spend money on just one bag, I would go with this one.

But, if you hike, run, (maybe bike, haven't tried that yet),ski, water polo (maybe not)or any other agility type event, this is a great bag for you.

The best feedback I can give is to say I love it. It was worth the extra money and I highly recommend it.

I rarely write reviews, but I just had to do it. I am a total Kata camera bag girl. I researched and researched trying to decide which bag to take on the mountain skiing with me. All the Kata bags seemed too large. I was about to spend twice as much money as this bag and was not thrilled about it. At the last minute I did a search related to skiing and this bag popped up. It seemed right and the price was better so I gave it a try. Some things you should know. I was nervous about taking my camera out with no strap at all. I ordered a clik 18.00 strap to try to remedy this. When the bag came in, I was thrilled to find out it has a safety strap inside that works perfectly. The camera is safely attached to the bag. It also has an alternative shoulder strap inside that is not at all mentioned. I love that strap and i use it on my way to the mountain. As other reviewers have stated, there are NO instructions. I don't have a clue exactly where they intended that shoulder strap to be attached. There is also some other features it has that I cannot figure out. Still, I am thrilled with it. It was easy to fit on my body. I took my canon rebel t2i and my prime 16-35 mm lens. It is not attractive, but it does fit close to the body and the camera feels secure. The zippers worked well with my gloves. I enjoyed my camera until lunch, when I was taking off alone with my four year old. I then sent my camera down the mountain with my husband. We easily opened the straps and got it on him in no time. I really could not be happier with this bag. It is better than it sounds when you read about it.

I use this for carrying a Canon 7D with a 300mm. It works and there are not many other options out there for biking and skiing and protecting your camera, and keeping it from swinging all over the place. The zippers and their curved design is not good though. The zippers feel very weak and are too small for their intended use. The curve of the zipper path makes it very hard to operate. The 7D with a 300mm EF f/4 with hood retracted just barely fits in this case, wish it was a big longer.

This pack seems very nice. The harness is comfortable and the pack size works well for me although I could imagine a XL size might be good for big pro setups. I may change my tune if I pick up a fast zoom one day. I went out for a few hours of skiing with it yesterday and had room for My Pentax K-x, a couple of primes, and a 55-300 zoom (slow so it's not huge) and there was plenty of room.
Zippers are large and easy to operate with gloves and the pack stays out of the way well while being easily accessible.
The pockets in the lid have some nice compartments for batteries, filters, lens cloth, and other misc. items all readily accessible at a moments notice.

My one criticism and reason for four instead of five stars is that they use proprietary buckles to attach the harness to the pack. This means if I want to connect it to another pack, like my dedicated Black Diamond ski pack I'm going to have to get some more of their special buckles instead of the more common Fastex. I haven't looked at pricing and availability but I know I can't just go to my local outdoors store and pick some up. That's a pain.

I just received my large Clik Elite chest pack and was concerned about the size, a few folks said it wouldn't fit their f2.8 zoom, I have an f4.0 70-300 on my SLR, in addition to a grip, and the pack fits it quite well. I think if you have the larger f2.8 you may may want to spend a few more dollars and go with the telephoto size chest pack, gives you an extra 3 inches +/- on length. I actually ordered both at the same time and the telephoto is much too large for me, I don't intend to go with a faster zoom right now, so that one is going back. Note that the manufacturer states that it will fit lenses up to 5.5", so I feel it's a little underhanded to rate it low because you didn't know your lense was too big. By the way, my SLR is a smaller Canon Rebel, not sure of the dimensions on a Mark or other body, that may also be causing some fitment issues others are having?

My only qualm is that I'd prefer a quick release clip rather than the zippered top.

I've come to believe that you generally get what you pay for, and this isn't the cheapest pack out there. Build quality seems rugged, no other complaints other than the zipper, but to each his own. Or her own?

This is a very well made bag, and I got it on sale. It fits my canon 5d mark2 and 24-105 L exactly.

Not really "LARGE". Canon 5dII with 24-105 barely fits. 24-70 wont fit. Build quality good, but need to make it an inch longer if they want pros to buy it.