Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Backpack (Black)

by Lowepro

• Evenly distributes weight and provides exceptional comfort
• Offers easy access to gear, added security while wearing and provides quick access to cables, adaptors, water bottles
• Provide quiet access around film crews or wildlife
• Add SlipLock compatible products to customize your pack
• Built-In All Weather Cover offers maximum protection against rain, dust and sand

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 11.9 x 18.1 inches ; 3.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001APJZ50
• Item model number: Flipside 400 AW (Black)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Color: Black | Size: One Size

From the Manufacturer

Manufacturer Description: Flipside 400 AW is a high-performance backpack designed for extra security, easy access and all-weather protection. Its unique back-entry compartment provides easy access to camera gear when setting up (keeping harness off the ground and clean), plus extra security when on the move. Main compartment secures a professional DSLR, attached zoom lens, plus multiple accessories. The premium set of features includes: Hideaway Tripod Holder, Hypalon SlipLock attachment loops, memory card pockets, and built-in All Weather Cover. Perfect for the traveling photographer who needs to keep expensive gear securely tucked away, yet close at hand to capture the shot in a moment. Hardware Capacity: Up to a Pro DSLR with attached 300mm f/2.8 (most makes), additional body and 4-6 additional lenses, charger and cords, filters, flash unit and 3 memory cards.

Flipside 400 AW Highlights: 1. Contoured Shoulder Strap with Padded Waist Belt Evenly distributes weight and provides exceptional comfort 2. Unique Back Compartment Entry Offers easy access to gear and added security while wearing 3. All Weather Cover Offers maximum protection against rain, dust and sand 4. Hideaway Tripod Holder Secure a tripod to the pack 5. Memory Card Pockets Quickly find memory cards in the same place every time 6. Silent Zipper Pulls Provide quiet access around film crews or wildlife 7. Stretch Mesh Side Pockets Keep water bottles and other personal items within easy reach 8. Front Storage Panel Provides quick access to cables, adaptors, small accessories or personal items 9. SlipLock Attachment Loops Add SlipLock compatible products to customize your pack

Product Description

This high-performance backpack is ideal for the serious enthusiast and professional photographer looking for all weather protection, superior comfort and extra security. The Flipside 400 AW uniquely offers a premium feature set including Lowepro’s patented All Weather Cover, Hide Away Tripod holder and Contoured Shoulder Strap with Padded waist belt. The Flipside 400 AW back compartment entry offers easy access to gear and added security while wearing, perfect for the trav

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super nice all around camera [laptop] bag October 30, 2008

By Pat the enthusiast

Color Name:Black| Size Name:One Size|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Good:

*plenty of storage volume. I could fit a Nikon D80 plus 12-24 f/4, 24-70/2.8, 70-300VR, 18-200VR, SB-600 flash without problem. I can see one fitting a mounted 70-200 f/2.8VR or 300 f/4 without problem. I've also used the bag with a hood-on 24-70/2.8 mounted on a D700, plus a 70-300VR hood-on with room for another hood-on big lens.

*The two straps on the top side of the bag can hold a small jacket in place, the two side mesh pockets can fit sizable waterbottles, plus a tripod holder at the back : how much more do you wanna carry?

*All weather cover for adverse weather conditions.

*As a bonus, one CAN sqeeze a laptop in (I could fit a 14.1" wide screen thinkpad T61 with extended battery pack) after some valco re-configuration effort, while carrying a non-gripped body plus 4 lenses. You don't want to do it often but for air travel alone it is doable (not very comfortable for your back however).

*You can really tighen the waist strap on your body, flip the bag to your front side, and access the content without additional support for the bag. provides a secure platform for lens changes while on the go.

*the flipside design (camera compartment can only be opened from your back's side) is very secure. no by-stander can open your bag without going through you.

*the size is okay for air travel.

The bad?

*it is a bit too big/bulky for daily use. And on heavier loadings (10 pound total weight or more) the bag isn't all that comfortable when i first got it. it was a bit stiff all around. 2 months later and now it gets slightly better. but not at the comfort level of compurover that i tried.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bag for changing your set up on the move! July 24, 2009

By A. Joshua Dritz

Color Name:Pine Green|Size Name:One Size

I took this bag with me on a back packing trip in Moab, Utah. We had a base camp where we slept but we trecked the area daily to see what we could discover. Not knowing what to expect I was able to pack a D300, a 200-500mm f/5-6.3, a 55-200mm VR f/4-5.6, a 17-50mm f/2.8, a 90mm macro f/2.8, a tripod, and accessories. The great thing about this bag is that it made it very easy to change lenses on the move. Not knowing what we were going to walk up on I had the opportunity to shoot everything from my telephoto to macro. I simply took down the shoulder straps (while the bag is supported by the waist belt), and swung it around on my hips. The bag lays flat like a table supported by your mid section. Since the bag opens from the opposite side of most backpacks I was able to change my lenses as I walked. The bag stayed sturdy and made a great table to lay the camera on and switch out lenses. This was great because not everyone I was with was a photographer. I was able to change my set up, talk with my friends and keep up while getting my shots. Another great benefit to the camera compartment opening from the opposite side is that when you set your bag down, the ground touches the outside of the backpack. This helped prevent from dust getting into the camera compartment when opening it. This was an amazing bag to take when you want to bring a lot of equipment. The bag is sturdy enough to support a large amount of weight while still maintaining functionality. I was most impressed that the bag could lay flat like a table and still support all the equipment in the bag with out over extending from my waist. This is a very comfortable, functional and well designed bag.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Best I have found but hoping the next version will be better January 25, 2011

By CD

Color Name:Black| Size Name:One Size|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like this pack a lot and for reasons others don't seem to mention.

What I like:
I can set the bag down in the dirt, wet grass etc and use it as a workspace and keep my gear clean and organized while the back and straps stay clean. (watch out for ticks though)

There is only one way in and out of this bag. This way you can't accidentally leave the other side open as you roll it over or pick it up. Even if you leave the main zipper half done, the flap really would rather be closed and the act of putting it on your back will keep your stuff from falling out. So it makes it faster than the "sling" type bag I was using if I just whip it off my back and reach in the top.

It will hold more gear then I want to carry all day.

Like that it has water bottle holders.

What I don't like:
The hip strap is too high for my average length torso so I have to spool the shoulder straps out quite far to get this bag to sit on my hips and then the shoulders are not as comfortable. This was about the only thing that Clik Elite did right on their probody sport bag.

I would have liked a rubberized outer skin (like Caselogic is doing these days) so it would be easier to clean when I set it down in said grass.

The tripod holder could be way better (although this issue is not limited to this bag), here's why: If you use the tripod holder, the tripod will protrude out the bottom of the pack (all tripods will do this regardless of size). Acting like an extra long leg, the bag will want to tip over and land on the strap side (the part I would rather keep clean). Also, in order to get that useful workspace I talked about above, the tripod needs to be removed first or the bag will want to lay on one side or the other. Besides all of that, it only holds one leg so unless it is a monopod, it will be somewhat floppy side to side no matter how you strap it in.
To get around this I am using carabiners to attach my tripod case to the back straps so it hangs below the backpack. This lets me set the bag face down first and then take the tripod out. Since is is a Benro 5 section Traveler it is no longer than the pack is wide and works well but it is a cluge to get it to work. I have no idea how I would manage something longer like my old 3 section Manfroto.

I think attachment loops should have been added to various places around this pack (bottom, top, sides) for adding carabiners etc. mentioned above so people can customize their layout. Things like tripods are a great example of a place that needs flexibility because of the wide variance in shapes and sizes.

All and all, I have not seen anything better and I have really put a lot of effort into finding just the right bag, but I still think there is room for improvement.