Customer Reviews

Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Backpack (Green)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like backpack type cases, whether for computers or cameras. It leaves your arms free, although you have to put the pack down to get things in and out of it. It holds my DSLR with a lens on it and three other lenses, including a very big 80~200 zoom. It has plenty of pockets and places to store things, and the tripod holder works very well. I also like the handle on top that lets you just pick the pack up and go.

Full, it's quite a load to carry, but I think I'd rather have it on my back than slung over my shoulder. However, it's hard to say whether this pack is the one for you. A shoulder bag is easier to get things in and out of, and a belt pack is very convenient if you only need room for a few items.

I use the bag with my Canon 5D + 4 lens (70-200L, 24-70L, 16-35L and 85mm) and a flash and that pretty much fills up the primary storage area. The adjustable pads made it easy to lay everything out, but it is packed tight.

Carrying the equipment when its in the bag is much easier on my shoulders than my old Domke shoulder bag. I don't have much of a problem with getting the camera out and changing lens as I don't often change lens when I'm on the run (usually when I want to swap lens frequently is when I'm standing still taking lots of pictures of some event such as a sporting event).

Secondary storage area is great for carrying other stuff -- book, snacks, video camera (small), etc.

Very happy with the bag. Much preferred over my old shoulder bag.

Good little backpack. Has plenty of room, for it's size. Fits in plane overhead compartment with no problem, even when full.

I bought this backpack based on the two previous reviews, and I have to say that I'm pleased with it, overall. There are a couple of little things that I haven't adjusted myself to yet, since I haven't used the backpack a lot yet. But I haven't found a good way to attach and carry my tripod. When I figure that out, I'll have no complaints at all. I also have a little problem with one of my cameras fitting into one of the camera compartments. My Nikon D200 has an added battery pack on the bottom, which makes it a little too tall to fit in the designated place, but it looks like I can reorganize the compartments without too much trouble, so I plan to try that.

I bought one of these about 13-14 years ago. Back then it didn't have the AW feature. But in other respects the bag hasn't changed much over the years... I used to carry 2 x Leica SLRs and a set of lenses, 24mm or a 35mm (not both), 50mm, 90mm, 200mm, along with a Sunpak flash, film etc. Now I carry a Lumix DMC-FZ20 bridge cameray, FZ20 lens hood, LX7 backup P&S, Samsung Camcorder, and a bunch of batteries, chargers, and misc cables. In the front flap I carry either a 15.6" laptop or a 10.1" Netbook.

So, even though it's called a "mini" trekker, it holds a ton of stuff. Of all the bags I have and have looked at, for me this is the most functional.

This thing has been on hundreds of trips and still looks and works like new. There are lots of good bags out there, LowePro makes really nice stuff. This bag is worth looking at before you buy anything else.

I purchased the mini Trekker AW backpack thinking that it was big enough to carry all of my equipment. I was wrong. It is a good backpack but will only hold Camera with one long attached [middle] and smaller lens on each side or a flash instead of a lens. Anything else and it's hard to handle. No room for multi filters and extensions. My Canon 40D has the BG-E2N battery grip and the RRS BGE2-L40 attached. These attachments add a lot of height and as such make it tough to close the pack. The backpack needs to be a bit deeper. That being said, it's a great durable pack and I use it all the time. I did purchased the Pro Trekker AW II as my main pack and use the mini Trekker AW as my satellite backpack. This combination works for me most of the time.

After using this backpack on many shoots, I recently discovered a condensation issue with the inside plastic pouch liner. So please be aware! After a recent early morning sunrise shoot, returning to get some java, I notice that the inside of my pack was wet. Couldn't image where I got water...Exploring the bag, I discovered that the inside plastic pouch had condensation on it. Getting a cloth I quickly wiped up the moister. It continued to condensate for awhile until the temperature rose above the dew point. I was outside below 40 deg. and came inside [room temp]. Still a great bag! I also own the Dry zone 200 as well.

My son and I both have Canon bodies. They are the 40D and 5D MKII. Previously, we have not been successful finding a compact backpack for traveling. We aren't looking to carry the "kitchen sink," but, rather just a nice assortment of lenses we share, flash, tripod, and other necessities. I have tested three or four bags, which looked good "in the shop," but proved unwieldy once I started loading them up. We wanted to keep both our cameras and lenses on our person, rather than having to check them, and wanted one bag we could "grab" easily, and carry comfortably with minimum fatigue. The Canons have rather large grips and arranging dividers in other bags wasted a lot of space. So, similarly sized bags were too small, and larger ones were, well, huge.

This bag can be configured to hold both bodies, each with short zoom lenses, one 580 EX II flash, and four or five lenses (Example: 14mm, 15-35mm, 28-105mm, 60-300mm). It proved perfect for our needs. I was also very pleased with the quality and balance. It's a compact package that's easy to get hold to, as well as carry. The first attribute is more important that you might think when navigating airport security, and similar. It fits my frame, I'm 5'9", and my son who's 5' equally well, with quick adjustment. I found other bags to have straps hanging everywhere, hooking on everything, but, none where you wanted them for anything other than wearing them. This bag felt more like a compact luggage when grabbed by the top loop. It is well padded, and I feel it provides a reasonable amount of protection against the unavoidable bumps incurred during travel. I also liked the unobtrusive colors, green and black. I can see great utility in the fold out weatherproof cover. It's integral to the bag, and can be deployed in a moment. It does a good job of keeping your gear dry in an unexpected downpour.

If you need a high quality compact bag for travel it's perfect!

This pack is one of the best I've used, I can fit 2 camera bodies one with a battery grip lenses attached " you wont get two of you 2.8 atached" but primes or an 18-200 attached on both no problem. Can also fit my flash, macro lens and a 100-300 f4, and extra batteries and giottos rocket blower. Tripod/ monopod attachement works perfectly. Also extra space for a jacket or reflector, gray card, snacks. Only thing missing is a bottle holder for your water. Working in the feild out of a pack takes a little getting used to because when you need something you have to take the pack off. Some bags have side doors to access gear but they have nowhere near the storage capacity of this little wonder. Think in size of your grade schoollers backpack, only this wonder holds alot. Love it would definately buy again without a doubt.

First, this bag is PERFECT in terms of what it can hold. It's exactly what I've been looking for in a camera backpack. I love that part of it. However, it is extremely uncomfortable for me. No matter how I adjust them, the straps cut into my armpits. If I make them looser, the pack bounces off my behind and quickly leads to an aching back. If I try and cinch them up, the straps dig in to my flesh and the pack rides way high on my back. There is no comfortable middle ground. I am not a large person - 5 foot 9 and 170 lbs - your basic medium t-shirt shape. I must say I'm really disappointed in the comfort of this bag.

For me, the padded upper straps are too short for the size of the bag. They need to be at least a third longer. Comparing to other non-camera backpacks that _are_ comfortable for me (e.g. North Face Surge), the straps on the Mini Trekker are substantially shorter.

Sigh... I'd give it five stars if it were just based on the design of the pack itself, but I knock off two stars for the painful strap system.

Worth every penny. If you're looking for a backpack camera bag then look no further. I have a smaller version as well, but I love the large one for my Canon Digital Rebel and three lenses. Also consider the extra add-ons such as lens tubes and water bottle holders which can be clipped on the loops on the outside. So it is also expandable.