f-stop packs

[XavierD]

I have been using the GEN I Satori for two years now, and have put it through quite a lot. It has been to more then a few countries and continents, carried in every season and most types of weather and put through plenty of shit.

Here are my thoughts:

Pack size/dimensions,
Overall this is about the perfect sized pack for most of what I do with it. For overall size it is pushing international carry on size to the limit, but I have never been pulled aside. There are a couple times it would not have passed. On a 747 it will fit nicely into the side overhead compartments, but is just a bit two long for the center overheads.
Demension wise I would be tempted to thin it out (or change ICU size) and make the side panels slightly looser for putting stuff sacks down the side (between bag and ICU). You can stuff an extra couple pairs of socks down the side, or some compressible clothing. Vertically it is just about right. However with a larger med pack things can get a bit tight.
When moving actively, it is a bit small to fit a sleep system or food for a couple days and the required accessories that go with that. The best I have done is 3x MRE's. Once you pack your camera gear, food, a medical pack, (avy gear), it can be tough to find space for high volume crap such as insulation or a sleeping bag.

Pockets:
Back pockets are two small to fit much more then some cliff bars, hand warmers and extra batteries. They are two far away for sensitive items like passports, money, or boarding passes. If you are traveling internationally you should plan on losing whatever goes back here, I have not, but it would be to easy to take from them. I am glad that they got turned into one large pocket on the new packs. Hopefully it is large enough to fit a shovel and probe, or an extra layer and shell.
Top pocket: This is my utility pocket, it gets whatever random stuff I need to do what I am doing. snacks, map, med kit. admin stuff when traveling or working, extra wizards, whatever. The one thing I would like to see change is the addition of some admin organization stuff. Places to secure pens, sleeves for papers or maps, and another key chain clip. Just help keep that pocket a bit more organized. This pocket can also work well for an extra layer or a lunch.
Side pockets:
These need to be looser and larger, it should not be a struggle to get a nalgine or similar sized item into them, I find that the zipper is the tightest point and I am struggling against it too often. These pockets could do with a drain too. Everything goes for the side sleeves too, but add in tougher material for dealing with spiked tripod feet, or other sharp ended items.
Back Flap pockets, good for holding slim camera items like flash cards, and other stuff you want to see. I currently use the bottom one to hold some dense foam to act as a lumbar pad.
Main pocket:
Adding some sleeves to the sides would be great to hold hydration reservoirs. If I could fit two (one on each side) that would make longer movements nice. If doing so make sure there is some way to secure the reservoir at the top. These would also be nice for stuffing extra crap into. The laptop sleeve could be a bit deeper I think. Otherwise it is great.

ICU:
The ICU it comes with was not deep enough, and could use some extra width. The length was perfect as it allowed me to carry a 70-200 attached to the body as well as another lens. or a shorter lens attached and the 70-200 both lengthwise. Although if the ICU was an inch wider I could put the 70-200 to the side, and shorten the ICU allowing more crap up above for multi day movements. The depth is the place where more improvement was needed. More depth would have helped not only with camera gear, but also with how it interacted with the pack. Even with a laptop, there is an akward space between the ICU and the laptop sleeve, that was not great for anything except a book or two that would then slide down to the bottom of the pack.

Suspension / Carrying:
This is the most important part of a pack to me, and the Satori did it better then any other camera pack I have used. It is close and tight to the body, and does not swing around or shift weight landing me on my back. Up to about 30lb it balances the weight very well, and does well up to 45lbs. This is only if the ICU is in the pack though. If the ICU is removed the pack tends to slouch into my lower back. After 45lb and as you approach the 70 range, you run into problems, as the suspension is not adequate, this is fine since it was not designed for that. It is possible to carry these loads however.
Overall the back panel is lacking. It could use more support, as well as padding. A light weight plastic frame sheet would help with keeping things from poking the back, and some more thought into the padding could ease the load, as well as provide some much needed ventilation. As far as the hip belt goes, the belt is fine, but could use better buckles, they have a tendency to loosen. I would urge you too add some sort of lumbar padding to the back of the pack, and try, if possible to have a continuous wrap of the hips, I know this would be hard for a photo pack, but would be great. Off note: It does currently carry nicely with body armor for any of you who care.

Overall Use:
Very easy to use when out an about, and does not say 'Hey look at me, I am carrying an expensive camera!' Which is a plus. I have beat the crap out of it, and it is holding up remarkably well. This pack has been my favorite of any 'photo' pack by far. I have used the sequence, that lasted me less then 6 months, multiple lowe pro's, and this is by far the best. A couple small improvements, and it would be absolutely mind blowing.

Big thanks go out to the F-stop guys.

[saaka!]

Hi thanks for taking the time to review the bag.

I just want to point out(to the readers), the actual bag reviewed is a few years old. Many of the comments made have been addressed in the last version which is currently available.

Thanks

[XavierD]

Yes, that should be noted. It should also be noted that it is still intact, which says something.

One other question for you Ian, What is the waterproofness/repellency of the new bags? For the first 18 months mine was damn near water proof with everything inside staying perfectly dry, in the last few months however I have noticed that stuff in the top pocket will get a little damp if I have been out in the rain for extended periods of time. Snow is not a problem, just heavy rain.

[costu]

Does anyone in Front Range Colorado have one of the F-Stop packs? I am particularly thinking about the Tilopa for a day hike / backcountry day tour pack.

[jm2e]

FACK! That was a wordy review. I didn't read it. I got to the bit about how it barely makes carry on luggage restrictions. That's fucking huge, like the annoying businessman's stupid bag huge. Then I skimmed through to see what gear you were putting in it. All I saw was 70-200 three times which could be anywhere from a soda can to a prosthetic leg in size. Then I saw 45lbs. WTF? Less talk, more detail. What is in the pack when you use it? Whatever it is, it sounds more like work than fun.

[hop]

Less talk, more detail.

If you weren't so lazy and actually took the 3 minutes it takes to read that amazingly thorough review, you would realize that the detail you want has been covered.

[jm2e]

I did this entirely for Hop. Enjoy.

Overall this is about the perfect sized pack for most of what I do with it.

I wish I knew what you did with it besides carrying it on a 747. Is that all you do with it and then you have a satellite bag for shooting? Do you ski with it? Do you shoot weddings with it? Day hikes? Sunrise shots before work?

When moving actively, it is a bit small to fit a sleep system or food for a couple days and the required accessories that go with that. The best I have done is 3x MRE's.

This sounds like something out of an REI catalog. What's a "sleep system"? You say it only fits 3 MREs (about the size of a gallon ziploc bag), but when I sleep outside it involves tent, sleeping bag, extra clothes, etc. If it was a "bit" bigger, could you use it for camping, or is it safer to say "this is not a multipurpose overnight camping backpack."

The ICU it comes with was not deep enough, and could use some extra width. The length was perfect as it allowed me to carry a 70-200 attached to the body as well as another lens. or a shorter lens attached and the 70-200 both lengthwise.

So, is this all your camera gear? I wish I knew what body you used because it makes a pretty big difference. Any flashes to go with your extra wizards? What is this extra lens of which you speak? Could be pretty big, could be pretty small.

Suspension/Carrying: This is the most important part of a pack to me, and the Satori did it better then any other camera pack I have used. It is close and tight to the body, and does not swing around or shift weight landing me on my back....After 45lb, you run into problems, as the suspension is not adequate...
Overall the back panel is lacking. It could use more support, as well as padding...As far as the hip belt goes, the belt is fine, but could use better buckles, they have a tendency to loosen....It does currently carry nicely with body armor for any of you who care...I have beat the crap out of it, and it is holding up remarkably well...I have used the (Dakine)Sequence, that lasted me less then 6 months, multiple lowe pro's, and this is by far the best

This part was helpful, thanks.

[XavierD]

Things I have used it for: international travel (only bag), Extended day ski trips, 2 and 3 day supper light hikes, Caring other stuff (non photo) when I want ~3000cubes, day long moving photo work. I have used it for some school (when I also needed camera) so add a laptop, 2-4 textbooks, notebooks, calc, etc etc. Add in food and jacket.

Sleep System = Bivy (the nomo is small) and sleeping bag, possibly foam pad.

It is not a multipurpose over night bag for most people. With the smaller ICU it could be.
For 2 days you are pushing it, even if you are a minimalist. Without having to worry about most of my food I have made it though. I did not carry a sleep system.

Camera Gear in ICU:
30D,
70-200 f4
17-40 f4
50 1.8
Flash, (sometimes PW's)
random other small crap

Heavy load example
camera gear listed, a few extra flashes, tripods, skis and ski boots, (non touring lightweight crap), plus water, medical pack, food and extra two layer (1day)
That one approached 60lbs. There have been others, but that is one most people can relate too.

[XavierD]

Add biking day rides to that list.

So far no water borne travel.

[jm2e]

AWESOME!

[Mathematics]

just ordered a medium ICU, if it looks good I'll probably snag the tilopa with the large ICU. stoked.

[chatton18]

Does anyone here have any experience with the Zealot? I'm looking to pick up a small case to protect my d5000 and 18-55 lens in a pack and occasionally by itself. I don't want anything too bulky.

http://fstopgear.com/en/digi/zealot

[hop]

Info on the Loka is up on the site now. Looks super sexy... I should have pre-ordered one.

I didn't see a laptop sleeve, but I'm guessing it's not since the pack is kind of small.

[wren]

The Loka indeed looks sick. I'm impressed F-stop has finally added some more info to their website. The diagrams are very useful but I am thankful that they added a bunch of pictures of empty and loaded ICUs in different sizes. Now my only decision is do I want the medium ICU by itself or with a small one as well. Decisions! So pumped on the pack though, will post a review come September (or whenever it arrives).

[hop]

You still haven't received it yet? Wasn't the pre-order months ago?

[satori]

I didnt realize that my copyright name had been violated by Saaka! I will now have to sue that ski bum and take every last yen he has so that I can move into his house and send him packing. I will, however, drop the suit in exchange for one Satori bag

[wren]

You still haven't received it yet? Wasn't the pre-order months ago?

It was supposed to be March, then late spring (this was before the pre-order though), they pre-order was released around May I think, for late June delivery, now it's August. I am not totally surprised, this seems to be par for the course with F-Stop. I remember hearing many complaints about delivery timing for the new tilopia last fall/winter. Anyways, I'm not too concerned right now, so long as I have it before ski season starts it's ok. They haven't charged me yet so it's not a big deal.

[saaka!]

I am pretty confident that anyone who waited for the pack will be stoked. Especially powder loving mountain folk. Its a bummer we have had delays but its better than releasing a compromised product.

Also there is a another 15 dollar discount on the preorder now.

[hop]

Done... order placed.

[Toofus]

The Loka is up on their site now, and has all the details about the pack. Looks pretty damn nice.

Now I just have to convince myself to drop that much coin on a photo pack...

[XavierD]

Loka looks sick, its too bad money is tight. otherwise I would drop for one.

[kalisto]

Any shots of the other colours?

Tempted to get rid of a few other packs to get a loka... Nice looking pack indeed.

[saaka!]

Not yet. But Black is all black and Green is all green except where its black on the Grey mist one.

This year we matched the webbing(straps) to match the bag color.

If you check the web site and other packs you can see those in the actual colors (minus the matching webbing).

[kalisto]

Awesome, thanks.

Probably pick one up in January if there's still some around.

[jdleider]

Hey Saaka! Im looking to get the Loka but it appears the direct buy is 100% out of stock of every type. Is there going to be another chance to order this pack this fall?