Dakine Quest?

[sklar]

Hi all,
I'm sort of in search of a second camera pack.
I currently have a burton (focus?) that is giant and can hold all of my gear (minus my strobe) it's great for what it is, but I'm looking for something I can bring on inbounds pow days and backcountry day trips.
As of now i usually just throw my holster bag in my BC daypack, and wrap any additional gear in my extra layers.

Now, I'd love a Fstop kenti or loka, but they are just flat out too expensive
The dakine quest came onto my radar because it's on the clymb right now.

What I would like:
Can fit 5d2 (preferably gripped), 17-40, 70-200, 15 fish and any other random photo gear.
Can fit an avy shovel, and other gear well (I have a big voile shovel)
Good/quick camera access
Not too bulky
Still has room for other BC gear: first aid kit, lunch, extra layers etc.


So does anyone have experience with the quest that can tell me if this would work well for me?

[systemoverblow'd]

You can fit the camera gear in there with the 70-200 mounted. It would take some rearranging big time to get everything to fit with another lens mounted. I am able to do it in my Clik Elite Probody Sport CS which is pretty similar to the quest in layout but smaller, but I don't prefer it. I usually throw my 300 up top if it isn't mounted to my camera as it makes everything squished.

You'll be able to get your extra layers, lunch and other shit but I highly doubt you will be able to get a big shovel blade in that Dakine. I have checked it out but don't own it. From my cursory fondling of the bag, that is my opinion but not a fact.

[Fuzz]

I have the Quest. Love it for what my use (travel). What I carry in it:
- Canon 5D2 (ungripped)
- 70-200mm
- 35mm
- 85mm
- 16-35mm
- 15mm
Any of these lenses can be mounted on the body.

Plus:
- Tripod (on the outside)
- Various accessories (e.g. batteries, flash, charger, filters, rocket blower, etc.)
- Laptop + adapter
- Books
- Light clothing layer
- Water bottle (on the outside)

There are also two sets of straps on the outside for attaching something else.

Don't see how a shovel blade would fit inside though. Since it's a camera + laptop pack, there's no big open area like a regular backpack. Basically after packing your camera body + lens, you're left with a single ~12" x 8" x 8" compartment for other stuff (that's not counting outside storage/straps/pockets for tripod, water bottle, filters, not-too-thick documents/books/stuff, etc.).

One big negative for using this for skiing/hiking is that the waist-strap is not very good/comfortable/gets in the way (I've removed it completely from the pack). Which is why I use my Clik Elite Contrejour for hiking.

It's a great pack for urban environments (I've walked around for 10 hours straight with it in cities and loved it), but not necessarily for serious outdoor activities.

[Supermoon]

I own the Quest too, and generally agree with Fuzz. Works amazing for my urban adventures, but is less than ideal for touring/snow applications.

A shovel and probe would have to go on the outside of the pack somehow, and that would probably keep you from taking a tripod along with you as well.

[smmokan]

I have the Quest. Love it for what my use (travel). What I carry in it:
- Canon 5D2 (ungripped)
- 70-200mm
- 35mm
- 85mm
- 16-35mm
- 15mm
Any of these lenses can be mounted on the body.

Plus:
- Tripod (on the outside)
- Various accessories (e.g. batteries, flash, charger, filters, rocket blower, etc.)
- Laptop + adapter
- Books
- Light clothing layer
- Water bottle (on the outside)

There are also two sets of straps on the outside for attaching something else.

Holy shit, how much does that pack weigh?

[systemoverblow'd]

Holy shit, how much does that pack weigh?

I don't know how much that weighs but I keep a similar amount in my bag daily.

[Fuzz]

I think with everything in there it comes in around 26 lbs or something. But I only carry everything when in transit (i.e. getting to/from the destination). Once I'm at my destination, laptop, chargers, and all other stuff stay at the hotel. Depending on what I'll be shooting, flash, tripod, and even some lenses also stay back when I'm out and about.

And even when carrying all that, it's has always been comfortable. And now that I think of it, I carried even more one time. Went to Florence for a weekend, then work meetings one day in Lerici (about an hour and a half northwest), and one day in Munich. Carried everything in just the Quest: 5D2 + 16-35 + 35 + 50 + 70-200 + small tripod + charger + laptop/power supply + Kindle + two changes of work clothes (including suit) + bathroom stuff. It was stuffed, but worked great and I didn't have to worry about pulling around another bag around all these cities, lots of walking between train stations and hotels (some late at night), navigating many staircases at hotels, stations/airports, etc.

[sklar]

hmm, yea, that's pretty much what i though.
Thanks all