A few weeks ago I sent out a question on Twitter asking people if they could recommend a great camera backpack. I was specifically looking for a backpack to use on my travel shoots. It had to be big enough, strong enough, fit in overhead storage on an airplane, secure, comfortable and customizable. It had to have room for a laptop and an extra layer of clothes. I also wanted it to be weather proof and have the ability to put it down in the snow, on sand or a wet surface. All in all this was a pretty tall order and I had already browsed through many of the best known bag manufacturers sites to see what they had. I got some good replies on Twitter and then I got a phone call from Colby at F-Stop.
I had never heard of F-Stop to be honest, but then again they are relatively new on the market so that’s only normal. While they are new, they most certainly know what they are doing. What they are doing is making some of the best camera backpacks on the market today, if not the very best. The only reason I can’t say that they are the absolute best if because I don’t have one of every kind of backpack on the market. Now, after using a Loka bag, I see no need to try any others. These bags are exactly what I was looking for.
I would never endorse a company that I didn’t believe in or product that I did not use. Let’s face it even if someone gives you something for free and you do not like it, it is not going to get much use, right? So I’ll be upfront and say that F-Stop provided me with a bag for free so that I could test it out. There was no guarantee that I would like it or use it after trying it on a trip. It is now my main bag and I can’t say enough good things about it.
F-Stop shipped the bag to me while I was on the road in New York City and this was a great place to test the bag. I had to walk 20 to 30 km a day for 5 days, so I needed a comfortable bag that was easy on my back and shoulders. It had to be safe to carry on my back in crowded areas like the subway and Times Square. Since it rained quite a bit the week I was there, it was a good test of the Loka’s rain proofing. I’m sure that most photographers are like me and are always eager to try new gear. Any little bit of equipment that makes your life easier is a good thing, especially when you use this stuff to earn your living.
I ordered the Loka along with a medium and a large ICU (Internal Camera Unit). These different sized ICUs are removable and form the core of the bag. As you can see in the images below, the ICU comes in 3 sizes to fit all kinds of different shooting situations. What I like about this system is that you can pack a full kit of gear in a large ICU to take on the plane. Then once you arrive at your destination you can use a medium or small sized ICU to pack just what you need for that day. With the extra room above the ICU, you can pack extra layers of clothes, rain gear, snacks, and other loose accessories. The equipment in the ICU is only available by taking off the bag and unzipping the main zipper on the side of the back that rests on your back. This is perfect for anyone who worries about pickpockets and security in general. The other accessories are available to you from the top of the bag or from the back just above the ICU.
Like any good camera bag the Loka had many smaller pockets, both inside and out. I features an aluminum frame to support the weight of the bag evenly, well padded shoulder straps, and a wonderfully thick padding on the part of that bag that rests on your back. While I usually like to carry my laptop in a separate bag, my 15″ Macbook pro fit snugly in the Loka. It is airline carry on safe, below the legal size limits for airlines. The exterior and interior fabrics are made of Ballistic Rip-stop Nylon, Abrasion Resistant Nylon Webbing, High Density foam, Heavy Gauge Zippers, YKK Waterproof Zippers and Waterproof Urethane coated mesh.
If you’re looking for a perfect bag for travel, adventure or action photography, F-Stop has you covered. For more information on their whole line of bags and accessories, please click on the logo at the top of this review. If you have any questions please leave them in the comment area and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability.
Please note that while I do think that the Mountain series of bags from F-Stop are excellent in quality, I am no longer able to recommend the products due to the poor customer service that the company provides. There are also significant delays in production and delivery times can take several months.
What was your opinion on the ability to carry a tripod?
Does the majority of the weight ride on your shoulders or waist belt? I’m always disappointed by camera backpacks because more often than not the majority of the weight is on your shoulders unlike most backpacking backpacks that can be fitted to carry the weight more comfortably on your waist / hips.
Tim
Been using a large Crumpler Karachi Outpost mostly without complaint for the last 3 years. One gripe has always been the shallower storage along the sides. Looks like the ICU’s are the same depth all the way across, this true?
All those external attachment points on the f-stop are very appealing compared to the Crumpler.
@ Tim: My Karachi’s belt definitely puts the weight on my hips leaving the shoulder straps to just stabilize the load and keep it snug against my back (as it should).
If you were a taller person (I’m 5′ 10″), you’d likely have to leave the straps looser to let the belt drop towards your hips, but then the pack might not fit tightly to your back. It’s not clear that the shoulder strap attachment point(s) are vertically moveable, giving that “normal” backpack adjustability.
@Ken – I tend to never strap my tripod on to my back pack. Since I am often shooting in crowded places in big cities, I’m worried about knocking someone with it as I turn. So I tend to hand hold it at all times. I also don’t want the extra weight on my back as I will usually be out walking and shooting for long hours. To be prepared to take shots more quickly, I leave the camera on the tripod as I carry it.
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The F-Stop bags are geared towards adventure photographers and therefore they make provisions to be able to strap on tripods, snow shovels, snowboards or anything else. See their site for more details and check out the profiles of the photographers that they sponsor. Lots of crazy skiers, snowboarders and adventure shooters.
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@Tim – The aluminum frame does a good job of distributing the weight evenly. Add to that the thick cushioned waist strap, along with the chest strap, and the bag feels lighter than my older packs. If they could just manage to have compartments for helium to take even more weight off, it would be perfect!
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@Russ – I actually bought a Karachi before going to France last year. Took it home, test packed it and found the same problem as you did. The side pockets were way too shallow. It was a case of form over function, so I returned it the same day. All the straps on the Loka are fully adjustable.
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The ICUs all have the same standard depth to fit your camera upright. Plus as you mention, those external compartments (and there are lots) really add value to this backpack. There is even a compartment for a water bladder and hose to help keep you hydrated.
Ken,
I agree with you on the Loka! I bought one last year for a trip up Kilimanjaro. It worked perfect! Tons of room, weight distributed to hips, great with hydration packs, etc. The Loka easily carried my DSLR, two camcorders, Rode VideoMic, Small Manfroto Tripod, two small camcorder lenses, lots of extra batteries, 1.5 liter hydration pack, a change of clothes and few other small items. Couldn’t have made the trek without it.
I am actually thinking of consolidating a lot of my gear and picking up F-Stops new Kenti pack. It is much smaller and a little more discrete. Know anything about it?
Since I am looking at the Kenti, if anyone wants a good deal on a Black Loka with a large ICU I would be willing to sell! Pretty much only used it on the Kilimanjaro climb- so it’s in great condition.
Great post Ken!
Kyle
Great review, now only if they had these suckers in stock!
Kyle, please email me if you’ve still got the Loka for sale!
mylude90 – at – gmail – dot – com
Everytime with me in my Photography Reportage.
plzzzz tell me the prise of this bag on my id……
sfaheemhaider@hotmail.com
Ken, Can you tell me where the bags are made? Or at least the bag you have?
Hi
I read mixed reviews about carrying a 15″ MBP on the Loka. You say it fits smugly.
Can you please post a picture of the 15″ MBP inside the Loka?
Thanks.
This looks a lot more my style than the LowePro packs I’ve been looking at. I’m going to try and find one at a local [Denver] retailer, or maybe when I’m in NYC next month.
Anybody know the retail price?
I am using the f-Stop Satori EXP bag since 6 months now. Also based on recommendation from Colby Brown. Never been so happy. The Satori is a little bit bigger than the Loka. I am used to attach my tripod on the side of the bag. Sometime one tripod on each side. The bag remains well balanced. You can look at my own review of the Satori bag on my website. Thanks for sharing this with us Ken. Really appreciate.
Dear Ken
Great review. Just wondering if you were able to fit the laptop in easily with the large ICU?
Thanks
Ravi
Ravi
I have managed to fit a 15″MBP with the large pro ICu, but only barely just.
I am also getting a medium pro ICU when I want to travel with 2 lenses and I need more space for other things.
You can make it work with large pro ICU, but barely.
Thanks for the detailed review. I am mostly sold on the Loka or Tilopa – but have some questions about how much they can hold.
I have 2 bodies (20D, 7D) and travel with a 12-24, 24-105, 100-400 and a 50/1.4. Plus my 15″ MBP.
Will all these fit inside a Medium ICU + Loka? Or will I need Large ICU + Loka – in which case my mbp with a sleeve may become a tight fit from what I understand.
Your inputs will be appreciated.
Karthik
It won’t fit a medium products ICU. But you should get both medium pro and large pro.
For travel, I use a medium pro that fits my d7k,70-200 f4,17-55, sb 800 and Sigma 10-20.
Large will barely fit your gear. Mbp15 will snug fit. BTW, replace the mbp 15 with a mbp 13 :).
But man, 45 lbs and you don’t feel a thing on your back. And it fits in the overhead deck. Loka is a miracle.
Hi Anand, ordered the Loka today with the medium pro but a large shallow. Figured the large shallow fits my gear pretty ok and makes it easier to slide in the mbp too.
Hope to get it before the trip to Botswana end March…..
What a great review,
I’m planning also to buy a loka bag soon with a medium ICU, at the end of the year.
I was wondering 2 things
– Does the Loka have a special place for a netbook (11″)
– I think it will fit, but i wan to ask if in a loka + medium ICU, i’ll fit (Canon) : 6D + 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-300 L IS, 100mm L IS f/2.8 and Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, so 1 body and 4 lenses
Thanks for the review,
Sylvain
Kyle, do you still have the Loka bag?
No I don’t have the Loka anymore. I think I consolidated to the Kenti. I love F-Stop gear though. Can’t go wrong with any of their bags!
I bought a loka 5 weeks ago, and have been using it between several southwestern destinations in the US, long days venturing across vegas, through Zion and the grand canyon. I travel somewhat light in terms of gear, I leave the tripod unless the day is specifically geared for stitched panos or video. I love the bag, have used it almost daily for the last 4 weeks. However, I just finished a very long day in and out of the grand canyon, carrying ample water and accessories. The pack itself is designed amazingly well, yet the waist belt does not adjust well for my waistline. I’m fairly lean, and on longer days carrying weight I have that waist belt maxed out. It’s a real bummer that they don’t offer two sizes to accommodate a more comprehensive range of waistlines. I’m guessing that I’m not the only one having this issue?
Hi, Just wondering if you had any trouble getting the bag through any of the airlines. We are travelling for 2 months to a cold climate.
Hi Debbie,
I’ve never had an issue with the bag with the airlines. It is well within regulations for carry on sizes. The only issue you could have is the weight of your gear. It’a impossible for me to be within the allowed weight limits imposed by Airlines. Thankfully I’ve only had an issue a couple of times and have been able to talk my way out of it.
Hey Ken,
Regarding airline carry on regulations, do you have a tripod attached to your loka?
D
Great review of the Loka bag.
I’ve had one for a year now. Tested it in the Dolomites and in several big cities. Best bag I ever bought. :)
BEWARE OF F-STOP. I ordered a Tilopa and two inserts and canceled because they could not give me a ship date, they said it would be up to three months. F-stop charged my credit card for the case anyway and it took 45 days to get a refund back onto the card. I then ordered a Yenti because they supposedly had them in stock on the day I ordered it. I got it 10 days later and it was just way too small and I called and got an RMA# to return it. I am still waiting for the refund it was signed for by F-Stop on November 2, 2015. It has been 50 days and still nothing. I did end up ordering one other time and ordered the Tilopa after seeing the quality of the Yenti I decided it was worth the wait. I got it and they do make a beautiful functional product but customer service STINKS. Just beware THEY WILL CHARGE you immediately for what ever you purchase even if they don’t have the product in stock and they float your money for as long as they can before they provide a product or a refund.
Just one tipp: Get the packs from a retailer. They might not have all packs and colors on stock, but you will get your pack in a few days or imideately if buying local. Plus you can try them out.
Meanwhile there are some shops in germany. I think in every other country as well.
I will pick up mine next months.
Thanks for sharing your review! It’s a real bummer that they don’t offer two sizes to accommodate a more comprehensive range of waistlines. I’m guessing that I’m not the only one having this issue?