Has it been made ?

[Shaun Walby]

Hi All...iam needing more a carrying capacity....saw Martyns thread thought id ask the collective.

Iam looking for a camera specific carrying system i.e. body/lens separate compartments ect but within a system which has capacity to carry other kit/food/fluids ice axe/crampons/bivy kit i suspect its going to end up about 70/80L..ish? i would also be interested in the front mounted systems ...poss camera kit on your front other kit on your back?

I think i saw Paddy with something of this ilk on the Lakes meet about a year ago?...could you input paddy if you know/have of anything like this...cheers

thanks all Shaun

[Hadrian]

Shaun, Take a look at Aarn bodypacks and the attached camera balance pockets, I have the 45l Peak Aspiration and Photo balance pockets, I get a TN laser Comp, Down bag, Thermarest, food, drink and spare clothing in the pack, which is based around a large internal dry bag making the pack waterproof, the tripod goes on the side and camera and 4 lenses and filters etc in the balance pockets. Ice axe and crampons can be attached to the rear of the pack. I have to say I was sceptical on the science behind the idea but it does seem to work, you don't seem to notice the weight, plus the back material, a strange 3D mesh type just doesn't make your back sweat..
They are a modular type pack so have many attachment points for ski's, snowboards etc. The Balance pockets are fairly, lightly padded but come supplied with a (bright orange) roll top dry bag for each lens and camera body so are also totally waterproof.
I got my bodypack through a guy on ebay they were new but older designs, he did have others for sale though, dealer wise you will struggle in the UK apart from a few who stock some of the UL packs. The balance pockets I got from Outlandia in Denmark, Neils is able to supply all the packs, but the postage is quite expensive.

Aarn Bodypacks - From rucksac and backpack to lightweight packs to FlowMo Bodypack. Lightweight and Ultralight Body Packs, Backpacks and Rucksacks for Mountaineering and Climbing
Let me know if you need any more info, H

[Alun]

Sorry to gatecrash the thread but this looks great Hade. Might solve the backbreaking carrying problems I faced in Snowdonia. Is the harness comfortable - lumber support etc?
Do the balance pockets shift about or does the clip system hold them firmly. I notice that you can still see your feet - always useful. Are they mesh backd too to prevent you from sweating so much that you have to fill the backpack with water in order to re-hydrate? The image on the website made me laugh. The guy with the Flowmo Bodypack looks rakishly cool and refreshed while the other one appears to be carrying the collected kit of a team attempting Annapurna
Alun

[Hadrian]

Alun, It is difficult to describe the harness arrangement, the back as a 1/2" x 3/16" central metal stay which you remove and shape to your back profile, easily bent by hand. It also as a semi rigid arch that goes from bottom to top and down again. The waist belt is fully adjustable, movable up and down and allows you to tilt it higher or lower. The shoulder harness isn't actually connected as such to the pack, if you reach up or down, or (want to) swing your arms side to side the pack stays in the same place but the harness slides through the pack and elastic tensioners take up any slack. The balance pockets are clipped into the waist strap next to the central buckle and attach to the front of the shoulder straps, they too have a metal stay allowing them to be bent and positioned away from the body. It is surprisingly comfortable even with a night or twos wild camping gear plus camera equipment. The balance pockets allow you to get to all the camera gear without removing the pack, I have found it to get in the way somewhat when leaning into the tripod but not too much.

Agree about the website, very dated and not very web 2.0!!! The US distributors site was a little better

[Shaun Walby]

Thanks Hadrian looks promising...ill check it later when back at pc

[ST]

That looks to be a well thought out design and very useful system for trekking/overnight photography expeditions.