Best bag if you have a bad back?

Hooky

Hooky

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Alan
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Hi, I am in the market for a new bag to carry my kit in. It will need to be able to carry 2 bodies, a 70-200 f2.8, 28-70 f2.8, 10-20 and occasional other lenses.

Unfortunately after 20+ years of nursing my back is not in the best condition :(

I like the look of some of the Lowepro range, that can be moved from your back to you chest quickly, however I don't know how good the weight distribution is in this style of bag. Comfort is very high in my list of priorities ;)

Does anyone else suffer with a bad back, and if so have you found a bag that does not place undue strain on the lumbar region?

TIA Alan
 
I'm a sufferer as well, I use a LowePro Vertex 200 which is very comfortable and gives good lumber support. For your listed kit you may be vest looking at the smaller version - Vertex 100. Another bag you may want to look at is the Kata 205.
 
have a look at the Dakine sequence or burton zoom bags. they are designed for snowboarding, but they make excellent general usage bags.
 
I have thoracic spondylosis...(SP).....I find a Viper vest to be the most comfortable.
 
I use a tamrac expedition 7 which has a wide waistband/belt and allows the weight to sit on my hips. I had a 2 level spinal fusion two years ago (still in recovery) and this is comfortable but large.
 
i just bought a Flipside 400AW, great bad and very easy to use... Great for security

D80 with battery pack
D70,
70-200F2.8
3x zoom lenses
2 Flash SB800 and a lightshere.

and a few other bits and bobs.

tripod/mono on the outside.
 
The Kata R-103, however if you have big primes (or are thinking of getting them) then the Kata HB-205 will be ideal.

Both are extremely comfortable; I've walked 6 miles with a 40D, grip, 1.4 x extender, 300mm f2.8 IS, 70-200 2.8L IS, Gitzo tripod with ballhead, a few bird guides and a Wimberley Sidekick, in my HB-205.

To be honest, the following day I experienced mild discomfort around the back of the shoulder blades (trapeziums), but no back pain which I am susceptible to (lower back at the base of the spine)
 
erding said:
I'm a sufferer as well, I use a LowePro Vertex 200 which is very comfortable and gives good lumber support. For your listed kit you may be vest looking at the smaller version - Vertex 100. Another bag you may want to look at is the Kata 205.
Click to expand...


I have a bad back and use the vertex 200 also. Brilliant bag. Very comfortable when going up hills in Wales!


Kev.
 
Perhaps it's time for one of these.

FB29Y03TonyTwoWheelMED.jpg
 
:lol::lol::lol:

PMSL Sprog :D
 
I suffer from a bad back but can carry a LowePro MiniTrekker full of kit without suffering any more than I would if I was "empty". On occasion there's a tripod strapped to it as well, which places a load even further back.

The jokey answer is whichever bag looks nicest so your other half will carry it for you.
 
erding said:
Interesting suggestion by Sprog's maybe you want to consider the Kata 205 option, as I posted before, but with the optional Insertolley which they list:

http://www.bogenimaging.co.uk/Jahia...ndId=BKT&market=MKT1&product_from_search=true
Click to expand...

Erding, assume you have the Insertrolley and the 205?

If you do, was wondering whether you can get the bag clear from the ground. All I find is that the lumbar straps etc. rub on the ground. Don't want them to wear prematurely from friction etc.

Cheers :thumbs:
 
Hooky said:
Thanks for the replies :clap:

I like the look of this;

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087.htm

Has anyone used one of these?
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Hooky I have dodgy hips and pelvis and I use the fastpack 200 its bigge than you think my D2H sits in it quite comfortably with the siggy 400 attached with room for three more decent sized lenses and a flashgun my only niggle is it doesnt have tripod attachments and its also waterproof without putting on a cover
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Hooky I have dodgy hips and pelvis and I use the fastpack 200 its bigge than you think my D2H sits in it quite comfortably with the siggy 400 attached with room for three more decent sized lenses and a flashgun my only niggle is it doesnt have tripod attachments and its also waterproof without putting on a cover
Click to expand...

Also let me know what part of the country you live and providing its not to far you could borrow it for a few days to see if its suitable for you
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Also let me know what part of the country you live and providing its not to far you could borrow it for a few days to see if its suitable for you
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the offer DM - you guys n gals are the best :clap:
I think postage two ways from Lincs to Cornwall may cost more than the bag itself :lol:

I am worried that if I wear the vest suggested I may be mistaken for a member of "the regiment" :lol:

The Kata 205 looks interesting, just wondering if it may be a little too big for my needs :thinking:

Are the Kata bags of high quality??

Thanks again folks, keep the suggestions coming!

Alan
 
Hooky said:
Wow, thanks for the offer DM - you guys n gals are the best :clap:
I think postage two ways from Lincs to Cornwall may cost more than the bag itself :lol:

I am worried that if I wear the vest suggested I may be mistaken for a member of "the regiment" :lol:

The Kata 205 looks interesting, just wondering if it may be a little too big for my needs :thinking:

Are the Kata bags of high quality??

Thanks again folks, keep the suggestions coming!

Alan
Click to expand...

Kata are extremely well made and very comfortable. The straps have plenty of padding everywhere really; loads to keep the camera equipment very safe and secure.

I have two bags, I use the R-103 for when I want to take lanscape stuff on a shoot and the HB-205 for wildlife, with my 300 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 etc. etc.

In summary, they are very well made and exude quality and I'm not sure if the offer is still on, but when I got the HB-205, it came with a free neoprene Kata Reflex E camera strap, which is extremely high quality, as you'd expect :thumbs:

As for the bag being too big, if you plan to get some more odds and sods in the future, it's always best to futureproof and get a bag a little bigger than you need
 
Hi did someone mention bad back:), i use a lowepro 200 which i received free from my subscription to photo-plus, and i use a holster which both fit neatly on my wheelchair as for carrying :shake:for me. >>> the wife Carry's, i take the picture :thumbs: but then again she would be better taking the picture :) and i would roll along with the gear, Also i take 3 len's 15-30mm ,24-105mm,100-400mm, i have most of the ground covered, i have just completed a check list for equipment i would need on a particular day out which helps me cut down on weight.

Regards mark.
 
What about one of them light weight travel cases you could put bigger wheels on it.:) or one of these wheely good

Regards Mark
 
Depends. If you are always on tarmac or concrete, then the wheely cases are great. However, they are not good on grass - which is why I bought a trolley.

Paul
 
How do you get it up mountains? Airlift in by helicopter (or do you get Sue to do the carrying!)
 
kevshore said:
I have a bad back and use the vertex 200 also. Brilliant bag. Very comfortable when going up hills in Wales!
Click to expand...
Agree. Big bike crash a few years back left me needing to take it easy over rough ground: the Vertex 200 is perfect for walking with, as you can adjust for hips to take the real weight.

It's BIG though. Needs gear to fill it!
 
This thread is from 2008! :shrug:
 
Holy thread revival batman!
 
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