Carrying a drink with the F Stop Tilopa BC

[rob-nikon]

For the last couple of years I've loved my F Stop Tilopa BC as it is nearly the perfect bag for me. There was always one niggle, that niggle was carrying a drink. With the other F Stop backpacks of a similar release age there is a net pocket on the side to put a drink in, unfortunately the Tilopa BC has ski straps on the side instead. F Stop have always promoted carrying a water bladder with drinking tube but carrying a water bladder inside the main compartment right next to the camera gear has never sat well with me. Even though they sell an additional waterproof bag to protect against spills it's still closed up by a draw string which I doubt would stop water coming out if put on its side of upside down. I've tried a few ideas from a collapsible water pouch carried in the front pocket to hanging a water bottle on the outside. Neither of these really worked for me as both had their problems. As one last try I purchased a Primus oval bottle hoping it would be better. It turns out it couldn't have fitted better. It slots nicely into one of the straps and sits in the bottom pocket well. It comes with a little karabiner to clip it in to stop it falling out. The only downside is that it's only a 400ml bottle but there is room for one on both sides if you don't have a tripod strapped to the side and want to carry 0.8 litre.

All Photos-931 by -Rob - Nikon-

I thought I would share this in case others have had a similar problem. F Stop have solved this issue with the new Tilopa by adding side pockets that fit a water bottle and don't mean the ICU is lying on it. It's annoying you need to buy a £11 bottle but at least its cheaper than swapping to the new Tilopa.

By the way I'm not connected to Primus in any way, just thought others may benefit from knowing this.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Had a similar problem myself over the years, found a couple of solutions, like you I also found that necessity really is the mother of invention

Firstly this works well, but they were nigh on impossible to obtain for a long while http://store.lowepro.com/s-f-bottle-pouch

Secondly this heath Robinson solution https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...ottle-holder-diy-content.314510/#post-3612158
Not pretty, but could be adapted to make it more permanent.

Would say that bladders are very safe such as those from Camelbak or my favourite, Hydrapak. They are made to a high standard, have to be otherwise the results could be dire if they couldn't be relied upon in hostile conditions