Looking for suggestions for birding backpack or field pack (1 Viewer)

[sbarnhardt]

I'm trying to pin down what I want to get for a pack to carry my birding gear in so that when I go out, all I have to do is pick up (1) item and I'm ready to go.

My wife has told me to find what I want, within reason, and it will be my Father's Day present. I'm torn between a backpack or across the shoulder pack and which one. So, I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions you might have and how it worked, or didn't work, for you!

Thanks!

 

[Mono]

If you are carrying it for any distance then in would favour a backpack rather than a messenger bag.

If you are going to be carrying camera equipment, particularly long lenses, then the Lowepro range offers a huge range of protective bags https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/

If you are just carrying bins, a field guide, a bit of lunch and coat then my current goto rucksack is the Petzl Bug. It is designed as a climbing sac but I love it as a general purpose bag. https://m.petzl.com/INT/en/Sport/Packs-and-accessories/BUG

If you are carrying a scope and tripod then some birders use a dedicated pack. https://www.scopac.co.uk/ I have never tried them.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

 

[etudiant]

Canon still offers a camera backpack that has served me well for more than a decade, a bargain for under $50 imho.
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe...keywords=canon+backpack&qid=1592448385&sr=8-3

It is light enough to be an easy carry and big enough to hold gear and accessories comfortably.

 

[sbarnhardt]

Ended up buying this on Amazon. It was delivered yesterday so I'll be working on outfitting it.

$37 and change shipped if you have Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/VISM-NcStar-...ckpack&qid=1592478677&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3

Any suggestions on what "you" pack, or have "wished you'd packed", are welcomed.

 

[DocSarvis]

Ended up buying this on Amazon. It was delivered yesterday so I'll be working on outfitting it.

$37 and change shipped if you have Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/VISM-NcStar-...ckpack&qid=1592478677&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3

Any suggestions on what "you" pack, or have "wished you'd packed", are welcomed.

The Lowepro Scope Porter 200 (long discontinued) has served me pretty well for a “Grab and Go” birding backpack. I keep a scope, tripod, binoculars, snack stuff that won’t go off, an empty thermos and a few things that I might need for a moment’s notice twitch all packed and ready to take off. In the time it takes to make the coffee to fill the thermos I can gather any other goods I need and be off.

I leave backup level optics in there on standby but it I have the time or inclination; depending on the target... I will grab the best optics and add the camera gear...also maybe camping or rain stuff just in case. Lowepro also made a companion piece, a sort of shoulder bag that supplemented the tripod carrying backpack which came in very handy as well. Great for a recorder, microphone, notebook, pen, second binocular, spare eyepiece, lense cleaning supplies, insect repellent, gmrs/ham radio, small digital camera, flashlight, laser pointe, Swiss Army knife, ccp (where legal), and all the other crap that can find places in your pockets and are better off and handier in a shoulder bag. This one is designed to pivot to the front and act as a “belly desk” for writing notes. Obviously, it’s also discontinued! I bought backups on eBay for both units! 2 each!

I have tried others and continue to do so. Cheap and not so cheap. The backpack I have come close with, the side/belly pack; nothing yet beats the Lowepro!

 

[graboots]

I'm trying to pin down what I want to get for a pack to carry my birding gear in so that when I go out, all I have to do is pick up (1) item and I'm ready to go.

My wife has told me to find what I want, within reason, and it will be my Father's Day present. I'm torn between a backpack or across the shoulder pack and which one. So, I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions you might have and how it worked, or didn't work, for you!

Thanks!

 

[graboots]

I am thinking about buying the Swarovski BP 30 backpack to carry my BTX 85 around,
if anybody has or experienced one I would be interested in their comments.