Gear Review: Think Tank Trailscape 18L
Backpacks, Rolling Bags, Sling bags or Daypacks, you name it, I have probably tried it. One thing photographers will tend to accumulate are bags. Why then would I gravitate toward another and the answer is to solve a problem. While planning a family vacation, I realized that the current inventory of bags was either to big or not big enough. I needed a pack for my gear that was somewhere in the middle of what I already have. While researching my options, I came across a post by another well known photographer I admire ( link to his post ) that had a similiar dilemma for travel and his solution was the Think Tank Trailscape 18L backpack.
This was the perfect compromise for size and still allowed all the gear that I wanted to take. It is very durable and made with great materials that one has come to expect from a Think Tank product. The outside spece are:
Exterior:
The backpack is water resistent. All exterior fabric has a durable water-repellent coating, plus a polyurethane coating on the underside of the fabric. The zippers are heavy duty with pulls and the nylon and mesh on the backpack is stretchable to a point making the pockets a big bigger than they appear.
Interior:
The inside has high-density nylex with stiffened backing, hexa-mesh pockets foro smaller items, high-density closed-cell foam, PE board reinforcement, and 3-ply bonded nylon thread. All of this make compartmentalizing the bag for your gear very easy.
Other Features:
Dedicated quick access smartphone/sunglasses pocket fits 5.5” screen size
Tripod/monopod/hiking pole mounting system on sides
Two large water bottle pockets with cinch cords
Seamless rain cover included for downpour conditions
Contoured back panel with lumbar support and robust harness for all day comfort
Removable webbing waist belt to help stabilize the bag while active
Lash points on the front expand carrying capacity
Side compression straps can be used as additional lash points
Adjustable dividers to customize the interior for your DSLR or Mirrorless kit
Interior zippered pockets for batteries, cards, filters and other accessories
Easy-grip zipper pulls for wet or cold conditions
Organizer pockets for pens, flashlight and business cards
Overall Impression:
The backpack itself is comfortable and I was able to wear this for 2-3 hour hikes without any issues at all. It comes with a waist strap, but I really did not need it as the padded shoulder were comfortable and when sized appropriately they even distributed the weight. For access to your gear, you do have to take it off but did not find this to be problematic as most of the venues I was shooting at I needed to do that any way. I was also able to carry a tripod and trekking poles. For the trekking poles I added some shock cord to the front, pulled it tight like a bungee and it held great I will add this though if you are going to carry a tripod, the system for the tripod on the side will hold it in place, but I have reinforced the side pocket wher the tripod leg goes in. I have had other Think tank products and tried this and over time the tripd foot h as worn a hole in the side pocket. I simple put a flexible piece of polystyrene in the bottom of the pocket and that protected the fabric. If you are looking for a lighweight backpack that can carry quite a bit of gear and will last, I highly recommend this model from Think Tank.