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| Lowepro Flipside Sport 15L (and 10L) |
| Author: [ trailpeak ] Contact Author: trailpeak | Thu Aug 09 13:33:47 EDT 2012 |
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There are two reviewers perspectives offered on the Flipside Sport from Lowepro, the first from trailpeak founder Kurt T, the second from one of trailpeak's prolific cave and waterfall trail author, Benoit L (username Benalonde -- links to his Nova Scotia trail postings).
Kurt's review -- Summer 2012
The Lowepro Flipside Sport represents a leap forward from Lowepro in serving the day-hiking photographer. Combining ultra-light elements that one may typically find from the leading hiking pack makers, it's most unique feature is it's ability to swivel around your waist to provide access to your gear while remaining attached to you. I was literally able to walk and access my camera without even stopping at times. I also very much liked being able to see all my camera gear in front of me at waist level and choose or change lenses. Just by swiveling (belt clip still attached) and then unzipping, I can see and reach all my gear as if it's on a tray in front of me. As any trigger happy photographer knows while hiking with friends, it's hard to keep up with the group. In my case, I was clicking away as my hiking partner hiked out in front. I was able to catch-up without slowing the pace of our hike down and that`s the mode I get in with trailpeak, I am trying to capture the experience of the trail.
Now let's get to the technical features, and here's where Lowepro has been paying attention. I preferred (I'm a big guy) the larger of the two packs, the 15L Flipside Sport - because I can stuff more day-hike materials like snacks, a spare shirt, and first aid kit along with my Nikon DLSR and two lenses. There is one side pocket for a water bottle with a small additional mesh pocket inside of it. One can use a hydration bladder in this pocket as well, Lowepro has added a drinking hose hole so that the pocket can remain zipped. The other side of the pack features a camera tripod holder, which considering Lowepro designed it, is top notch. There is also an inner safe compartment for storing valuables. When it comes to a keys or cellphone, these are things you don't want falling out and I appreciated this secure inner compartment. You've got some bottom loops for attaching more gear if required, and a few bungy style elastics for attaching hiking poles or other on the outer face of the pack. The pack has a clean look to it.
I used the pack on several day hikes in Algonquin Park, and found that this pack is my favourite for day hikes when photographing. It's light, very comfortable, has a sternum strap to snug the pack further. The harness straps are curved for comfort and feature weight saving foam. One real bonus I found is that this is one of the few day hike packs that I can fit my GPS just perfectly on the shoulder strap. This is a big deal for me as I GPS all my trails, so I appreciated this. One of my other favourite pack makers just hasn't got this right, and I constantly get distracted by my GPS flopping around.
When it comes to camera and lens compartments, Lowepro does it best. There is an inner cover one can close down over the camera gear, and of course the compartments can be moved around to suit your gear. In fact, the whole inner compartment that provides padding for the camera can come out -- although I am not sure why Lowepro did this. It's an all weather pack, meaning Lowepro has a bottom compartment with a waterproof cover you can access to cover your pack in a downpour. Moisture and cameras don`t mix. Some raised breathable foam pads on the back of the pack increase airflow to the back-- a standard on most performance packs these days.
A few things I wish this pack had include; a small media pouch at the top of the pack for storing energy bars or map, and, for the side pocket where I keep a water bottle I'd prefer if it didn't zip down the whole way. I lost my water bottle once on the trail because I didn't realize it was unzipped and then I wondered what else I may have lost. Hikers hate losing stuff on the trail.
The 15L pack is my favourite day-hike pack if I am grabbing pictures, and that's what I do most of the time. The 10L pack is identical, just narrower and smaller. Lowepro clearly wants the hiker and outdoor user to have their cake and eat it too. They are providing all the features of a lightweight day-hike pack with a very convenient camera access system. The Flipside Sport is a unique approach and one that allows "on the go" camera equipment access without having to fumble. Top marks to Lowepro here. Outdoor photographers on the go take note.
Benoit's Review -- Summer 2012
The flipside sport 15 is a very versatile pack. As with any camera packs designed by LowePro, the Flipside is well designed in its interior offering endless combinations of storage capabilities. I was able to easily store, one DSLR, three different lenses (wide angle, telephoto and 18-55mm) and I had enough space left over for a gps, a small video camera, couple of headlamps and snacks! I really enjoyed having access to the interior of the pack by rotating the pack while wearing the hip belt. It makes sense to have access to all your gear without putting your pack on the ground every time. If you get good at working the pack, the times it takes you to unshoulder and start shooting with your camera is very fast..almost like a gunslinger. The extra rain cover comes handy to protect your gear and is easily and secretly stowed under the pack.
Now there are a couple of things that I would like to see some improvements on. The chest strap seems to let go from its attach point more often then I would like. This is a minor point as it can be easily reattached. The hip belt could be improved with some more padding to make more comfortable and less shaffing. Lastly and I am not sure of anything could be done is the form of the pack. I like to bushwhack a lot and sometimes crawl into caves. The top portion of the pack, being a square, often gets snagged on logs that I have to crawl under or on the ceiling of the caves. Maybe its more of an adjustment I have to make to make sure I duck a bit more under the obstacles the next time around. Maybe a design where the top of the pack is tapered would alleviate some of this issue for me.
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