Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW Camera Backpack

Lowepro’s Photo Sport 200 AW looks different, and it is. It’s not just the color (although it is also available in black) but the emphasis of use. This backpack is less about carrying tons of gear, and much more about light weight, mobility and shooting while on the move.

The actual equipment compartment is small, just room for a camera and a couple of lenses at most, that can be quickly accessed through the zipped side flap. A notable extra feature is the Ultra-Cinch system with webbed cords that can be quickly pulled tight to ensure nothing is able to rattle around while you jog, hike or cycle.

Alongside the camera compartment is a deep two-liter hydration reservoir, as Lowepro puts it – or a drinks bottle to you or I. Accessed through the drawstring top is a generous but un-added load area for pretty much anything else you care to name – except any camera gear that is, unless it has its own protection of some sort.

Pros

Ideal for hiking, versatile, light, discreet, comfortable, All-Weather Cover, affordable, hydrattort-system compatible, perfect for some extreme sports, several attachment points, tripod straps, possibility to carry a small computer.

Cons

• Limited capacity for certain photographic gear.

Great hiking/sport bag for light camera gear with room for everything else

Since 1967, Lowepro has proven its extensive expertise in creating all kinds of camera bags. In 2011, the company launched a new backpack design dedicated to adventure-sport athletes, the Photo Sport series, which includes the Photo Sport 100AW and 200AW. At first glance, the Photo Sport resembles a small mountain backpack made for day hikes. Constructed of high-performance fabrics; ergonomic; comfortable; ultralight; and covered with pockets, straps and useful features; it seems like THE bag made for adventure.

The top compartment can hold personal items (I stuffed in a 70-200 mm lens), while the internal pocket is perfect for keys and other small items, such as a pocket knife, a lighter or a GPS. The bag features two small pockets on the belt strap for sunglasses or an emergency snack. The large front pocket is ideal to carry a windbreaker, and there is a compartment dedicated to a hydration system, like CamelBak (and I even managed to fit in my old 12-inch MacBook Pro).

A special foam-padded compartment accessible through a side pocket holds and protects a DSLR (without a power grip) and a lens.

I was impressed by the very thin yet comfortable shoulder and belt straps; the adjustments never failed, even in the most technical rocky descents of Nepal. However, after some use, I noticed that the zippers had a tendency to jam – which could have been caused by the extremely dusty Nepali air or some sand that infiltrated the zipper track.

The stretchable orange nylon used for the side pockets is also a bit fragile and stains easily (which must be less apparent on the black model). If you want to carry more lenses and photo gadgets, you will be slightly disappointed with the Photo Sport 100AW or 200AW, but if you are opting for a minimalist, ultralight, intensely physical Galen Rowell-style approach, the Photo Sport is made for you.

Features

Bottom Line

This is a brilliant backpack for action-oriented leisure, with lots of thoughtful design and handy features. If action sports isn’t your thing, neither is this.

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