Packs fit for footloose photographers

Hikers who enjoy photography and photographers who enjoy hiking agree that finding a pack fit for both activities can be difficult.

On the trail, the cameras need to be easily accessible when photo ops present themselves, yet you'll want your hiking essentials with you as well. The new Lowepro Versapack 200 AW addresses all these needs effectively. Designed as a large day pack, the lower section is a well-padded, compartmentalized camera carrier. There is room enough here to hold a dSLR body with lens attached, a second compact body, and two or three extra lenses, as well as filter wallets, flash and other small accessories.

To grab your camera while hiking, merely slip one shoulder strap off your shoulder and swing the pack around to your side — a zippered access panel on the side of the camera compartment allows easy access to your camera. On a hike up the Cooper River trail from Salmon La Sac toward Pete Lake, the Versapack held 15 pounds of camera gear, and another 5-plus pounds of hiking essentials, food and water. The pack carried comfortably for the entire 12-mile hike, with no strain or rub points. Best of all, a shoulder shrug (to drop one strap loose) and swing of the pack brought my camera to hand quickly and effectively.

The larger upper compartment of the pack can be used for your hiking essentials, while a unique strap system holds a tripod upright on the back of the pack, or suspended horizontally underneath. And for Northwest hikers, a built-in rain cover can be deployed when the weather turns damp. The pack sells for $129.99. See products.lowepro.com.

If you prefer to go light, with minimal photographic gear, a new modular system from Mountainsmith protects your camera and lenses while you use your favorite hiking packs. Mount the new Zoom Medium camera bag to your hipbelt, or suspend it from your shoulder straps as a chest pack, and you'll always have your compact dSLR readily at hand. The Zoom Medium easily held my Canon 40D with a 28-135mm zoom lens attached, and rode securely on the belt of an Osprey day pack during a hike up Granite Mountain. The bag includes a zippered front pocket (I stashed a microfiber lens cloth and a couple spare batteries inside) and a zippered lid. My extra lenses went into my day pack, but only after I secured them inside Mountainsmith's padded lens cases. These no-frills zippered cases are available in four sizes to accommodate most mid-zoom lenses (if you have a big, fast telephoto, look elsewhere). The lens cases run $20-$30 depending on size, while the Zoom Medium camera bag retails for $34.95. See www.mountainsmith.com.