LowePro OffRoad Camera Bag
Review: The Active Photographer's Best Friend

Photographers spend hours researching the best gear.  They invest even more time researching the best shooting locations.  It's a quest.  They don't stop until they've researched every avenue; conquered every detail.   But eventually, a new confrontation hits them.  How are they going to carry all that perfect gear to that perfect remote location?  The answer usually involves a certain amount of painful compromise. 

Seemingly, the simplest answer is to purchase an adequately-sized backpack -- one large enough to carry every ounce of precious gear.  By the first mile into a hike, the photographer becomes acutely aware of exactly how many ounces he is carrying.  A few hours later, he's leaving a trail of expensive accessories to mark his path.  Even this doesn't solve all his troubles, for he must stop and unload his pack anytime he wants to get access to his gear.

The other photographer resolves to take only what he can carry around his neck.  Happily, he sets out along the path.  About fifty steps down the path, he notices his rhythmic lurch as his camera swings from side to side.  No problem.  He uses his hand to hold the camera firmly to his chest.  Before long, he encounters the first peril that requires two hands to safely navigate.  Either his camera or his butt are going to get muddy.  He must choose which.

What's the active photographer to do?  I have found my answer.


LowePro OffRoad Photo Bag




Tight But Manageable Carrying a DSLR and three lenses, the OffRoad doesn't leave me with a lot of room to spare. But with a little ingenuity, it does work well.  I regularly carry three large lenses, a cable release, tripod, filters, and spare batteries.  And there's still enough surplus space for keys, phones and other goodies.  The only unusual adjustment required was to remove one of the padded dividers from the main compartment.
Sturdy Construction  The OffRoad is built well.  There are durable zippers and sturdy buckles throughout.  The plastic buckles may eventually wear out, but they are definitely a cut above a typical plastic buckle found on most gear.  The shoulder strap connectors -- the part most often subject to wear -- are metal.  The handles and straps are thoroughly sewn to the bag.
Multiple Ways to Carry When not in use, the broad waist belt tucks behind the padded back of the bag.  This makes for a comfortable shoulder bag, which is how I carry it when I'm not hiking.  The belt is broad and comfortable, but I found it insufficient to carry the weight of the bag on it's own; it must be used in combination with the shoulder strap.  When using the waist belt, I struggle to find a shoulder strap placement that is completely comfortable.  But the shoulder strap does have ample length to fit my 6'2" frame -- with six inches to spare. 
Versatile and Reconfigurable The side lens pouches can be removed from the bag.  I find this feature handy, allowing me to put the lenses in my checked bags.  Tripods can be mounted to the underside, using included straps that thread through sturdy rubberized guides.   Accessing the tripod is inconvenient, and prone to shaking loose.
Reasonable Protection The bag offers reasonable protection against bumps and jostles.  But I wouldn't go throwing this bag into the trunk, like I can with some other bags.  The padding just isn't sufficient -- especially considering that the lenses are the most-exposed.
Ready for the Weather The bag isn't fully water repellent, but resists moderate rain showers with no problem.  The bag includes to water-resistant zippered pouches.
Water Bottle-Ready. I've found at least a dozen different means of attaching a Nalgene bottle to to this bag.  The most effective has been to loop it around the shoulder strap (on either side), at the point where the strap clicks to the bag.  In this location, it rests between the main compartment and the side lens pouch, with minimal bouncing around.  This tends to bite into the Nalgene bottle's plastic lid tether, and I expect it to wear out after 100 miles or so of hiking.  A replacement cap is about $2.  If that company finds out their used by photographers, the price is certain to jump to $20.
Darn Wide-Mouth Zippers! The bag's top-loading main compartment is accessed by two zippers that operate in opposite directions.  Unfortunately, the shape of the bag requires them to round 90-degree corners to access the compartment, which essentially prevents single-handed operation.  And forget about trying to reach around and open it while still attached to your back.  The same frustration plagues the side-mounted lens pouches.
Happy Trails After six months with the bag, I remain very pleased.  The OffRoad has performed well, and proven adaptable as my collection of equipment has grown.


  List Price: $112
  Street Price: $73