Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack - for Digital Camera Equipment and 17" Laptop Computer (Black)

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I purchased this backpack as a replacement for our Lowepro Compu-daypack. Extremely well made, lots of compartments for all camera gear including enough room for 2 full size DSLRs. I would have liked more room for in the laptop area, it's rated for a 17'' laptop but in reality it's a very tight squeeze. I have a Dell XPS 17'' and there isn't much room, if any. Very comfortable to wear and but feels heavy when not wearing it.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

Bought this during vacation @ B&H New York.
I was looking for a huge back bag to store my 7d with the 70-200 and a few more heavy L-Lenses. Also I also have my two Canon flashlights with me. The wireless trigger system is also stowed inside this bag.
For me it was the only solution to carry this huge amount of equipment with me when heading to a photo tour.
Recommend that, if you know that you can carry this stuff with you for a longer period of time. Keep in mind it do not reduce the weight, but it helps to carry all this stuff much more easily.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I got this for a trip out west and was very happy with the initial performance. Lots of capacity and it easily held a body, 70-200, 200-500, 17-40, power grip, flash, many accessories and an iPad. The cover for the straps works well to put on but is a little awkward to put away after use. I didn't have any need to test the rain cover.

The main zip is a little stiff but that may be because it provides some water resistance. I plan to work it with some zip lubricant to help with this. The inside was very configurable and I had plenty of storage options.

The pack was comfortable to wear and gear access was easy.

My main recommendation for improvement would be for this bag to have the same capabilities as the flipside bags so that you didn't have to put it down to access the gear.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

Bought this bag to carry my equipment when I fly since I don't want to check it or ship it prior. Yes its big but I bought it for that purpose to hold most of the stuff while traveling. Holds a lot of stuff and well built.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

Loving the Vertex 300 AW. Took me a long time to decide on it. Only thing i was disappointed with was the harness on the chest came off the first time i was using it. It has slid back into place. Hope it holds in the future

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I can get almost all of my photographic gear in this pack, including three cameras (one has a 500mm lens), a netbook, a photo viewer, and all assorted accessories. The only thing that doesn't (reasonably) fit is my Bogen studio tripod. So far I've only used about half the pockets......Looks like I'll have to get more Stuff (Hello B&H!)

Fully loaded (about 35 lbs) the pack is not that comfortable to carry long distances, but it's do-able. I also wish LowePro had included a few more velcro/foam dividers in a slightly larger size, and I would like the fuzzy velcro to extend to the bottom and the top of the camera compartment.

Things I really like about it include all the padding, the zipper-tab covers (to keep from scratching equipment), the built-in rain flap, and the cover that turns it from a backpack into a carry-on bag. I like the water-resistant zippers. I like the thoughtfully designed compartments.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

big load of equipement, and very comfortable harness, but heavy when empty!! too heavy!!
missing a lateral handle for when harness is hidden during airplne access.
looks very well build, hope it last!!

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

This is a well built camera case and I know I will get a lot of use out of it.

Negatives. It weights half the carryon allowance on many carriers and is also too big for international carriers.

I bought it to use in Yellowstone on the back of a snowmobile and for car travel.

The instructions are somewhat brief. I thought they suggested a separate rain cover, but I could not find it. Called Lownenpro and a very nice man called me back within 60 seconds to tell me that it is nicely hidden in a pocket below the harness.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I use this bag as a primary storage for my gear. This bag holds the following:

Canon 5D Mark II
16-35mm 2.8 II
24mm 1.4 II
35mm 1.4
50mm 1.4
65mm MPE macro
135mm 2.0
580ex II flash
Røde videomic
Apple Ipad
3x Gape extream memory card cases
2x PocketWizards

Along with chargers, batteries, cables, flash defuser/dome and a flash filterset this all fits inside the bag. I can with comfort strap a travel manfrotto 3pod and light stand to the bag.

I have been walking around with the bag for the past week, fits very well on my back (I'm 5'10 / 178cm strong built), the strap system destributes weight were well.

Right now I am only using the lap top compartment for my Ipad, my concern is that when I have my 17" laptop down there, its weight on the outside lid of the bag will pull down on my shoulders. If the laptop compartment would have been placed up against the back, it would destribute weight much better compared to the current design.

Very spacious and well designed bag made out of strong and durable material. I did allot of searching for a bag that would fit all my gear, protect it, could have in carry on during flights, comfirtable, and would last for a long time. This bag delivers on everything I need from a backpack.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I use this bag as a primary storage for my gear. This bag holds the following:

Canon 5D Mark II
16-35mm 2.8 II
24mm 1.4 II
35mm 1.4
50mm 1.4
65mm MPE macro
135mm 2.0
580ex II flash
Røde videomic
Apple Ipad
3x Gape extream memory card cases
2x PocketWizards

Along with chargers, batteries, cables, flash defuser/dome and a flash filterset this all fits inside the bag. I can with comfort strap a travel manfrotto 3pod and light stand to the bag.

I have been walking around with the bag for the past week, fits very well on my back (I'm 5'10 / 178cm strong built), the strap system destributes weight were well.

Right now I am only using the lap top compartment for my Ipad, my concern is that when I have my 17" laptop down there, its weight on the outside lid of the bag will pull down on my shoulders. If the laptop compartment would have been placed up against the back, it would destribute weight much better compared to the current design.

Very spacious and well designed bag made out of strong and durable material. I did allot of searching for a bag that would fit all my gear, protect it, could have in carry on during flights, comfirtable, and would last for a long time. This bag delivers on everything I need from a backpack.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I have two other Lowepro bags, both were shoulder carrying bags. After accumulating enough equipment, I needed to upgrade to something with more room (for the second time), and a shoulder bag would be a bit ridiculous with that kind of weight. I love the quality of Lowepro and this backpack doesn't disappoint. I debated between the Vertex 200 and Vertex 300 for about a week, and finally made the decision based on the $20 difference. I am glad I did. My equipment (4 lenses, 2 flashes, canon flash transmitter, 2x extender, binoculars, batteries, one SLR, and few other odds and ends that escape me at the moment) fit comfortably with enough room for one more good sized Canon L zoom lenses. That would not have been the case on the Vertex 200. I cannot really say that the weight is a con because no one seriously considering a backpack of this size will be surprised by the weight. I am 6'4" and a solid (not fatty) 270 lbs., and this pack rides comfortably. I wanted something that would carry all of my equipment, including a tripod, and this does exactly that. And when I purchase a few more lenses in the future and outgrow this, it has straps for attaching individual lens cases on the outside, another feature I sought.
Speaking of straps, the shoulder and waist straps are my only complaint. They can be covered by the stow-away cover, but they cannot be removed. THAT would be an awesome feature, but then again, I don't know how feasible that would be for straps that have to reliably carry a good amount of weight.
In any case, this is a fantastic pack. If you are torn between this and the 200, pick this one.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

i got this backpack for bushwhacking around the BC coast and it is excellent. It takes all my gear, including the Nikon 200-400mm F4 and fits on my back comfortably and stays in place thanks to the waist and chest straps.
If there is one small complaint, the two small side pockets aren't big enough to hold a water bottle and one hanging from the bag isn't very practical in the bush. But, there is a water bottle holder that can be added to the system I believe, but I haven't found or got one yet.
The Tripod support is a good idea and helps to prevent slipping as you're walking around.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I fly all over the country, and this bag goes with me. It's by no means a day trip bag. It is way too big and heavy when loaded up. However, if you're like me and have an aversion to checking gear, this is the perfect way to get all your equipment to location. Once there you can take out what you need.

I've owned a few camera bags, and I'm always running out of space. That's definitely not a problem with this bag. Also, the zippers are well built (important) and the rain cover is useful. Overall, I'm very happy with this bag

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I am a tall person and this backpack fits my back much better than the more compact Vertex 200. The adjustment straps allow for a fairly comfortable fit. The length of this bag allows me to store a 300 mm lens with telextender on the camera with the lens shade so I can pull it out and am ready to shoot. I would have liked an external pocket to carry a jacket.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

Love the design of this backpack. Size is great for packing around multiple lenses and a camera. I have not yet used it extensively yet but I plan to do landscape photography while hiking. Have not yet found any negative features.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I've been looking for a backpack that could hold a D700, 50-1.4, 70-200, 16-35, SB-800, laptop and allow for future growth, but still be airline carry-on compliant. This bag has plenty of room for all that gear plus more, but... this bag is huge! It is almost the same size as a standard piece of carry-on roller luggage! It would be fine for overhead bin of full-size jet, but I was afraid I'd have to gate check this bag when I flew on a regional jet. That being said, this backpack was very comfortable - I'm 6'1" and the waist belt actually hit my waist rather than under my ribs.

Ultimately I opted to return the Vertex 300AW and purchased the Vertex 200AW instead due to the whole Regional Jet thing. I do not want to risk having to gate-check my gear, so I decided that the smaller 200AW was better. If you never fly RJ's then the extra space is worth it - buy the 300AW

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

Lowepro makes great packs and lots of them, I still have my mini-trekker from 12 years ago after much use and abuse it still does a great job. I spent a great deal of time trying to pick out a new pack that would hold more gear and a laptop for travel and field use. I chose the Vertex mostly on dimensions and capacity. I wanted a pack that was longer than my mini but not wider or much deeper. This pack is perfect in it's build quality and ability to carry lots of gear, if any bigger I wouldn't be able to lift it when loaded. My problem with the pack is the butterfly pockets on the back, one side contains little pockets for CF cards and small verticle zippered pockets for pens or a small flashlight or I don't know what. I don't want that kind of detail. my flash card have their own case and my 77mm filters won't fit into any of the filter pockets provided. I would rather have pockets that I can fill with a plamp or reflectors etc. without the added weight of defined spaces. What would be great would be to offer different butterfly arrangements for different people and either build that way or have it be an add on.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

I shoot on location a lot and needed a solid bag to carry all of my cameras (DSLR, 35mm SLR, Holga), lenses (5), tripod, audio recorder, sound equipment, laptop, and other miscellaneous goodies, all while remaining comfortable. This bag does the job incredibly well. Although it does get a little heavy carrying all that junk, it feels well balanced and never cuts into my shoulders like other bags have. I am about 6ft 7in so it fits a little smaller than I would like, but is still comfortable. It also has a slew of compartments. Including a dedicated one for a hard drive or similar sized device (I put my Zoom H4n in there, fits perfect). Although I have only had it for a month it seems very durable, and VERY weatherproof. This is an incredibly well made bag. Lots of good padding where needed. If you shoot in the field a lot/travel, and need to carry a laptop with a lot of equipment, this could be the bag for you. If you don't need to carry a lot of stuff this bag is definitely overkill. FYI B&H had the best price last time I checked...

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

This backpack definitely holds all of the gear I tend to take with me. It's nice to have the 17" notebook space. I also really appreciate all of the weather sealing.

I knew when I bought it that it was not a rolling bag… but honestly, anything of this size should have them.

Comments about Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack:

this is a great bag. love it.. lots of room to fit your gear. i was thinking to take smaller model. but i'm happy that i took good decision.