Lowepro has just announced the new Flipside III Camera Backpack Series, a complete redesign that focuses on durability and brings substantial upgrades to the fabric, accessibility, and protection offered by the Flipside line, making it even more attractive to outdoor and adventure photographers who depend on their camera bags to protect their expensive gear. The Flipside III is available in two sizes, the 300 AW and 400 AW; the larger 400 is available in two colors: black or dark gray.
The Flipside III has several key improvements in its design, making it more rugged than its predecessor, but, of course, keeping the customizable, modular divider system for which Lowepro is well known. Both models feature upgraded 10mm YKK zippers, added molded EVA bumpers, and a tough front PU coating for protection from wet surfaces when setting the pack on the ground to open the primary rear access. The Flipside III also features a new secondary side access, which is perfect for pulling out your camera, or quickly changing lenses without completely removing the pack.
The primary rear access now features a handle for easily moving the pack around if it’s lying on its front. Both units incorporate a stowable waist belt for added support on long hikes, and an adjustable chest strap to enhance stability and comfort.
The smaller 300 AW is more spacious inside than one might think and is able to accommodate a DSLR or mirrorless camera without a portrait grip, with a lens as large as a 70-200mm attached, plus three or four additional lenses. Also, the adjustable dividers can be easily configured to store and protect a compact drone, such as the DJI Mavic, for instance. The 300 also has enough room in the inner back panel of the main rear opening for a 13'' laptop and a 10"tablet.
The larger 400 AW carries a DSLR or mirrorless camera kit with portrait grip with a 70-200mm lens attached, plus four or five extra lenses. It can also carry a larger 15'' laptop and 10" tablet in the back panel and, of course, can be configured to carry a drone.
The Flipside III has a handy tripod attachment system, which can be used to carry one small to midsize tripod on the outer right side of the pack. This is great for landscape and adventure photographers who need to carry a tripod for certain types of shots, but also need their hands free when hiking and climbing. When the weather gets rough out there, you’ve got nothing to worry about when it comes to the Flipside III—all models come with an all-weather cover to protect your gear from rain, snow, dust, and sand.
In addition to all of the space inside the Flipside III, these packs also give you a bunch of little nooks and crannies to store all of the numerous accessories that are par for the course for any outdoor photographer. There is a front compartment with pockets for small items such as smartphones, USB cables, chargers, and lens wipes. There is also a removable, padded interior top pocket that’s perfect for accessories like cable releases, extra memory cards, and circular filters such as NDs and polarizers.
The Flipside III is a notable improvement over its predecessor, particularly in the areas of build quality, as well as in functional improvements such as the new rear access grab handle for moving the pack around when it’s not on your back, and the new side entry point for quick access to your camera and quick lens changes in the field. The Flipside III makes this line of backpacks from Lowepro an even more attractive option for the most demanding outdoor, adventure, and landscape photographers who rely on their camera bag to be rugged and secure in the field.
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