Outdoor photographers have unique needs when it comes to backpacks. We carry heavy camera gear that needs to be protected from the elements - but also easy to access – into the backcountry, often for hours on end and in less than hospitable environments. Now factor in the need to pack a jacket, food and water, first aid kit and other hiking essentials while remaining comfortable during long days on the trails, and you’ve got a real challenge on your hands.

 When I first started carrying cameras into the wilderness I did so using regular hiking backpacks that I adapted to suit my needs, just like every other outdoor photographer had been doing for decades. In those days camera gear could be easy to access, or well protected, but not both. Then, sometime in the early 2000’s, a handful of new and innovative companies seized the opportunity and began producing backpacks designed specifically for outdoor photographers. Some of them were pretty good, but all were deficient in one way or another. Most protected and provided easy access to gear, but had unsophisticated suspension systems that made the packs uncomfortable on all but the shortest hikes. I purchased and used several of them over a period of several years, but never found “the one.” And then, along came f-stop gear.

MY INTRODUCTION TO F-STOP GEAR

 I ordered the original f-stop gear Tilopa around 2009 and proceeded to (ab)use it for several years. Loaded with camera and hiking gear, I logged hundreds of miles in every western state with the Tilopa strapped to my back. I dragged it through slot canyons, over high mountain passes, into rainforests, through thunderstorms, and treated it with a general disregard bordering on cruelty. The Tilopa took everything I threw at it, never suffered a failure, and just kept coming back for more. After several years with that original Tilopa, I finally retired it only because I’d reached a state of burnout during which I stopped creating images and eventually sold all of my camera gear. We closed our Moab gallery, I stopped leading workshops and producing calendars and selling my work to publishers. It was a hard stop, and I had no intent of ever pursuing photography again. Despite years of abuse, and the old f-stop looking like it had been to hell and back, I found the Tilopa a new home with a random stranger on the internet. Sometimes, I still wonder if it thinks of me as much as I think of it.

 Fast forward a few years and in 2019 I found myself with a creative itch that wouldn’t go away without a scratch. So, I began dabbling in photography again using my wife’s old Sony a6000. Without pressure to constantly produce new images I discovered the passion I had for photography earlier in my career. Over time, I purchased a new camera, a couple lenses, then another new camera and a couple more lenses, and I had no way to carry it all. I should have gone right back to f-stop but instead, I decided to try a new pack that had recently come to market. I wore it for a couple of years and was generally happy with it, but after a particularly arduous hike in Arizona’s beautiful Santa Catalina mountains my back and shoulders were sore for days. It was time for a new pack. I ordered the latest version of the Tilopa and hoped that f-stop hadn’t deviated too far from the successful formula of the original. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

THE NEW TILOPA: ALL THE GOOD THINGS

The new Tilopa took everything I loved about the original, and doubled down on it while adding a few welcome new features. My only real complaint about the original Tilopa was its lack of a dedicated pocket for a water bladder. To remedy it, I strapped a small Camelback to the side of my pack. It wasn’t elegant, but it worked. With the new Tilopa, f-stop added a pocket to the inside of the pack and a hose port over the right shoulder. All the plastic buckles were replaced with sturdy metal ones (except the sternum strap), virtually guaranteeing you’ll never damage one in the backcountry. Though I never found the original fabric to be a weak point, the Tilopa now uses a proprietary fabric f-stop calls Dura-Diamond that is claimed to be even more resistant to scrapes and tears with improved weather resistance. It’s easy to access camera gear via the large back panel that unzips and opens wide to reveal the inside of the pack where the ICU (internal camera unit) lives. The ICU is a padded and compartmentalized case with adjustable dividers that allow you to customize how you organize your gear. ICU’s are available in a range of sizes to fit everything from the most basic kit to the “everything and the kitchen sink” kit we all dream of owning. The great thing about rear access like this is that when you set your pack down, the back panel and harness are facing up which means they’re never sitting in mud/snow/dirt. The back panel itself has several pockets in various sizes. I keep my extra batteries, SD cards, microfiber cloth and other small items in these pockets.

 In addition to the cavernous main pack compartment, there is a large pocket on the front and another one on the lid, which also has a separate interior zippered compartment. Add to these two pockets on either side of the pack with water-resistant zippers and a third on the front of the pack. I carry my tripod on the right side of the pack, but you can also carry it on the left side or in the center. With multiple attachment points, you can use f-stop’s Gatekeeper Straps to snug your tripod in tight against the pack so it isn’t wobbling around while you hike. I never carry my MacBook Pro into the field but if you should ever find yourself needing to do so, the Tilopa has a dedicated laptop compartment that fits up to a 16” laptop.

 Just like my original f-stop gear Tilopa, the new version has a burly suspension system that comfortably carries ridiculous weight. The weight is transferred to your hips, where it belongs, and load lifters on the shoulder straps pull the top of the pack close to your body for improved balance. The shoulder straps are nicely padded but not TOO soft, and an adjustable sternum strap prevents the shoulder straps from creeping off your shoulders. I’ve worn this pack for hours and my legs give out before my shoulders or back do.

THE NEW TILOPA: WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED

 As good as the f-stop gear Tilopa is, there are a couple of things I would like to see addressed. A water bladder hose can be run over the left shoulder but you have to route it out of the port on the right side of the pack. It would be great if the Tilopa had a port on each shoulder, or just one in the middle to make it easier to route the hose over your shoulder of choice. You can purchase the Tilopa alone, or as part of a package. Unfortunately, the only ICU available in the Essentials package is a large one. If you, like me, would be better served by a medium ICU, you’ll have to buy the pack and ICU separately. This costs more than buying the package which also comes with a rain cover and two Gatekeeper straps. I repurposed a smaller Peak Design camera cube that is roughly the same size as a medium ICU, which works, but I’d rather have the option at purchase to select a smaller ICU. The hip belt has MOLLE straps on both sides that allow you to attach a small pouch but I would rather see f-stop add a small pocket to at least one side of the hip belt. I have other packs with these pockets and they’re perfect for a snack, lip balm or other small items you need to access on the go.

THE NEW TILOPA + PEAK DESIGN

 Finally, as easy as it is to access your camera via the Tilopa’s back panel, I prefer to have my camera accessible without removing my pack. For this reason, I use a Peak Design Capture Clip on the left shoulder strap. This device allows me to dock my camera to the Capture Clip via an Arca-Swiss plate, with the lens facing down. Removing the camera only requires pressing a small button on the clip and sliding your camera out. This, and the Tilopa, are a perfect combination.

 The f-stop gear Tilopa is $399 for the pack only, $499 for the Essentials package that I have, $579 for the Elite and a whopping $769 for the Master package. Yeah, they’re expensive, but they’re also going to put up with all the abuse you can throw at it for years to come and will carry your pricey camera gear securely and comfortably on even the longest hikes. Worth every dime, if you ask me!