Photo gear is heavy. We can't change that, but the right pack can make it feel lighter. We design our packs so that by simply adjusting weight distribution and balance, you can be comfortable in very uncomfortable situations. Well-placed compression straps keep the load close to your body and breathable; and highly cushioned materials assure the ultimate in carrying comfort.
"How 30 pounds of beans could lead to anything technical was anybody's guess. When we set out to make our new backpack, we wanted to make sure it was unequaled in comfort. Our crew took the best backpacks on the market - including one of our own - on two separate daylong hikes in the Armstrong Redwoods. We loaded each of them with at least 30 pounds of combined camera equipment, canned beans (to simulate the weight of assorted camera equipment) and water. Then we hiked. After each hiker had carried each backpack, we compared notes. Although after the field test we were satisfied that our pack had outperformed the others, we looked for ways to improve it even more.
"Since we had men and women of all shapes and sizes on the hikes, we were able to focus on ways to help any body type carry weight more comfortably. We also figured out a better way to adjust to a women's torso, and we managed to perfect our innovative, contoured shoulder strap. Lastly, we learned that no matter what kind of pack you have, eating too many beans is never a good thing."
- Nicole Mummenhoff, Senior VP