Since the DSLR revolution, camera backpacks have been a dime a dozen. But backpacks that are just as good for carrying film or photo equipment as safety equipment and all the junk you need on the mountain are few and far between. But they do exist. The EVOC CP 35L is one of them and was able to impress in the test with its detailed solutions as well as its capacity and organization. It appeals to professional photographers in particular, who are increasingly heading to the mountains to shoot.
The first impression
What a tank! Or to put it in Fulda's words: Black. Wide. Strong.
However, the first time you try it on, you'll find that it's comfortable to wear, as is typical for EVOC. Despite - or perhaps because of? - the integrated back armor. Open the back flap and your eyes are wide. There's an incredible amount of stuff inside. A real camera backpack par excellence. And yet it seems to have all the important features that every other EVOC backpack in the "Snow" category has, from the goggle compartment to storage for safety equipment.
The features
And EVOC has really not skimped on good detailed solutions and equipment features. This applies to camera, backpack and ski-specific solutions. Let's start on the camera side. The lockable zipper running around the back section with wide T-handles opens the camera compartment. The shoulder and waist straps are folded away at the same time. Together with the side opening, this allows truly unrestricted access to the photo or film equipment. Nothing is in the way and everything is clearly arranged and well sorted in front of you. The back panel not only contains a removable EVOC Liteshield back protector plate, which protects the back from the camera and vice versa, but also four pockets, one of which is a mesh pocket and the others are transparent, splash-proof pockets. Perfect for all small items from memory cards and batteries to filters, cleaning cloths and lens caps. However, the zipper garages are small and should be handled with care so that no metal can rub against the camera equipment.
To the right of this is the heart of the backpack, the camera compartment. This huge compartment is shielded from the front of the backpack by a back panel with a hard plastic insert. Measuring 34 x 55 x 15 cm, it has space for all the equipment of the ambitious amateur photographer and is divided by completely rearrangeable or removable dividers. The top quarter of the compartment is also accessible from the front of the rucksack via a zip. Two L-shaped fold-down longitudinal walls, one transverse wall and 6 dividers allow for almost any division and organization. Two flaps can be used as lids or dividers and four padding blocks are extremely useful for filling cavities or covering downward impacts. An elastic band holds the camera and/or lens in position. There is also a fold-out tripod holder for special photographic equipment, into which the tripod is inserted at the bottom and then lashed to the center of the backpack using an additional "multi-use" strap or the front strap. There is also a side slot on the side pockets for a monopod. Packed in this way, a considerable amount of camera gear can be transported. The carrying system also contributes to this. Anatomically shaped shoulder straps with chest strap (including the obligatory signal whistle for serious mountain backpacks) and upper lashing straps, a well-padded, breathable back section and the EVOC-typical, elastic Velcro hip belt with additional lashing strap provide excellent carrying comfort. There is also a small side pocket on the latter - extremely useful for quickly accessible small items such as a compass, cell phone or lip protection - and it can be removed, although I never felt tempted to do so. Two large side pockets with additional pockets on the inside and outside, a key clip and address window provide space for all the bits and bobs you need, from a wallet to a snack. A hydration bladder is also in good hands here. Speaking of water: an integrated and - particularly useful when drying - removable rain cover is stowed in a compartment at the bottom of the rucksack. This is particularly useful for protecting expensive camera equipment from the elements. The main backpack compartment, which can also be locked, has an additional mesh pocket for small items, slots for a shovel blade, shovel handle and probe and a sewn-in emergency plan, which brings us to the ski and board-specific features. In addition to the safety compartment, there is also a goggle compartment and an insert pocket on the front of the rucksack, e.g. for maps. There are several ski holders. The side holder allows the backpack to be carried in an H-shape, while the loop and "multi-use" straps mean that diagonal carrying is also no problem. In addition, the front straps with sturdy EVOC metal straps and edge protection serve as board holders, which of course also fit two skis side by side. Two ice axe holders round off the winter-specific equipment.
The practical use
In practice, the tank surprises with its unexpected versatility. Thanks to the really good carrying system, the backpack sits well on the body, and even when relatively full, the mass of the backpack is always easy to control and feels relatively light. When it is not very full, it is surprisingly comfortable to wear. The size hardly bothers you. And overfilled - at least as far as photographic equipment is concerned - is a rare occurrence for me on the mountain. And so capacity remains unused. The backpack's focus is clearly on photography (yes, film too, of course), so I would much rather take the CP 35L to my brother's wedding than up the mountain. Even though the backpack theoretically has everything you need on the mountain and is clearly a fully-fledged photo pack, its everyday use on the mountain is unfortunately limited. Virtually all larger items, whether climbing skins, jacket, change of clothes or snacks, have to be stowed in the main/camera compartment of the backpack. It is therefore not really possible to separate items that may get wet when out and about from the more sensitive camera gear. This is especially true if you want to use the side ski holder, because then the side pockets can only be used to a very limited extent. However, skis attached in this way can be carried excellently, even if the stiff shape of the backpack does not allow the A-shape carrying method. However, if the skis remain on the foot or are to be carried diagonally on the back, there is plenty of space in the side pockets.
The upper part of the main compartment, which is accessible from both sides, is also less helpful in practice than it sounds. If you stow small items here, they tend to slide all the way down along the back - or to where they fit between the camera equipment. Not ideal. Cereal bars in particular should never be stowed here, as they tend to disintegrate into their constituent parts when traveling through the camera equipment. But this clearly belongs in the category of user error. However, it is helpful if you stow your camera with a universal lens attached. Unfortunately, you then have to pad it with jackets, hats or the like and the space is also limited. The front compartment is also well filled with a shovel and probe and not very voluminous, especially if you also use the goggle compartment for its intended purpose. There is therefore no storage space for anything else. This leaves little volume for serious tours, so the ice axe holder was not tested in practice, although it works well in dry conditions. On the other hand, there is plenty of space for camera equipment. Several lenses or even bodies are no problem. Or even compact flashes. With restrictions on the range of lenses, even a small flash system would fit easily. Thanks to the various straps, a tripod, flash stand and reflector umbrella can also be stored together. The EVOC CP 35L is therefore ideal for those who want to set off on complex shoots. If it doesn't have to be avalanche terrain, the shovel compartment is also ideal for a laptop. The backpack is therefore an ideal companion when more photos than skis are on the agenda. From backcountry kickers to freestyle shoots in the park to urban shred sessions or even a family wedding, this camera backpack is certainly ideal.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a camera backpack for serious shoots with a focus on photo or film yield, the CP 35L from EVOC is the perfect choice. Or if you are looking for a travel and adventure backpack for large camera equipment. Without compromise, a fully-fledged camera backpack for professional use not only on the mountain, which also offers good functions and storage for everything you need for winter sports. For those who need less camera and more mountain backpack, the EVOC is probably overdosed. Advantages:
+ Back protector
+ Large, well-organized camera compartment
+ Extremely good access via the back flap
+ Very good carrying system
+ Good detailed solutions for all necessary mountain equipment
+ Integrated rain cover
+ Stable and robust Disadvantages:
- High price
- Little space for jackets/ski skins etc.
- de facto no separation of camera and mountain equipment possible
- very large
- weight
Features:
Easily adjustable carrying system with chest strap and wide neoprene hip belt
Padded and ventilated back section
Robust carrying handle
(*)Main compartment accessible from the back with large opening and easy-grip T-zippers
Large, well-padded camera compartment with flexible and extensive subdivision
Stowage compartments in the lid for filters, memory cards, etc.
Voluminous side pockets with additional insert pockets
Separate compartment for avalanche equipment
Padded goggle compartment
Map pocket
Tripod holder
Insert pocket for monopod
Ski attachments (side & diagonal) and board attachments (also for snowshoes)
Pick holders
Rain cover Volume: 35 L
Weight: 3.25 kg
Dimensions: 34 x 55 x 19 cm
RRP: €299.90 To the manufacturer's product information
Note:
Next season, EVOC will have a smaller photo backpack in its range with the CP 26L, which is significantly more designed for use with less camera equipment. Half of the main compartment is neatly separated from the camera compartment to make it moisture-proof and ideal for mountain gear. It also has direct camera access from the side.
More details in the ISPO News
