Camera backpacks have been a dime a dozen since the DSLR revolution. 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 Satori EXP from F-Stop is one of them and was tested as a fully-fledged backpack as well as a camera pack. It is surprisingly versatile and performs well, regardless of whether you need to carry a lot or little equipment with you.
First impressions
Ok, it's a backpack. But how does it work with the camera?
As it turns out, it's simple. Insert the selected ICU (Internal Camera Unit) into the backpack, clip it in place and you have as much camera backpack as you want. Otherwise, the F-Stop Satori EXP spontaneously makes a good impression. Even though the backpack is large, it does not appear bulky, seems to be easy to lash down and has many flexible detailed solutions.
The features
And the Satori EXP has plenty of detailed solutions. There are textile or Hypaloon® loops of various sizes, eyelets, elastic bands and zippers all over the backpack. The horizontal fabric loops on the side of the rucksack and hip belt are for the molle system. This system for attaching accessories was developed for the police and military and is widely used, so it is not only in 2nd-hand military stores that you can find useful accessories ranging from wallets, cell phone or radio pouches to pistol holsters, should you ever need a warning pistol or a weapon to ward off polar bears on Spitsbergen. You should be able to find something for every need to suit your own requirements.
The second, flexible attachment system is F-Stop's own GateKeeper straps, two of which are supplied with the backpack. A full 14 loops ensure that lashing straps can be attached to the rucksack lid, base, front or sides as required in addition to the two permanently attached compression straps. This makes it easy to attach a sleeping bag, mat or tent, as well as snowshoes or a board to the backpack. Additional GateKeepers are available as accessories. An in-house Navin Toploader can also be attached in such a way that the camera and lens are ready to hand in front of the chest. Further eyelets are attached to the shoulder straps. Here you can easily clip on a radio speaker microphone or cell phone case. There is also a guide for the tube of a hydration bladder. It goes without saying that there is a matching Velcro fastened opening to the main compartment. The hydration bladder itself can be inserted into a compartment on the front of the main compartment and hung up using a Velcro loop. Narrower versions also fit well next to the side of the ICU. If you are not comfortable with the combination of water and camera equipment, a waterproof hydration bladder bag is available as an accessory. In the main compartment there is a padded laptop compartment next to the hydration bladder compartment, both of which can be secured together with Velcro. A mesh pocket in the lid holds small items, cables or chargers. The large back flap, through which you can access the main compartment between the shoulder and hip straps, has two larger pockets - one of which is transparent and splash-proof - which are ideal for storing small items such as filters, lens caps or lens cleaning cloths. When closed, the zippers are concealed behind plastic flaps so that there is no risk of scratching. There are also two small pockets closed with Velcro flaps, which are ideal for CF memory cards or similar accessories. The back cover closes with a large 2-way zipper, which is easy to operate even when wearing gloves and carrying a full backpack. The backpack is rounded off by a lid compartment with mesh pocket, key clip and two padded pockets for filters or batteries, two elastic mesh inserts on the sides, two zippered bottom pockets, one of which is designed as a waste compartment, and a double-layer front pocket. The latter is very well thought out, with the rear part opening 2/3 around and the front part only opening sideways. While the latter is ideal for maps and the like, the larger compartment is ideal for stowing the shovel blade. A small hole at the bottom even ensures that any moisture can escape. Unfortunately, there are no explicit stowage options for shovel handle and probe, normal-short versions up to ~40 cm pack size fit in the front compartment, otherwise the only option is to store them in the main compartment, preferably on the side next to the ICU. The mountaineering-specific features are rounded off by two loops and two elasticated straps that can be used to hold a mountain pole or ice axe.
All external zippers are either splash-proof with zipper garages or, in the case of the main compartment, are well overlapped. Together with an impregnating DWR on the outer fabric, the backpack is already amazingly element-resistant. A clip-on rain cover is available as an accessory for constant rain in Norwegian high fells or the Brazilian rainforest. The carrying system consists of two shoulder straps, a chest strap and a hip belt. The load-bearing parts are all well padded and fitted with mesh for better ventilation. The shoulder straps can be easily adjusted to weight and shoulder shape using the upper lashing straps and are held in position by the chest strap with signal whistle. The wide hip belt is adjustable at the back and the front buckle is centered via lashing eyelets on both sides. So far, this is a lot of backpack and not much camera pack. But this changes abruptly with the insertion of an ICU (Internal Camera Unit). There are 8 different models to choose from, which can also be combined with each other. The Medium Slope and X-Large Pro sizes were used. The Medium Slope ICU measures 28 x 28 cm in width and height and is 18 cm deeper at the bottom than 15 cm at the top. This has the advantage that you can fit more into the main compartment and the front pockets without the backpack becoming bulky or bulky. It easily offers space for a pro DSLR body and 2-3 lenses as well as 1-2 flashes. At 48 x 28 x 18 cm, the X-Large ICU is a real monster with room for all the gear for a complete shoot and more. I have to pack all the chargers, manuals and light shapers in it to fill it up with my photo equipment. All F-Stop ICUs are sufficiently padded and come with a suitable number of Velcro-fastened dividers and straps that leave nothing to be desired. At least one rubber strap even has abrasion protection for the camera's hot shoe. All ICUs also have metal eyelets so that they can be used as stand-alone bags when combined with a shoulder strap. Also very useful for storing camera equipment under the bed.
The practical use
In practice, the F-Stop Satori EXP is surprisingly convincing as a backpack. After the detailed list, this may no longer be so surprising, but I simply didn't expect so much backpack from a camera backpack and the Satori EXP has become a really popular companion on the mountain and in everyday life. The ICU is quickly pulled out and zipped up under the bed, and I even use the backpack for shopping. It is also often used for climbing, hiking, seminar trips or even couch surfing. The combination of a main compartment that is easily accessible through the lid and back, a laptop compartment and space in the front compartments for writing materials and books make it the ideal travel companion. The fact that it has a small cabin size makes it even better.
The carrying system can withstand heavier loads and is very easy to adjust. The wide hip belt transfers the weight well and the padding on the straps and back make it comfortable to carry. What's more, the backpack compresses very well when it's not completely full. However, it should be mentioned that the rather simple stitching and thick padding of the carrying system is good, but cannot keep up with the carrying comfort of the best alpine backpacks. However, it adapts quite well to its user over time (note: the shoulder and hip straps of the new generation available from March have been significantly revised, optimized and sewn flatter). The GateKeeper system, on the other hand, is a blast. Whether tripod, dolly system, jacket, board, snowshoes, sleeping bag, mat or girlfriend's handbag; everything can be stowed somehow on the outside of the backpack. The skis are also held very well in the side compression straps in an H or A shape, which are unfortunately not reinforced against edges. A diagonal carrying method is not provided, but could also be realized using GateKeepers. The ice axe holder, on the other hand, works best if the lower loops are fitted with an additional elastic band to prevent the axe from swinging out.
Converting it into a camera backpack is extremely easy: Select the ICU, open it, fold down the lid and slide it into the main compartment from above. Just secure with two to four unfortunately rather fiddly Velcro eyelets and you're done. If you now open the back lid of the backpack, the camera compartment is spread out nicely in front of you. The medium ICU offers more than enough space for the ambitious mountain photographer and I mainly use the X-large as a pantry for my photo equipment and have only used it on a few shoots. However, it offers enough space for everything you need for an elaborate shoot and when filled in this way, the F-Stop Satori EXP also works excellently with only minimal loss of comfort compared to a city photo pack in terms of access and overview. Of course, it does not lose its strengths as a backpack. Together with the Medium ICU, however, it cuts a very fine figure on the mountain and the main compartment still has enough space for a goggle, skins, jacket, hat, snack, etc. The hydration bladder, shovel handle and probe (if they don't fit in the front compartment) can be easily inserted on the left, right or in front of the ICU and the latter still remain easily accessible. Slip-in loops or separate compartments would of course be better here. Unfortunately, the main compartment of the Satori is not completely separated from the camera compartment, so that small items on the back can slip into the ICU and the camera equipment is not completely protected from damp items. However, you can avoid this with clever packing like with hardly any other camera backpack and, if in doubt, you can completely prevent it by zipping up the ICU. However, this makes access to the camera more fiddly and you would therefore generally want to separate it. The workmanship seems solid all round and no weaknesses have become apparent during a year of use on the mountain and in everyday life. I was particularly impressed by the waterproofing of the outer fabric, which, together with the sealed zippers, works excellently and definitely makes a rain cover superfluous in regular conditions. Despite all this, the backpack remains extremely versatile without having to compromise on the camera side. Not least thanks to the many customization options. If you need less space, you are sure to find something suitable in the F-Stop range with the smaller representatives of the Mountain series, especially with the Tilopa BC and Loka models. F-Stop is still a small company in the process of being established. Even though they now have a warehouse in Amsterdam, the availability and delivery times of some products are still in need of improvement. However, the service is extremely helpful and friendly.
Conclusion
The F-Stop Satori EXP is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a real, voluminous mountain backpack that also accommodates camera equipment. A wide variety of camera inserts, detailed solutions and an extensive accessory system will probably offer something for everyone. In addition, the Satori EXP can also be used as a fully-fledged backpack without a camera insert if the camera is left at home. Advantages:
+ Good all-round backpack, with or without camera
+ Individually sized, well-organized camera compartments
+ Good access via the back flap
+ Plenty of space for additional equipment
+ Good carrying system
+ Many detailed solutions
+ High level of customizability
+ Huge range of accessories Disadvantages:
- high price
- no ski edge protection for the lashing straps
- possiblyU. Availability
- Rain cover only as an accessory (but already very weather-resistant without it)
Features:
Easily adjustable carrying system with chest strap and wide hip belt
Internal aluminum carrying frame
Impregnated outer fabric and waterproof zippers
Padded back section
Large main compartment accessible from the lid and back
Mesh pocket in the lid of the main compartment
Drink bladder compartment with tube guide
Padded laptop compartment
Lid compartment with mesh pocket & padded slide-in pockets
Double front compartment, one with water drainage
Two bottom compartments for garbage and rain cover (or other)
Side elastic mesh pockets
Individually selectable camera compartments (ICU) with flexible and extensive subdivision
Stowage compartments in the lid and back for filters, memory cards, batteries, etc.
Molle attachment system for accessories
14 GateKeeper attachment points for versatile load lashing
2 GateKeeper straps
Ski holder on the side; frontal or diagonal with GateKeepers possible
Board or snowshoe holder using GateKeepers
2 ice axe or trekking pole holders Volume: 62 L
Colors: black & foliage green (test backpack gray - no longer available)
Weight: 1.85 kg (without ICU) / 0.54 kg (Medium Slope ICU)
Dimensions: 31 x 66 x 25 cm
RRP: 359,- $ (without ICU) / 419,- $ (+1 ICU) / 479,- $ (+2 ICU's) To the manufacturer's product information
Note:
If you don't value a lot of space, but prefer more stable ski mounts, you should take a good look at the F-Stop Tilopa BC. Very similar in design to the Satori, the smaller brother is designed even more for backcountry use. A permanently installed snowboard holder with reinforcements, robust straps on the side for skis and a waterproof base are the main differences alongside the smaller size.
