The f-stop loka is a hell of a backpack. That’s ignoring it’s ability to haul cameras. This is just one hell of a great backpack first, then it has this awesome system to add inserts into it specifically designed for cameras (f-stop calls these “ICU”s or internal camera units). I’ll get to that more in a bit. For this review, I didn’t want to just do a review based on my initial impressions and some light use, I really wanted to spend some time with the bag and get to know it. For that reason it’s taken me two months to get what I consider to be enough time with the bag to really know it, and know how it works. I’ve been using this bag as my daily photo bag for 2 months now going to work, I’ve taken it on landscape adventures every weekend since I got it, and then this past weekend I hiked Tuckerman’s Ravine with it and finally did my video review (make sure you click the HD link in the bottom right corner above when you watch the video).

Here you can see what fits inside my loka with a medium shallow insert:

Now, first impressions are that it’s a really well built and thought out bag. There are a LOT of really nice details in here. The bag is also quite light, especially w/o an insert (even if you order them together, they’ll come in 2 separate bags so you’ll initially pick up the loka w/o anything in it). Once you get the bag out of it’s bag (yes they come in protective bags) you then get to your insert. Their inserts, or ICUs are well built (but maybe not quite as nice as thinktanks) and come in a TON of sizes (click here to see the list). I went with a medium “shallow” ICU. Shallow is the size for DSLRs w/o grips, “pro” is for 1 series canons or gripped bodies, then “micro” is for EVIL type cameras. Medium gives me enough space for what I landscape with. Large makes it more of a photo bag but I don’t need that much space. I have been thinking of adding a shallow small to my setup though, since it can sit above the medium to allow use of both when you need it, or downsizing when I only want a really tiny kit. The short version about the ICUs though is they make the size you need, you just have to decide what you need exactly and pick it out on their site. This took me about a week to do myself. 😉 F-stop also has a new line of accessory bags that work with the molle loops on the side of the bag as well as one the left belt strap. Check them out here.

Let’s get into the details. The harness has some of the best foam I’ve seen. Very soft. It feels like neoprene (it could be). The harness itself is a tad short for me with HEAVY loads. With 40 (my pack with gear and water and skis and boots was pushing 60lbs) I can’t quite get all the weight off my shoulders and onto my hips. I have a walk around for this though where I just add in some additional webbing to the shoulder straps, not idea, but it works. Initially I felt the webbing size was a bit small on the shoulder straps (it’s ~1″) but it’s strong enough to carry the load and I’m sure it saves a few grams which is never a bad thing. The bag also has a nice internal sleeve for a water bladder or snow tools. There’s a velcro loop above it to hold your bladder up. There’s also a port on the side for your “straw” to go out to your right shoulder strap. This pocket also works well for laptops in non back-country mode or shovels/probes/snow tools if you don’t use a bladder. There’s an external pocket with a vertical zipper on center for your shovel blade as well. This was a tad bit tight for my lifelink blade, but it goes in w/o any force and you can get it out in a hurry, it’s just a bit of a geometry quiz getting it in (it WAS 5am in a cold parking lot with no sleep in ~22 hours though ;)). The handle, snow saw and probe all fit in along side the ICU. My lifelink snowsaw JUST fits in, I actually have to flex it a bit to fit but it works well for me. Skis slide in the side with a solid strap at the bottom and one with a buckle up top. Skis cover the molle loops on the side when there, but that’s life with skis in an A-frame. I prefer diagonal carry myself which can be done with some additional “gatekeeper” straps they have on their site. They also offer a rain cover for an additional $20 (IMHO that should be included, but the price is fair I guess). The same gatekeeper straps can go on the top or bottom of the bag, which means you have options to add things to your bag (tropod, sleeping bag, tent, skis etc) on the top, or bottom (via gatekeepers) or the sides and back using the straps provided. A snowboard would also work on the back.

Here you can see how I’ve been shooting with this bag. Initially it was to keep the bag from getting dirty in places where I couldn’t set it down. But after needing this a few times in some wicked winds, I’ve found I REALLY like having a backpack under my tripod whenever I can. It gives me great access, but also makes the tripod more stable:

Final Thoughts: The loka is a backpack first and a camera bag second. Don’t take this to mean it’s not a great camera bag, in fact it’s fantastic, it’s just that it’s meant to be more than that. If you want to carry JUST camera gear in a backpack all day everyday, this will work, but it’s not the point. That’s what thinktank and lowepro are making bags for. If you’re going outside, on less traveled routes, hiking or skiing or doing anything else fun, that’s where the loka shines. It’s just like the backpack you have and love now, only it adds in the option of adding in ICUs for your camera. This makes it an amazing camera bag designed to go anywhere with you. No, it’s not perfect, but it’s closer than anything else on the market. If you’re on the fence between this and say the thinktank or lowepro I mentioned, get the others, you dont’ need this bag. If you’re on the fence between this or a burton or dakine photo bag (you know who you are) then this is the EXACT bag you need. Don’t balk at the price, it’s worth it. The bag also takes their new line of dakota accessories (modular pouches) or bags from thinktank or lowepro etc. There are also straps on all sides of the bag, back, top, bottom and both sides (some require additional “gatekeeper” straps). This allows you to customize this bag and add a lot of extra goodies on the outside should you need more room but don’t want to upgrade the size of the backpack itself. If you’re going outside to do fun things and bring a camera along with you, this is the bag for you (or at least the system).

Pros:

• lightweight pack
• ICUs come in different sizes to fit your exact needs
• space in the bag for NON photo gear
• space for a water bladder and snow tools
• has an optional rain cover
• has a great harness (padding is amazing)
• awesome rubber coating on the bottom
• straps on the back and sides for skis, tripods or anything else you need
• provisions for gatekeeper straps on the top and bottom for adding even more gear
• molle loops on the sides and left belt strap for adding accessory bags (f-stops dakotas or thinktank etc modular bags)