Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW backpack review

Designed for the SLR ‘prosumer’ who’s eager to take their photography to the mountain, the Photo Sport 200 AW is the best trail-orientated camera pack we’ve tried.

At its heart is a side-accessed camera compartment that’s completely separate from the main 14-litre compartment. This allows quick and easy access to camera gear without taking the pack off – a bonus when it comes to minimising the trailside faff that can ruin the flow of a ride.

The padded camera pocket holds a ‘normal’ size SLR and lens, while the drawstring cinched, top-accessed main compartment easily swallows up a day’s riding paraphernalia with room to spare. A hydration pocket with room for a three-litre bladder sits between the comfortable EVO memory foam back panel and the main pack. This means the watery danger is kept reassuringly distant from the camera gear.

The PU coated ripstop material wards off scrapes and damp alike, while the pullout rain cover did a sterling job of keeping the pack’s contents dry during a week of challenging Scottish riding weather. The narrow, contoured back minimises sweat build-up on epic days out, while its compact size and well-designed shoulder straps and waist belt keep it stable on technical trails.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.