Gear Review: LowePro CompuDaypack
If we’ve learned one thing from our travels it’s to pack light. I own a camera bag and find it useful not only for carrying the digital still camera but, since I don’t own a digital SLR with multiple lenses, I also use it carry my mini-DV camera, GPS, MP3 player and various other gadgets. The padded movable divisions inside the camera bag keep all my electronics in place and prevent them from crashing into each other or getting scratched.
The problem is that I also need to carry a laptop case and a daypack when I travel. Preferably, I want a backpack with a padded pocket for the computer. I like to take the computer with me when I go sightseeing in case I stumble onto a handy hot stop or Internet café where I can check my email and update the blog. The daypack is needed to carry water, snacks, and/or a raincoat or extra layer in case it gets cold.
I’ve been searching for a backpack that can meet all my needs for some time. I’ve visited a few photo shops and websites; however, most backpack camera bags are geared towards the professional photographer and only provide room for camera bodies and lenses with little room left over for a laptop or other gear.
The Lowepro CompuDaypack is like a small backpack with a rectangular camera bag attached to the bottom. The camera bag part has three compartments that can be further subdivided using movable padded tabs with Velcro attachments. The backpack part has two compartments, one that will hold up to a 17″ notebook computer and another main compartment with pockets for MP3 players, cell phones and/or PDAs as well as space for pencils and other odds and ends.
Though less than voluminous, the main compartment has enough space left over for a lightweight shell and/or fleece jacket plus one or two water bottles. The pack also has a small zippered pocket in the front for an MP3 player with a port for threading the headphone wire so you can listen to music while on the go. The headphone cable port seems relatively waterproof.
The straps are contoured and feel very comfortable although I have not worn the pack fully loaded yet. There is also plenty of padding where your back meets the pack and the breathable fabric should help ventilate your back on hot days. The pack is accented with a choice of burnt orange, leaf green or stale gray giving it a sharp look reminiscent of some of Tumi’s previous collections. The CompuDaypack is available from nation-wide retailers such as BestBuy, REI and Amazon and sells for about $80.
