Rating

A GEEK’S DILEMMA

In addition to my like affair with all things Apple (sans those moments of invasive encroachment upon my electronic liberty), I am a lover of photography and photography related technologies. Like many photo-Geeks, I like to carry along my MacBook and a DSLR when leaving the house. Considering the size of most DSLRs, finding a backpack that would allow one to securely and comfortably carry both pieces of tech has never been an simple task. If you could find a backpack that could meet the above mentioned requirements, it generally was large, bulky, and non-pleasing aesthetically (let’s just say it, Hideous).

As a leader in this space, Lowepro has been producing a wide selection of protective carrying solutions for photographic and electronic devices since 1967. Prior to my evaluation of the product reviewed in this article, my experience with Lowepro was limited to word of mouth and the occasional scanning of an online review. I was excited to finally get my tech stained hands on one of these vaunted products from Lowepro. As I awaited the delivery of the Fastpack 250, I felt a sense of excitement. Would this be a fantastic solution to the problem facing so many Geeks, or would it be another in the long line of also-rans relegated to the pile of bags and backpacks that just didn’t fit the bill?

DESIGN

Once the Fastpack 250 arrived, I removed it from the shipping container and found a bag that was well constructed and stout.

The front offers a huge main compartment to store just about anything you need on your trip (more on this compartment later). Additionally, there is a smaller quick-access compartment in front of the main compartment for those small things you need to access quickly. In the lower section of the front, a buckle-secured flap doubles as a cover for the zipper clad storage compartment underneath and a camera compartment opening guard (more on this later).

The business end of the Fastpack is the left side (when worn on the back) of the backpack. This is where all the magic happens, so to speak. Moving from the back to the front, The first compartment is secured by a zipper that runs the vertical length of the bag. This is designed to securely carry a widescreen notebook computer with a screen size measuring up to 15.4″ in length. I really liked the ease with which the side opening allowed me to insert and remove my notebook. IMO, this is much simpler than the normal top load backpack.

Moving forward from the computer compartment, what I consider to be the greatest selling point of this backpack, is the side access camera compartment. The intelligent design of this compartment really sets the Lowepro products which utilize this feature, apart. The previously mentioned front flap provides a guard against opening the side access too far and dumping your expensive camera equipment onto the not so friendly ground below. The side access opening was designed to allow you to easily slip the backpack off the right shoulder so that the backpack may then slide under your left shoulder. With the backpack still anchored by the left shoulder strap, you may easily access your camera for that quick picture opportunity. You can then easily secure your camera back within the backpack, slide it back over both shoulders, and done.

The right side of the backpack provides a mesh pocket with a drawstring. This is handy for a water bottle or something that requires immediate access. The drawstring is a nice addition to provide the greatest flexibly possible.

The back of the Fastpack 250 is designed to properly distribute the weight associated with carrying around a notebook computer, DSLR camera, and all the associated connectors, adapters, and cables. In addition to the two appropriately padded and very comfortable shoulder straps, Lowepro has added a secondary support system to the Fastpack 250 through a padded adjustable waist-belt (more on this later).

While I am a fan of simplicity in design, I am also attracted to gorgeous, sexy, and svelte industrial designs. I guess that is why I have been a fan of most of the products which have been mercilessly thrust upon me and my severely depleted bank account by that captain of Cupertino and his merry band of minstrels. As such, I want to see Lowepro trim a few inches from the overall size of the Fastpack. Indeed, it would take some rethinking in-order to continue to allow someone like myself to carry a full-frame DSLR and a ubiquitous notebook, in a design that was as thin and sexy as physically possible. Don’t get me incorrect, I like this bag. But, I could like it even more if it were a small less.

FEATURES

Lowepro has taken a very straight forward and simple design perspective for the Fastpack 250. There are not a lot of gadgets and gismos here. Just a well constructed backpack with three major sections (computer, camera, and storage). It is refreshing to find a product that is simplified around and focused upon doing a really fantastic job on the basics of what a backpack in this space should be. Just what you need, nothing more, nothing less. Jump to the product page for the specs.

USABILITY

The Fastpack 250 arrived just in time (thanks Vanessa) for me to take it on a vacation/photowalk I had plotted with my family. I knew this would give me a chance to really place the Fastpack to the test. The night before we left on the trip, I laid out most everything (sans clothing items) I would be packing in the Fastpack 250 during my photowalks.

As you can see, the Fastpack 250 can handle pretty much whatever you throw at it. While the spacious main storage compartment can indeed handle both large and small items, I found it hard to find particular items because everything must be placed into one huge compartment. My work around was to combine similar items into ziplock bags and then place all the bags into the compartment. This compartment would be much more usable if it was divided into different sections through one or more dividers that could be arranged as needed similar to the camera compartment.

With the Fastpack 250 loaded with my MacBook Air, Canon 5D2, adapters, cables, water etc., I was off for a day of fun under the sun. While the weight of the pack was substantial, I was able to dramatically lessen the stress on my upper body and shoulders by buckling and adjusting the waist-belt. I could hardly believe the difference once the belt was employed. It was like night and day. Once I arrived back home from my trip, I left everything but the MacBook Air in the Fastpack and added a White MacBook and then changed that out for a 15″ MacBook Pro. While the weight change for each notebook was noticeable, the waist-belt evenly distributed the weight and allowed the added weight to be carried comfortably. Fantastic Job Lowepro!

As I stated above, the greatest feature of this backpack, IMO, is the side access camera compartment. With the Fastpack fully loaded, I was able to remove the right shoulder strap, slide the entire pack under my left shoulder, easily remove my camera and, “get the shot.” Restoring my camera into the Fastpack was just as simple as removing my precious (sorry for the Rings reference). At no time did I worry about the security of my highly sensitive and expensive electronics. I reckon this is the best endorsement I could give any bag or backpack.

MAKING A Fantastic PRODUCT EVEN BETTER

As noted above, there are a few areas which could be improved to make this fantastic product even better. Adding configurable dividers to the main storage compartment would allow a better utilization of this large compartment. Because the Fastpack 250 will generally carry substantial weight, adding a pad to the top handle would allow the pack to be lifted without any discomfort to the hand. Finally, a small redesign on the next version to reduce the overall size and footprint while maintaining the basic storage capabilities would widen the appeal of this product to a larger customer base.

MyMac.com Rating:

I am very impressed with the Lowepro Fastpack 250. It is a simple design that securely protects your computer and camera while providing simple access to your gear. Even with the minor recommended improvements, this is a strong product that should be a serious contender for anyone in the market for a backpack within this category. I am awarding the Lowepro Fastpack 250 an outstanding rating of 4.5 out of 5 in our MyMac.com Rating System.

Original Review – http://mymac.com/showarticle.php?id=3725

Rating

I was considering the Lowepro slingshot 200 and the Fastpack 250, and boy am I glad I went with the fastpack. Here’s a quick side by side comparison:

1. Camera storage compartment: pretty much identical between the two models.

2. Ease of Access: Much simpler and more comfortable for the fastpack; just let go of the right strap and swing the bag around. The slingshot swings around and ends up on your chest, pretty awkward feeling/looking; the fastpack ends up near your left waist, allowing you to suavely draw your slr.

3. Size: the fastpack is bulkier than the slingshot, though not by much.

4. Price: the same for both models.

Other random fastpack 250 notes:

1. Laptop storage compartment: the zipper opens along the side, not around the whole backpack.

2. Cellphone pocket: my samsung t-629 fits very snugly.

3. I use this bag for school, storing a slim folder in the laptop pocket, and a couple of 8×6 books in the top compartment.

Rating

My husband and I needed a travel camera bag for our new Nikon D90, but wanted some space for other stuff while on the plane (books, snacks). This bag worked out fantastic for our trip to Kauai. It fits under the airplane seats, fits our D90 with a 18-105 zoom and also fits our 70-300 zoom (sideways – it is too tall to be positioned front to back), so we have no room for more lenses, but it works well for what we have – the camera will fit with either lens attached and we liked the side entry, simple to get to the camera while still wearing the pack. Also liked the laptop compartment which made getting the laptop in and out at the airport simple. Another plus was that it protected the camera and lenses very well, which was tested when my husband slipped and fell two times on a hike in Kauai (in his defense it had been raining and the clay there is really slippery). Once he landed pretty hard on the bottom of the pack, but the camera was fine (only his pride was hurt:). Comfortable to wear – the waist strap seemed a small high – we never used it. There were times we wished it was just a small larger, and if we got more lenses, this pack would no longer work, but it was fantastic for this trip. Only other drawback we saw was there was no tripod strap (probably due to the handy side entry for the camera), so you would need to get inventive to make your own if you wanted that. A excellent buy – we are enjoying it – excellent quality and flexibility.

Rating

I bought this for my trip to Paris in August. It meets the specs to use as carry-on with all your airlines. This made it an even better buy, because I didn’t want to have to place my camera and lenses with checked luggage. I use a Canon XSi with the kit lens, 50 mm lens, and 55-250 mm lens. I had the 55-250 mm attached and it fit perfectly, wasn’t a snug fit, but I wasn’t worried about lens coming unattached or breaking. Other lenses fit nice and snug. Compartments can also be configured based on your personal needs. Bag didn’t leak, carried it in the rain in Paris for about a 2 blocks and had no leak problems. The laptop compartment will certainly fit a unibody MacBook Pro 15 inch. I reckon it’ll fit a 17 inch with no problem. The upper compartment held card reader and remote. It also has plenty of room. Very comfortable to wear and doesn’t feel like you’re carrying a lot, I carried a full load the whole time. The only thing missing is a way to attach a tripod, I’ve found a sew shop here the will make me one for less than $5. The thing I really liked about the bag was that it doesn’t look like a camera bag, very inconspicuous. Paris is known for pick pockets.