Pros & Cons
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- Can double as a day-pack; slick side-zipper access to cameras; hard to wear out.
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- Weather-sealed main zippers take some effort to open and close.
The Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo / Laptop backpack (model 3385, $110 street) could be the only backpack you ever own. With all the inserts in place, it holds a digital SLR camera, multiple lenses and accessories in the bottom half, stuff in the top half, and a 17-inch laptop in a padded slot against your back. Remove the inserts, then remove the top-bottom divider (it takes a lot of pulling, but it comes out), and you've got a big single-compartment daypack. You can access your cameras from the top or side (the Dual Access part of the name). There's not much to dislike about this backpack except the main zippers take effort to open and close, and that's because they're seriously weather-sealed.
This is a traditional backpack strap design with two padded shoulder straps rather than a messenger sling, and no waist band. To get at your gear in a hurry, slide off the right shoulder strap, then swing the bag under you left shoulder, and unzip the side (now on top) access panel. Very slick.
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Final Thoughts
Tamrac Speed Pack
This versatile, well-constructed camera bag does double duty as a regular backpack when you remove inner compartment walls.