National Geographic Earth Explorer Large Backpack for Cameras, Camcorders, Lenses and up to a 17" Notebook & Accessories

2010-04-11T21:00:00

Needed to get rid of my three camera bags and get all my gear into one pack. This pack did that for me. Now all my gear is stowed in one place and easy to get to.. It is a bit big but so far I'm happy with it.. Its a great camera pack

roswellalien

2008-12-15T19:00:00

I originally bought the Adorama knock off of this only to find out that their brand would not hold a 15 inch laptop,yet was advertised to hold a 17 inch laptop.[...]National Geo backpack. It is maybe the best backpack I have ever owned, and I have been using a backpack system for more then 30 years.I would change the harness for a quick release system instead of the tie downs going through the buckles.If for some reason you need to get out of this pack in a hurry, you can't! Where ever I go people compliment the backpack and ask me questions about it's worthiness. I tell them to go down and buy one if they are serious about getting their equipment [...]

james c.

2008-06-11T21:00:00

I use this backpack to carry all of my camera/hiking gear for all of my dayhikes. The backpack is very comfortable and is quite adjustable, it is a large pack but I'm a bigger guy so it works very well for me. There is a ton of room in this pack. There are only two things I don't really care for about it, one is the lack of padding for the camera gear. The second and biggest issue with this product is the small amount of velcro inside of the camera compartment and on the dividers themselves. I find that after my hikes my equipment shifts around a bit due to the weak velcro. I'm going to purchase some 4" wide velcro and recover all of the surfaces so that my dividers "stick" better. Other than the 2 complaints I have listed above I really do love this pack. I typically carry around 40lbs of gear with no issues at all, I love the understated look of the pack as well.

Matthew R.

2007-08-23T21:00:00

The Earth Explorer Backpack is very large. I am 6'1" with a large frame and it seems large on me. The backpack is loaded with pockets of all sizes which is extremely useful. Seems like I discover a new pocket each time I wear it. Construction of the Earth Explorer is first rate with hemp straps and solid brass buckles. This bag has an old world rugged look to it that says its ready for serious travel. It comes with a rain cover in its own pouch which you will need to store somewhere in the bag. I loaded the Earth Explorer down with about forty pounds of camera gear and it was very comfortable to wear. Have not yet had the chance to try it out on a hike, but I suspect it would be wear very well. The Earth Explorer has three compartments. Compartment one is dedicated for a laptop up to 17” and is accessed by a zipper on the left side of the bag. The top compartment is large enough to hold a days worth of snacks, some extra clothing or an extra SLR camera body. Note: the top compartment floor can be removed via a zipper to make a single extremely large camera compartment. The main camera gear compartment easily holds my Canon 1DS Mark 2 with 70-200 2.8L IS USM lens attached (hood inverted). In addition there is room for a second body, a couple of extra lens and a flash. Here is my issue with the main compartment. The padding on the walls and bottom of the bag are adequate, but just. It does not have the supple padded feel of my LowePro bags. Additionally, the Velcro strips used to secure the dividers is woefully inadequate. I never feel like they are going to stay put and am afraid that my gear is going to move around, but so far it has not. So do I recommend the Earth Explorer Large Backpack? In short YES, but please be mindful of the following: 1. The Camera gear padding is just adequate 2. Inadequate Velcro strips that hold the dividers. 3. This bag is extremely large and requires a 6' tall owner with a large frame to carry it. Empty the bag feels heavy.

danno

2007-02-04T19:00:00

This is a nice camera bag and it does not looks like it may contain expensive camera equipment and a laptop. It's a nice roomy, comfortable "bag".

biscuit

2007-01-10T19:00:00

Carrying two pro digital SLR's with three lenses, laptop and accessories, I used this pack on a 13-day tour or Tanzania and would have been 100% satisfied if it was just a fraction smaller with a few other adjustments. The velcro closures need to be replaced with snaps so as not to be so loud when retrieving gear. While the customizable camera section is handy, equipment should be accessible independent of the top compartment opening while retaining a secure closure. The waist belt is useful and comfortable, but should be removable rather than sewn in to help trim some weight. Like the previous poster mentions, it will fit in the overhead compartment of an airline, but just. Other manufacturers have figured out the laptop storage/accessibility/protection issue (LowePro, Tamrac, Tenba) and this bag is adequate, but still has some room to evolve. Now for the good; the myriad pockets are a welcome boon to any photographer as are the rings to attach carabiners and other gear. I used all of the pockets and still had room for more (not weight-wise though, due to airline restrictions). Even when loaded with all my gear, it retained a relatively slim profile. I walked through a few stores with the pack on and didn't have to worry about knocking into every shelf. Khaki is the perfect color for this bag as it does not attract unwanted attention as a camera backpack or insects. Black bags also soak up the heat. The top compartment, while not easy to access without unstrapping, is plenty roomy for a light jacket or quick shirt/shorts change. I used it to hold snacks and sometimes the second SLR body with short lens. The rain cover came in very handy and protected well during the frequent light showers we encountered. I don't think I would try to brave torrential downpours with it, but it'll do as a quick-fix until you can find proper cover. Took about a minute to wrestle it onto the bag. I'd ditch the big National Geographic logo silk screened on the outside, personally. If you have shoulder bags and backpacks for your camera gear and laptops this one will round out your collection nicely and find some good use.

dshootist

2006-11-30T19:00:00

I hauled this pack all over central Europe this spring and summer and it never failed me. While is is big, it still fits in the overhead compartment of a transatlantic airliner. Fully packed, it weighed about 45 pounds, but due to its back cushion was still comfortable to carry. I had about $10,000 worth of equipment in it, including my laptop, two digital SLR's and multiple lenses as well as all accessories such chargers, batteries, multiplugs etc. Nothing broke and everything was always accessible. Great buy if you are planning a great trip. I found no shortcomings.

Hartmut U.