I have introduced the F-Stop Loka backpack before when it went up for pre-order and I have been excitedly waiting for this pack for a very long time, ever since I was signed up as part of F-Stop’s Faction pro team a few years ago. At that time the Tilopa and Satori were the main backpacks in their lineup but there needed to be a slightly smaller pack to fit more peoples needs. As well as myself, F-Stop also signed up the very best action and adventure photographers like Christian Pondella, Tim Kemple and Sven Martin to test their packs and contribute to the development of the new products. On top of the new Loka pack, bag designer Ian Miller also began to develop updated ICU (Internal Camera Units) for the new bags based on our feedback and also feedback from previous customers. The final production versions of the new Loka and the ICUs have just shipped to pre-order customers so it’s time to take an in depth look at them.
Part of the idea behind the F-Stop gear is that it is not just a bag, it is a system consisting of different sized packs and different sized ICUs. When you buy a bag, you choose which ICUs you wish to purchase with it. You can choose just one, two or all of them. Smaller ICUs in a bigger bag allow you more room to pack other outdoor gear that you might need for your adventures. Right now the updated ICUs detailed in the following photos are available in small, medium and large. An extra-large version is also in the works for next year. If there is another backpack or bag that you want in the future, all you need to do is purchase the shell and slide your ICU right into it. The ICUs also work extremely well for organizing your gear in your office so you might even want to pick up a couple of extra ones to keep on your shelves as storage. Packing your bags is easy when the ICU is outside the bag and you can make sure you have everything you need before sliding it into the the shell.
Do your research and read my other reviews !
Guru – 28 liter all purpose mountain pack for small & medium ICU
Tilopa BC – 48 liter backcountry specific pack for small,medium & large ICU.
Loka– 37 liter all purpose mountain pack for small,medium & large ICU.
Satori EXP – 62 liter expedition photography pack for small, medium, large, XL and Monster ICU
Great care has gone into the design of the harness system system to make sure it is both adjustable for a variety of sizes and also to make sure that the often heavy camera loads are transferred to your body in the right way when doing adventurous activities. For those who have had previous Tilopas and Satoris from F-Stop, the Loka features a larger hip belt with a sturdier buckle as well as a redesigned back panel that will dry out quicker by absorbing less water.
As I mentioned before, the Loka is smaller than the Tilopa and the Satori. It carries its weight much closer to your body and has a slimmer profile than the other bags. Designed as a lightweight pack for a days mountain biking, skiing or snowboarding at your local mountain or hiking and traveling. As you will see from the photos below though you can expand the usage much further. Although the Tilopa and Satori are a little more suited to everyday extreme backoutry missions, the Loka can still carry a huge amount of gear. I was able to easily fit a Canon 1dMKIV, a Canon 300mm f2.8 and 5 other lenses in the bag along with all the necessary backcoutry gear. I think you will also find that the bag is so comfortable and aesthetically pleasing that you will find any excuse to use it though! A weekend city break where you want to take 1 body and a couple of lenses in the small ICU will still leave you plenty of room for clothing for a couple of days. Airline travel is also an excellent use because its svelte design belies the huge amount of gear you can fit into it and will draw little attention from those pesky gate agents who want to weigh our bags! It also looks much more like a regular backpack than a camera bag so it has a certain amount of urban camouflage making you less likely to be a target to thieves on your travels. Unless you are waving a shiny 70-200 around that is.
The Loka backpack and ICUs are only available to purchase directly from F-Stop on their website HERE. All their gear features a 45 day satisfaction guarantee and a 20 year warranty against manufacturing defects.
The specifications of the Loka are as follows:
- Volume: 37 Liter / 2,260 Cubic Inches
- Available in three colors; Grey Mist, Foliage Green and Black
- Weight: 1565 Grams – 3.45lbs (No ICU)
- Dimensions: 12.6” x 23″ x 8.5″ (60cm x 32cm x 22cm) International airline ready!
- Internal Compartment Dimensions: 12” x 22” x 8”
- Torso Length: 18.5” – Ideal for 5’6″ to 6’2″ (167cm to 188cm)
- Aluminum internal Frame for support carrying heavy loads.
- Fabric Info: Ballistic Rip-stop Nylon, Abrasion Resistant Nylon Webbing, High Density foam, Heavy Gauge Zippers, YKK Waterproof Zippers, Waterproof Urethane coasted mesh
Instead of listing every little design feature of the bag I thought it better to just take a TON of photos. We are photographers after all!
All F-Stop bags and ICUs now come in a protective sack. If you have multiple ICUs of different sizes these are great to store them away and keep them clean and dust free.
Left to right. Large, medium, small ICU
The medium ICU in the center has a tapered shape. One end is tall enough for small DSLR bodies and the other end is tall enough for pro sized DSLRs. This allows a little more room in the bag to pack extra gear like clothing.
Medium ICU detail. All ICUs now ship with velcro attached elastic straps for securing lens and bodies during adventurous activities and travel.
The body retention strap is reinforced in the middle to protect the strap and the inside of the bag from the metal edged hot-shoe on top of your camera.
All ICUs have a convenient carrying handle, D-rings for attaching a shoulder strap and loops to retain the ICU inside the backpack
This image shows how much room is left in the top of the Loka backpack with a Large ICU inserted
This image shows how much room is left in the top of the Loka backpack with a Medium ICU inserted. You can see the additional room at the front of the bag created by the tapered design of the Medium ICU. You can also see the elasticated interior pocket which can be used for clothing, shovel blades.
This image shows how much room is left in the top of the Loka backpack with a Small ICU inserted
The F-Stop Loka backpack. Also available in black.
Low placement horizontal straps help to stabilize a snowboard when carrying it on your back.
Seam sealed zippers on the front protect from the elements.
Water bladder compatible. The hose hole for the bladder velcros shut securely when not in use to prevent snow/sand/dirt/rain from entering the pack.
2 easy and secure options for tripod attachment depending on what else you are carrying on the pack.
Emergency whistle built into sternum strap
Water bladder hose control
The hip belt featured a zippered pocket on one side and a molle attachment zone on the other side for adding accessory lens pouches from F-Stop or other manufacturers like Think Tank.
Got ski poles, walking poles or ice axes ? No problem.
Snow shovel blades can either be stored in the front pocket or in the main interior pocket.
Shovel, shovel handle and avalanche probe inside the pack with a large ICU.
The base of the bag is made from waterproof TPU plastic to protect it from the elements when you take it off your back.
A hidden pocket in the TPU base for storage of the optional rain cover or just a hand place to keep some snacks!
The lid pocket features a clip to secure your memory card holders.
The pockets are designed to fit both pro and prosumer camera batteries
3 lenses and a pro sized body in the Small ICU
Pro body with 70-200 attached and extra lens in Small ICU
Pro body and 6 lens (with room to spare) in the Medium ICU
300mm f2.8, pro body and 3 more lenses in the Large ICU
300mm f2.8, pro body with 70-200 attached and 2 extra lenses in Large ICU
300mm f2.8 in Small ICU. Perfect for storage and travel.
This combination of Small ICU & Medium ICU fits simultaneously into the F-Stop Loka backpack. Look at all that gear! In this configuration you can still fit all your backcountry gear like shovels, probes and extra food in your pack!
If you have made it all the way down here to the bottom of the page you have probably gotten a pretty good idea for what this bag is like. This is a very high quality piece of gear and an incredible amount of time and effort has gone into making sure that this is the best adventure/outdoor photography bag on the market right now. Obviously I would say that though because it features some of my ideas 🙂 but that is why I gave you so many photos of it because I think you can figure that out by just looking at it .
You can place an order with F-Stop here on their website. And tell them I sent you!
Pricing for the Loka is as follows:
Loka backpack shell only – $279
Loka + 1 ICU – $339
Loka + 2 ICUs – $399
Loka + 3 ICUs – $449
But you can also order any number and any combination of ICUs via the site.
If you have any questions about the bags or ICU please leave a comment below. I know them inside out so I should be able to help you out!
![Last Day To Enter LensCoat’s Photo Contest [I’m Judging]](https://dancarrphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/lenscoat-photo-contest-150x150.jpg)
Dan,
These bags look amazing.
Once ive got some money in my pocket, i think I’ll be getting one.
One question… its always annoying for me digging through packs to get stuff out especially when on the hill. If you have the small or medium ICU in the bag and extra clothes or whatever on top, is there an external zip to access your gear, or do you have to pull the extra stuff out and then pull the ICU out and re-pack when you’re finished?
Cheers
Hey Sam. The whole back panel opens up on the pack as in this photo here https://dancarrphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/101014_7791_dancarr.jpg
So when you need access to your camera gear you open the back panel and then unzip the panel on the ICU. Mostly when I’m shooting I actually dont even close the ICU panel. Just close the back panel instead.
This photo from an older article about the bigger older version of the Satori pack also shows what I mean.
https://dancarrphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/img_9706.jpg
Does that answer your question?
Great post. New ICU’s look great. I think the new Medium ICU holds just about as much gear as the 1st Gen Large ICU does. Looks like a small downgrade but more room in my pack!
Yeh, that does answer my question.
Thanks a lot.
Yeah Ben. The new ICUs do hold roughly what the one above them held last time round. I used to need the Xl to get my 300 in but now the L is fine.
Is it possible to fit 2 bodies, with 2 lenses on, in the small ICU?
Duc, which lenses ?
Obviously not 2 x 70-200 or anything like that……. let me know what you want to fit and if I have them I’ll try it out.
Dan,
Thanks for the great images, quick question though. Could you tell me the approximate folder height of your tripod, my main concern with this pack is its ability to carry a Gitzo 3541LS. Thank you.
21 inches mate. I think thats about the same as the Gitzo no ? Maybe an inch shorter but I dont think you’d have any issues. I have been looking at getting the 3541 too, or maybe the new RRS TVC-23. Not sure yet.
Thanks, Dan. Just some Zeiss like the 21, 35 and 100. Not that I have them now, but that’s the plan.
And can you fit the small + medium inside. What are the capacity of that combo compared with the large?
Duc I’m afraid I don’t have any of those Zeiss lenses. Can I suggest that you look up the dimensions of the canon 1dMKIV and 70-200 f4 IS that I have in the Small ICU. And then compare that to the dimensions of your Zeiss.
As for your second question…… Yes , please refer to the last picture I posted. As I said there you can fit both the Medium and Small in the bag simultaneously. And you can judge from the gear in the photos how the capacity compares pretty well. That combo is bigger than the large as you will see.
Dan, is the front pocket large enough to hold a shovel blade, handle, and probe? I prefer to keep all of my avy gear in one place, separate from the main compartment and not lashed to the outside of the pack. Thanks.
Hmm probably not Adam. If that is an absolute necessity then check out the Tilopa backpack which is a little larger and designed more with big backcountry missions in mind.
That sucks. I was under the impression/expecting that the designers of this pack would have thought of this.
Adam I’m not sure I see the problem here the designers of this bag DID think of that, its called the Tilopa! The Tilopa is like a Loka but with a dual layered pocket on the front big enough for all that stuff.
In fact the new Tilopa is called the Tilopa BC and will be released in a couple of months. That is designed to be a backcountry pack. If they had made a larger pocket on the front of the Loka then it would have increased it’s bulk and volume almost in line with the Tilopa so you would have a product crossover which is totally pointless and then you anger the people who all called for smaller, lighter, slimmer packs. With different packs, everyone is happy. Except they can’t all be made simultaneously.
When they had just the Tilopa and Satori people who wanted on mountain packs said they were too big, so this is the pack for them. If you need the feature you say, then the Tilopa is the bag that is designed for you not the Loka. Having a slimmer design with a small front pocket also helps keep the weight closer to your body which is much better for skiing.
Personally for me even if I did want to use this pack in the BC I would just put the blade and probe in the front pocket and the handle on the side of the bag. There are loops that are just wide enough for the handle to slip into wo make sure there is a secure fit. That said, most people want to carry the whole lot inside the bag anyway and use the front pocket for things they need more regularly like extra layers and food. There is no speed advantage to keeping the avy gear in the front of the bag, still only 1 zipper away and the main compartment zipper will always be a wider opening so if anything , if you needed that stuff in a split second it will be quicker from the main area.
Otherwise just wait for the new Tilopa BC. It has all the features of the Loka, but with a larger front pocket and sllightly more interior room and an even chunkier waist belt to support the bigger load.
Hmm, sounds like the Tilopa BC is better suited for my needs avy gear-wise but the whole reason I was excited about the Loka was that it was small. I don’t want a big photo pack since I usually only carry one body and one or two lenses w/ me (70-200 2.8 and something shorter), and I was planning on using this thing w/o ICU as my normal ski pack on non-shooting days.
IME, most other camera packs don’t ski/carry very well since they’re designed as camera packs first but the Satoris and Tilopas that I have used (as flash mule for Grant Gunderson) have been amazing. They’re just a bit big for just ripping around w/o camera and flash gear. That’s why I was excited about the Loka; it seemed to be the perfect size for someone like me that wanted a fully-featured ski pack that could be small enough for chairlift rides and could also be a fully-featured camera pack… with the full BC kit.
Basically, I’m the guy that wanted a slimmer lighter Tilopa, but apparently I’m the opposite of the “most people” since I’d rather have my avy gear separate from the mess and chaos that is the main compartment of my pack. That’s where my layers/skins/food/water/first aid/10 essentials/rope/etc. all live, and when I need to get my avy gear quickly (hopefully never), I don’t want to have to dig through all that stuff. All of the BC packs I’ve had in the past 10 years (BCA, Indigo, Osprey, BD, DaKine from 20-40L) have had separate compartments for avy gear, so I guess I’ve just gotten used to that. The only pack that didn’t have that was a Dana Designs from 1992 and it was a PITA to spill everything out to get my avy gear.
The F-stop thread on the TGR forum is what convinced me to pre-order the Loka and it’s waiting for me to return home from work. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if it’s as big of an issue as I think it is.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
FWIW, I was using the Dana pack the one time that I did have to get to my avy gear in an emergency situation. That was when I decided that keeping my avy gear all mixed up with everything was a bad idea.
I guess the thing I hadn’t considered is what else is in the main compartment. When I use it I have the largest sized ICU in there. So all the there things you listed are not there. Just an ICU and the shovel, probe and handle making them easy enough to grab and extract. I can see that if you had all that other stuff in there it would be a bit of a PITA to dig through all that stuff.
It’s very hard to accommodate everyone exactly, you have to shoot for the “most people” thing. Like I said, a pocket big enough on the front of the loka would really almost turn it into a Tilopa.
Any info on any significant changes to the Tilopa in the new version Dan? I’m about to pull the trigger on a nearly new Tilopa for a decent price.
Dan, What is a better setup IYHO,
Would you recommend just getting the large ICU to store all my gear,
D3s, 24-70, 70-200, and 300mm 2.8 or using two ICU like you have pictured with the 300 in the small ICU and camera and smaller lenses in the medium ICU?
Steven
If you can only have one of the solutions, go with the large ICU.
Forgot to ask, what camera strap do you use on your Canon 1DS mkIV
The strap is some kind of Optech strap that Canon gave me. The padded bit is removable so it is not on there in the photos. Makes it easier to pack.
Thanks for the info Dan,
So when you go out shooting for the day and you know you are going to use both your 70-200 and your 300mm 2.8 you would rather have them all in the large ICU as opposed to carrying them both in the small and medium icu?
Oh yeah forgot to ask you how do you like using RRS MH-01 High Capacity Monopod Head? Do you feel this is a must have
Steven
Steven in the 2 ICU configuration it is hard, if not impossible to pull the 300mm out from the back panel. You have to get it out using the main compartment zipper that is the cause for my preference. The bags were never designed to fit those 2 ICU simultaneously, its just a bit of luck. If you only occasionally use the 300 then you might be fine with that. Also the 2 ICU config you can fit way more stuff then I would be likely to take with me anyway.
As for the MH-01. Not a must have at all. I dont know anyone else with one, but I’m an RRS fanboy 🙂
Dan, that’s what I was afraid of, sounded like a nice idea to have two compartments but I also was concerned how hard it would be to actually pull out the lens when needed.
I think I will go with your recommendation and get the large ICU.
Yeah the MH-01 looks cool but for now I Just have a QR clamp on my mono pod.
Thanks again for all your help.
Steven
The front panel of the ICU (that zips open) doesn’t look as strongly padded as the back and sides. Is it padded at all? How waterproof is the ICU? Did it come with extra dividers for you to organize your lenses as you wish?
Sorry for the many questions, i’m quite keen on getting either the f Stop ICU (Large) or the Dakine Camera Block to fit into my new Incase Messenger Backpack!
Front panel is not so padded no. When its in the bag, the back panel of the pack is thickly padded so that does the protection and allows you to just tuck the icu lid away.
PLenty of dividers come with it. You can also order a whole second divider set for just a few bucks if you want to go crazy with it but I think there is plenty with it
Hey Dan,
Have spoken to you previously about the Loka. Super pumped to get it, tis exactly what i want. Only trouble is that I want to get the optional rain cover and hydration unit holder but see no option for it when i go to purchase. Spoke to someone directly from f-stop a while ago now and they said a new site would be up some time during October. Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Sean.
Sean yes I believe that stuff is not far off. The new site is due any day now but I honestly don’t know any more than that.
Hi, is burton’s f-stop pack a licensed copy of this one or a sort of collab ? I’m looking for a small and most low-profile backpack (just one pro body and lense for occasional shooting only while mostly riding all days long), i guess that the loka might be too big, thinking about the burton’s one.. what would you guys recommend ?
Burton one has nothing to do with this company. Burton one is super bulky and uncomfortable. The Loka would be perfect for what you are describing.
Hi, the f-stop website mentions that the Loka has a laptop sleeve, but I couldn’t see it in any photos? Up to what size laptop would fit with a small + medium ICU simultaneously? How about with just with the medium ICU?
Its totally unpadded , it will hold a 13″ laptop of the Macbook variety or small netbooks. Really if you want to carry a laptop I would recommend going with the Tilopa BC which I have detailed in another post because that one has a padded sleeve that will take anything.
You can see the sleeve in photo #11
Thanks Dan, I read your other post on the Tipola BC as well, but based on my needs (mostly camera gear + laptop + small personal items at most) and your recommendation at the end of that post I thought the Loka would be more appropriate. My thought is that besides the laptop I doubt I’ll need the extra space of the Tilopa BC, so I like the idea of the weight being closer to my centre of gravity with the Loka. Or could I still get the result using the compression straps on the BC?
I forgot to mention I’d be using a laptop sleeve case (neoprene or similar), which would mean I could live without the padded sleeve of the Tilopa BC. Thanks!
I just ordered one of these for an upcoming trip. Stoked on your review. It answered all the questions I had.
I’ve just got one more –
I get a terrible headache shooting events more than about an hour with a traditional strap. Is the D-ring on the Loka shoulder strap strong enough to attach a short single strap/leash and hang a Nikon D80 from it? I do outdoor travel stuff, so I would use this shooting on foot in cities, roaming about, etc., NOT while up riding or shooting snow. Mostly shorter lenses, nothing too bulky. I looked at the harness adapters from Think Tank, but they’re specific for their packs. Anybody mod the Loka to accept a front harness style hanger? I’m basically walking 3 cities in Spain and shooting. Pack will be on me during that time, carrying camera gear, jacket, food and all the daily essentials. In short, I’d like to replace the traditional neck strap with something attached to the Loka’s shoulder strap(s) instead. Suggestions or solutions would be welcome.
TIA!
Kelly.
Good question Kelly! I like the think tank straps but I can’t say for sure whether they would would work. However, you can find a solution from a company called optech. Google them and they have so many strap options. I feel sure there is a solution there probably. This is the section you need http://optechusa.com/system-connectors.html
You could get 2 pairs of the connectors. One attached to camera and one on the bag. This would work for sure, I use them for various shoulder straps.
hi dan,
i would like to order a bag to be shipped to the netherlands, but i couldnt find on the website if that is actually possible.
I dont mind if it takes a few monts to get here…i just rather would not buy it in the netherlands for price reasons.
Hope you can help me!
Thanks!
They will ship anywhere. Just go through the ordering process and put your address in.
Hi Dan,
I read that the Tilopa would hold a 13“ laptop, unpadded. However, would I be able to use it to carry my photo gear in a large ICU, with a 15“ laptop while traveling (flying). The Tilopa will be perfect for my BC ski trips but do not want to carry a seperate laptop bag while traveling to destination.
Thanks
Simon
I carry my 15″ laptop in it when I fly and I have an XL ICU in there too no problem in the Tilopa. But are you talking about the loka ??
Yes I I am talking about the Loka, sorry, I got mixed up.
Me again,
The Loka + medium ICU + 15“ laptop for traveling. Going BC, I would not carry the laptop.
Simon
Hmm, that would be a tight fit. I wouldn’t recommend it. If you want a laptop thats what the tilopa is for.
Hi Dan,
From what I can read, the difference between the Tilopa and the Loka would be the dept (8“versus 2“). The ICU`s are 7 1/2″ deep but the medium is tapered which would leave more space and I think I could fit my 15″ laptop in there. When I travel, I put all the low value stuff (like chargers and other accesories) in my checked luggage and only keep the laptop and lenses in my carry on. I really don’t want to carry a larger back pack for BC day trip and try to minimize to 1 carry on bag while traveling. I hope it would work.
Simon
Hey Dan
I’m looking at what icu to get I have 5d 17-40 50 1.4 and 70-200 2.8
I’m sure medium would fit easy but I’m trying to get more space the 70-200 2.8 is 2.2 cm more than the f4 do you think there would be enough room for 2.8 ? In the same configuration u showed in photo of small icu lens not attached ?
Thanks Dan
I’m not sure to be honest. I don’t have the 2.8 anymore so I can only guess as best you can from the photos. My guess would be no, you need the medium.
Hi Dan
just getting back about the 2.8, i just found a photo of a 2.8 in a small ICU from F-stop
so just in case anyone else asks looks like its tight but god to go 🙂
http://fstopgear.com/images/pi_10/icu/content/bin/images/large/_MG_6749.jpg
i got both the small and medium anyway (handy to have both)
Dan, do you have shots of where the water bladder goes, I know you can put them on the outside back pocket but somebody told me you can have it inside somewhere? Any help would be appreciated.
Dan, can you fit in a MacBook 13´ in the front pocket and safe?
I dont know, I have a 15″ so I can’t check that for you. Try asking the guys at F-Stop
I apologize up front is this question is obvious, but do you have to unload everything packed above the ICU in order to get to the contents of the ICU? I see the one photograph where the portion of the pack nearest your back unzips to give access to the ICU, but if you pull the whole unit out, obviously anytihng above it will fall and you will need to repack your pack. Can anyone elaborate on the ICU access?
Thanks,
D
No need to pull the ICU out when you are shooting. You just access it’s contents through the back panel. ICU stays in the bag. And you wouldnt normally open the back with the bag standing up like that either , it would normally be on the ground lying on its front so when you open the panel nothing falls out. See this video http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150240333214924
Tilopa BC or Loka?
I’m a newspaper photographer, so I need daily backpack for shooting in the city.
This is my gear: Canon 1D MARK IV, lenses 16-35, 70-200, 50 mm/1,8, fisheye, 2 flashes (sometimes 3 with small Radiopopper), small Gorillapod for flash and 13″ Macbook. Sometimes I need 100 mm macro lens for weddings. I think medium ICU will be the best. Am I right?
And because I’m a climber (mostly bouldering) and outdoor fan, I need place for climbing shoes, chalk bag, clothing for training, goretex jacket and some food. Sometimes food and 2nd layer clothing for 1-day trip.
Can you help me? Loka or Tilopa BC?
Thanks,
Lukas
Either would fit the gear you want. Yes I think a Medium ICU ought to work ok. Bit of a tight squeeze but doable. The differentiating factor for you is the laptop. Only the Tilopa has a padded laptop sleeve. The Loka sleeve is not padded. So do you want to give the laptop protection at all ?
Thank you for your answer. I’m not using Macbook every day and I have it in this cover: http://www.booqbags.com/Vyper-XS2-macbook-sleeve
I want to buy Macbook Air 11″ for field editing and travelling.
I’m having second thoughts 🙂
Well in that case for you I’d probably get the Loka.
Great pictures. This little pictorial has pretty much convinced me to go with the Loka. The only photo I wish you would have included is one with the bag set upright with the three ICU’s propped next to it to give us an idea of how much room will be left on top with ICU’s inside. It’s kind of hard to tell with the pictures you included that give us a view from above with the ICU’s inside. For day hikes where I’ll need to carry some extra stuff for myself and another, I’ll need to know what kind of space I’m looking at. Besides that, fantastic review!
Dear DAN,
Your review helped me decide among a variety of options. I think loka is all what i need. I want to buy this backpack to use while on trail on my mountain bike.
I was wondering though which ICU shall I purchase? The Medium shallow or the Medium Pro? I own a D7000 with Nikkor 18-55mm, 50-200mm, 35mm, an SB-900 flash and a set of pocketwizard. In the future I am planning to get also a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and a nikkor fisheye 10mm or sigma 16mm.
Please advice accordingly.
Thank you in advance
Regards
M
Hey Dan,
That’s a pretty detailed review, very well done. I’ve almost decided to go for Satori EXP for my expeditions but I am still very much confused between Satori and Loka. Tilopa BC would be a better mix of options for me but it’s not available in the Grey-Mist color in this stock and that’s the color I want the most. Do you have any word from F-stop as to when this pack would be available in Grey?
I am planning to buy a Medium Pro ICU with the package but I think Satori EXP will be a bit too large for me, I seem to love it though. One thing that I noticed is that only Satori doesn’t have the plastic sealed bottom and I couldn’t understand why, I mean okay it wasn’t designed for the purposes served primarily by Tilopa BC but it’s still an expedition level pro grade pack and it’s their flagship model. Or may be I am missing out some info on that? I think it’s a good feature and it should have been included in Satori as well.
Another concern is that of the torso length. What would be your suggestion for someone who is 5’7″? Do you think these packs would be too big/long for a person of that height and the body/bag weight proportions would not be properly managed?
Also what would be the bag of your choice between Guru and Kenti if you had to choose one favorite (apart from the fact that Guru takes ICUs and Kenti does not)?
Thanks a bunch for putting effort and giving us the opportunity to decide more wisely.
BR/Faisal` .
I had a question about usage. Most pictures of camera bags show small lenses on the side and the telephoto (70-200) attached to the body. What do you do when you are shooting with a 50mm? Where do you store the 70-200 if you swap lenses? In your picture of the Medium ICU there’s no where to put it. Thanks!
Well the dividers are arranged to accommodate the most used lens on the camera. You would simply have to re-arrange them to allow the 50 to be on camera.
Hi Dan,
thanks for all the nice work and the detailed pictures.
I kept coming back because I was still unsured what ICU I’d need. And now I finally realized, what puzzled me about your pictures: where did you put the lens hoods?? It pretty easy to fit all these lenses into a small or medium IC when omiting the hoods.
Are you not using lens hoods, or have you found a secret room where to put them?
Bye
joey
Ah good question, I put all the hoods into the top lid pocket.
Hi Dan,
Thank you so much for reviewing this bag. Nicely done =)
I am planning to get this bag, however, can’t decide on which ICU to take. Below is the list of gears that I might be carrying:
– 2x D700
– 14-24mm f/2.8
– 35mm f/1.4
– 60mm f/2.8
– 85mm f/1.4
– SB900
– iPad
Any idea which ICU might fit my requirements?
Many thanks, Dan =)
You’re going to need the large one if you plan on taking 2 camera bodies.
Large Pro or Large Shallow? I won’t be using any grip 🙂
Well you know personally I would still go large pro. Then you are covered in the future if you get a pro body or a big lens like a 300. A 300 2.8 for example is too thick to fit in the shallow ICU.
Hi Dan!
Can i ask your help?
I have to find a bag to carry on my gear:
mamiya 645 AFD + 80 1.9
d300 + BP
85 1.4 afd
50 1.2 ais
12-24 tokina
3 or 4 flashes
chargers and cables, Cf card exec
what do you think is the best for me: tilopa BC or Loka?
And wich ICU?
Last question: have you ever tried to put the ICU XL into the Loka? Does it fit well?
Thank you very much, i hope u’ll answer and sorry for my english 🙂
Have a good day
I would say Tilopa with the XL.
XL won’t fit well in Loka no.
thank you very much Dan!
Have a good day 🙂
Hi DAN!
Me and another guy have a question.
The external dimensions of the XL ICU are:
(18cm Depth x 29cm Wide x 48cm Tall)
The internal dimensions of the Loka are:
19cm Depth x 30.5cm Wide x 52cm Tall
Viewing this we think that the XL ICU could fit into the Loka but we are not sure about this.
Can we ask you to make a pratical try and tell if it works?
Because the European Warehouse has finished the Tilopa BC and we need a bag for a trip.
Thank you if you will help us.
Hi Dan, thank you so much for this review, and the detailed pictures. It’s really helping me make a decision. I appreciate this was published in Nov 2010 so things at F-Stop may have changed however you note in your last picture that a Medium and Small Pro ICU will fit together in the Loka but this is not listed as an option in F-Stops ICU Diagram. Could you confirm if this works?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
John
Hi Dan –
Not sure if you are still active with this, but here’s some questions: I’m looking to travel overseas, and take a view camera, its about 8″ sq, plus the digital back and a stitching arrangement, and a couple of smallish (4″x4″x3″ w boards) lenses. Two ways to use – first to get it to Europe, with all in the pack, and even (maybe) a 15″ MBP.
Once there, then put only camera and back in a large ICU, and if it would be hard to pull out the odd lens (from say the top of the ICU, leaving the lenses in smaller cases, sitting in the upper compartment. What do you think? The idea is to hike around town or country with the tripod on the shoulder, and the camera (or digital back) secure in the case for quick removal.
I don’t see any reason why this wouldnt work. They even have newer ICUs than the ones in this review now. I did an extra into to the new ICUs recently if you just search on the blog here. If you have any really specific questions just call the Fstop guys though , they have tried every config you can think of.
Hi,
which lenses are packed in the picture that says: Pro body and 6 lens (with room to spare) in the Medium ICU??
I currently own the large ICU but think of buy a medium ICU for longer hikes. I need enough space for 5d MarkII, 17-40, 24-105, 70-200/4 and 100 2.8 Macro. I guess the lenshoods won’t fit in the ICU?
Hi Dan, I’ve been devouring your reviews the last few days as I’m planning an f-stop bag purchase. In your review you said the ICU medium and small combo do fit in the Loka (this is how I would want to configure the bag sometimes), but in a reply to marco below you have suggested that the ICU XL (which according to the f-stop site is the same dimensions as the medium + small combo) isn’t a good fit in the Loka. Can I get a ruling? 🙂 Thanks in advance!
I’d love to give you a concrete answer but the thing is the dimensions of ICUs have changed slightly a couple of times since I wrote the review. I’m honestly not even sure whether ICUs I have here are the same dimensions as the ones they currently sell…..
The only way for a concrete answer is to speak to them directly I’m afraid.
Wow, thanks for the instant reply Dan! I appreciate you can only clarify the current confusion 🙂
I’ll get in touch with f-stop. Cheers
Good luck! When you get the bag please do come back and let us know how you’re getting on with the combination you choose.
Will do – although it may take a little while to get the bag…
Ah yes….. that does tend to be the case.
hi dan,
i spoke to fstop, and predictably there were the usual delay issues. then i stumbled on a site that turned out to be the new australian distributer – http://www.thefrontier.com.au
i visited them today and walked out with a loka, small pro icu and a medium sloped icu. the smal pro plus medium sloped icu fits perfectly into the loka, so i now have the flexibility of having a small, medium or extra large (equivalent) icu.
now to get out and about it!
A spot of good luck!
I’m tossing up between the Loka and the Satori EXP with a shallow small and a shallow medium ICU (for flexibility).
I have a 5DM3 with attached a 24-70 (and reversed hood), maybe a 70-200 (if I can borrow one, it’s not normally in my kit), a Ricoh GR compact, a GoPro, an 11″ MacBook Air plus the usual cables and chargers.
I’m going to New Zealand for 2.5 weeks and will be doing at least one 3-4 day hike and a few 1 day hikes. The trails look pretty easy and well travelled (mostly paved or decked), and we’ll be staying in huts or camp grounds at night.
Do I really need the extra size of the Satori EXP for my gear, plus clothes, food and other supplies for these easy 3-4 day hikes?
My dilemma is that I don’t want to carry 2 bags (hiking gear + camera gear), but I also don’t want to have to check my gear in for the flight. The Satori looks pretty big, so I suspect that even if I compress it down, it still might not fit in the carry on size thingy, or they may try to weigh it.
My second thought was to get the Satori and check it in for the flight, loaded up with all our hiking gear, and also buy a Guru pack and stuff it with the ICUs for carry on. Then for the 3-4 day hike I can load the ICUs into the Satori, but for the 1 day hikes I can leave them in the Guru.
But I generally like to travel as light as possible, and don’t pack a lot of clothes and don’t carry a lot of lenses.
For reference, I used to travel with a Deuter Futura 42L (check in) and a Crumpler messenger bag for my camera gear (carry on), but the Futura is dead and the Crumpler won’t carry a MacBook Air and the two bag setup is cumbersome.
Also, I loved the way the Futura kept the pack off my back, as I usually get a sweaty back with other packs. I know the F-Stop bags have air mesh back and strap padding, but how effective is it?
Any advice?
Why not get a Tilopa? It’s sized smaller than the Satori and bigger than a Loka. Also I don’t know when your trip is but you shoud bear in mind that for some reason these bags can be very hard to get hold of.
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Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
Actually, I just went and had a look at both the Loka and the Tilopa at http://www.thefrontier.com.au, which is just down the road from where I work (thanks, douglas!)
I liked the Tilopa better than the Loka for size and I noticed that it also had much better padded mesh shoulder and hip straps. The thinness and flat texture of the straps on the Loka was a little disappointing. Is that some newer high tech fabric that dries quicker, or is it just to save weight?
But what I don’t like about the Tilopa is the left and right sides. Not even one mesh pocket, and the molle attachments are smaller and much lower on the pack. I guess this pack is better suited for skiing, but I don’t ski. I’d rather have the mesh pockets for water bottles and/or to secure the feet of my tripod.
So I’m currently leaning towards the Satori EXP for check-in and 3-4 day hikes, and the Guru for carry-on and day hikes. I’ll jut transfer the ICU from one to the other.
On the ICU, I’m not sure what I need. I like that I can put the body sideways in the Pro, but for the rest of my gear it would probably be better to have a shallow ICU and more pack space. I don’t use a battery grip on the 5D so a Pro ICU is not really essential. I can probably jam the 5D, 24-70 and 70-200 in a shallow small ICU, and chuck the rest of my cables and chargers in another pocket on the top or side of the pack. Or I could get a shallow or slow medium, and keep all my chargers, Ricoh and GoPro gear all in the ICU.
So I bought a Loka recently with a medium slope ICU.
I noticed that the lower part of the bag, where the ICU sits, pushes rather hard on my lower back. I tried different heights for the hipbelt and shoulder straps, but it still does not feel as comfortable as other hiking bags.
Anyone else has/had this problem?
Dan,
Can you comment on what size water bladder you could actually fit inside the bag? I have heard conflicting reports and am curious to know if you could fit a 3L camelbak (16.5″) into the bag if you squeezed it a little bit.
They are often created from steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and
other alloys like titanium, they usually boast a variety of configurations.
Hi Dan, I know this is an old article but thought I would drop you a quick line anyhow! I own the new Lotus as well as a Medium Shallow ICU which is usually enough for my use (I also have a Large pro but have never actually used it!) I have found that it is very difficult to attach (via the velcro) the ICU inside the bag as there are hardly any where I can loop the velcro around.. Is this something you have noticed in previous models (and/or other bags from F-stop?) My concern is, that if there is nothing that keeps the ICU up against the opening (back) of the bag, surely my gear will fall out of the ICU as it just shuffles bag up against the other side of bag no? ( so far I have had my laptop behind the ICU which, works ok but clearly not a longterm solution)
Hope that makes sense?
Morts
All of the ones I have used have had a small plastic loop that you pass the Velcro through. Although I never ever used it because I had the Pro ICU which is the same depth as the bag. Never been an issue for me but I’m surprised to hear the Lotus doesn’t have the plastic loops.
Hi Dan, better late than never. The lotus do have the loops it is just not alligned with the ICU’s so the ICU actually sits 1.5 inch above the base of the bag.. not sure why they just did not make it universal.. nevermind, I have now sold this bag and are using the Loka UL and could not have been happier (unless they added a few extra features in the lid compartment)
Glad you are happy!
Hi Dan,
I have the LOKA UL with a Large Slope ICU. I’d also like to secure gear in an ICU in the top part of the bag – what would you suggest? Would a Tiny Micra ICU work ok? Ideally I’d like to be able to access gear through the top part whereas some of the ICUs would mean a side entry which wouldn’t work. If only they did a “hot hatch” for the LOKA!
I’d be very grateful to hear from you.
Many thanks,
KMC
I don’t have this pack anymore, so I’m afraid I really can’t say what would work. Best bet is to call F-Stop and ask them.
Hi Dan – I now you don’t have these packs anymore.
I noticed that the large ICU isn’t long enough to fit the Canon 200-400 or any super tele from 400 upwards.
Is that part of the reason why you stopped using this range of bags?
Syd
No, that’s not the reason. The XL ICU could take my 200-400 if needed. The reason I stopped using them is because I want to use a bag I can recommend to my followers. Whilst they make nice bags, the company has been a shambles in recent years. You’ve got to deliver great customer experience AND great product in my opinion. It got to the point where I simply wouldn’t want to recommend people buy one of their bags because it meant dealing with them since they don’t have third-party retailers. Shame really, but there are now many other great options.
I do believe these issues have now been rectified and certainly in Europe there are more than ten dealers selling their bags (and who have them in stock) at the RRP or less, so I don’t think this statement is valid any longer (may just be me)
Here’s hoping that is true. I just went to their website and can confirm that at the moment, most bags are shown as in-stock. This is the first time I have seen this in about 6 years I think.