Ortlieb Atrack Review - My New Waterproof Camera Backpack??
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- čas přidán 30. 10. 2022
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The Ortlieb Atrack 45L may not be designed as a photography backpack, but it just might be the perfect balance of waterproofness, carrying comfort and capacity for your serious outdoor photography adventures. The Ortlieb Atrack hauls more gear, with more comfort for a lot less money than brands like Fstop, LowePro, Mindshift, Atlas and Shimoda. You be the judge. Could this innovative pack be the perfect alternative to all those expensive "adventure style" photography backpacks?
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Rarely seen a product test video of such great quality. It was a pleasure to watch 🙂
Wow, I'm very flattered. So glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
Great review Matt. Love the video editing too.
thanks so much for your feedback Scott! glad you enjoyed it 👍
Love your video style, well done.
I first noticed the Ortlieb Atrack bags several years ago and considered getting one to use with an ICU for my landscape and wildlife photo purposes. Having several Think Tank and Gura Gear photo packs already, I have not yet added Ortlieb to the stable (partly due to lack of availability in USA). Had not seen any reviews that specifically referenced comfort and adjustability which prevented me from ordering one. Now convinced my initial interest in this bag is worth investing in. Thanks for the review.
Really appreciate your kind words and feedback. 🙏🏻 I've been pretty happy with the pack so far. On my back it carries quite well. Wish you the best luck if you go for an Ortlieb! 👍
Brilliant video. I’m putting together what I call my camera bike which is a fully loaded touring bike with front panniers loaded with camera gear and the top of the rear rack holding the big tripod. My rear panniers hold the camping gear - you’re absolutely right that no bag will do both. I have found padded inserts that fit perfectly into Ortlieb front roller panniers which made the setup easy. For hiking with the same gear I had a pack frame made which both front panniers attach to just like they do on the bike, with the tripod holder right next to them. Ortlieb makes a great product, you can tell they actually test and improve things.
thanks @edsassler6749! Wow! A photo bike! I love it! We use bicycles very often when out filming for our channel and members. 👍📷
Next level vid, Matt! Let’s take that pack up the Eiger next summer!
You know I'm game Jer! We'll grab a nice piece of "goldinger" from the cheese shop on our way down. 👍 thanks for commenting! 🙌
Cool video, thank you very much. I recently purchased a Gitzo Adventury Backpack 30l. I really love it and the ICU can also be used in a trolley suitcase if needed.
Excellent Markus! 👍Wishing you the best success with your new Gitzo pack. Hope all's well and that your doing lots of fun sports shoots these days.🙌
Please do a follow up review of the backpack
Working on it, thanks! 🙌
Good news, thanks 🙏 looking forward to check it out.
Super content! Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Perfect, thank you. I went with loewe pro but it was too smal and after some months the glue resolved and it fell apart. I feel you. Thanks for recommandation.
Glad it helped! 👍
Currently using Fstop Ajna. Had it for about 4 years. Was looking to move a little larger to either the Tilopa or move to Shimoda. The designer for Fstop left to start Shimoda. I was told the ICU will actually fit the Shimoda. I did appreciate the review. Last year Fstop also did their annual sale of 20% off site wide late November early December. So if I stay with them I'll wait to see if that happens again.
interesting points Ian! I had forgotten about the possibility of an Fstop sale. that would help them be more ccompetitive for my money, but for me €400 (without ICUs) just seems outrageous. 🤯
I've been doing some landscape photography and trying to get into camping to get the nice scenes and light
I've been searching super hard for a hiking backpack and the only one which actually got my eyes were the shimoda action.
Yet, the price is still really high and I started to gravitate towards the solution you gave here. Just getting a good camping backpack, minimizing my photography kit and fitting it into a small container.
I'm happy to see someone who actually goes deep in the wild talking about it.
I think you'll find that most deep-backcountry photographers prefer that approach. there's just not enough space in most camera backpacks for overnight gear. 👍
@@ViewfinderMastery I see. It's hard for people who can't buy and experiment with a lot of different gear though. The only thing we have is the opinions of the brand a lot of times. 😞
@@calebe16 thankfully though, there's CZcams! 😉
Going to get mine soon, thanks ;)
great! I just used mine today in fact. how you enjoy it!
Great vid.
As an FStop man, I have a few of their packs and they've been heavily abused. Never known a waterproofing issue and they've survived Scandinavian storms more than once. I do have some takeaways though.
Ajna: pointless in all aspects, just buy the tilopa.
Tilopa: perfect for day hikes or carry on luggage.
Sukha: my personal favourite. 70l, a nice fit for tall people (I'm 6' 4") and enough space for a camping weekend.
Tempted by alternatives though.
Thanks so much for your feedback Neal! Greatvto hear that you're still happy with your Tillopa and Suhka packs. Hope they continue to work well for a few good years to come!
As a solution for not having a top compartment on your back pack (like Ortlieb, but also many ultra light backpacks): I use a CHEST PACK now for years to compensate for that. Ideal! It hangs from the shoulders straps of my backpack (any backpack), with elastic bands secured to the hip belt of the back pack to prevent 'swinging'. You do not feel extra weight... although it is there of course.
The great thing is, you have immediate and quick access to small necessities (folding knife, compass, sunscreen, lip balsam, sports bars, sun glasses, Inreach, etc.), anything you while walking/hiking. But without having to stop and take your back pack off.
I got the idea from the military, used a military grade, heavy weight version for one year... and switched to an ultra light weight version made and marketed for trail running. No better solution for me, and I do not need a top lid/compartment on my backpack. And if my pack has one, I still use the chest pack for comport and quick access.
hey that's an awesome tip! thanks for sharing! 🙌🎉👍
Interesting review. I really would like to make a (almost) waterproof pack work, but for me the single opening and no top lid of the Ortlieb is quite restrictive. Also, laying the pack down and opening the large main zipper doesn't seem ideal in rain or snowy conditions. Adding a capture clip will help somewhat, but not for all conditions. Strapping the camera to the top like you did seem like a good idea with large lenses and not too extreme weather, but that's not what I usually have mounted when hiking.
As a (former) thruhiker - PCT, AT - with an interest for photography I've spend a lot of time looking for the ideal pack. I've found that the (overpriced) combi packs that will hold some photo gear and some other stuff work well for shorter day hikes, commuting etc. where ease of access is important and pack weight isn't. I've had several LowePro packs that I've been reasonably happy with for this kind of use (25-30l from their Photo Sport line) and I've an Atlas Athlete (I noticed you browsing their web site) that fit what I normally want to bring on a weekend trip (by car/plane etc) and work really well for that purpose, including day hikes on these trips.
When it comes to overnight camping trips/thruhiking then the dedicated photo/combi packs just don't work for me. Too heavy and too specialized. What I've found on hikes where the hiking is the goal and the photography is secondary is that easy access to the camera is everything. I get more and more interesting photos with a smaller easy to reach camera than with a (much) better, but harder to access larger camera.
My preferred option is a pack with fairly large lid pocket where I can reach a camera with a kit lens, superzoom lens or P&S (like a RX100) without taking off the pack. At least to get the camera out. It's really the only option I've found except for a capture clip to keep the camera accessible with the pack on. Capture clip and similar is fine for hiking on good trails, but I dont like anything dangling from my pack for higher intensity activities like cross country skiing or off trail hiking.
I'm curious about your Hyperlite pack. I thought they were roll tops without lids and pockets at the top. Maybe I misunderstood, but one of your comments indicated that yours had a top pocket. Could you clarify? And thanks for the video!
couldn't agree more with all of this and I absolutely love your comments here. I also completed a thru hike this last summer of the PNT (Pacific Northwest Trail) and took a Sony RX100 as my camera of choice. There was no way I was going to haul along multiple lenses, big batteries, etc., and I'm so glad I wrnt this route. So the Hyperlight worked very well, since the camera fit perfectly into my hip belt's pocket. Since the accessories for this camera are so small, I took al9ng one extra battery, a polarizer, an ND8 and an ultrapod (mini tripod). All worked perfectly. I d definitely recommend the Hyperlight, but my only experience with it has been in the context of lightweight thru-hiking with minimal camera gear. Thanks again for your fun comments and hope you're enjoying the wilderness this year!
05:54, Lunch Lake in ONP? I recognize that spot :)
you got it Cascadia! 🙌
Nice Vid! Can you tell us where you got the little Mesh Bag from? - thanks in advance
is an old one that came with a climbing harness.
Thanks for the review, I'm really considering this backpack for photography and videography hiking. Are you still using it? Cheers
To be honest, I'm not. I would consider something else. 👍
Hey! Amazing review!
How did it do with weight in it? How much weight did you have in it? Apologies if you said it in the review.
thanks for your kind feedback. I'd say up to 10kg its really not bad. the hip-belt is not the most comfortable, especially as it gets heavier than that. However the big zipper isn't the most convenient way to access the inside of the pack. it really needs to be completely unzipped to get access. I underestimated that aspect of the pack.
@@ViewfinderMastery
I really appreciate your honest and full answer. I imagine having to fully unzip the bag would be annoying.
Thank you!
Excellent vid! Im on the lookout for a new photo bag having not had one for a very long time. I own an Osprey 80L for bacpacking with the whole setup for days away, but for single day use, I was looking around and I really cant decide what to get. Ive been disappointed with camera bags, usually so uncomfortable. Lowepro, Fstop, found them all heavy and pull on your shoulders badly.
I have tenba byob (x2) that i use to put my gear in with the 80L so i want to continue to do so. Im thinking of the Osprey Stratos 24L , or the Ortleib 25L for day outs. Otherwise it could be Wandrd but i have no idea how my tenbas would fit.. internal dimensions would work? I dont want covers on my bags like yourself, so something that is waterproof is needed. Carrying the tripod also can on some bags not be comfy and make them lopsided, especially non photo bags.. but then again... if bags are used to carry skies, or other gear, they should work. My 80L is balanced fine.
I'm a little further down the road with the Ortlieb at this point and I can't really recommend it. Its not a bad option but the back panel access is a little clunky (you have to fully unzip and bear all in order to get anything out). For heavier loads its harness isn't really ideal. Its not a bad piece of kit if you're carrying 12-13 kg or less, but I'd give the hip belt a close look before pulling the trigger. 😉
@@ViewfinderMastery oh no lol oh well it comes today, Ill see if it works or not.
In general i dont like camera bags, and would rather have a hiking bag, but most arent waterproof.
Opening the bag fully is something you do on any bag, so that isnt a concern.
I think the weight and comfort is my priority, as well as will i be happy putting all my stuff into 1 compartment, as it wont just be camera kit.
Mind you must bags dont offer separate sections inside the bag... not sure if Shimoda Explore v2 does... that is 1 bag that i may go for. Im not doing fstop anymore... and lowepro i find so uncomfortable.
Thanks for replying and letting me know anyway!
@@stevef2114 so sorry I didn't reply sooner. Wishing you the best luck either way!
@@ViewfinderMastery hey no worries... its arrived so lets see lol
I actually bougth this bag last year for the same reasons you mentioned, and one more, I can put it onto my bike's rack sideways (onto my roller bags). But I have a different opinion about it. For a day trip it is great, I mean not bad. It is really weatherproof for sure, but it is kinda annoying to get gear from it in the hurrie. But for multi day trips it is just too small. I have been in the alps with it on a 3 day long hike through glaciers. I carried winter gear, 4 season tent, multifuel cooker, and of course camera gear too. It was painfull. It is not designed to carry that much weight, like the photo bags you mentioned, that same is here... And I am really not satisfied with the waist harnesses, I can not really sinch it down, so all the weight was on my shoulders, maybe it is just me, but it is not comfortable for me at all. And the shoulder straps are just too narrow. And one more, when it is empty it is really just a bag, flopping around. I was just thinking about selling it when I saw your video.
Btw I use a simple Lowepro insert and I had put the sleeping bag and tent into an Ortlieb dry bag and I had put that onto that bag as your camera rig, sinched it down by the strap.
yeah, I hear you. the hip belt is not really adequate for heavy loads. for me, it's also not the most convenient for accessing gear that you need quickly. I hadn't considered using it as a bike bag. I have a full set of Ortlieb bike bags which I just used over the last weeks on a trip from Switzerland to the south coast of France. Since I have a "rack pack" already, there's not a big need for taking this backpack, but its an interesting idea.thanks for commenting! 👍
Are the zip comfortable with your back or you can feel it? The zip could damage your clothes? Thanks
no problem whatsoever 👍
Do you think the 45 litre Atrak would work as a carry on for plane travel ?
yeah, I'm sure you could get it on most flights. I traveled to the USA with it (carry-on) and had no problems. 👍
Nice video, what do you think about the bag after few month ?
good question. I think I would recommend it more as a general backpack (not photography specific) to people who spend lots of time in wet environments. There's better backpack options for photographers these days. So I wouldn't buy it specifically for photography.
did i miss the follow up video after 6 months 😥
Are you still using it and would you recommend it?
Zipper is still holding up?
Thanks in advance.
Follow-up video coming soon! 🙏
In your opinion is the 45l too large for airline carry-on or can it compress down enough to fit in the overhead or under the seat?
I have taken bigger packs on the plane than this one. It might be on edge for some smaller planes, but would work 9 times out of 10. 👍
Thanks. I have an opportunity to pick up the 45 L used for a great price but it’s larger than what I would normally use and my only concern is whether it would fit on a plane.
@@recoilsun8280 I've flown with mine a couple times from Europe to the USA and back. No problems so far.
I don't see the follow up video you suggested on your channel... Are you still using the pack, or has the fact that the ICUs float around become a problem. I presume you need to zip up the front cover of the ICU each time to prevent the contents falling out...
I wouldn't recommend it actually. In the meantime I've gone back to a dedicated camera backpack. The main problem is the long zipper which eventually became annoying. it was worth a try but I will probably sell it and replace with another backpack soon. 👍📷
@@ViewfinderMastery Makes sense. Thanks... I've got an ultralight for long hikes as I think you do; and just moved from fstop to Shimoda, which I like for less adventurous travel. I might still pickup a smaller Ortlieb for occasional trips where there is a real chance of getting wet.
I like the no bs approach and you basically said it all what is just nonsense on those other bags. Where did the follow up video go? (Cant find) Or how did it go? You dont need to make a whole video if there is no time...
On a market for a new bag (the 25L version) and also interested in a one-year after feedback ;) especially on the carrying comfort & waterproofness if you have a minute to write some lines :)
Thanks very much!
I'll try to get something out soon. Been using it quite a bit recently. 👍
@@ViewfinderMastery great 😃
Hi, would you mind sharing where you bought it from? TQ.
a quick search online is all you need
@@ViewfinderMastery couldn't find one that is selling at $150 after discounted 😬
What camera is here?
I'm shooting with a Sony A9ii. 📷
@@ViewfinderMastery thanks
Are you still using this bag a year later?
I'm actually using it more for canoe activities than for photography. thx 👍
@@ViewfinderMastery Thank you. So, the fstop icu's in this bag didn't past the 6 month test and you went back to the fstop bags?
I use it when I'm on the water. With and without ICUs. For hiking photography trips I tend toward the Fstop, but I'm still not 100% happy with that pack either. Next time I think I'll try Deuter.
V good
thanks very much! Glad you liked it!
@@ViewfinderMastery welcome. One quick question, if that’s ok. How tough is it when put down on rock etc, when using in the real world…?
@@JackGreystoke time will tell! 👍