Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW DSLR Backpack Black
August 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
| Brand: | Lowepro | ||
| Average Rating |
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The Pro Runner 350 AW and 450 AW DSLR backpacks delivers a compact, streamlined and urban-inspired solution for pro photographers and photojournalists who carry their gear through crowded airports and busy city streets. This feature-filled design fits a DSLR with attached lens up to a pro-sized body with grip and attached lens (450 AW), laptop, tripod and multiple accessories, plus a few personal items, in a highly organized pack. From its fully padded interior to it’s patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover, the Pro Runner AW thoroughly safeguards valuable gear. Each pack includes: a Hideaway Tripod Mount system; rainflap lids; SlipLock attachment loops; multiple storage pockets; memory card pockets; and more. more info
Not just for photographers!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
When I unpacked my new Lowepro Pro Runner backpack, I was amazed by the incredibly high quality of this pack. It’s hard for me to expand on the excellent review already written but I want to add that I am enjoying the backpack from a non-professional photographer’s perspective. This means that I greatly appreciate the flexibility of the main compartment’s easily customizable velcro separator features. I can safely store my large camera, two lenses and charging equipment, while still having plenty of room to pack a change of clothes, several books, or a picnic lunch. Another of my favorite features is the very large and greatly padded back pocket, which is perfect for my 15 inch MacBook Pro. The pack looks large and spacious, but is actually very light and easy to carry. I do wish that I could have the option of removing the waist strap when I don’t need it, but aside from that this is the perfect backpack for photography gear or any type of load you want to comfortably carry and keep protected. Highly recommend!
Wow, very impressive
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’m a backpack kind of guy, everyone I work with carries a briefcase, I use a backpack. I think they are more functional, and when I need to run, they work out great. So when I say this backpack for my camera, I thought why not. I was impressed from the start, it’s large, can handle all sorts of lenses, tripod, memory cards, documents for travel, on and on and on. There are lots of little things that make this so great, like easy access to the memory cards and travel documents. It’s designed to be used for travel, on your back or attached to rolling luggage. It even has the hip-hugger straps for when you load this bad boy up for the hike up some rarely travelled mountain for rarely seen pictures. An easy access back pocket for a laptop. Hey, I spent a good 20 minutes when I first got this discovering all the little things that make this a great back, that was before I put in any equipment and strapped it to my back. There is so much to this bag, did I mention that yet, if not, let me say it again, there is so much to this bag. If it came with an owner’s manual (which it doesn’t), I sure there would be a pocket for it and it would be 20 pages long. Even loaded down with equipment, it is surprising how comfortable it is. I am worried about the first flight I take with it, it is not only big and get me the death look from the stewardess for carrying it on, but the TSA guys will require 20 minutes just to inspect it. It’s great, if you need a camera backpack, this is the one, you would be hard up to fill it completely up, but it sure feels good knowing you have the room!
Fantastic Backpack
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I had always been reluctant to buy a backpack to haul my camera gear along on photo trips. I thought it would be heavy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable. When FedEx showed up with it I was amazed at the size of the box, and even more so when I realized the big box was necessary as the bag itself is rather large. I am able to place all of my important gear in it. This includes two DSLRs, one with a telephoto lens attached and another with a wide angle attached. There was also room for a third DSLR body, three more lens, a set of extension tubes, a standard flash unit, a ring flash, with room left over for cleaning equipment, extra batteries, memory cards, etc. It also has a pouch to slide up to a 17 inch laptop and a strap to attach a tripod. Although this is a nice option I personally do not take a laptop on a photo trip. So with the pack pretty much loaded I adjusted the straps and pulled it up to my back. After making some more adjustments with the straps I was very surprised at how comfortable it felt. It is well padded in the right places and as someone with arthritis in the lumbar spine it actually felt good, sort of like a back brace. The following weekend I took it out for a half day trip to the local zoo. I had no problem carrying it for nearly five hours. The only problem of course is that when you need to switch equipment you have to take it off in order to get at it. But that is true of any backpack and can’t really be considered a fault. All in all I am very pleased with the bag and I wish I had not taken so long to give it a try. Absolutely a recommended buy.
Capacious
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
One word describes this Backpack: “Capacious”.
This line of DSLR backpacks represents the Flagship of Lowepro’s urban adventurer.
CONSTRUCTION
The Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW DSLR backpack is constructed of durable black 600d Polyester on its exterior and 210d Nylon PU Velex in its interior. The difference between this and its cousin, the 350 AW, is the larger capacity for longer lenses (300 mm versus 70-200 mm), more accessories(4 to 6 versus 3 to 4), and a larger widescreen laptop (17″ versus 15.4″). AW stands for All Weather.
Carrying methods are flexible: conventional backpack carry, side carry and top carry. A durable feeling rubber grip on the side and top is comfortable. This facilitates easy navigation through customs, airport security and through busy terminals. The shoulder straps are padded, and the weight distribution is eased by the chest and waist straps. The weight of the bag without equipment is 6 pounds.
VERSATILITY
This bag is very big but it will still fit into an overhead compartment on an airplane (under current standards, May 2010): 13.4W X 11.4D X 19.9H in (Exterior). There is even an internal padded compartment for a notebook: 12.2W X 1.8D X 15.6H in and this fits my 15.4″ Macbook Pro comfortably. It is located along the left side of the pack (when it is on your back) secured by a zipper.
The interior is subdivided with compartments that can be adjusted with padded dividers fastened by Velcro. The dividers are completely removable which allows me to use this as a convenient overnight bag, also. There is surrounding padded on the top, sides and bottom of the backpack’s housing. It is up to your imagination to what configuration best suits the weight distribution of your valuables. This will fit a full sized SLR with a 300 mm lens. Depending upon the lenses that you carry, this will accommodate for 4 to 6 lenses/external flash/handheld meter/other accessories. What attracted me, also, was the ability to carry a compact sized tripod when traveling. An all weather cover is included, to protect your valuable equipment from rain. A padded mesh backpad facilitates the comfort of carrying. Zipper closure is augmented with a snap buckle closure.
The front pocket has a space for a small foldable poncho or rolled up T-shirt/gym shorts. The small pocket for passports is about 11 inches tall and about 4.5 inches wide. There is a small clip to hold keys. 2 four inch wide flat compartments for small items, a Velcro secured pouch, and a legal sized pocket for folders or magazines. The All Weather Cover is secured in the bottom of the front flap by Velcro. The nylon cover with elastic sides is sewn to the inner compartment, minimizing the chance for losing it. The quick release helps for covering the valuables in less than 15 seconds.
The inner pocket has plastic lined compartments secured by zippers. There are two padded pockets secured by Velcro to store memory cards.
The versatility of this bag is that there are so many pockets that allow for the user to have complete organization for travel. An outside pocket for documents such as tickets, passports and rental information can be stored. This is Sliplock compatible for adding additional items to the bag.
USE
For those who are ambitious enough to carry every accessory, this can be a heavy backpack. However, the generous padding does alleviate the weight very well.
PROs
Versatile
Extensively padded (inside and out)
Completely adjustable shoulder straps
Many compartments
Weather resistant with All Weather Cover
Shock resistant (light bumps)
Comfortable
Can be used as an overnight backpack
Travel compliant
Sturdy
CONs
Large (may not suit smaller framed individuals)
Heavy 6 pounds (even heavier if you put all equipment, notebook and extraneous items > 50 lbs)
No integrated wheels
CONCLUSION
If you have to pack it all, this is the best way to go. It is comfortable, versatile and resistant to the elements of water and light bumps from traveling.
Two thumbs up.
Pro Runner 450AW
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If you have some serious camera gear that cost you hundreds of dollars then this pack is a steal. Let’s start with the outside. It’s app. 19″ tall, 13″ wide and 9″ deep. The pack has 3 ways to carry it; two rubber handles, one on the top and one on the side, and thickly padded shoulder straps. There is a well padded mesh backing to wick away moisture from your back. The pack also has a rain flap lid, so if you get caught in foul weather you just pull out the rain cover and you’re good to go, side compression straps, slip lock attachment loops, tuck away padded waist belt, mesh side pocket, a zippered pouch in front, straps to hold your tripod, and last but not least a padded laptop compartment that’s next to your back.
When you unzip the front flap you will find pockets for your cell phone, MP3 player, pens, keys, documents and other small items. Opening up the main compartment, you will find 13 compartments that are all adjustable. You can remove the shelving to make them taller or shorter depending on your needs. All the compartments are well padded, so there is no fear of any damage to your equipment. Even the front flap has compartments.
This pack is also designed to take on an airplane, but with all the equipment that you can store in this pack it might take you a little while to get through security.
I can also see other uses for this backpack. If you are into research where you needed to pack out into the wilds and bring back samples of say soil or water, the padded compartments would protect your samples.
This is a very well thought out and constructed pack and I believe you would not be disappointed in owning this.
A Magical Bag of Holding
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is a magnificent back pack! It is just loaded with storage options, in fact just as I was preparing this review, I noticed a zipper I had missed before revealing yet another Pocket.
Yes it is designed for cameras, but don’t let that fool you into believing that is all it is for. The large central area uses Velcro dividers and you can modify them for whatever you need to carry and you can remove all of them when you just need a back pack for camping. There are several zippered pouches and Velcro pouches as well for your cell phone, keys, memory cards and whatever else you need to store.
On the outside, you have a netting pouch, straps for your tripod or thermos, an easy access zippered pouch for papers or maps and a Velcro pouch containing a rain poncho for the backpack (and it is tethered to the pack so you won’t lose it).
It has two rubber handles and padded shoulder and waist straps for carrying. Personally, I will probably use this more for carrying my D&D books and as an overnight bag, but that is probably the best feature of this backpack, you can use it for whatever you need to.
Spacious,and lots of padding!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Whether you are a professional photographer or a serious traveler who likes to take along a camera kit, this backpack more than meets the needs of the seasoned road warrior. When I ordered this, I didn’t think 19 inches was so much, but this can handle so much inside and out. It is well padded on the back and on the body straps. The lower part of the backpack has straps for support of the lower back and hips. There are two carrying handles–one on top and one on the side. There are bands to hold a tripod or monopod on the front and side. There is a side zipper to access the laptop pouch which can hold up to a 17″ laptop. I have a 16 inch and it slips right in. On top, underneath the handle, there is a slot hiding a strap to connect it to other luggage. On the front the zipper reveals room to carry miscellaneous or personal items. On the bottom of the front, there is a velcro opening to access the rain pouch. Inside the main section there is so much room for carrying the camera body, many lenses and flashes, and more pockets for storing memory cards or whatever you decide. This backpack leaves plenty of room for customizing the interior to meet your needs. Right now I only own a camera body, an external flash, and three lenses. The only thing it is missing is wheels. Fortunately I have a lightweight trolley that I can use to carry this if I don’t want to carry it as a backpack. It’s big enough to be a cabin carry case if I take out the velco spacers. There is so much one can do with this bag that I highly recommend it if you travel and want to take plenty of camera equipment with you and know it will be well protected.