LowePro 550 AWII Camera Bag First Impressions!

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I took this hiking about two weeks ago and as I ducked under a fallen tree, of course the bag scraped up against the tree and loose bark came raining down on me and the bag. 1st world problem, I know -- but I wish they would have put a flap or something over that laptop pouch because wet bark definitely went down in that pouch... and if I had an actual laptop in there, I would be pretty disappointed. But in using the bag for several miles of hiking while fully loaded... it's damn near flawless. The points of contact and numerous areas to tighten / fit to your body make it feel 1/2 the weight it is when fully loaded. No swaying, no rubbing, it's quiet comfortable.

[@Stone1108]

Best review of this bag i’ve seen, thanks, now i’m interested in this or other camera bags from Lowepro, wasn’t convinced before watching your review. 👏📸

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@stevensakic4342]

Congratulations. Very good video. I do have a big brother to yours Lowepro 650 aw . and it wont be friendly for travell. by airplane , but its really good for holding 600mm lens . I will be looking into 550 aw for my smaller 2 cameras . . Thank You, now I know how much it fits into 550aw. You are the only one that has fitted the bag with the gear ..

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I'm still using it, still loving it!

[@StephanKempchen]

Nice review. Got this bag two weeks ago. The best bag, even for oversea flights, I ever had. But you’re right: Why the hell they didn’t use a zipper instead of the snapper to close the laptop compartment? Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 Stephan

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Glad it’s working out, thanks for sharing!

[@johnk4885]

Thanks Joe for your thoughtful review. I recently retired a Lowepro camera backpack that I used for 15 years. It was outstanding. Looks like I've found its replacement.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I'm gearing up for a trip in sixty days and can't wait to get this thing on the trail and up a mountain! I hope you enjoy it!

[@K9malinois_dog_love]

I love a bag with tons of detail. 😊

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Me too!!

[@sunglee2048]

Excellent review Joe. I"ve had my Flipside 400 AW for the past decade. Time for an upgrade.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thank you, I hope it serves you well!

[@peterfritzphoto]

Thanks for this, Joe. I just ordered mine yesterday. I've used LowePro bags for 35 years, and never had a single problem. :-)

[@JoeHiltabidel]

This is my third in six years, as my camera collection has grown. I love this new one so far! Thanks for the comment!

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@JoeHiltabidel Great to hear. I’ve just bought mine for the same reason. I’m hoping to get most of what’s in two bags into the one. I have the 350 version of this bag for all my video gear, and I love how it’s squared off. It’s easier to pack and it sits upright, which is nice.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I've hiked with it several miles now and it's extremely comfortable. They added so many points of contact and ability to tighten in specific areas that even when it's packed full, there's no sway and it feels great.

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@JoeHiltabidel Wonderful! Mine just shipped today, but isn’t due to arrive until the 6th. Anyway, happy hiking, Joe!

[@kaloyantsilev]

A very good review, the type that you'd like to hear from someone who is happy of their purchase and can show you around the product :)

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Definitely me :) thanks

[@luizz_k]

Personally when hiking i would prefer to carry the tripod horizontally on the bottom of the backpack. These straps are golden since not many bags have them unless theyre made a specifically for long hikes.. Cool

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I’ll have to try that, thanks!

[@andreaslindgren5951]

Not really a "review" as much a "first impressions" 😉 But thanks for making it, I don't know why there aren't any videos about this and the 450..

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I changed the title to reflect as much, thanks

[@El_Croc]

That open pocket would be more useful for a folding solar panel imho. Bag needs another full size compartment behind the ruck straps similar to some of the CCW packs for the laptop.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Good idea, I don't have a solar panel for reference. If I had to find a flaw in this backpack for me, it would be that laptop pouch because it just buttons shut and is really subject to debris falling inside of it or even light rain if you can't get your rain fly open in time

[@paulnbrenda358]

The deal breaker for me was it opens up from the back. So you lay this down on the ground get your camera gear out and then your clothes get dirty or wet when you put it back on. Its no longer 30% off its $420 now on Amazon. For roughly the same price you can get a Shinoda X70 which is 100 x better.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Your point about dirt is valid. I usually find a rock or other clean place to put it but I've also been on the coast a lot and just plopped it down in the sand without care. I'm unfamiliar with Shimoda but I'll check them out. Thanks for sharing.

[@kellyprang1573]

Good job! And I’m a tough critic. ~fellow photographer

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thank you!

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

It looks like there is very little space for non-camera gear? Clothing for when the weather changes for instance. Even when you take out the gear bag, that doesn't look like a whole lot of space.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Inside the bag, you're completely right. You would have to remove some gear in order to put any clothing on the inside. However I just came back from a two-week trip through Oregon and Washington where we had to take summer clothes and winter clothes and we had no problem attaching at least two jackets on the outside of the bag on the back while my tripod was stored on the outside left. Inside each of those jackets I had hats and gloves which made it pretty easy to change out when needed.

[@grahamhopkinson1816]

Brilliant bag-I use it for photojournalism and documentary work-takes loads of stuff, but I think the laptop section could have been better thought out. I'm not brave enough to put my notebook in and head out for the day.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Completely agree on the laptop portion. So easily wet if it rains, for one.

[@RangerRickTV]

This would be great for trips to Europe.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I agree! I'm going to Oregon for two weeks (with an aching back, mind you) and this bag is going to be my constant companion!

[@TheBackhomes]

Thank you ! Nice Information ! 🙏🏻👌🏻

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thank you!

[@soumyabratarahut4368]

what is the name of your old bag? I really like it..

[@JoeHiltabidel]

It's a LowePro BP 300 AW. I have a third LowePro that's pretty small.

[@PimentelPortfolio]

Think two dslr bodies, 11-24 , 24-70, 70-200 , 50 mm and 65 MPE lens will all fit ?

[@JoeHiltabidel]

With or without a drone? Without a drone, I imagine no problem. Mine is currently jammed full with almost everything I own for photography. And what doesn't fit inside, fits outside (not lenses / bodies, of course)

[@PimentelPortfolio]

@@JoeHiltabidel I’d prob put my drone in the removable box shaped case and put on top maybe

[@JoeHiltabidel]

@@PimentelPortfolio There are so many ways to configure gear in this bag, I still love it. I keep my drone in the bag with one body, 3 lenses, still. I still keep my chargers in the bag that attaches externally to the main bag.

[@PimentelPortfolio]

@@JoeHiltabidel def looks like a great bag! Great video !

[@JoeHiltabidel]

@@PimentelPortfolio Thank much!

[@ajc1482]

Just in case it's not been answered, the bag holds a 2 litre bladder.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thanks Andy. I still haven't used the bladder, even though there are some times when I surely should have had it filled up! I appreciate you sharing the info!

[@denoefkes]

Seems great! Did you check the weight of all your gear? ;-)

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I didn't but I'm in Oregon right now for two weeks and I'm guessing it's about 40 lbs and feels great!

[@jws6181]

to bad it's no flipside, i have the 500 AW II flipside its great

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I'm not seeing any pics of the 500 AW II Flipside interior, what do you like about it in comparison? I'm searching for a good comparison between these two bags - the LowePro site has only one pic of the bag that I can find. My last two were rounded off and the OCD guy in me appreciates this one being squared off on the edges.

[@jws6181]

@@JoeHiltabidel the 500 AW II has rounded edges on de top, and below side are squard off, i find the entrance at the back safer, they can't open it unnoticed in a busy place, to get the foto gear....

[@jws6181]

@@JoeHiltabidel i have my A7rIII+200-600mm with the lens hood on, my A7III+105mm sigma macro, tamron 17-28 and 28-75mm and sony 24-240 as standaard lens...it fit's all and some sensor cleaning stuf and some extra battery's

[@JoeHiltabidel]

@@jws6181 Ah, yes, gotcha. My first LowePro was a flipside and I bought it for that exact reason (security). When I was bag shopping I wanted that feature but figured since I live in a small town (no subways or busy streets), I would go without it. You're right, that's a great feature. Thank you for pointing that out!

[@jws6181]

@@JoeHiltabidel yes, i do wildlife and birds most of the time, but now and then I like to go too a airshow or a airfield, and there many people....so thats the reason, nice to talking to you Joe, thanks and greetings from the Netherlands#Stay Safe.

[@tegelfloorbreda3786]

Thanks for the review. Can you tell me what the height is with te top off. \

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I'm traveling with it out of state right now but as soon as I get home I'll measure it and let you know!

[@JoeHiltabidel]

It's 20x14x9 when my bag is packed full, including the straps. That's with the top off.

[@tegelfloorbreda3786]

@@JoeHiltabidel Thanks, my handluggage can be max 21,5xx13x10

[@hughjohns9110]

There is no perfect camera bag, there is only a bag that happens to meet your particular needs. This one would not be much use in northern Europe where going out for the day means taking a full set of bad weather gear with you. But then, that's true of most camera bags on the market. I can only assume they are designed by people living in California.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Is there an all weather bag you recommend?

[@hughjohns9110]

@@JoeHiltabidel I use Lowepro Flipside Trek 450, Lowepro Powder 500 and Mindshift Backlight 26L, depending what I’m doing. They all hold enough kit but all have their shortcomings.

[@benjaminrobinson6383]

Can you share where you bought this at 30% off? I really want to get this bag!

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I should have shared that originally. I bought it directly from LowePro.com and at the time they had a banner at the top that read something about 30% off bags over $100 if I recall. The discount showed up automatically. I just now went to their site, added the bag to the cart and there was no automatic discount, unfortunately.

[@benjaminrobinson6383]

@@JoeHiltabidel Thanks Joe! I had checked their website as well assuming that's where you went and saw the same thing. I'll keep an eye on it. Great video! You sold me on it for sure.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thank you! I wore it fully packed on a two mile, hilly walk today just for conditioning!

[@jamesgrove]

The problem with the LP bags is that they haven't evolved, the same bags are being made with tweaks, not redesigns. If your going to spend this much money on a bag then I expect it to come with waterproof zippers, and an adjustable bag system. LP dominated the market for years but the lack of innovation has left them exposed to bags designed by photographers such as those by F-Stop gear and Shimoda

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I’ll check out those brands, thank you

[@weddingcandidphotograph4134]

Exlent

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thanks

[@sonnygrant374]

How can you give a review of this bag when it's new to you.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Imagine the video title being "My first impression of this bag"? I've used it heavily since making the review... And my thoughts on the bag are only more positive. I wore it every day for two weeks through Oregon and Washington at the end of May. It fits great and wears comfortably. If I had to give it a con, I would say it would be nice to have the tripod still strapped on while rain fly is in use.

[@rogalaphotography]

Nice review but definitely NOT the best camera bag ever! Shimoda Action X50 has that title HANDS DOWN!

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Each bag gets a 4.5 on B&H - what do you like about it?

[@rogalaphotography]

@@JoeHiltabidel I’ve used LowePro bags in the past…they’re decent for the price. But Shimoda is the absolute most comfortable bag you will ever wear. Plus it’s versatility with their camera cubes and expandability of the roll top make the bag. The quality of the materials FAR EXEEDS that of LowePro bags…I have 4 LowePro bags to compare to the Shimoda

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thanks for the reply. I've never used a Shimoda but if I get a chance to check it out up close, I surely will! Thanks!

[@strobaholic]

This bag is $509usd in sept 2024 🤦‍♂️

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Wow! That’s a shocker. Great bag though…

[@strobaholic]

@@JoeHiltabidel It’s up to $520 now at B and H. Let’s see where it stops 😂.

[@LostParadiseFarEastPrimorye]

Hello ...Made in China - ???

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I assume everything I touch is made in China.

[@LostParadiseFarEastPrimorye]

@@JoeHiltabidel THANKS

[@kvedwards1971]

The 450 AW II is better

[@JoeHiltabidel]

What makes it better? www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Lowepro_550_AW_II_vs_Lowepro_450_AW_II_vs_Lowepro_BP_450AW_II/BHitems/1505399-REG_1434521-REG_1431289-REG

[@DonCamillo1967]

😂

[@StephanKempchen]

I tried the 450AW and it’s almost same bag, same size. But very uncomfortable to carry! The Back section has the compartments to hide the shoulder straps what makes it very inconvenient on the back. The back design of the BP550 is much better and comfortable.