The Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450AW // I'm Impressed With This Camera Bag!

In this video today I decided to do this video on possibly my favourite bag I have purchased in recent years made by ​⁠‪@lowepro‬. I have had this since Feb this year and since getting it I have thoroughly enjoyed using it and has been my main go to when I want something lightweight yet has a large amount of storage space to offer inside. I use this to house both my stills and video kit that comes out with me on location. Since I have been using this a fair amount as you might have noticed in recent videos I thought it was time to talk about this bag, there's some things I don't like about it and lots of things I do like as well.
After making this video I decided to leave Pro Media Gear after more than 5 years of being with them, It was time for a change and my needs also changed after last years news. Now I am no longer working with them in any form.
This is not a sponsored video, I purchased this bag with my own money. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the bag and show you what I have it in on any given day when shooting with my dslr.
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To help support this channel using these links down below that are affiliated which enables me to keep doing what I do and funds what i love to do here
Sirui camera gear sirui-photo.com.au/ref/Phillips/
If you're looking to buy, sell or trade any camera gear be sure to check out MPB prf.hn/l/xEgXXYz
Before you head out on your next adventure be sure to head over to ontrackmeals.com.au and use the code PHILLIPS on checkout for up to 10% off your order. They produce some really nice food which is a nice treat when you’re miles from your nice cosy home.
On Track Meals also run expeditions around the world so be sure to check that out as well at www.ontrackexpeditions.net
You can also find me on instagram at to see extra content and more of what I do / simonphillipsphoto

[@frstesiste7670]

Good presentation in my opinion. I've had this models since 2017 and agree it's great value and a mid range bag. I use mine less than I expected as I more and more often need to bring a laptop and there simply isn't room for the 16" I use for work. It's room for a Surface Go or pad. I really "hate" fastening a tripod like you did and never bring one that need to stick out below the pack. Works fine with smaller travel tripods that will fit in a side pocket though.

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

@frstesiste7670 It really is a nice bag and great value. It is a shame that the front of the bag just didn't have a bit more height and width to the pack then I think it would be able to fit a laptop in the front quite easily. Yeah with the way I had my tripod it certainly isn't ideal, thankfully I have since purchased a smaller one and it is more manageable. I have certainly tried a small travel tripod in the side pocket and it fits in nicely and doesn't sit very high once in the pocket.

[@hilaryforgan421]

Thanks Simon. I've purchased this bag replacing my older Lowepro bag after watching your video. Very impressed with this bag 😊

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

Very nice! I’m sure you will enjoy this bag! I certainly recommend using some of your dividers from your old bag to customise this new one to suit you better.

[@Sony-Fanboy]

Great video, it was a real pleasure to watch it. I have also bought this bag second hand two days ago. It's a very good bag of excellent quality. The only thing i wished that would have been different is that i wished that Lowepro would had used the entire surface at the rear of the bag for storage. Same as with my previous bag the Flipside 400 AW. The storage compartment now looks a bit smaller to me compared with the 400 AW.

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

Thank you! I actually like the divide section as it is good to have that separate zone, though I think you can remove that barrier and open up the two spaces if you had to. I had the flipside 400aw I liked that bag as well, I just the bottom out of the front pocket so I could fit a 13" MacBook Air in it. I do which with this bag though that you could fit a laptop in it, it wouldn't be that hard to make it happen.

[@haroldcarlson2775]

I've had this bag for a month now and I absolutely love it. If I had one with, I wish it had about 5 more liters of non-camera storage in the top compartment. When I first received it I thought it would be too small but it turns out it's pretty much perfect size for a day hike and/or day trip. The thing that surprised me the most was how comfortable it is despite the thinner shoulder straps. This bag hugs my body and does not move much at all when hiking. I do think it's a little overpriced but if you can find it used then you can usually get a good deal. I would definitely recommend this to someone who doesn't need to take the kitchen sink.

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

I completely agree with you there! It would be great to have a little bit more room up top, but that front pocket is pretty big I’ve managed to fit quite a lot in there. I just wish it had a sleeve in the front and big enough to fit my 14” laptop in it, I can fit it in there now but there’s no padding, I might put my laptop in a neoprene sleeve for additional protection. You’re absolutely right about the support and those straps! It’s really supportive and comfortable to wear even all day. I’ve found some places charge a lot for the bag and other places are much cheaper, the Lowepro store is really expensive when I was looking recently.

[@swissgi]

You know you can lower the divider of the top compartment right? It will reduce the capacity of the camera storage compartment of course, but since it seems you have plenty of room for your gear, it shouldn’t be a problem! ;)

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

@swissgi I did find out about this later on and such a great feature. Or I can also fit more gear in it haha

[@krimke881]

Great rundown. Now the problem I find with these camera bags trying to be everything else, is that the pockets they try to add, are really not separate spaces. All the pockets seems that they are added on, instead, they are sliced into the space of the camera space. Which means if you fill the lid, the front or sides; it bulges into the camera space. And vica versa. This goes in general for all these camera bags that is designed for flexible use. The carrying systems has become brilliant, and the camera space has become bullet proof, and the straps all around for strapping things outside has become magical. But I cannot for the life of me, understand why they cannot make the added pockets an actual added space. Other proper trekking companies make sure you can actually fill the pickets each on it's own. but all the photography accessory companies, does it the other way. Properly annoying. Not even Shimoda that is new to the game, compared to the other contributors, has managed to make it proper. Lowepro and F-stop that has been late to the game on proper photo-adventure bags, and, actually are my all around favorite. The bags are more rigid and the camera inlays are not squishy enough to be invaded by you stuffing the other rooms. But they too have a way to go.

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

In the start of this where you referring to fstop bags or just a camera bag in general? I do find it hard to find a camera bag that’s actually really useable on all aspects, the Lowepro bag in this video I found very impressive but of course there’s still compromising. In my collection at home I’ve got multiple bags. I had to modify my fstop one with the insert so when I put things in the top of the bag it wouldn’t crush the insert and go into my camera gear area.