Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack
Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack – Possibly the largest camera backpack on the market.
There are plenty of camera backpacks out there that make it easy to carry tons of camera gear out to remote locations. There are even some that give you some camera free space to pack a lunch in or toss a jacket into. These sort of camera backpacks are great if you are just going out on a short day hike or will just be on location for a few hours. But what about when you need more time in the backcountry? What if it takes a day just to hike to the area you want to shoot? Until recently, you had to find a haphazard was to pack all of your camera gear safely into your backcountry pack. Now you can get the Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack.
The Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack is far from a typical camera backpack. This isn’t one of those camera backpacks that just has a camera bag built into the bottom and then a little bit of free space up top. No sir. The Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack is designed to be a decent sized backcountry backpack with a camera bag area built into it. This way you get all the room and features of a backcountry pack, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your camera gear is stowed away safely. Just how much room does the Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack offer? As far as the main pack area goes that is about 1000 cu in. not counting the room that the camera bag area takes up.
In addition to the 1000 cu in of basic pack space there is an additional 800 cu. in. of camera bag space. The camera bag area of the Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack has all the features you would expect to find. There is a fully padded area that features the typical rip and stick type walls to let you organize the camera bag area to fit your needs. All of this is sealed up with a water resistant zipper to help keep your gear as safe as possible.
The quick & dirty:
Where you can get one:
Amazon.com: $279
Why they rock:
- 1,000 cu. in. main compartment accommodates hiking gear; hydration sleeve and tube exit port make it easy to hydrate on the go (hydration reservoir sold separately)
- Fully padded, 800 cu. in. camera bay features a water-resistant zipper and modular organization with customizable rip-and-stick cradle dividers
- Media pocket with weather-resistant zipper organizes memory cards, portable hard drives, cables and batteries
- Top organizer compartment features 2 internal zippered mesh pockets
- Padded shoulder straps, contoured waist belt and adjustable sternum strap evenly distribute the load for comfort and stability
- Molded back panel sheds snow and dirt and vents heat and moisture for increased comfort
- Internal aluminum stays provide structure and load support
- LadderFit harness adjusts to 4 different torso lengths
- Built-in ChestPort attachment points host a Clik Elite ChestPack (sold separately) for fast camera access
- Mesh stash pocket features compression strap with a quick-release buckle and a zippered hideaway pocket
- Mesh side pockets carry water bottles or other small items
- Lash points on top pocket and bottom panel allow you to attach a tent, sleeping bag, tripod or other large items to the outside of the pack
- Integrated, hideaway rainfly provides added protection when the going gets wet
- Clik Elite Hiker pack is built to last with beefy zippers, full lining, tped seams and 1,680-denier and 420-denier high-tenacity nylon fabrics
Seat-of-the-pants rating: 9 out of 10
The Clik Elite Large Hiker Pack seems pretty cool to me, but I cant say for sure how well it performs as a regular backcountry pack. Im sure it can handle average wear and tear if it it used from time to time, but I don’t know that it would hold up well on a thru hike of the AT. The only other draw back is that it is a bit expensive even if it does have a built in camera bag. But that is just my two cents.
Looking to Buy? Check out these sites:
Amazon.com: $279