Gear review: Lowepro CompuRover AW Backpack

*Apologies for the sometimes-less-than-optimal photos, I was late for my plane.

With the advent of cheap prosumer digital SLRs, I thought it would be interesting to review my new Lowepro Compurover AW backpack to help you decide upon a backpack to travel with, if you have camera gear to take to France.

When looking at a backpack, I have a few core requirements:

• Carries camera, must travel (and protect said camera).
• Needs loads of pockets, appropriate to shooting and travelling.
• Excellent ergonomics; straps, and keeps weight low (camera gear kept low on hips).
• Laptop pocket, for easy access at airports.

I've previously used an fstop Tilopa for this task. Good and bad features include:

• Internal Camera Unit (ICU) – makes the bag bulky, but protects your kit.
• It has rear access which is awesome for on-location shooting, but the ergonomics are terrible.
• It has loads of pockets, but not much spare volume (spare tshirts etc for long haul flights).
• No laptop pocket that can be easily accessed.
• Distributes some load up high.
• Phone/camera pockets on waist straps are great.

Generally I will use the Tilopa on an organised shoot, or if we're roadside for the Tour and I can put it face down, unzipped with access to lenses etc (I don't carry two bodies overseas, so need to be able to change lenses).

However, the rear entry is bad for quick access, as you need to take the whole pack off, so you can't quickly reel off some shots.

Tilopa; front pockets are nice and big

Rear access; protects camera

Top access and pockets; very clever

Travel stuff

So, onto the CompuRover AW. I did a lot of research before buying this bag.

Brand new

I realise it fills a slightly different function to the Tilopa; I think the Tilopa is a bit more appropriate for on-location and transit. I think the Compurover is more of a transit, day pack; more of an all-rounder.

The key features that attracted me were:

• Excellent strap system.
• Relatively quick access to camera gear.
• Distributes load down onto hips.
• Dedicated laptop storage.

Below we can see them back to back. Hands down, the CompuRover is has a less bulky profile.

Back to back

The CompuRover has a number of features that I think you will appreciate when travelling or hiking around.
On the exterior there is a pretty deep pocket for necessities you need quick access to; wallet etc.

Internally, there is a clear pencil case/zipped holder which I use for money, USB stick and a spare pen.

Secure pocket

There's also a dedicated pouch for Compact Flash or CD cards.

For Memory Cards

The camera gear can be access from the front zip, which allows the camera storage to open out of the bag, or from the top inside the main top zip (which would require you not to have anything sitting on top.

In the photo below, I have a Canon 40D, a 70-200 f/4 IS USM L, a 17-55 EF-S f/2.8 IS USM, a 10-20 Sigma and various cables, battery chargers, card readers, lense cleaners etc.

Kit

Although I didn't take a photo, directly behind the back padding, is a dedicated laptop slot, which can accommodate a 13″ Macbook comfortably, as well as a note book (for written notes) and your travel doco. This made transiting through security that much more pain-free it wasn't funny.

The only downside to this bag is its storage; as well as my kit, I can fit laptop charge, iPhone charger, 2 spare tshirts, and some other miscellaneous items, 2 books, but not much else.

However, at the end of the day, you want to travel light, and this encourages that.

Overall, this bag is a worthy contender for those of you journeying with camera kit and a laptop.

Note, all Amazon links in this post are Amazon affiliate links.