Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW Review
I've been using the Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW camera back pack for a few weeks now and sad to say it is a great replacement for my trusty Mini Trekker - not the AW version either.
The Pro Runner 300 AW is a well balanced back pack that sits comfortably on the back without the need to secure the sternum strap. There is a large pocket on the outside with two mesh pockets suitable for drinks bottle or whatever. There is a Hideaway TRipod Mount with an adjustable strap, carry handle/haul loop and All Weather cover and two SlipLock loops on the sides all secured with compression straps.
I must confess that when I first saw the Pro Runner 300 AW I doubted that it would carry all the gear I sometimes lug around with me. How wrong can I be? Below are a series of images illustrating what I carried on a photo walk today - normally I wouldn't carry this amount of kit, but I just had to see how the back pack would perform!
A note on carrying a tripod with the Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW or any other camera back pack - when securing your tripod into the Hideaway Tripod Mount, place the head, not the feet of the tripod into the mount. This lowers the load and thus the weight and centre of gravity making the back pack easier to carry. If you mount the tripod with the head at the top, there's a strong chance that the weight of the tripod head will be unstable and rock from side to side when walking, a bit like a pendulum!
Well done Lowepro for producing what could be another classic!
The Pro Runner 300 AW is a well balanced back pack that sits comfortably on the back without the need to secure the sternum strap. There is a large pocket on the outside with two mesh pockets suitable for drinks bottle or whatever. There is a Hideaway TRipod Mount with an adjustable strap, carry handle/haul loop and All Weather cover and two SlipLock loops on the sides all secured with compression straps.
I must confess that when I first saw the Pro Runner 300 AW I doubted that it would carry all the gear I sometimes lug around with me. How wrong can I be? Below are a series of images illustrating what I carried on a photo walk today - normally I wouldn't carry this amount of kit, but I just had to see how the back pack would perform!
- Canon 50D body & Optech strap
- Spare 50D batteries
- Canon EF 100 mm f2.8 macro with tripod mount
- Canon 5D Mk II body with 24 - 105 mm f4 IS L lens & Optech strap
- Canon 50 mm f1.4 and polarising filter
- Sigma 15 mm fisheye
- Extension tubes
- Hoodman Hoodloupe 3
- Wireless remore trigger
- Canon 100 - 400 f5.6 IS L lens
- Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket for CF cards
- Spare 5D Mk II battery
- Canon Right Angle Finder
- Canon TC-80N3
- 77 mm Polarising filter in pocket
- Black electrical tape
- 3 m extension for Speedlite - not sure why I've got this when I'm not carrying a Speedlite!
- Whibal grey & white balancing card
- 12" Photoflex white translucent & black/silver reflectors
- Lens Pen
- Sun Position Compass
- Neck leash with ID card holder
- Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW camera back pack
- Mesh bottle pocket
- Lowepro Apex PV AW with Canon G10 compact
- Tube with Rosco diffusion sheets and scrim
- Go Pro Photo Mini Scrim frame
- Rosco matte black Photofoil
- Lowepro Film Organiser AW with Cokin filters etc attached via SlipLock attachment loops and compression strap
- Out of shot - 750 ml drinks bottle in mesh pocket
- Own straps in loops on base for jacket, groundsheet etc
A note on carrying a tripod with the Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW or any other camera back pack - when securing your tripod into the Hideaway Tripod Mount, place the head, not the feet of the tripod into the mount. This lowers the load and thus the weight and centre of gravity making the back pack easier to carry. If you mount the tripod with the head at the top, there's a strong chance that the weight of the tripod head will be unstable and rock from side to side when walking, a bit like a pendulum!
Well done Lowepro for producing what could be another classic!
Thanks for the review. I've been trying to decide between this and the 350 as I do want the option to carry a laptop if I have to. Would this carry a 15" laptop in the front pocket?
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