Tamrac Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack (Red/Black)

The backpack has essentially everything in the description, lots of padded room 4 your laptop, camera, & all the cords/batteries/memory cards you could need. The space on the top is plenty room 4 anything else you could need, & if you need more room, the divider is velcro so you can move it around 2 accommodate even a college textbook.

It's a great bag, holds my xps1210, my rebel xti with telephoto zoom & external flash with extra camera stuff. Only bad thing is as a travelling scientist, I don't have much room 4 any papers or small books - i have 2 cram it all into the computer compartment. Otherwise, a very good bag.

I bought this pack mostly 2 carry my DSLR & laptop through the airport. The lower camera pouch & laptop sleeve are both very well padded. The dividers 4 the camera pouch are a little big 4 my Canon XSi with kit lens but everything seems 2 be well secured with velcro. A downside 2 all that padding is the pack feels a little stiff & topheavy when fully loaded. It's awkward in cramped quarters fully loaded, like in an airplane aisle. It barely fits under the seat in front when in coach (you're not going 2 put it in the overhead bin, are you?). I'm 6 feet & the pack is just barely the right size 4 me, so it may feel too big 4 someone shorter. Ditto the previous comments about too many straps. It does seem 2 be well constructed 4 long hikes, with both chest & waist straps. Believe it or not, it is actually shorter than a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with a 488RC4 head. I don't know yet how I'm going 2 attach the tripod 2 the backpack, either on the side or underneath.

For a "serious amateur" photographer with one body & a couple of lenses, this is probably the best bag out there 4 day hikes & around-town jaunts. I did quite a bit of research before ultimately deciding on this one. It went up against a couple of Lowepro bags (i.e., Trekker II, Fastpack 100, Flipside 200) & a couple of Kata bags (i.e., DR-465 & DR-467). In shopping 4 a camera bag, I had a couple of main objectives: I needed a backack-style bag that would safely hold a few pieces of gear (a Canon XTi body, 2-3 lenses, & a SD630 point-and-shoot), a bag that did not scream "I am a camera bag", & one that would be comfortable 2 wear on relatively challenging day hikes (e.g., up Mt. Mansfield in Vermont) while accommodating a few non-camera items.

The pros:
* separate camera & "miscellaneous" compartments keep your lunch from contaminating your gear
* top "miscellaneous" compartment is generously sized (i.e., holds a couple sandwiches & granola bars, a trail guide, & one tightly balled-up rain slicker)
* mesh side-pockets are nice & stretchy (I've been able 2 fit a 1L Nalgene in there)
* build quality is very solid
* good padding in the camera compartment; plus the dividers are re-arrangeable 2 meet your specific needs
* straps are well-padded & the bag is very comfortable 2 wear over long periods of time (plus the chest & waist straps help 2 better distribute the load across your torso)
* does not scream "I contain $2000 worth of camera gear"

The cons:
* no tripod loop (depending on how big yours is, you could try 2 jam it into the mesh side-pocket but you'd still need 2 jury-rig a stablizing strap around the top)
* access 2 the camera compartment requires you 2 take the bag off (this may not be a big deal 2 you (it wasn't 4 me) but could be major...)
* not "all weather" (it would do well enough in fog or light rain but if you're expecting a heavy downpour, you might want 2 reconsider)

Other miscellaneous remarks:
* It was a close call between the Adventure 7 & the Adventure 9. This one (Adventure 9) is a little bit bigger & thus a little bit more expensive. It does (however) have a "slot pocket" in the back 4 a laptop -- this actually counted as points ~against~ the bag at first but after taking future travel plans into consideration, it made more sense 2 spend a little more & get that built-in feature.
* As mentioned above, it's a great candidate 4 day hikes & jaunts around town. That said, you'll want your hiking and/or travel partner 2 carry a small bag as well. There's enough room here (like I said) 4 a couple sandwiches, a trail guide, & YOUR jacket but your partner will be on his/her own in that department.

The only thing against this product would be its size, it's pretty big. But it would have 2 be 4 the functionality you get/need in an SLR+Laptop combo pack. I carry a D-200, Apple Macbook Pro, & all the cords/cds/ipod/cellphone stuff I want, & I still have space left over in the top pocket. Very easy removal of the laptop (important at the security screening in Airports). I even carry a tripod in the side pocket (don't bother strapping it 2 the bottom of the pack).

The Adventure 9 is a modern backpack designed 4 the SLR photographer with a pro digital or film SLR with a grip & 5" lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories & a laptop. The completely foam-padded lower compartment protects photo equipment, while the large top compartment holds a light jacket, lunch or other necessary items. Inside the top, a Pop-Off Pocket keeps AC adaptors & laptop cords organized. A separate, completely foam-padded compartment provides quick access 2 a laptop without disturbing photo gear.Double zipper pulls provide quick access 2 photo gear while a weather flap & quick-release buckle provide security & weather protection. Inside the main compartment, foam pillars support the camera with lens attached, ready 4 action, while adjustable, foam-padded dividers protect other equipment. Tamrac's Memory & Battery Management System uses red flags 2 identify available memory cards & batteries from ones that are used up. A Windowpane-Mesh pocket organizes filters, cables & other accessories.Two mesh side pockets provide quick access 2 accessories & water bottles. The comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured 2 distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. The harness also features Tamrac's Strap Accessory System attachment points 4 customizing this pack. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod 2 be carried (requires accessory straps).