Having greatly enjoyed the fine quality and convenience of Tamrac's Adventure 8 Photo Backpack , I eagerly purchased the Adventure 9 as a more versatile travel bag. I was especially interested in being able to consolidate my camera bag and computer bag into one unit.
The Adventure 9 certainly has more room than the Adventure 8, especially in the top compartment. The bag is sturdily designed and comfortable, and Tamrac have introduced some nice extra features. I like the removable inner pocket designed for carrying laptop and electrical cords, although it would be more convenient to have it adhere directly to the bag via Velcro, rather than having the cumbersome Velcro straps that lash to inner loops.
The padded camera compartment is easier to access than the Adventure 8, although one must be careful not to spill lenses and other equipment out on the ground.
The Adventure 9 is not all good, however. The see-through lined compartment has limited uses other than as a "collect all" pocket. Tamrac's special "Memory and Battery Management System" is pretty useless if if you utilize a memory case such as Gepe's CardSafe Watertight Memory Card Case . The memory management compartment just take up otherwise needed space.
Despite its larger size, the Adventure 9 has fewer compartments than the smaller Adventure 8. There are times when I would like extra compartments in order to stash small items and extra goodies, such as small bottles of sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and lens cleaner.
As a word of caution, the padded camera compartment is deeper than it looks in the advertisement photos. If your equipment is of standard size (in other words, not gigantic), you may have to be creative with the padded inserts in order to keep your gear from shifting or flopping around inside the compartment.
When accessing the camera compartment, the top quick release buckle tends to constantly flop down into the compartment. I'm constantly annoyed with it, shoving it out of the way to get to my gear, only to have it flop back into the way.
Both the Adventure 8 and Adventure 9 backpacks have waist straps. However, the Adventure 8 has a rear sleeve in which to stash the waist straps when not in use. For some unknown reason, this sleeve was not included in the Adventure 9 pack, leaving the straps to dangle needlessly below the bag. If it didn't reduce the bag's resale value, I would probably cut the straps off just to be rid of the annoyance.
According to the Tamrac website, the rear computer compartment holds 17" laptops up to 15 1/2" x 11" x 2". Most Apple notebooks run a bit slimmer than that, so access is not a problem. My computer, however, runs those exact dimensions and will not fit due to the compartment's zipper limitations. Tamrac should have designed a wider zipper opening for easier access. I'm fearful of forcing the computer, as it may tear the zipper or the compartment.
In conclusion, I was hoping that upgrading from the Adventure 8 to the Adventure 9 would allow me the same functionality as well as the added bonus of hauling a laptop. In the end, the bags shortcomings left a bad taste in my mouth.
Since I got this backpack several weeks ago, I made many trips, including 2 to Singapore. I brought along my Canon XTi (400D), its kit lens (18-55mm), one 28-135mm lens, one 70-200mm / f2.8 lens, one external flash, and a few other small accessories, one 17-in Dell D820 laptop, its charger and mouse. The total weight is over 24 lbs (11 kg). I find this bag much better than the Tamrac Adventure 7 and the Lowepro CompuDayPack, both of which I outgrew quickly. With the Adventure 9, I can access my camera, lenses and accessories, pretty fast. Yes, I do have to put the bag on the ground to get to the camera; But that's the price I am willing to pay for convenience of carrying so many things in one bag.
When in an airplane, I put this backpack in the overhead bin. It's securely out of the way of legs, feet, service carts, etc. Before leaving home or hotel room in the morning, I will make a decision on what to bring. For example, when I was in Singapore over a weekend, I left my laptop and its accessories in the lock box in the room. My backpack was considerably lighter. I was able to find a way to conveniently secure my monopod on the Adventure 9, went out to enjoy the city and took a good deal of pictures.
This backpack is well made. The quality of its materials and workmanship is very high. Its design makes its usage convenient. The features of this backpack are well thought-out. I feel secure carrying my photographic assets around.
The only issue preventing me from giving it a 5 star is the opening for the laptop. It is barely enough for a 17-in laptop; the zipper interferes with putting in or taking out the laptop, from time to time. It seems that the worst time for this interference to happen is at the airport security line.
Hope my review is of use to you.
Update 16 March 2010
Since my review above, I made many more trips to Asia & Europe, as well as within the US. I also upgraded my camera to a Canon 50D. And my company entrusted me with a slightly bigger laptop.
This Tamrac Adventure 9 I purchased back in 2007 still serves me well. It protected my camera, lenses and accessories through high humidity & high heat of Southeast Asia, high dry heat of the desert Southwest of US, extreme cold winter of the central Europe, and many types of weather in between.
In case you like to see the photos I took on my travels, please go to .
Thank you.
Buy Tamrac 5549 Adventure 9 Photo/Laptop Backpack (Red/Black) Now
This backpack has it all:
Padded compartment for laptops up to 17"
Ample room for large DSLRs and 2-4 lenses/flashes
Space for other items, guidebook, jacket, etc.
A discrete non-camera bag appearance for security
It is a great looking bag too. I am going to the Caucasus and don't want to leave any equipment at the hotel. This bag allows you to carry all your gear with you. The straps are very comfortable. I like the grey/black combination, doesn't scream "I have expensive camera equipment. Come mug me."
Read Best Reviews of Tamrac 5549 Adventure 9 Photo/Laptop Backpack (Red/Black) Here
I bought this to fit my Canon EOS 30D, EF 24-70 f/2.8L (attached to the camera), EF-S 10-22 & the EF 70-200 f/2.8L.
Does it all fit? Yep, but there's not a whole lot of room left over. I have room in the bottom for the 580EX Speedlite but that's about it.
The top on the other hand is a bit smaller than I would have liked. Sure it holds other stuff...and lunch...OR a sweatshirt...but it's pretty cramped. With a bit of mashing I can just fit a light sweatshirt and my Panasonic PV-GS150 up there but it's a tight squeaze to be sure.
It's comfortable to wear but could really be a little larger overall. And I wish there was a way to secure all the straps...sternum, etc. I don't need those all the time and without a few "ties" of some sort they just seem to be floppin' everywhere.
I only gave it 3 stars because while it really is a very nice backpack it really could stand to be a few inches larger all the way around...and be able to secure or remove the extra straps when not in use.
Want Tamrac 5549 Adventure 9 Photo/Laptop Backpack (Red/Black) Discount?
We recently took this backpack to Mexico, with a laptop, some camera gear, and even put some small portable speakers in the camera dividers. It was heavy but very comfortable to carry. All the gear was well protected but easy to access (handy for airport security!). The versatility of having padded sections AND a laptop pocket (which is accessible without opening the main part of the pack) AND an open area for jacket or snacks makes this the perfect pack for our needs.
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this backpack is the size that i was expecting it to be so i surprised by ts small stature. but with all the pockets and internal dividers, you can store an incredible amount. however, it is NOT WELL BUILT. as i started packing my materials in it some of the internal seems ripped (minutes after receiving the pack). for light duty use it will work, but i WOULD NOT suggest it to anyone that plans to use this pack as a medium or heavy use pack. i wouldn't by this pack again.
