I bought this camera backpack to replace my old Minolta backpack which I have (seriously) outgrown. Overall, the Escape is a good but not great pack which is why I gave it three stars. I would have liked to give it 3.5 stars but 1/2 a star isn't an option.:)
Anyway, some buyer background: 95% of my photography is outdoors and 90% of that is scenic. A little wildlife thrown in just for spice. I carry a 35mm full frame body, spare APS-C body and several lenses. A Sigma 50-500mm zoom and TC for wildlife, a 50mm f2.8 and 20mm f2.8 prime for landscapes and a 28-70 f2.8 zoom for general purpose. Tripod, ND filters, misc. filters (55mm, 72mm, 86mm), hood(s), and general photo accessories. Nothing out of the ordinary. I usually have to walk and generally its a few miles and the terrain is rough; there may or not be a path or trail so I need my hands free. These are not over-nighters just day hikes.
A backpack style camera 'bag' is the practical solution.
The pros:
The top load design is awesome as well as the Velcro'd in and therefore adjustable internal camera sling. You can prop the backpack up, unzip the top enough to get your camera out and then just flop the cover over while you're waiting. Ultra-quick access. There is even enough room to drop the camera into the sling WITH a Sigma 50-500mm lens attached. For full access to the inside you can lean the pack back and unzip the front. However, this pack doesn't come with internal retainer straps so it is possible for lenses to fall out if you're not careful.
The overall internal camera/lens storage space COULD be just a bit larger if you're packing a 35mm full frame DSLR and big (pro) glass. However, I can still fit a Sony a900, Minolta 27-70mm f2.8 G, Minolta 50mm f2.8, Minolta 7D body, a Sigma 50-500mm EX DG APO lens (and TC) and a Minolta 20mm f2.8. If I wanted a second a900 or a850 sized body one of the prime lenses would probably have to go.:(
The straps and back seem well made and are comfortable amazing considering how much all this gear weighs. I really like the chest strap. Nice feature. Time will tell how well the straps are stitched into the pack.
The backpack comes with several removable 'partitions'. I like Clik's design. Unlike most maker's partitions these are not just flat slabs of nylon encased foam with Velcro at both ends. These are lens body shaped on both ends and are flexible. IMHO, I think they actually supply more protection between lenses than the slabs in other bags.
General storage for cards, cords, etc. is found under the top flap covering the camera body. This is a great place for the memory card storage and there are two small zip up pockets for other (SMALL) frequently accessed items. Camera and cards are right there together.
The second storage section is on the lower front. A couple of nylon net bags and a 'key ring' retainer clip and strap are inside. The area is roomy enough for a (small) blower bulb, microfiber cloths, lens cleaner, flexible hood(s)...stuff like that.
The third is at the very top of the pack. I don't know what they expect you to use it for but it's a very handy place to put a map(s), hyperfocal cheat-sheets, etc. I don't know if I'd put electronics in there as I wouldn't want the sun beating on whatever it is under that black nylon all day long.
There is a fairly large removable zippered pouch that fits at the bottom of the main compartment. It's not divided and not too big but its useful for cords, spare lens caps stuff that won't break or scratch and can just be stuffed together in the same pouch.
Now for the cons:
The handle at the top of the pack is WAY to thin. Just carrying it from the parking lot to the hotel will cause the strap to cut into your hand.
In order to get the rain fly out you have to practicality turn the pack upside down and onto its front and its a pain in the rear to put the rain fly back. WHY isn't access and storage for the fly on the top where it should be?
The main storage space inside is too narrow. An inch or preferably two inches would allow for two big zooms like the 50-500 more comfortably. About two inches taller would also be really nice.
The lower front pocket contrary to marketing is useless for anything but a small, cheap poncho a sandwich and a cell phone. There is no padding or protection so anything going in there had better not be breakable. Small things placed in here will eventually slide to the bottom if not in the two small net pockets which means it's vulnerable to being bashed when you set the pack down. The net pockets aren't big enough for more than a couple smallish (55ish mm) filters in cases each maybe a small cell phone.
Which leads us to the two big drawbacks of this pack. Lack of protection and lack of accessory storage....
The bottom of the pack should be hardened and waterproof. This is a backpack after all and will be placed on the ground, rocks, logs, snow, mud, sand, wet vegetation, etc.
IMHO, I think there could be a bit more padding around the main compartment specifically the sides and front. Another 1/3" would be nice.
While the inside is reasonably well padded the two external pouches have NO padding AT ALL.
Which is only a secondary problem. The primary problem is there's virtually no accessory storage in this pack in the first place. Clik wasted the external sides of the pack and could have done a better job with the interior. External, padded and zippered side pockets would be GREAT!(like my old pack) Padded pockets on the inside of the main flap for filters, more memory cards, batteries, etc. Another external (PADDED) zippered pocket above the external existing one would also be nice.
External tie-down rings or bungee cords would also be nice to strap down a jacket and/or poncho.
Body could use a little stiffening. It tends to 'slouch' and fall over when you set it down if you're not careful. This would be accomplished with the addition of padded, zippered side pockets and a little more general padding, so....
The idea behind the design of this pack is obviously to hold a good amount of gear and make it comfortable to carry some distance. What I can not understand is why camera backpack manufactures including Clik can't just look at a backpack and design one that holds camera gear. Clik has it ALMOST right but it still seems like their designers neither backpack nor are outdoor photographers so they lack basic understanding of some requirements for both.
Still, you could do much worse. This is a compact, light pack and properly organized it will hold a respectably amount of gear. If Clik refines this design it could be an incredible product. All in all, though, for hikes in mild weather where you don't have to carry more than a sandwich, jacket, canteen (and/or water filter) and a moderate amount of camera gear it should do the job very well.
Its holds my nikon with every lens i have on it and keeps everything else organized while not in use. I have gone hiking through the plains with it and hiking up mountians with no issues. It protected all my gear and still gave me a little extra room to hold food and water. The rain cover that comes with it is a huge bonus. I got stuck and hour away from my car while hiking during a downpour with no place to hide and kept everything dry. the only thing that got wet was me and the backpack straps. The only reason I gave it four stars is because I believe a camera bag should be able to hold a tripod and this will not hold mine. maybe it will hold a small one but I havnt met too many people with a tripod smaller than mine. Overall, worth the buy!
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I am very pleased with the click elite escape camera back pack. I have found it to be very comfortable to wear, and I love the way it holds my equipment. It seems easy to get into, but I haven't really been rushed to get my camera out with it yet. It seems very well constructed, and I am thrilled with the price.
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Good high quality backpack. Paddings are very nice. It has enough room for my camera and 4 lens plus some extral room. Kind of heavy by its own. The main issue is the color is not gray, it is very much green, greyish green. Not a bad color but did not match with what saw in picture.
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Best back pack I've own "i have own Crumpler,LowePro,Kata etc), very well thought of and balance. I am so happy with this backpack and for the price cut!!! Can't beat that, good luck.
My son has been using this backpack for about a month now for school (kindergarten). It is an excellent bag for the price, and seems to be well made. It is quite large and fits his folder, library books, lunch, and jacket. Zippers work well. So far no problems whatsoever with this bag, and my son finds it very comfortable to wear.
