I'm in the market for a new bag. I currently use a Lowepro Slingshot 200 which I love, but it's become too small for my growing amount of gear. My big gripe with the bag is the one shoulder strap-after a few hours, it really digs into my shoulder.

Anyway, I'm looking at two bags, the Lowepro Fastpack 350 and the Tamrac Aero Speedpack 3385. Both seem like they'll do what I want, offer more room for my gear, give me 2 shoulder straps to more evenly distribute the weight on my back, and still give me quick side access. After watching the product videos and looking at the photos, I'm leaning towards the Lowepro.

I'm curious if anyone uses either of these bags or similar models and can offer any feedback.

I have two lowepro bags, they are beefy and seem like they'll hold up a long time.

Like Mark, the Tamrac bag I've got is nicely designed but doesn't give the beefy feel. I've got the adventure messenger that everybody here has and I really like it for a body and 1-2 lenses.

Bryan, Hunts in PVD carries both lines and both bags you're looking at are popular enough they might have them. I've seen 2 strap lowe pro AND tamracs there before, so it's worth a call or trip.

as for the brands, lowepro seems to make more expensive bags (but not crazy expensive) that look a bit nicer but don't function quite as well. Tamrac's tend to look a bit clunky but seem better built and seem to work better? I've owned ~2 tamracs (a pro 5 and adventure 4 messenger) and ~4 lowe pros (TLZ zoom pro and stealth reporter 650 another top loader and another smaller shoulder bag). But either will work provided it's designed in a way that works they way you want it to (always my issue). Both are good bags but not great. Tamrac always seems to have killer pricing though.

agreed, your "fit better" is my "work better" apparently.

Thanks for the feedback. I was planning a trip to Hunts at some point to see if they had either bag there.

I have a Kata backpack I really love. R-103.

--Dan

i've got a lowepro sling bag and a tamrac messenger bag. the lowepro is currently my second tool bag for the car.... i love the tamrac. t'is so nice.

I can't stand my LowePro bag. It's the second I've owned and the second that does nothing well but store camera gear.

I had a Lowepro fastpack 250, but wasn't a big fan of it. It was a good bag for traveling, but I wouldn't use it on a regular basis. Plus when I had it fully loaded it seemed like a ton of weight sitting on the one end of my laptop (if that matters to you). I sold it and picked up a Vertex 200AW. I got the Vertex because it is built more for hiking, holds way more gear (my 100-300 f/4 fits great with body attached), has the all weather cover, and the laptop sits on top of the camera gear instead of the other way around.

I need to sell mine... just looked it up and saw the damn thing costs $300 new! I hope I didn't pay that much for it...

I'm not big on messenger bags, they strain my shoulder after a while of carrying them. I looked at the Vertex series and the Kata R-103, and while they are nice, they don't offer side access. I have a Keisel backpack that lets me fit a ton of gear in it and is fairly comfortable to wear, plus has a hydration pack, but I have to take it off to get to my gear. That sucks if you don't have a clean, dry place to rest your bag. I'll have to hit Hunt's and try out both bags. Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions!

I know exactly what you mean... I want a backpack for the symmetric support. But I want side access that doesn't suck. I haven't found it yet. The incase DSLR sling would be perfect if it was only a backpack (2 straps) not a sling.....