Review: F-Stop Satori EXP

I'm sick of carrying multiple bags whenever I go on a big camping or hiking trip. Being a pro photographer, I carry several cameras and lenses with me everywhere, so I always end up with a normal backpack on my back, and a camera bag worn backwards on my chest. There's no good way to carry clothes, food, camping gear and a photo rig without feeling like a donkey.

That's why F-stop's new Satori EXP is a lifesaver. The St. Louis-based company has created the perfect accessory for photographers who love to travel or spend a lot of time in the outdoors. The new bag, which starts at $360, is big and roomy, and allows for safe stowage of all the necessary camera gear as well as a few days' worth of travel supplies.

Last month I tested the Satori EXP by taking it on a seven-mile hike up to a waterfall that sits at the base of several 13,000-foot peaks in the Pecos Wilderness outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was just a day hike, but in addition to hefty amount of gear – two Canon 5Ds, a flash and four lenses including a 70-200mm f2.8 – I was able to get two quarts of water, several layers of clothing, rain gear and my food to all fit comfortably into the 62-liter pack. And that was without much trying. Thanks to the bag's well-designed system of exterior straps, I could have also carried whatever I needed to extend my stay: a sleeping bag, tent, ground pad and, if I was really feeling adventurous, a pair of skis and poles (and maybe even boots) to capitalize on the last remaining bits of snow.

In addition to creating a large, well-balanced bag, F-stop has designed some modular compartments that give you a range of organizational options. The company calls them ICUs, or Internal Camera Units – smaller, self-contained bags-within-the-bag that slip in and out, letting you decide how much of the total space within the backpack you want to dedicate to your camera gear.

F-stop sent me three different ICUs – the Pro ICU X-large, the Pro ICU Medium and the Shallow ICU Large. As you would expect, the Pro ICU X-Large holds a lot: its internal compartment is 6.5 inches deep, 10.6 inches wide and 18.1 inches tall. I stuffed it with several bodies, a 300mm f2.8 and several other lenses. The only drawback is that, due to its enormous size, it takes up most of the pack.

For my day hike, I decided to pack the Shallow ICU Large, which is only 4.3 inches deep, 10.6 inches wide and 13.4 inches tall. It held plenty, and saved enough room inside the bag to comfortably pack away all the clothes, food and additional stuff I needed for the hike.

To make sure you have easy access to your gear, the Satori EXP has a zippered panel that faces your back. Instead of having to rummage through the top of the bag to get to your camera, all you have to do is lay the bag down, open one zipper, and all your gear is right in front of you neatly organized within the ICU.

Even with the ICU packed to the gills, the Satori is exceedingly comfortable. I often forgot the bag was on my back because it was so stable. Like any large backpack, a good waist belt makes a huge difference, shifting the bulk of the load to your hips and away from your upper back and shoulders. The Satori EXP's waist belt is comfortable, easily adjustable, and generous enough to fit many different body types. The various other straps and adjustable bits also go a long way in making sure the bag is snug and doesn't rub you raw.

F-stop uses a lightweight, 330 nylon double-rip-stop material for the outer shell, which feels very durable. And the modular inserts provide extra padding and support, so I was confident that my cameras remained protected. Indeed, everything stayed safe and in place during all of my outdoor adventures.

One downside is the price: $360 for the pack alone, and the Pro ICUs range between $70 and $110 each. So the Satori EXP is not cheap, but neither is your camera gear. So if you consider your investment in your cameras and lenses to be a worthwhile one, you should feel the same about a pack such as this.

WIRED Every piece of your fancy gear will fit in this pack. Even the messiest person will feel organized with the ICU system. Well-designed and perfectly balanced on the body.

TIRED Materials feel durable, but the construction and finish give me pause – unlike a Toyota or a Honda, it might not last 20 years. Color choices are bland. It will dent your bank account.

All photos by Jakob Schiller/Wired