Discount Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Camera Backpack

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $274.99
Sale Price: $153.00
Today's Bonus: 44% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program One word describes this Backpack: "Capacious".

This line of DSLR backpacks represents the Flagship of Lowepro's urban adventurer.

CONSTRUCTION

The Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW DSLR backpack is constructed of durable black 600d Polyester on its exterior and 210d Nylon PU Velex in its interior. The difference between this and its cousin, the 350 AW, is the larger capacity for longer lenses (300 mm versus 70-200 mm), more accessories(4 to 6 versus 3 to 4), and a larger widescreen laptop (17" versus 15.4"). AW stands for All Weather.

Carrying methods are flexible: conventional backpack carry, side carry and top carry. A durable feeling rubber grip on the side and top is comfortable. This facilitates easy navigation through customs, airport security and through busy terminals. The shoulder straps are padded, and the weight distribution is eased by the chest and waist straps. The weight of the bag without equipment is 6 pounds.

VERSATILITY

This bag is very big but it will still fit into an overhead compartment on an airplane (under current standards, May 2010): 13.4W X 11.4D X 19.9H in (Exterior). There is even an internal padded compartment for a notebook: 12.2W X 1.8D X 15.6H in and this fits my 15.4" Macbook Pro comfortably. It is located along the left side of the pack (when it is on your back) secured by a zipper.

The interior is subdivided with compartments that can be adjusted with padded dividers fastened by Velcro. The dividers are completely removable which allows me to use this as a convenient overnight bag, also. There is surrounding padded on the top, sides and bottom of the backpack's housing. It is up to your imagination to what configuration best suits the weight distribution of your valuables. This will fit a full sized SLR with a 300 mm lens. Depending upon the lenses that you carry, this will accommodate for 4 to 6 lenses/external flash/handheld meter/other accessories. What attracted me, also, was the ability to carry a compact sized tripod when traveling. An all weather cover is included, to protect your valuable equipment from rain. A padded mesh backpad facilitates the comfort of carrying. Zipper closure is augmented with a snap buckle closure.

The front pocket has a space for a small foldable poncho or rolled up T-shirt/gym shorts. The small pocket for passports is about 11 inches tall and about 4.5 inches wide. There is a small clip to hold keys. 2 four inch wide flat compartments for small items, a Velcro secured pouch, and a legal sized pocket for folders or magazines. The All Weather Cover is secured in the bottom of the front flap by Velcro. The nylon cover with elastic sides is sewn to the inner compartment, minimizing the chance for losing it. The quick release helps for covering the valuables in less than 15 seconds.

The inner pocket has plastic lined compartments secured by zippers. There are two padded pockets secured by Velcro to store memory cards.

The versatility of this bag is that there are so many pockets that allow for the user to have complete organization for travel. An outside pocket for documents such as tickets, passports and rental information can be stored. This is Sliplock compatible for adding additional items to the bag.

USE

For those who are ambitious enough to carry every accessory, this can be a heavy backpack. However, the generous padding does alleviate the weight very well.

PROs

Versatile

Extensively padded (inside and out)

Completely adjustable shoulder straps

Many compartments

Weather resistant with All Weather Cover

Shock resistant (light bumps)

Comfortable

Can be used as an overnight backpack

Travel compliant

Sturdy

CONs

Large (may not suit smaller framed individuals)

Heavy 6 pounds (even heavier if you put all equipment, notebook and extraneous items > 50 lbs)

No integrated wheels

CONCLUSION

If you have to pack it all, this is the best way to go. It is comfortable, versatile and resistant to the elements of water and light bumps from traveling.

Two thumbs up.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Sturdy, well designed with lots of interior configurations, fits in an overhead bin, a tank of a camera bag/backpack -pros and cons follow.

PROS

Design: Very thoughtfully laid out, convenient to use, with every detail accounted for. Especially like the waterproof cover built into the bottom of the bag that's easily accessed in a sudden downpour, and the built-in sideways camera sleeve located near the back. Great organizer front pocket for travel documents and personal items. All the pockets and build-ins remind me of Eagle Creek luggage, which I absolutely love.

Protectiveness: Your gear is completely covered in this thing.

Versatility: The internal padded dividers can be adjusted to conform to your lenses and accessories. Waterproof inside pockets for memory cards and other small items. Or you can remove the interior dividers altogether and use this as a backpack for short trips.

Build quality: This is solidly constructed, and should last for years.

CONS

Bulky: It's fairly big for a smaller framed person. I'm 5'4", and look slightly overwhelmed by this backpack. It's not heavy though (6 lbs), and it's comfortable to carry, thanks to the very padded, adjustable straps.

Looks: Not bad-looking, but a bit generic for those of us who like colorful bags.

Best Deals for Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Camera Backpack

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program If you have some serious camera gear that cost you hundreds of dollars then this pack is a steal. Let's start with the outside. It's app. 19" tall, 13" wide and 9" deep. The pack has 3 ways to carry it; two rubber handles, one on the top and one on the side, and thickly padded shoulder straps. There is a well padded mesh backing to wick away moisture from your back. The pack also has a rain flap lid, so if you get caught in foul weather you just pull out the rain cover and you're good to go, side compression straps, slip lock attachment loops, tuck away padded waist belt, mesh side pocket, a zippered pouch in front, straps to hold your tripod, and last but not least a padded laptop compartment that's next to your back.

When you unzip the front flap you will find pockets for your cell phone, MP3 player, pens, keys, documents and other small items. Opening up the main compartment, you will find 13 compartments that are all adjustable. You can remove the shelving to make them taller or shorter depending on your needs. All the compartments are well padded, so there is no fear of any damage to your equipment. Even the front flap has compartments.

This pack is also designed to take on an airplane, but with all the equipment that you can store in this pack it might take you a little while to get through security.

I can also see other uses for this backpack. If you are into research where you needed to pack out into the wilds and bring back samples of say soil or water, the padded compartments would protect your samples.

This is a very well thought out and constructed pack and I believe you would not be disappointed in owning this.

Honest reviews on Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Camera Backpack

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Whether you are a professional photographer or a serious traveler who likes to take along a camera kit, this backpack more than meets the needs of the seasoned road warrior. When I ordered this, I didn't think 19 inches was so much, but this can handle so much inside and out. It is well padded on the back and on the body straps. The lower part of the backpack has straps for support of the lower back and hips. There are two carrying handles--one on top and one on the side. There are bands to hold a tripod or monopod on the front and side. There is a side zipper to access the laptop pouch which can hold up to a 17" laptop. I have a 16 inch and it slips right in. On top, underneath the handle, there is a slot hiding a strap to connect it to other luggage. On the front the zipper reveals room to carry miscellaneous or personal items. On the bottom of the front, there is a velcro opening to access the rain pouch. Inside the main section there is so much room for carrying the camera body, many lenses and flashes, and more pockets for storing memory cards or whatever you decide. This backpack leaves plenty of room for customizing the interior to meet your needs. Right now I only own a camera body, an external flash, and three lenses. The only thing it is missing is wheels. Fortunately I have a lightweight trolley that I can use to carry this if I don't want to carry it as a backpack. It's big enough to be a cabin carry case if I take out the velco spacers. There is so much one can do with this bag that I highly recommend it if you travel and want to take plenty of camera equipment with you and know it will be well protected.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Camera Backpack

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I had always been reluctant to buy a backpack to haul my camera gear along on photo trips. I thought it would be heavy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable. When FedEx showed up with it I was amazed at the size of the box, and even more so when I realized the big box was necessary as the bag itself is rather large. I am able to place all of my important gear in it. This includes two DSLRs, one with a telephoto lens attached and another with a wide angle attached. There was also room for a third DSLR body, three more lens, a set of extension tubes, a standard flash unit, a ring flash, with room left over for cleaning equipment, extra batteries, memory cards, etc. It also has a pouch to slide up to a 17 inch laptop and a strap to attach a tripod. Although this is a nice option I personally do not take a laptop on a photo trip. So with the pack pretty much loaded I adjusted the straps and pulled it up to my back. After making some more adjustments with the straps I was very surprised at how comfortable it felt. It is well padded in the right places and as someone with arthritis in the lumbar spine it actually felt good, sort of like a back brace. The following weekend I took it out for a half day trip to the local zoo. I had no problem carrying it for nearly five hours. The only problem of course is that when you need to switch equipment you have to take it off in order to get at it. But that is true of any backpack and can't really be considered a fault. All in all I am very pleased with the bag and I wish I had not taken so long to give it a try. Absolutely a recommended buy.