Lowepro Flipside 400 Aw Vs 400 Aw Ii

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I've used the Lowepro Flipside backpacks almost religiously. The design allows photographers to exercise a lot! You can swing the purse forward on the waist belt, open upwardly the full back panel, grab annihilation from the main compartment, flip the bag back, and go along shooting. Few backpacks offering full admission to every unmarried lens slot without removing the handbag. The flip blueprint mixes the best benefits of a backpack with access that's almost as quick as a messenger bag. I vicious in dear with the first generation of the Lowepro Flipside — which was affordable enough to pick up when I first started out — then naturally, I picked upwards the 2d generation. At present, its successor has arrived, but the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III has big shoes to fill.

Unfortunately, Lowepro has taken the Flip out of the Flipside. The back up straps that allowed access to gear while withal wearing the bag are gone. Instead, Lowepro has replaced them with a molded front console designed for (gasp!) placing the bag on the ground to access gear. The movement turns a great bag into a pocketbook that's just expert and a bag that blends into the residual of the backpacks on the market. Is it a bad backpack? Not at all. But is information technology nevertheless my favorite photographic camera backpack?

"The support straps that allowed access to gear while even so wearing the bag are gone. Instead, Lowepro has replaced them with a molded front end panel designed for (gasp!) placing the bag on the basis to access gear."

Likewise Long, Didn't Read

The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Iii backpack is comfortable, affordable, and roomy. But, the bag doesn't "flip" like before generations. Further, I don't intendance for the tripod pocket, rain embrace, or limited interior system.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Comfortable straps and waist belt
Lots of room for gear and accessories
Durable front panel
Completely unzips for full access to everything
Laptop and tablet sleeve
Affordable

Cons

No more flip access
Limited ways to organize the interior
Tripod/water bottle pocket is snug
The older version had more latch straps and a ameliorate rain cover.

Gear Used

I packed the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW 3 with the Nikon Z7 2, the Z 50mm f1.two lens, the Z 24-70mm f2.viii lens, and a Nikon SB-700 wink plus accessories. I as well arranged my own D850 and lenses in the bag to encounter what types of gear fit best.

Innovations

When the original Flipside launched, bags that opened at the back panel were a rarity. Lowepro used that feature both for added security and for easier admission for gear. That opening is even so in that location simply more difficult to access without putting the pocketbook on the ground. Instead, Lowepro inverse upwardly the front of the purse with little risers to keep nigh of the handbag out of the dirt. While I like the new front blueprint, I don't see why Lowepro couldn't have still kept the ability to easily access the total bag without taking it off.

But what's actually new and innovative? Well, there is a new strap/handle to grab it from the back surface area, which we haven't seen before with any other photographic camera pocketbook.

Tech Specs

Lowepro lists these specifications for the Flipside 400 AW III:

Weight: 1.7 kg
Internal dimensions: 28 10 14 x 41 cm
External dimensions: 33 ten 24 x 48 cm
Laptop compartment dimensions: 26 x 1 x 36 cm
Tablet compartment dimensions: 24 ten 1 x 32 cm
Total volume: 20 L
Photographic camera compartment dimensions: 28 10 xiv ten 41 cm
Front compartment dimensions 27.v x 2 x 41 cm
GearBox interior dimensions: 27 x 11 10 ix cm
Exterior material: 600D polyester, 600D polyester ripstop

Ergonomics

The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III has a much more streamlined, minimalist expect compared to its predecessors. The bag has more than smooth edges and curves, giving information technology a more modern look. This is a bag that'due south aesthetically going to fit in equally well at a wedding, in the city, or on hiking trails.

The front of the bag has two strong outcroppings. These act like congenital-in risers: when you lot place the bag on the ground to access gear, information technology'south not all the way in the dirt. A big front pocket covers nigh of the front end. Inside that front pocket, in that location are two more pockets and a primal ternion. While the front end pocket is a good height and width, it'southward non terribly deep. I could, even so, still fit a minor dejeuner box in at that place. The smaller pockets are deep enough to fit my hand in a chip by my wrist. (I accept relatively modest hands). They'll piece of work for a smartphone and similarly sized items.

On the side of the Flipside 400 AW 3, one side has a water bottle pouch or tripod holder, the other has a quick access door to the main compartment. The pouch, nevertheless, is likewise small; an 18-ounce drink barely fits in. I could just go a leg or two of my compact BeeFree travel tripod in the pouch, though it still seemed to stay in identify using the buckle at the height of the bag. I preferred the previous generation's tripod solution, which had a hidden pouch that pulled out of the centre of the bag and straps at the top to keep information technology in place. That older design kept the tripod's weight centered, allowing you to acquit both a tripod and a water canteen. And it had more room.

For total access to gear, the entire rear panel of the bag unzips, so every lens slot is easy to access. The rear panel stays open all the way, so it's easier to admission the lens slots on the bottom of the bag. On the reverse of the back panel, the bag houses two tech sleeves, i for a laptop and one for a tablet, as well as a zippered mesh pocket for accessories similar filters and extra batteries. This is my to the lowest degree favorite location for a laptop sleeve — though most bag companies honey to put them here. With the laptop essentially right against your back, the back panel is stiff and more uncomfortable compared to pack's predecessor. The cushioned back panel prevents this gear up-up from being too terrible, but I would accept preferred if the laptop sleeve were located in the big front pocket.

The arrangement of the main compartment relies heavily on two larger, stiffer dividers that are shaped to a photographic camera and lens (the darker greyness dividers in the photos). These pieces sit down just below a removable pouch that'due south platonic for chargers and cords. The smaller divider pieces adhere to these big pieces with velcro, and two of the larger pieces have congenital-in velcro-closure SD card pockets.

However, these large, stiff divider pieces can't really motility from their default position, placing the camera with an attached lens at the top of the pocketbook. Physically, you tin pull them off and move them, simply they only fit in the bag horizontally. The smaller, low-cal greyness dividers need to exist attached to those larger, nighttime grayness dividers. Unfortunately, that means you can't rearrange the handbag and so that y'all tin take hold of your camera from the quick access door at the side. This feels a chip counterintuitive, just Lowepro conspicuously intends the quick admission door for lenses. Yous tin arrange the purse and so that you can reach for two lenses from that side door.

The 400 size of this bag feels a little too deep. There's at to the lowest degree an inch higher up the Z7 II body, which means it'south going to move around a fleck. On the other hand, if the bag were narrower the Z 50mm f1.2 would take a hard fourth dimension fitting in. Including a absorber for under the photographic camera torso — which Lowepro did with the Flipside II — would have created a more secure fit.

Back on the outside of the bag, the shoulder straps are attached to the peak of the handbag, non the summit of the zippered back console. That means you have to pull the straps out of the fashion earlier unzipping information technology. (Bags similar the Wandrd PRVKE have the straps fastened to the dorsum panel, then they stay out of the way amend.) But, the shoulder straps are sufficiently padded and adequately comfy.

Besides the shoulder straps, the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Iii also has a new catch handle on the back console, which I love. Y'all don't experience it while wearing it considering information technology'southward tucked between the overnice padded sections. You tin also hands grab the bag from a handle at the top.

Worn, the bag is quite comfortable. That'due south thanks in part to a nicely padded waist belt. The bag too has a sternum strap with adaptable height (a must to fit different body types).

Build Quality

The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III is synthetic from polyester. I've used the previous generation of this bag for years and it's nevertheless holding up well. The front of the bag is a bit tougher since it's designed to exist placed front end downwardly, with additional coatings and those two potent points to hold the bag a little off the footing. The zippers all pull smoothly but don't take a atmospheric condition-resistant seal.

The backpack includes a separate rain embrace. This accessory covers the front, sides, and bottom, but not the panel that rests confronting your back. I preferred the earlier version's rain comprehend, which was subconscious in the lesser of the bag: you didn't have to pack it and information technology didn't demand to take up interior space. Honestly, the rain comprehend in the earlier version is and so well hidden that I imagine some users complained there wasn't ane included.

Ease of Use

I loved the Flipside series because the bags were designed to offering full gear admission without completely removing the bag. This was a huge plus for me. Messenger numberless have fast access but put all the weight of the gear on a single shoulder. The Flipside was a peachy compromise, distributing the weight on two shoulders yet almost simply as easy to access.

Unfortunately, the 3rd generation isn't built for that type of admission. Lowepro mentions null of this type of access in the marketing materials and instead brags about that side access door. I could still pull off the shoulder straps, swing the purse around, and open information technology up with the waist belt on. But, I have to keep one hand on the bag to prevent it from flipping likewise far forward and dumping gear.

The earlier generation has two support straps on the waist belt that allow the bag to open up like a tabletop. I've regularly swapped lenses without a hand on the bag, with the waist belt and support straps holding the open bag flat. These support straps are missing in the third generation, and the main role of the purse tips forward roughly 30 degrees instead of remaining apartment.

Lowepro, why did you modify the all-time thing nearly this bag? There are endless backpacks on the market with that side access door. The Flipside was one of few where y'all could access the entire bag without putting it on the ground. Yep, you can still sort of exercise that, simply now you lot either have to keep a paw on the bag, which makes lens swaps near impossible, or crouch so the bag rests confronting your knees.

The tabletop admission of previous generations has been switched in favor of putting the bag on the ground. The re-shaped, tougher forepart and grab handle on the back is keen for this. I just don't empathize why the bag couldn't have those features and that full access with the waist belt yet attached.

Comparison: Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Iii Vs. Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II

Lowepro fabricated several changes jumping from the 2nd to the 3rd generation. Both backpacks are about equally comfortable, built from similar materials, and accept a rear access zipper. Sadly, the second generation has been discontinued and is difficult to find.

I prefer the easy access of the AW II, where I can swing the bag effectually and, using the waist belt for support, open the entire back panel to access what I need. In contrast, generation Three has side access that allows yous to access peradventure 2 lenses or encourages you to place the bag on the ground to have full access to everything.

I also prefer the tripod and side pockets of the 2d generation. The earlier model had lots of extra straps. You lot could latch a tripod on the forepart center of the bag and still have admission to both side pockets for a water bottle or whatsoever else. I've used those straps to curl up a sweatshirt and adhere it to the top on occasion. The third generation lacks these extra straps. It as well seems to have fewer modest pockets, and the rain cover is detached instead of congenital into a hidden pocket.

What I dearest about the update is the molded front of the bag. This does help keep the front of the purse cleaner when putting the bag downward to grab gear. I as well appreciate the more streamlined expect. The fabric of the straps and back panel also accept a sturdier feel to them. And I love the removable mesh handbag for cords and chargers.

Conclusions

Likes

The haversack is pretty comfortable.
The 400 size has plenty of room.
The forepart console is durable and fabricated to be put in the dirt.
The rear panel fully unzips for full access to everything.
Y'all tin can carry both a laptop and a tablet, with your camera gear.
At $170, information technology'south reasonably priced, with more comfort than a bare-bones budget bag, just for less than a loftier-end bag.

Dislikes

The purse doesn't flip for full admission too as earlier generations.
The interior has more than limited organization, and there's a bit too much jerk room for a mirrorless camera.
The tripod and water bottle pocket is also pocket-sized.
I also preferred the actress latch straps and rain cover of the second generation.

I like the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III, only I don't love it like I do the AW II. Subsequently using the first and second generations of the Lowepro Flipside series, I'm not planning on using the third generation. Sadly, the pocketbook is no longer made for accessing all the gear with a simple rotation of the bag: at present lensman have to utilize the side admission door or take the purse off. Had the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Iii kept the flip in Flipside, I would readily recommend this bag to pretty much everyone. I also don't care for the new tripod pocket, rain cover, and the limited interior organization.

That's not to say that some photographers won't like this pocketbook. The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Iii is very comfortable and roomy. Photographers who would take the bag off the access full gear regardless will beloved that the forepart of the bag doesn't sit completely in the dirt and that's at that place's a new grab handle at the back. At $170, information technology too sits at a smashing price. Other rear-access backpacks like the Wandrd PRVKE are nearly twice that and don't include the waist strap or require the purchase of a photographic camera cube.

I love Lowepro bags for camera storage that'south comfortable only not terribly pricey. The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW 3 is a comfortable, roomy, affordable purse. But, the flip feature is missing. Without that characteristic, I can merely like the bag — not love information technology. I'm giving the Flipside 400 AW III three out of five stars.