Summit Creative Tenzing 30 Photo Backpack Review

If you're going to launch a brand new camera bag to a saturated market it makes sense to do your research and evaluate the current options. It also makes sense to take that learning and incorporate it into your new product. Summit Creative have brought a new range of bags to the market and the evidence of that analysis is clear to see. Many of the best features of current bags have been used as inspiration for the Tenzing Backpacks. The heritage is visible but so is evidence of original thinking.

I’ve spent the last couple of months with a Summit Creative Tenzing 30 Photo backpack and there are many positive aspects to reflect on from that time.

The fundamental concept of these packs is relatively universal. A backpack with a protected compartment to hold camera equipment is enhanced by the provision of storage space for waterproofs, warm clothing, food and other necessities for photography in wild places.

My sample is the Tenzing 30 which is a roll top bag offering a nominal 30L capacity. This holds a decent camera setup including lenses, locations for attaching a tripod, poles or an ice axe and an upper compartment for waterproofs, warm clothes, food etc.

The quoted weight for this bag is 2.35kg; mine came in at 2.41kg much closer than many quoted/actual weights for bags.

On first inspection there is a great deal to like about this bag. The materials look and feel substantial. The stitching is very good and the fittings such as YKK zips and Duraflex buckles are all of high quality. I would have preferred to see even more use made of metal rather than plastic buckles for instance, in the waist belt buckle. The bag looks well made and has taken a couple of months use without the slightest hiccup. There’s nothing to suggest it's not a match for any of the existing brand leaders. A separate, matched raincover is included.

It carries very comfortably and works without any hitches.

There are a number of aspects to the design which merit a special mention.

Going against much of the current flow, the bag doesn't have a removable camera compartment. Instead the inner is fixed but adjustable in size to change the balance between camera storage and the upper compartment for clothing, food etc. I have a number of photo back packs with removable inserts and I’ve often moved the insert from one to another. I’ve only done that to avoid buying additional duplicate inserts. Given the choice, I think I prefer the fixed configurable insert. A good range of options for internal layout is available.

The dividers can be removed completely incidentally to leave a very usable backpack for hill walking. Most users to whom I’ve spoken use a single photo backpack (rather than a variety in assorted sizes) and for that typical user, a fixed insert simply represents a simpler, lighter option. I did find the size adjustment to be somewhat fiddly however and a little practice might be required to make this a quick process.

Feeding the alloy rod into the relevant hole required some practice for me.

A second enhanced feature is the provision of an additional lifting strap along the back pad of the rucksack. This is a real help when handling luggage in and out of vehicles especially. This also serves as a sleeve to secure the bag on top of roller luggage.

I have a relatively long back (I’m 6ft tall but my back length is longer than usual for that height) and I did find the rucksack a little shorter than ideal. When the shoulder straps were released sufficiently to allow the waist belt to sit on my hips, it placed the accessory pockets very high on my shoulder. This made them almost impossible to use with the bag in place. Additionally as they are then curved over the shoulder, it makes it difficult to use them for anything rigid such as a phone. For most users, I’d not expect this to present any problem at all. The well padded waist belt is fully removable should you wish.

Two small toggle accessory holders were supplied to make it easy to attach poles or an ice axe. It was good to see these included as some brands require you to buy these as extras. Together with the plentiful straps and side pockets, there is an unparalleled flexibility for carrying tripods, poles, ice axe, skis or external additions such as a lightweight tent. For the first time ever, there really does seem to be an attachment point and strap for every eventuality.

The rain cover was nicely matched and a good fit. I’d prefer one with some way of attaching in a tethered way to prevent being blown adrift in high winds.

Nikon Z7 and 5 lenses are easily accommodated with room for more in the largest inner configuration. In this layout there’s still plenty of room for waterproofs, warm jacket and packed lunch in the upper and front compartments

.

The expanding front pocket also gives plenty of room for extras and many might choose to use it for waterproofs particularly once they are wet. I’d think a compact drone could be fitted here comfortably.

There is the ubiquitous laptop sleeve. I’ve never ever wanted to put a laptop in a bag like this but as they are ever present, I’ll assume others feel differently.

There is direct access via a side zip to enable a camera to be quickly removed without fully opening or even removing the bag.

I’ve enjoyed using this bag and by the end of the period I was choosing it in favour of my normal bag. Some test items make you wish you were keeping them forever and this is one of those. I’ve found it to be the most comfortable carry of any that I’ve owned and I’ve used all the major names. Comfort and fit are of course entirely personal.

********************************************************************************

There are some obvious similarities to other brands but in each case the differences are what make these new bags such a worthwhile option. With a likely saving of somewhere in the region of £100 over an equivalent removable core bag, I think these Summit Creative bags deserve to be on the list of anyone seeking a photo backpack with room for hill gear.