Tenba Axis 20L Backpack Casual Daypack

Like the title says this bag is ever so close to a perfect bag. Firstly, this bag actually has storage for personal items. You know... stuff. Other than camera equipment. The front pocket is actually quite ample and can easily fit most bulky things. So long as you don't try to stuff too many bulky items. Normally I like to carry some stacks and/or a sandwich when I go out with all of my gear.The rest of the backpack appears to be an average camera bag. However, I'd have to add that the internal space is quite ample. And easier to manage than the protactic 450 aw II, which I purchased before this backpack. It was easier to setup/restructure and thus easier to pack. It gives you more options. And is tall enough to fit my tripod INSIDE the backpack. I have a fair amount of kit too. With the Protactic I struggled to arrange everything to my liking. In all honesty, the internal space of the protactic is not something to complain about. But while the dividers were better than the ones in the Axis, there needed to be a few more. The top opening on the Axis is a lot wider. Beneficial for me as I can pull my camera and my tripod from the top. Couldn't do that on the Protactic. The side access is smaller than that of the Protactic. Yet, it is far more useable (it is squarer). There are fewer angles to get caught on (which happened often with the Protactic). The dividers, while not as good, have thicker padding and appear to offer more structure, compared to the Lowepro, they do lack the versatility that Lowepro offer with their dividers.The rear access is good... it moves all the straps out of the way when the back panel is flipped open. You'd think this then means you have dirty straps when putting it on you back again. But the straps are stiff enough to support the panel unless you have a heavy laptop in it. (BTW my 15" hp omen fits inside it snugly. It is also suspended so that it doesn't make an impact with the ground when you put the backpack down.)I do have some consternation regarding the zipper being the only connection between the straps and body of the bag that has all of my equipment. But these are strong chunky zips that look like they will take a beating.I struggled to find a decent review of this bag on youtube. But didn't with the protactic. Plenty of youtubers, will happily tell you that its a great bag. And for a short while, it was an absolutely awesome bag. Then I stumbled across this one. I couldn't find a decent review of it. So I got nerdy and dug deep and researched it myself. I bought it for a very similar price as the Protactic. And then eagerly waited for this to be delivered. When the Axis arrived it was a dream to set up, layout, pack and wear. This takes everything the Protactic 450 did, and still leave me room for some "stuff". Stuff that I didn't have to put into an additional molle pouch strapped to the front. Although, this is still an option should I have the need to carry more stuff. And considering on paper this has 1L less capacity than that of the Protactic, it really does show how useable the space is.One last thing. Very minor, but a lot of people complained about the protactic not being able to do, and the Axis does. It sits upright. It might not seem important. But if you want to gain access through the top the protactic will fall away from you. This one won't. The only way this bag could have been better would have been if Tenba had given it to me. Alas, I'm not a youtuber.

I was all set to buy a lowepro backpack for my photography gear but I stumbled across this one and a really good review on here for it. I'm glad I went for the Tenba. As mentioned on the other review on here it's really easy to setup for your gear, having the option of top opening or side opening is excellent, for example with the wide angle or standard zoom lens on I can use the top opening, or if I want to keep the 70-200 on it slots right in the side with the body (Nikon D850) and there is plenty of room to get hold of the camera securely at each opening. Of course if you need access to other kit you have to unzip the back panel. But what's really handy is with my kit in, if I put it down, it stands upright by itself, none of this rolling over some packs do. The quality of manufacture is good, better than I expected and the adjustable harness works a treat, I'm a big guy, 6'3" and plenty spare around the middle and the pack adjusted to me just fine, even the waist strap went around my middle! The only thing I would say that;s a negative is I wish the front pocket was a bit bigger, to manage a few more accessories more comfortably, that said, it has molle straps so you could always attach an external pouch or bag if you really wanted to. I went for the 24L version as I tend to find stuff I 'might' need (and never use) if I'm out with my camera, so the 24L meant I would have to carefully evaluate what I take, but in fact it comfortably holds my D850 with 24-105 sigma lens, the 14-24 Nikon and 70-200 2.8 VRII nikon with room to spare! Recommended!