When I am getting ready to head out for a hike or take my camera gear I normally don’t travel very light, except of course when I am backpacking. One of F-stop Gear’s smaller packs forces me to travel lighter than I normally would and this pack is the Kenti, the smallest in their Mountain series and the one that has the built-in ICU. I really like what it has to offer, some of what differs from other packs I have used whether F-stop or other brands.

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Many attachments and clips on the straps and belt including two metal d-rings on the straps.

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Side view showing several compartments, the top and side can lead to the same spot depending on your configuration internally.

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Looking into the top with the main compartment closed off for storage on top.

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Looking into the top with the main compartment open, seeing the same areas you can also access on the side compartment zippers.

Basic Specs – 25 liters, 3.4 lbs (1.54 kgs), 17” tall, 11” wide and 8.5” deep. Exterior is DWR-treated, 330D Double Ripstop Nylon with 1500mm Polyurethane coating. Can carry your DSLR, a few lenses, accessories and some others small items like a snack and light jacket.

Feel – When I first put it on I felt like I was ready to hit the trail for a run, not a hike. Because of it’s size the Kenti sits high which I was not used to but really like as it feels more out of the way around my lower back. When I have this loaded with little room to spare I am pleasantly surprised how well the bag holds with little to no sagging feel.

The roll-down top allows for more storage as needed. External large zippered pocket leads to several other smaller pockets for storing your smaller items.

The roll-down top allows for more storage as needed. External large zippered pocket leads to several other smaller pockets for storing your smaller items.

Zippered hydration bladder pocket with outlet for bladder hose. Soft comfortable padding between bladder and your back.

Zippered hydration bladder pocket with outlet for bladder hose. Soft comfortable padding between bladder and your back.

Build – Every generation of F-stop bags honestly gets better and better, this one is no exception. My first one from them I still have from years ago and I love it because it’s bright red and in great shape but you can see the difference in materials and overall build compared to their newer packs. I see no reason this won’t last through heavy use from the mountain trails to the urban back alley.

Hydration – Something I have asked for and I see is integrated in this pack is a place to put a hydration bladder that is outside of the pack with drain at bottom should it leak. A bladder inside the pack and thousands of dollars in gear is not a good combo. I had no issues putting a couple liters of water in my Camelbak bladder and getting it to fit in the hydration slot.

There are few things to note about hydration for this pack. 1) Although I got the bladder to fit fine I could not make use of the H2O hose outlet as seen in the photos. It’s simply too tight of a squeeze for the front of my hose. That said I had no issues letting it sit between the zippers, they stayed firmly in place. 2) Although my backpacking pack I use is similar in that the hydration bladder sits behind my back it has more of an arch to keep it from my pack. That said even though this area is directly touching your back when wearing the pack it felt fine without feeling the shape of the bladder with water. 3) Unless you want to keep your water bottle in your pack with gear this pack lacks an outside water bottle option.

iPhone shot with Canon DSLR and 24-70L lens in side compartment. Plenty of room for a telephoto if that is your preference. Each side opening has an internal zipper pocket as well.

iPhone shot with Canon DSLR and 24-70L lens in side compartment. Plenty of room for a telephoto if that is your preference. Each side opening has an internal zipper pocket as well.

I know this part of the chest strap is for helping attach items and accessories yet I find poking out a tad more than I would like. Nice features like Velcro strap for bladder hose. iPhone shot.

I know this part of the chest strap is for helping attach items and accessories yet I find poking out a tad more than I would like. Nice features like Velcro strap for bladder hose. iPhone shot.

 

External Straps – You can carry the tripod on the side which I did a few times yet I would suggest getting the Gatekeeper Straps as this allows for carrying it on the back center area. This would also allow you to carry other items here such as snowboard or crampons if desired. I have a feeling I will be using this pack for that purpose this winter.

Main Body Access – Admittedly I am not used to side access compartments for my camera backpacks. That said once you get used to using it nice to swing it onto one should or the other to get access to your gear without putting your bag down. Top access is roll-down for expandability as needed which is pretty cool (reminds me of my Ortlieb panniers that I use for biking). For side access I notice I don’t always remember which side I have my camera and which has my extra lenses. A trick to remember is referencing your hip belt and knowing which gear is in the side with the hip belt pocket and what gear is in the side without. If you have a mirror-less camera system or something similar in size you could put most of your gear on one side and leave the other for clothes or other items.

The Kenti and I wait out rain showers to get the photo I am after. iPhone shot.

The Kenti and I wait out rain showers to get the photo I am after. iPhone shot.

Pockets – There is plenty! I still remember a trip many years ago to Europe traveling on the bus talking to some climbers from England. They commented on my pack (and American’s in general) how we have so many pockets and compartments in most of our packs. I can’t deny that is me 100% whether it’s a photo bag or not. You will find plenty of places to put small and medium sized items like filters, batteries and cards.

Weather Resistance – One thing I need is something that is built to hold up to the elements and has a rain cover that you can get as an add on. It’s wet in the Northwest so I need this. Although I use the rain cover when it’s raining I have gone without it for short distances in light rain and the DWR-treated exterior repels water quite well. Don’t forget if you use the rain cover and end up tucking it in the bottom compartment to remove it later so it can fully dry out. I have come close a couple times to leaving a damp cover in there which wouldn’t smell nice weeks later!

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There are several colors to choose from yet I like blue, makes for good contrast for man & nature stock images.

Overall I really like this pack and for now will be my go to when I want to travel light with less gear. What is your pack of choice for travel light with your photo gear?

Disclosure Note: I am on the F-stop Gear pro team.

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