Very early on after my first Gitzo tripod purchase, I started searching the web for a tri-pod bag that would accommodate trekking with the Gitzo and a RRS BH-55 ball-head on it. My search floundered as I ended up with three other manufactures bags which are now gathering dust.
Then I found this simple, rugged, versatile and lightweight bag (model T620) from an off the beaten path photo outdoor gear manufacture, Kinesis. Then many months ago I upgraded my Gitzos from a (collapsed 25.5″ length) Mountaineer model 2531 to a (collapsed 27.5″length ) Systematic model GT3541XLS and with the added length, yet there is still enough room to fit my tripod/ballhead combo.
What separates this bag is a few extremely well thought out designs.
- Gravity – you’ll load this tripod feet first, zip up over the ball head, but when you hold the handle it is positioned forward of center to correctly balance the load
- Gravity – when you attach the shoulder stap, the padded strap end snaps to the leg end which allows you to carry the tripod, head down, which lets the weight rest downward.
- Shoulder Strap – contoured and ready to stick to anything.
- Zipped pouch – lots of need for this is bad weather to stow something quickly.
- Compression straps – Top and Bottom – even with a snug fit, you can draw the contents and bag more securely.
- Zippers – hidden from the elements, fantastic when the snow starts to build up on the outside.
- Airport Friendly – Many domestic trips with no issues, and easy access if someone needs to take a look, fits very well into overheads
- Knee Pad – Once the tri-pod is out and in use, this bag doubles as a knee pad or gear holder, it lays flat to the ground
- Backpack Point – There are two points on the tripod feet end with D points, and an additional 4 other points to secure this to you backpack.
- UltraLight System – Kinesis also markets this bag when additional harness is purchased as a standalone tripod backpack…kind of neat…
- Inexpensive – <$50
I would recommend this bag to anyone, I have traveled and field tested this in every environment, but the desert, and this bag always delivers a solid maintenance free performance for me ….
All-in-One Page (alpha-numeric listing of all products) > http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/all-in-one.html
Frequently asked questions > http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/faq
How To page (how to assemble harnesses, attach pouches to belts etc.) > http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/how-to
Suggested belt systems > http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/suggested-systems
Hi,
I am considering this bag for Gitzo 2530 and RRS bh-40. It looks perfect for my needs except for the length – my set up is 70 cm long while this bag is 9 cm longer according to Kinesis web site.
I see you used it for Gitzo 2531, which is about the same size as 2530 (though bh-55 is certainly larger than bh-40). Did you find this bag ok for this setup?
I am going to attach it to a backpack, so I’d prefer it fits really tight.
Any advice from the actual user will be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Dear Ed,
I received a reply from you by e-mail. As my reply to you was blocked by your antispam system, I wanted to thank you for the useful information provided here. I think I’ll give this bag a try. I in particular like its compactness and the handle. Hope that the handle would allow me to fix the bag in the center of the back side of the backpack with the straps – this is how I like to carry the tripod.
Good luck and sorry for my English
Evgeny.