Review: MindShift Gear Rotation 180 Trail Photo Backpack

Up until the MindShift Gear rotation 180° packs came out you had to settle for one of two choices when it came to camera backpacks. Your choices were a low quality pack that looked like a free laptop bag or a using a regular non-photo backpack which requires you to put your camera in a camera bag/insert inside that bag. For years I placed my camera in a camera bag, then put that in my hiking/riding pack. While my camera was with me, it was a bit like those Russian nesting dolls. The problem was that when you wanted to grab your camera to take a pic, it took too long and the moment was lost.

The MindShift Gear rotation 180° Trail pack is without a doubt the perfect solution for carrying your camera when you are on the go in the backcountry. Through their design you have a camera bag built in to the backpack that can be quickly accessed and ready to take snap with the flick of one clip.

But that is only half of it. The MindShift rotation 180° Trail pack is also a really nice backpack on par with any pack from a specialty outdoor company. There are no compromises in quality or design. It it is constructed of high quality DWR coated material throughout and features heavy weight zippers with big pull tabs.

The secret to the rotation 180° Trail is its quick access to your camera. You leave the belt on, and flick a magnetic clip on the back.

The clip could not be easier to use, even big bulky down mitts on.

I grab the camera pod by the side strap and flick it around to the front. This takes seconds so you no longer miss the shot futzing around with your  backpack and camera bag. Actually I needed to change my thinking, from “oh the camera will take to long to get out… never mind.” To just whipping the camera pod around and taking the pic.

The camera pod is well padded and has side and top handles to make grabbing it easy.

Note the giant zipper pull. These things make opening the bag so much easier when you have gloves on. And if you are like me, half the year you have big mittens on.

Inside the camera pod you have two adjustable dividers, a top mesh pocket and internal padded sleeve for a tablet. I keep filters and batteries in the padded sleeve. I can fit my OMD-EM5 with 12-40F2.8 PRO lens and the 9-18mm in the pack with room to spare.

Two adjustable dividers give you plenty of configuration options.

 Plenty of room for the OMD-EM5 and two lenses.

I have the 75mm F1.8 on the left and the 9-18mm on the right. This fits nicely in the MindShift Gear Trail.

Now to the rest of the pack. The top half of the pack has plenty of room for extra layers and food.

I carry a down vest, a light shell, gloves and more in the pack without a problem. The main pocket also has a mesh pocket for your wallet, snack and a clip for your keys.

The top pocket perfectly fits an iPhone.

The padded back hides a sleeve for your hydration bladder.

There is side pocket to hold a water bottle.

The shoulder straps are nicely padded, adjustable and feature a sternum strap for when the trail gets hairy.

I have to say, I LOVE this pack. It has really changed the way I take pictures on the trail. Where before I would skip a picture because the camera was too much of a hassle to grab.  Especially mountain biking with friends, no one wants to wait for you to take your backpack off and grab your camera. With the flick of one clip you have the camera pulled around and in your hands. At this point I can have my camera powered on and ready to shoot in less than 30 seconds. I was concerned about putting the camera pod back in the pack. But it was unwarranted. The clip has a magnet and almost closes itself.

MindShift also makes two larger models. I chose this one as it is the best for my Micro 4/3rds gear and what I need for up to 5 hours on the trail.  I picked up the MindShift Trail rain cover because of all the snow we get. I have not needed to use it yet because the DWR coating has repelled all the snow.

Seriously, if you want the best outdoor backpack for camera gear, get a MindShift Gear rotation 180°. It’s rad.

MindShift gear Says: http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-trail