Quick update....first off, I have now used my set up for a couple of trips and am really liking if not loving it. I am still refining a few things, but the basic concept of having ~40L capacity and only 14-18L dedicated to photography with the rest available for other stuff is great. But the Fstop ICUs are fitting nicely inside the PacSafe. I used the Large ICU to haul too much gear to Banff, but still had excess room. And it is comfortable. I'd put it near the top compared to my other bags.


More update for anyone looking, there are two new bags, or series of bags have been announced. This one actually checks most of the boxes I created for a "perfect" backpack:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1131502390/the-camera-pack-peter-mckinnon-x-nomatic?ref=455p8r&token=da61db1f
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3AWdQWxHqQ

No, I am not buying it.... yet. I have invested enough into my PacSafe and am not disappointed. But the only real things I see missing is that fact that the Peter McKinnon bag doesn't have removable ICUs/cubes for most of your gear, I haven't really seen how well the belt system works, and when you open the main clamshell, the straps flop onto the dirt. But....that isn't all that much. Looks like a great bag. It'll be interesting to see some reviews.

Next, Shimoda announced a kickstart for new series of bags

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shimodaactionx/shimoda-action-x-camera-bags
Reviews are on youtube.

What's funny, the day after I saw one review I am walking around Bow Lake in Banff and I walk past a photographer with an "X-50"....I comment that it isn't even released yet and he worked for Shimoda and was making a promotional video (or he's a youtuber and got a bag as long as he made a video about it type thing, but he made is sound like the former). Anyway, saw one it the wild.