Is the Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack the right choice for Micro Four Thirds Nature Photographers?

I do a lot of hiking for my nature photography.  I usually just stuff the pockets of my vest with gear and go.  

Click Elite Compact Sport Backpack – Camera Bay

Recently while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I realized that I need a backpack for longer photography hikes.  By the time I packed up extra lenses, a tripod, remote shutter release, extra batteries, SD Cards, filters, bottled water, jacket, snacks, etc., my pockets were overflowing.

So I started searching the Internet for the perfect backpack for micro four thirds nature photographers.  It wasn’t easy to find, but I found a really good backpack for nature photography hikes.  Is it perfect?  Not quite but the Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack comes really close.

Features of the Click Elite Compact Sport Backpack

Here are some of the features of the Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack that make it a match for micro four thirds nature photographers.

• Camera bay with padded dividers.  I was able to store the Olympus OM-D E-M1 with a lens attached and 2 additional lenses in the camera bay.  The divider between the upper compartment and the camera bay unzips to store larger lenses.
• Medium sized main compartment that will hold an additional lens or a lightweight jacket and other small accessories.
• Small top compartment is perfect for extra SD cards, batteries, remote shutter release, and lens cloths.
• The backpack has a belt that goes around your midsection to allow swing around access to the camera bay and other compartments
• Hydration compartment fits a 3 liter (100oz.) bladder.  A water bottle also fits in a pouch on the front of the tripod.
• Tuck-away tripod attachments for a small tripod.  This worked ok with my Manfroto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod.  But my Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT Carbon Fiber Tripod was over a foot taller than the backpack and felt unstable in the tripod holder even with 2 legs in the pouch.
• Tuck-away rain cover is a nice feature in case you’re out in the rain.

Click Elite Compact Sport Backpack with Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT Carbon Fiber Tripod

I took the backpack out on several test hikes before my trip to Shenandoah National Park this fall and here is what I was able to fit in the bag.

Top Compartment

Case for extra SD cards, extra Olymus OM-D battery, remote shutter release, lens cloth.

Main Compartment

Panasonic 100-300mm f/4 – f/5.6 lens

Camera Bay

Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 60mm macro lens, Olympus 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 lens, and an Olympus M Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens.

Front pouch

water bottle

I also found the Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack very comfortable to wear.  It is a small backpack so it is not too bulky.  I also had the Olympus OM-D E-M1 out of the backpack and mounted on the tripod while hiking so I could stop and take pictures.  This lightened the weight of the backpack during the hike.

Written by Martin Belan

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