Lowepro Freeline BP 350 AW

£240/$260

www.lowepro.com

Lowepro’s new Freeline design is oddly familiar: internally it bears more than a slight resemblance to Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack. The core concept is a semi-rigid removable interior shelving system with three adjustable platforms, accessed from either side of the bag via large openings. The top also opens, revealing a spacious generalpurpose area. A 15-inch laptop can also slot in from above.

The sturdy camera divider gives the Freeline excellent rigidity, even when empty, and provides a spacious-feeling interior. But the 12cm internal depth is a bit awkward: it’s too small to fit two lenses side by side, yet too big for most lenses to pack snuggly. Some creative use of dividers and smaller filler items like flashguns is required for optimal storage.

There are nice touches, like a separate accessory pouch that stows at the bottom of the bag; abrasion-resistant outer materials that feel very tough; and wide, supple back straps that include an expandable pouch for your phone.

Pros

Tough and rigid, yet styled; spacious, with good access

Cons

The interior isn’t the easiest to pack neatly with typically sized kit

We say

A fine backpack once you’ve nailed your ideal interior