Clik Elite was officially introduced to the world at the PMA tradeshow this spring. I was really impressed with the backapcks they had at the show. But I was even more impressed by their genuine interest in what outdoor, action sports photographers like me want. These guys are making the camera packs I’ve been wanting (and requesting) for years. The Clik Elite packs are built for photographers who actually spend time in the backcountry, with an eye for real backcountry needs – hydration, food and clothing storage, and good fit. I need a backpack that allows me to ride, ski or hike comfortably and safely and that can accommodate extra clothing, tools and food as well as my camera gear. Since the majority of my photography is done from skis or a mountain bike, I was anxious to get my hands on a pack to test.
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Turns out that Clik Elite is located in Utah, where I live. Even better, their main marketing guy, Gheen, lives and works less than an hour away from my house. So as soon as he had some working packs in the office I headed down to see him. I took my mountain bike, camera gear, and my current mountain bike pack, an Osprey Talon 22 (see my Osprey Talon 22 pack review). When I got there we shot a video of me transferring my camera equipment and bike gear from the current pack to a Clik Elite pack. Then we’d headed out for a ride.
Clik Elite Medium Nature Camera Pack Experience
I had a mountain bike review photo shoot planned, so this was a solid test for the Clik Elite Medium Nature pack. It wasn’t the most difficult ride, although it does include some steep, loose climbs and the last part of the ride has some fast singletrack descents. But mostly, this ride is about the majestic Mt. Timpanogos backdrop. Back to the pack – first of all, the Medium Nature pack isn’t so medium for mountain biking. It’s actually pretty damn big. I loaded it up with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, fisheye lens, and flash. That’s on top of water and all my bike gear. We didn’t have a scale, but that sucker was heavy. It fit and rode great, though. I was very comfortable pedaling with the Medium Nature on my back. One of the signs of a good pack is that you don’t really feel the weight. And that was the case with the Medium Nature pack. However, the weight was there. Even the best backpack doesn’t double as a motor and the weight took its toll. I was noticeably slower climbing and my legs were quite aware of the extra load they were pushing. That’s ok, though. It’s the price you pay for being able to carry serious camera gear. And the photos were worth it.
I had two initial complaints about the Medium Nature pack. The first is that the hydration sleeve, where the hydration bladder goes, is a bit small. It looks like it’s made to fit a 50 ounce, bladder, which really isn’t very much water. My large bladder fits, but I sort of have to stuff it in there. A larger, better-placed hydration sleeve would be nice. Water is number one in the backcountry!
The second issue I had with the pack didn’t come up until we were descending. The trail we rode has a few really steep, loose sections. When you’re riding down steep stuff you have to lean your head way back to see down the trail. When I was in that position my helmet would hit the top of the pack. I don’t think it’s dangerous or anything but you really don’t want anything distracting you on technical descents. On a later ride I tried adjusting the pack’s Ladderfit harness adjustment to lower it. The pack is set up for a tall guy now but it’s not making contact with my helmet anymore. I’m not sure the sizing is as important on a bike as it would be if I were hiking, anyway. For me, being able to ride technical downhill comfortably is more important than a perfect conventional fit. Even when I’m on a serious photo ride with a lot of gear, I like to have fun on the downhills. Because of the way the Ladderfit adjustment works, short mountain bikers may not be able to adjust the harness for helmet clearance on steep descents.
I’ve done six or seven rides with the Clik Elite Medium Nature pack now. Two of those rides were in heavy rain and none of them were really easy rides. The camera compartment has weather-resistant zippers and even when I rode in a downpour my camera gear stayed dry. The pack actually has a built-in rain cover, but I never used it. Nice to know it’s there, though.
Conclusion
The Clik Elite Medium Nature pack is a very different beast than the Osprey Talon 22 backpack I’ve been riding with since last year. Osprey gear is designed around an ultralight-backpacking ethic and the Talon 22 is clearly designed with minimal features for low weight. I like the fit, volume, and camera compartment on the Medium Nature pack. But I wonder if it might be a little over-engineered. I have no doubt that it’s pretty bulletproof. But I’d be willing to trade some features and strength for less weight. Overall, I’m really impressed with the pack. I love having a dedicated camera compartment, and I love being able to comfortably carry more gear, even if I my legs and lungs have to pay for it. The photos are my reward. Plus, carrying more weight just makes me stronger.
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Clik Elite Medium Nature Camera Pack Photo Gallery >>
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Clik Elite Backcountry Camera Packs Introduction
All Clik Elite Camera Case User Reviews
Camera Backpack User Reviews
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The manufacturers may say that their bags are good for skiers, but they must be talking about resort skiers rather than backcountry skiers, since the packs don’t appear to have any attachments for avy gear (shovels, probes, etc.), nor for carrying skis or a snowboard during a bootpack.
I’d also like to see a helmet attachment, just to make it easier to carry your gear when you’re back off the mountain.
Oh, this one isn’t really made for skiing. I believe there’s a ski-specific backpack in development that will have all the stuff you want. My comments about skiing were more general. When I ski I wear a Camelbak pack that has spots for shovel and probe.
That does look like a pretty well designed pack. A litle big for my current needs, but it’s something I’d consider for backcountry rides. I would be a little leary of it due to your comment about shorter riders having the issue of their helmet hitting the pack. That would definitely be a distraction for me and I hate disctractions on fast descents. Now if they would just include some staps for a fullface helmet and some pads we’d be in business.
tadrscin-
How tall are you? I’m 5’8″ inches and since I adjusted the harness it’s been fine. As for straps for a helmet and pads, I’m not sure about that. This isn’t intended to be a bike-specific pack and the majority of buyers probably wouldn’t want or need those features. I rarely ride with pads or a fullface, regardless of where I ride. If I do wear a fullface, I wear it while climbing, too. The key things with this pack are the camera compartment, the fit, and that it’s setup for hydration.
It does seem a little big for a normal day ride, so the smaller version, the Compact Sport seems just right. However, the 45 oz. bladder compartment seems fairly weak. Why make a compartment if it is not at least 70 oz+?
This seems to be the closest thing I’ve seen to an ideal bike/SLR pack, but it just seems a bit too big.
One pack that I was looking at was the Dakine Nomad and just putting in a SLR case or wrapping it in a few shirts. Any one have experience with the Nomad?
Lov2bikenrock-
I agree about the small hydration compartment. I always carry more than I need and that’s how I want it.
I have a Dakine Nomad. It’s ok, but it’s not really big enough to carry a well-protected DSLR. Honestly, I’m not really impressed with the hydration pack companies that market directly to mountain bikers. The best hydration packs I’ve used have been from Deuter and Osprey. I really love the Osprey Talon but I was seriously pushing its limits with the amount of camera and other gear I was carrying in it.
After an email to Clik Elite, many users don’t bother with the hydration sleeve, but put an 100 oz.+ bladder in the main compartment of the Compact Sport and get great use out of it. If that works, then it seems as if the Compact Sport is the pack for me.
A larger hydration sleeze would be nice. Also, do you have any concerns about a punctured bladder spilling into the camera compartment? It doesn’t appear that the camera compartment is water proof. Last thing I’d want is 100oz of water all over my camera — but hydration is neccessary and this present a nice option to the cobbled-together hiking bags I have been using.
There is a net on the side which can receive Tripod bottom, but unfortunately nothing to fixing it on the top. I did not saw compression strap for fixing content when carrying bag is not full.
Well, I dropped the cash and got the large chest pack and the medium nature pack. I like the large chest pack for convenient access, but it gets in the way when using a tripod. The medium nature pack is advertised to have accessory straps on the bottom of the pack for a tripod. Mine shipped without the accessory straps and there is no where on the bottom of the pack for these straps. I am 5′-9″ and 170lbs with somewhat broad shoulders. Both packs fit way too loose on me. I have both tightened all the way and they are not tight enough. I am going to contact Clik Elite about the packs and see what they have to say. For the amount of money I spent I was expecting more. They are well made and pretty well bulletproof, but if they don’t fit, they are not worth the money.
Follow-up for my post on July 25th. I did contact Clik Elite and explained the issue of the medium nature pack not fitting snug and without hesitation, they offered to do a custom alteration to the bag at no expense to me. Also, the pack I received is their latest and greatest model and the straps for a tripod are no longer on the bottom. They added compression straps to the sides of the bag and there is a pocket for the tripod feet. I think this really works better than having the tripod on the bottom except for an uneven weight distribution. There is not issue on the chest pack when I combine it with the medium nature.
I put my 100oz Camelback bladder in a trash bag and then put it in the main cargo compartment to make sure I have plenty of water and that works out just fine for me.
I did a 25 mile MTB ride with both packs and did not have an issue or any discomfort …with the exception of the added weight of all my camera gear on my back!
So, while the Medium Nature did not fit me upon shipment, Clik Elite was very quick and friendly to correct the issue, so I have to say I recommend the bags and if you have an issue, call customer support.
Great post about great service, Doug. I am really happy to hear they treated you so well, Doug. I think this is just another example of how serious they are about wanting to make stuff that really works, and listening to the photographers who are really out on the trail.
Please write a full review for your pack in our user review section. The user reviews are the foundation of the site and the best way to really share your complete experience. Here’s a link to the Clik Elite Medium Nature user review page: http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/pcphotoreview/digital-accessories/camera-cases/backpacks/clik-elite/PRD_439406_3139crx.aspx
If you post now, you’ll be the first to write a review for the Medium Nature pack!
I think I’d wait until the camera portion was contained in a waterproof liner. I know many times I’ve forgotten to tighten a camelback bladder and soaked my back, or the trunk in my car.
Thank for the comment, Jon. I actually never forget to tighten the top on my bladder. My biggest concern with bladders is having the bite valve pinched while it’s in the back of the car. And for what it’s worth, I’ve been riding with DSLRs in various hydration packs for about ten years now. I’ve yet to have a problem with a camera getting wet because of a leaking bladder. I did have a Lowepro pack with a waterproof camera section that I hated, though. The waterproof zippers were totally unreliable and would get stuck on me in the middle of a ride. I wanted to throw that thing off a cliff.
Im suprised they would include a water bladder in a camera bag. Isnt that risky? What size lens does the Compact Sport bag hold? I need to carry my Canon with 300mm lens attached while cycling.
Hi! thanks for the review!
one question though: is the waistbelt removable?
if i qould make one request, it would be for a thorough video walk-through of the pack showing all pockets and features and so on, that would be great!
thanks//Erik
I got the Nature to use As my Day Pack when travelling to places like Africa. Its Great doesnt Look like à Camera bag which is important. I’ve Even Managed to fit my 150-500mm Sigma in the Camera compartement in Addition to my 70-300 & 17-85 though it is à tight fit, but the Camera is still easily accessable. Would recommend it to anyone
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This has been out for a while now. Are you still using this bag while MTBing? Is it holding up?
One thing that concerns me about these bags for riding is the placement of the camera compartment and opening. Mud, water and debris fly up from the rear tire and nail that area constantly. Any troubles with “stuff” contaminating your camera gear?
Chris-
Yup – still using it. And except for a bit of mesh that a greedy ground squirrel chewed through, it’s still in one piece. And that’s after lots of rainy, sandy rides and being set down gently (thrown) on rocks and dirt. It’s still my go-to bag for serious backcountry mountain bike photography. Clik does have some smaller, lighter stuff I’m looking forward to trying. If you don’t need the size of this pack then you might look at some of their other stuff. I believe they’ve also changed the new version of this pack so that the height adjustment system isn’t as bulky and I think it has a bigger and better hydration compartment.
Follow-up for my post on July 25th. I did contact Clik Elite and epxialned the issue of the medium nature pack not fitting snug and without hesitation, they offered to do a custom alteration to the bag at no expense to me. Also, the pack I received is their latest and greatest model and the straps for a tripod are no longer on the bottom. They added compression straps to the sides of the bag and there is a pocket for the tripod feet. I think this really works better than having the tripod on the bottom except for an uneven weight distribution. There is not issue on the chest pack when I combine it with the medium nature.I put my 100oz Camelback bladder in a trash bag and then put it in the main cargo compartment to make sure I have plenty of water and that works out just fine for me.I did a 25 mile MTB ride with both packs and did not have an issue or any discomfort with the exception of the added weight of all my camera gear on my back!So, while the Medium Nature did not fit me upon shipment, Clik Elite was very quick and friendly to correct the issue, so I have to say I recommend the bags and if you have an issue, call customer support.