One of the latest additions to the Mindshift Gear camera bag lineup, the TrailScape 18L is ideal for day adventures and outdoor excursions, with an emphasis on hiking. The Trailscape camera bag features a main storage compartment designed to carry two mirrorless camera systems. Over the past year, I’ve adopted the minimalist mindset: only carry what I’m sure I need to get the shot.
How’s it working so far? Well, it’s a learning process, and it has undoubtedly made me a more aware photographer and outdoor enthusiast. But this new MindShift TrailScape 18L is certainly making things easier.
From gear reviews to weekend micro-adventures, my camera gear is always at my side. I have used a few other camera bags in the past that have performed well, yet I was never entirely satisfied with the complete set of features; something was always missing — even if it was just a water-bottle sleeve.
Photography is a hobby that helps me connect with the outdoors, on a level that feels personal — maybe you can relate? When I’m hot-on-the-trail of a new location, I don’t want my gear to restrict my physical ability, comfort, or equipment needs. MindShift Gear continues to design packs that solve the many problems a photographer can experience while on assignment or a practice shoot.
Time after time, I’m reminded why their bags leave me feeling content with my experiences — their function and quality keep me focused on the subjects ahead, above, and below.
MindShift TrailScape 18L Carrying Capacity
It’s been a goal of mine to do more with less. Carrying the least amount of gear as possible but not to impact my ability to capture the best photos. The MindShift Gear TrailScape 18L is a great tool to have if you follow this mindset. This pack is about the same size as a day-hike bag, yet it still fits an impressive load of gear — far more than I need on a shoot.
My Sony a6000 and Fujifilm XT-2 fit with a zoom lens attached. I can even pack four additional lenses with the booster grip included. If I need to carry a jacket or extra pair of shorts, I pack my one preferred camera body and securely compartmentalize every lens as I can make fit. The main storage area is incredibly versatile for this purpose. The dividers remain secured and can be configured to match your gear — they are dense enough to seal off each piece of equipment.
The rear laptop sleeve housed my 13 inch MacBook Air and iPad on two trips — it’s an excellent area to store miscellaneous papers or a mall notebook, secure yet accessible. Small pockets line the laptop compartment to store a phone, SD cards, pens, and or glass cleaner.
Four lash points make for secue storage of extra jackets, towels, or in my case, a bike helmet.
Throughout the pack, the high-density nylon has been great for protecting my gear from the elements; it doesn’t catch on metal parts like many other soft liners. It also prevents dirt and debris from sticking.
Oh, yes, the zippers and pull-taps have been durable and smooth, just the way I like them. When the perfect moment arrives, the last obstacle that I want in my way is a zipper — they are operable with one hand. Additionally, the TrailScape’s design — solid zipper tabs and a firm pack skeleton — is functional with gloves.
A Camera Bag With a Water Repellent Exterior
Living along the coast of Southern California, I most often find myself shooting in a wet environment with sand, saltwater, and rocks. Finding a true camera bag that can take me from the office to the beach has always been a priority. More specifically, a bag that looks modern and professional in appearance but can also handle the abuse that an outdoor photoshoot will provide.
The entire MindShift TrailScape is coated with a water repellent on the exterior and incorporates a polyurethane bottom. This combination has kept my gear protected and my bag looking good during and after my adventures. From the sand to coastal tide-pools, I have stashed the TrailScape in many questionable spots that failed to cause damage, and I have been able to wipe it clean every time.
With that said, it’s still only repellent to light water exposure and should never be used during hard rain or in an environment where water could submerge the bag — without the attached rain cover, that is.
The TrailScape has surpassed my expectations on comfort. Given its small size, it provides loads of shoulder and back padding — enough for a full day of hiking or travel. As a cyclist, the removable waist belt has come in handy on many occasions; on the road or trail, the adjustability keeps the bag secured appropriately.
I mentioned that water bottle pockets were significant, fortunately, the TrailScape has two! Both are large enough for a 32-ounce canteen or a compact tripod of my liking — finally!
Hiking or travel, the MindShift Gear TrailScape 18L exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort, storage, and durability. For the mirrorless community, this pack will open your eyes to what’s possible; a compact, airplane-friendly design that stores over five lenses with a body.
Both cycling and climbing have yet to damage the bag, let alone get it irreversibly dirty — a significant feat in my book. This is a real camera bag that I look forward to bringing on most of my shorter trips for convenience, dependability, and overall quick storage.
Why Choose a MindShift Gear Camera Bag?
MindShift Gear is a group of dedicated photographers and designers that operate around conservation and natural resource protection — a genuinely great foundation for any photographer, yet alone company. The natural world is an exceptional place for humans and wildlife alike. In our eyes, protecting it should be an innate behavior. As our name Gearminded infers, we believe strongly in outdoor adventure products that safely and responsibly influence people to go outside and experience the world of adventure. On a similar note, MindShift Gear’s slogan of “Engage With Nature” embodies the healthy relationship between outdoor photography and responsibility of protecting the natural world — something we now have to fight for.
MindShift Gear 18L Size and Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
9.8” W x 18.1” H x 7.1” D
(25 x 46 x 18cm)
Interior Dimensions:
9.4” W x 17.3” H x 4.8” D
(24 × 44 × 12cm)
Laptop:
8.9” W x 14.2” H x 1.2” D
(22.7 x 36 x 3cm)
Tablet:
8.5” W x 9.8” H x 0.8” D
(21.5 x 25 x 2cm)
Weight:
2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg)
Volume:
18 Liters
Materials
Exterior: For superior water resistance, all exterior fabric has a durable water-repellant coating, plus a polyurethane coating on the underside of the fabric. The backpack also features the highest-quality abrasion-resistant YKK® RC zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 600D poly, 320G DuraStretch mesh, 350G airmesh, nylon webbing, and 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
Interior: P200D lining, high-density nylex with stiffened backing, hexa-mesh pockets, high-density closed-cell foam, PE board reinforcement, and 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
Additional Features
- Dedicated quick access smartphone/sunglasses pocket fits 5.5” screen size
- Tripod/monopod/hiking pole mounting system on sides
- Two large water bottle pockets with cinch cords
- Seamless rain cover included for downpour conditions
- Contoured back panel with lumbar support and robust harness for all day comfort
- Removable webbing waist belt to help stabilize the bag while active
- Lash points on the front expand carrying capacity
- Side compression straps can be used as additional lash points
- Adjustable dividers to customize the interior for your DSLR or Mirrorless kit
- Interior zippered pockets for batteries, cards, filters and other accessories
- Easy-grip zipper pulls for wet or cold conditions
- Organizer pockets for pens, flashlight and business cards
- Gear Profile
- Holds 1 standard-size DSLR and 4–6 standard zoom lenses including a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached with hood in the shooting position
- Holds 2 large Mirrorless bodies and 5–7 lenses plus a flash
- Maximum lens size: 300mm f/2.8
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