Thanks for your video, Dustin! I purchased my Atlas Athlete in December 2019 and love it! The newer model has some additional features which you presented well. I am a travel guide to India, and the group photographer. With Covid hitting, I have not had the opportunity to bring my pack to the Himalayas yet. But I've taken it on urban shoots in Minnesota, and it holds a ton! My single light strobe kit, stand, two bodies, four lenses, all accessories AND comfortably carried on my back. It is a stunning camera backpack! And I agree with you on the support. The purchase process involved me asking lots of questions and the owner is above board kind and informative! Thanks again, Dustin :)!!
Thanks Scott! Appreciate the comment. I would love to take my pack out beyond the "urban jungle" of Oklahoma City soon, but at the moment it's mostly my city walk around. I agree with all your points, I've experimented packing mine every which way with tons of gear and it's held up wonderfully. And my back thanks me every time I feel the frame and the waist belt. Cheers!
I own the original Atlas Athlete and Adventure packs. I used the Athlete a lot. The Adventure I didn't like since it was over-designed with tons of pockets which made the pack too heavy. The Adventure pack never saw the outside of my closet. I am keeping it for now as a potential wildlife photography backpack to carry a big super-telephoto lens. For the Athlete, I just retired it since I just got the Nya-Evo Fjord 60-C. What I didn't like about the Athlete is that the camera compartment is too shallow. You have to detach the lens from the body and put the camera in the pack laying flat. This eats so much space for other camera gear (lenses, filters, etc.). I have Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II and will eventually upgrade to a Z9. I thought the newer version has a deeper compartment to address this issue. Other than that, the Athlete is a great backpack for minimalist mirror-less shooters.
Good points George. I'm curious if you've handle the Athlete pack v2.0? That's the one I have and apparently the camera compartment was made a bit deeper in it. I can put a full size mirrorless (Canon R5C) with a lens attached in it without laying it flat. You can't put a gripped body upright in it, but the ungripped body fits.
@@dustinschmidtphoto that’s what I heard too. Kudos to Atlas for making design improvements. I decided to get the Nya-Evo since I am planning to get the Z9. I want a pack that I could fit the Z9 without detaching the lens.
Thanks for loading at the end! You saved me $400 dollars! I shoot with a Blackmagic 6k pro and I didn’t realize until your video that my camera doesn’t come close to fitting in the camera area unless I store it flat with no lens mounted. Which is not how I pack my kit. Thank you! The search continues lol
@@jasonnowwhat5041 Have you looked at their Adventure pack by chance? It's deeper than the Athlete pack. I'm not sure if it will fit your needs, but it IS bigger.
@@dustinschmidtphoto yes I’ve looked at that one but it’s honestly too big. Ideally I don’t want anything larger than the Shimoda x50, for reference. I’m leaning toward one of those anyway
This can not be a serious hiking pack until the water bladder compartment is against the back. No chance I'm carrying 7 lbs off center. Every pack I've seen misses this. I will continue to modify my Ospreys to fill this role.
Interesting point. I have primarily purchased this pack as a photo backpack, that can also do some light duty hiking work. So I am definitely coming at it from a different perspective.
That's a great solution. I've found myself using more pouches to separate stuff in the big pouch lately as well. I'm very interested to get delivery of their new origami insert, which I ordered but doesn't ship until summer of '22.
@@dustinschmidtphoto I'll need to check that out. I have an older version I bought used off Craigslist last summer. I absolutely love this pack and it is PERFECT for everything I need. I have been traveling without the frame. Don't feel I need it.
@@derbagger22 interesting that you go without the frame. That's one of the primary reasons I was interested in this bag. I find that the frame really helps take the load off of my shoulders and back. I do have the large frame in mine and I think I'm going to order a medium frame as well, just for when I want to go a little smaller but still have the support.
Nice video Dustin. I got exactly the same config in this drop. Black, large frame with adv belt. It’s a very solidly crafted bag. My only wish is that maybe the interior line was a lighter color to get some contrast in that cavernous interior.
Hey Prashant! Yeah the lighter gray on the camera side makes it easier for sure compared to the mostly all black on the packing side. I do use smaller pouches on the bigger "sack" side to help organize a little more and that can help. Hope you're enjoying the bag as much as I am. Cheers!
I miss my Canon RP. It fit amazingly well with a number of lenses. I was carrying an RP with 15-35 2.8; 150-600 Sigma C; and 3 1.8 primes. Also could squeeze an Osprey 2.5 liter bladder and an extra bottle and a couple days worth of clothes. My R6 still fits, but it's a tiny bit tighter a fit.
That sounds like a heck of a kit. I've never used the RP for video, but to have two standout landscape/B-roll lenses and then a couple of small, fast primes for interviews seems like a great setup.
I own the original atlas its a amazing bag i sure would like to purchase the updated model. I also own shimoda bags . The atlas are much lighter and a more relaxed bag feel with nice roomy pockets .
I looked at a LOT of bags when I was researching for a new one. I had a ThinkTank Airport Essentials that was my main carry for probably over 10 years, but lately I really wanted something with more support and the hybrid backpacking/camera bags like the Shimoda models and Atlas Packs really rose to the top. I've been really happy with my Atlas Athlete Pack.
Hello :) Thank you very much for the video ! Is it the medium or the large one here ? And does the computer fells protected, as it is on the front of the bag ? Thanks for your time !!
Hello! This is the Atlas Athlete pack, with the large frame. In addition, this is the Medium/Large Adventure belt. The computer feels pretty well protected, especially if you have anything in the front of the pack, which would provide extra padding or protection.
I heave original atlus athlete bag nice bag but i really think the harness is too thin and tapered under the armpit iam a little disappointed that version 2 they didnt fix that. Once the bag starts to get heavy it starts to dig in the armpit area. A little wider and more padding there similar to shimodas harness the bag would of been perfect. Thanks for the video.
the camera compartment is still rather big :/ When I go hiking I only carry a 70-200 and it future, I'd have a wide angle lens. My camera with the 24-70 is mounted externally with the peak design clip. So, I'd have a lot of internal space wasted it seems 😩. I wish they had another finding compartment inside to make it even smaller
You can use the origami feature to reduce the space of the camera compartment. But depending on the amount of gear you carry maybe that's still not small enough. If you only carry a single lens (and maybe two) then you may be better off just wrapping it in a camera wrap and tossing it in a full hiking pack?
@@dustinschmidtphoto Thats basically what ive been doing the whole time. I had a regular hiking bag and put my lenses into a protective pouch. But, I didn't like that as it would be all over the place in my bag depending where my other stuff was... I ended up buying this bag and yeah, its a little big for my gear, even at the smallest setting, but I guess it'll do.
Thanks for your video, Dustin! I purchased my Atlas Athlete in December 2019 and love it! The newer model has some additional features which you presented well. I am a travel guide to India, and the group photographer. With Covid hitting, I have not had the opportunity to bring my pack to the Himalayas yet. But I've taken it on urban shoots in Minnesota, and it holds a ton! My single light strobe kit, stand, two bodies, four lenses, all accessories AND comfortably carried on my back. It is a stunning camera backpack! And I agree with you on the support. The purchase process involved me asking lots of questions and the owner is above board kind and informative! Thanks again, Dustin :)!!
Thanks Scott! Appreciate the comment. I would love to take my pack out beyond the "urban jungle" of Oklahoma City soon, but at the moment it's mostly my city walk around. I agree with all your points, I've experimented packing mine every which way with tons of gear and it's held up wonderfully. And my back thanks me every time I feel the frame and the waist belt. Cheers!
just ordered mine in yellow , thanks for the review!!
I own the original Atlas Athlete and Adventure packs. I used the Athlete a lot. The Adventure I didn't like since it was over-designed with tons of pockets which made the pack too heavy. The Adventure pack never saw the outside of my closet. I am keeping it for now as a potential wildlife photography backpack to carry a big super-telephoto lens. For the Athlete, I just retired it since I just got the Nya-Evo Fjord 60-C. What I didn't like about the Athlete is that the camera compartment is too shallow. You have to detach the lens from the body and put the camera in the pack laying flat. This eats so much space for other camera gear (lenses, filters, etc.). I have Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II and will eventually upgrade to a Z9. I thought the newer version has a deeper compartment to address this issue. Other than that, the Athlete is a great backpack for minimalist mirror-less shooters.
Good points George. I'm curious if you've handle the Athlete pack v2.0? That's the one I have and apparently the camera compartment was made a bit deeper in it. I can put a full size mirrorless (Canon R5C) with a lens attached in it without laying it flat. You can't put a gripped body upright in it, but the ungripped body fits.
@@dustinschmidtphoto that’s what I heard too. Kudos to Atlas for making design improvements. I decided to get the Nya-Evo since I am planning to get the Z9. I want a pack that I could fit the Z9 without detaching the lens.
Thanks for loading at the end! You saved me $400 dollars! I shoot with a Blackmagic 6k pro and I didn’t realize until your video that my camera doesn’t come close to fitting in the camera area unless I store it flat with no lens mounted. Which is not how I pack my kit. Thank you! The search continues lol
Happy to help! Yep, we all have different needs and use cases. This is a great pack for how I work, for others it may not be right for their workflow.
@@dustinschmidtphoto I’m kinda bummed, if the cube section was deeper this would be a perfect t bag for me.
@@jasonnowwhat5041 Have you looked at their Adventure pack by chance? It's deeper than the Athlete pack. I'm not sure if it will fit your needs, but it IS bigger.
@@dustinschmidtphoto yes I’ve looked at that one but it’s honestly too big. Ideally I don’t want anything larger than the Shimoda x50, for reference. I’m leaning toward one of those anyway
This can not be a serious hiking pack until the water bladder compartment is against the back. No chance I'm carrying 7 lbs off center. Every pack I've seen misses this. I will continue to modify my Ospreys to fill this role.
Interesting point. I have primarily purchased this pack as a photo backpack, that can also do some light duty hiking work. So I am definitely coming at it from a different perspective.
I am using the older version for last 3 years. Loving it. I use few packing cube to help me organize in the big pouch.
That's a great solution. I've found myself using more pouches to separate stuff in the big pouch lately as well. I'm very interested to get delivery of their new origami insert, which I ordered but doesn't ship until summer of '22.
@@dustinschmidtphoto I'll need to check that out. I have an older version I bought used off Craigslist last summer. I absolutely love this pack and it is PERFECT for everything I need. I have been traveling without the frame. Don't feel I need it.
@@derbagger22 interesting that you go without the frame. That's one of the primary reasons I was interested in this bag. I find that the frame really helps take the load off of my shoulders and back. I do have the large frame in mine and I think I'm going to order a medium frame as well, just for when I want to go a little smaller but still have the support.
@@dustinschmidtphoto I'm a bigger guy and it just feels good on my back, with or without. Without the frame makes it easier to travel on a plane.
Awesome video - thanks for sharing !!!
Thanks! Hope it's helpful for anyone considering the Atlas Packs Athlete Pack.
Nice video Dustin. I got exactly the same config in this drop. Black, large frame with adv belt. It’s a very solidly crafted bag. My only wish is that maybe the interior line was a lighter color to get some contrast in that cavernous interior.
Hey Prashant! Yeah the lighter gray on the camera side makes it easier for sure compared to the mostly all black on the packing side. I do use smaller pouches on the bigger "sack" side to help organize a little more and that can help. Hope you're enjoying the bag as much as I am. Cheers!
I miss my Canon RP. It fit amazingly well with a number of lenses. I was carrying an RP with 15-35 2.8; 150-600 Sigma C; and 3 1.8 primes. Also could squeeze an Osprey 2.5 liter bladder and an extra bottle and a couple days worth of clothes. My R6 still fits, but it's a tiny bit tighter a fit.
That sounds like a heck of a kit. I've never used the RP for video, but to have two standout landscape/B-roll lenses and then a couple of small, fast primes for interviews seems like a great setup.
I own the original atlas its a amazing bag i sure would like to purchase the updated model. I also own shimoda bags . The atlas are much lighter and a more relaxed bag feel with nice roomy pockets .
I looked at a LOT of bags when I was researching for a new one. I had a ThinkTank Airport Essentials that was my main carry for probably over 10 years, but lately I really wanted something with more support and the hybrid backpacking/camera bags like the Shimoda models and Atlas Packs really rose to the top. I've been really happy with my Atlas Athlete Pack.
Hello :) Thank you very much for the video ! Is it the medium or the large one here ? And does the computer fells protected, as it is on the front of the bag ?
Thanks for your time !!
Hello! This is the Atlas Athlete pack, with the large frame. In addition, this is the Medium/Large Adventure belt. The computer feels pretty well protected, especially if you have anything in the front of the pack, which would provide extra padding or protection.
I heave original atlus athlete bag nice bag but i really think the harness is too thin and tapered under the armpit iam a little disappointed that version 2 they didnt fix that. Once the bag starts to get heavy it starts to dig in the armpit area. A little wider and more padding there similar to shimodas harness the bag would of been perfect. Thanks for the video.
the camera compartment is still rather big :/
When I go hiking I only carry a 70-200 and it future, I'd have a wide angle lens. My camera with the 24-70 is mounted externally with the peak design clip. So, I'd have a lot of internal space wasted it seems 😩. I wish they had another finding compartment inside to make it even smaller
You can use the origami feature to reduce the space of the camera compartment. But depending on the amount of gear you carry maybe that's still not small enough. If you only carry a single lens (and maybe two) then you may be better off just wrapping it in a camera wrap and tossing it in a full hiking pack?
@@dustinschmidtphoto Thats basically what ive been doing the whole time. I had a regular hiking bag and put my lenses into a protective pouch. But, I didn't like that as it would be all over the place in my bag depending where my other stuff was... I ended up buying this bag and yeah, its a little big for my gear, even at the smallest setting, but I guess it'll do.