Cheers from Central Oregon. I’ve been researching different waist packs and have probably looked at what seems like hundreds of UA-cam videos so far. Your review was the best one I’ve seen on a fishing pack. Appreciate the fact you didn’t shy away from the “cons” of this particular product. Thanks for posting it.
You can attach a water bottle to either side of the lumbar pack. I have the same pack and a water bottle on the right side since I put it behind me the slide it forward when I need something.
I thought it would have to buy the water bottle holder but then I saw the divided compartment accessory and thought I could tuck a water bottle in one of those inside the pack to keep the pack more streamlined.
great review, i am totally not in to fishing but i geek out on backpacks that are really water proof/resistant and found out fishing gear fits that bill. i kind of want to use it like a sling pack. is this do-able and comfortable you think? i like their new zipper system!
Nice review. I would suggest adding the thunderhead water bottle, which attaches to the left or right section of the lumbar straps. It’s 29 bucks and will solve your issue with the pack.
thanks for the video. I didn't quite understand the net set-up. Great if you could pop the pack on with the net attached - so we can see how that works. I quite like hip packs - but the biggest draw back for me is 'how do they accommodate the net'. I'm yet to see a good solution for that.
Too late to be meaningful but maybe someone else will see...Red's Fly Shop notes the same issue I have noted: the net fits really well and is very accessible, but when you try to access the pack with the net in place --by turning the bag to the front and unzipping it--the net is both in your face and in the way of accessing the bag. I like the idea of clipping the net on, perhaps just once you get to the river.
Glad you got something out of the video and thanks for the comment. Having a good fishing pack that you can stuff a bunch of junk into makes a difference. I actually had this same discussion with some friends this week about what type of pack they should get. Having a waterproof pack has been a major plus for me.
Why not make a version of this pack that eliminates the back padding, shoulder, and waist straps. Just add a handle and it would make a great tackle bag for saltwater fishing.
I haven't looked at the switchback in person. It seems like a good pack, just slightly smaller than the thunderhead - I like that is has a "dedicated" spot for the water bottle holder accessory (this must be somewhat new since I haven't noticed before)
Awesome Review!!!! Thanks for taking the time. I am wondering if you find the waterproof feature of the bag useful? Would you highly recommend a waterproof bag over a non-waterproof bag?
Hi Mike - thanks for the comment. I really like having the waterproof bag. Less worry on dropping it into the water and getting everything wet. I wouldn’t say it’s a must, though.
way late, but...depends on your use case. I wade deep and regularly got my lower vest pockets wet. Having a waterproof pack solves that, and is good in a raft for the same reason.
I have the older version of Fishpond's submersible lumbar pack. Sadly, it's not actually submersible. It keeps my gear dry when I'm wading deep enough to where half of the pack is in the water, but if the main zipper actually gets submerged, the thing fills up with water. My brother bought the same pack and has the same issue. I was curious to see if they did a better job on that with the Thunderhead series. Have you been able to test that out?
James - thanks for watching and the comment. I have not submerged the pack, so I can't say. I have worn it during some pretty heavy rainstorms with no water ingress. Maybe I'll just go ahead and dunk it in the tub to check...
Given that this has a Tizip zipper, I'd be pretty confident in it being submersible. Tizip are used on drysuits among other things. I've submerged my similar Patagonia Stormsurge (previously called Stormfront) hip pack, in salt water, and it did just fine. Had my camera and phone and a towel inside, all stayed bone dry. Also I didn't really rinse the zipper afterwards, but no ill effects, 2 years later it's still airtight. I'd expect the same from this Fishpond pack, since it has the same zipper.
(New to fly fishing) Wet wading today and was annoyed with having to ziploc my phone, etc in my waist pack. Got me curious about the waterproof packs...thanks for the review. Good stuff. Be interested to hear what shoes/boots you use for wet wading (Astral seems solid). Thanks!
Hey! Thanks for the comment and watching. It all depends on where I am fishing. I'll wear my generic wading boots with a wading sock most of the time, but I also have a pair of Astrals that I wear on some of the easier wading areas. It is all about it I need ankle support or not. This is a good idea for a video!
Great review! Well done! Just the sort of experience information that I have been lookin for.
Cheers from Central Oregon. I’ve been researching different waist packs and have probably looked at what seems like hundreds of UA-cam videos so far. Your review was the best one I’ve seen on a fishing pack. Appreciate the fact you didn’t shy away from the “cons” of this particular product. Thanks for posting it.
thanks for the comment - glad you got something out of it
You need to do weekly videos you have great friendly voice and conversational manner. But need regular content.
Hello for the high price a water bottle holder is a must. water bottle a deal breaker for sure.
thank you for the review. tight lines always.
Great review,you did a great job! Might go for one of these packs.
You can attach a water bottle to either side of the lumbar pack. I have the same pack and a water bottle on the right side since I put it behind me the slide it forward when I need something.
I thought it would have to buy the water bottle holder but then I saw the divided compartment accessory and thought I could tuck a water bottle in one of those inside the pack to keep the pack more streamlined.
Where do you keep your net? If its in the slot in the back it will hit you in the face when you bring it in front to get into it.
Great review. I have been looking at those packs so nice to hear your comments. Some close up shots of features would be good. Cheers
thanks for the comment. I'll get some better views in the next one!
emil in the wild All good. I loved the fact that you had tried it for a year and then did a review!
great review, i am totally not in to fishing but i geek out on backpacks that are really water proof/resistant and found out fishing gear fits that bill.
i kind of want to use it like a sling pack. is this do-able and comfortable you think? i like their new zipper system!
Nice review. I would suggest adding the thunderhead water bottle, which attaches to the left or right section of the lumbar straps. It’s 29 bucks and will solve your issue with the pack.
thanks for the video. I didn't quite understand the net set-up. Great if you could pop the pack on with the net attached - so we can see how that works. I quite like hip packs - but the biggest draw back for me is 'how do they accommodate the net'. I'm yet to see a good solution for that.
Too late to be meaningful but maybe someone else will see...Red's Fly Shop notes the same issue I have noted: the net fits really well and is very accessible, but when you try to access the pack with the net in place --by turning the bag to the front and unzipping it--the net is both in your face and in the way of accessing the bag. I like the idea of clipping the net on, perhaps just once you get to the river.
How do you make the belt stick? I find that unlike my 20 yo simms pack I have to pull back on the belt regularly.
Thanks for the review! It made me think about what i want in a fishing pack
Glad you got something out of the video and thanks for the comment. Having a good fishing pack that you can stuff a bunch of junk into makes a difference. I actually had this same discussion with some friends this week about what type of pack they should get. Having a waterproof pack has been a major plus for me.
Thanks for the candid review. It was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting review
Good review, didn't come across like a manufacturer let you use gear in return for favorable comments, more like the real deal. Thanks!
bought because I liked it - reviewed it for fun! Thanks for the comment
Nice review. Very detailed and honest. Could've sat closer to the camera and held the pack up to the camera longer when showing the zipper.
Daniel - noted on the suggestions.
Why not make a version of this pack that eliminates the back padding, shoulder, and waist straps. Just add a handle and it would make a great tackle bag for saltwater fishing.
Thanks for the review! I have been on the fence between this and the FB switchback pro..
I haven't looked at the switchback in person. It seems like a good pack, just slightly smaller than the thunderhead - I like that is has a "dedicated" spot for the water bottle holder accessory (this must be somewhat new since I haven't noticed before)
@@emilinthewild I really want the molded net holder. Thanks for the reply. Have an awesome day! New sub from me!
What no catwalk?? I wanted to see if it is really a lumbar pack or more of a fanny pack
I'll make sure to do more live action shots in the next review!
Awesome Review!!!! Thanks for taking the time. I am wondering if you find the waterproof feature of the bag useful? Would you highly recommend a waterproof bag over a non-waterproof bag?
Hi Mike - thanks for the comment. I really like having the waterproof bag. Less worry on dropping it into the water and getting everything wet. I wouldn’t say it’s a must, though.
way late, but...depends on your use case. I wade deep and regularly got my lower vest pockets wet. Having a waterproof pack solves that, and is good in a raft for the same reason.
I have the older version of Fishpond's submersible lumbar pack. Sadly, it's not actually submersible. It keeps my gear dry when I'm wading deep enough to where half of the pack is in the water, but if the main zipper actually gets submerged, the thing fills up with water. My brother bought the same pack and has the same issue.
I was curious to see if they did a better job on that with the Thunderhead series. Have you been able to test that out?
James - thanks for watching and the comment. I have not submerged the pack, so I can't say. I have worn it during some pretty heavy rainstorms with no water ingress. Maybe I'll just go ahead and dunk it in the tub to check...
@@emilinthewild well did you?
Given that this has a Tizip zipper, I'd be pretty confident in it being submersible. Tizip are used on drysuits among other things. I've submerged my similar Patagonia Stormsurge (previously called Stormfront) hip pack, in salt water, and it did just fine. Had my camera and phone and a towel inside, all stayed bone dry. Also I didn't really rinse the zipper afterwards, but no ill effects, 2 years later it's still airtight. I'd expect the same from this Fishpond pack, since it has the same zipper.
(New to fly fishing) Wet wading today and was annoyed with having to ziploc my phone, etc in my waist pack. Got me curious about the waterproof packs...thanks for the review. Good stuff. Be interested to hear what shoes/boots you use for wet wading (Astral seems solid). Thanks!
Hey! Thanks for the comment and watching. It all depends on where I am fishing. I'll wear my generic wading boots with a wading sock most of the time, but I also have a pair of Astrals that I wear on some of the easier wading areas. It is all about it I need ankle support or not. This is a good idea for a video!