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Aluminum body backpacks are likely to make me remorse my life selections as quickly as I put them on. Usually, the added construction isn’t well worth the added weight. That’s not the case with the F-Cease AJNA, an journey and journey backpack that has an aluminum body so gentle I didn’t even discover it at first. Mixed with a waist belt, the backpack helps distribute weight on the hips as a substitute of the again and shoulders.
The F-Cease AJNA match nearly completely, had loads of pockets, and even has an sudden built-in whistle. It’s large enough for 2 digital camera our bodies — together with a built-in grip like on the Canon EOS R3 — and a handful of lenses. Then, there are the seemingly infinite pockets for equipment and private objects. However, there are a number of particulars that gained’t take to journey fairly as nicely.
Too Lengthy, Didn’t Learn
The F-Cease AJNA is a well-organized and comfy digital camera backpack made for journey and journey. I like the pockets, group, and sensible options like a whistle and detachable aspect straps. However, I’m not fully in love with the brand new materials or the thinner straps.
Professionals and Cons
Professionals
Full-gear entry from the backLightweightMagnetic closure reminiscence card pocketsAluminum body and waist belt distribute weight wellBuilt-in whistle, hydro pack pocket, ice axe sleeves, and different climbing featuresLots of spaceWell-organized, with plenty of pockets
Cons
Gentle fraying questions the long run durabilityThe material is noisyThe aspect pockets are too shortThe most essential zippers aren’t weather-sealed, and the material isn’t 100% waterproofIt’s expensive
Gear Used
I used the F-Cease AJNA 37L with the Slope Medium digital camera bag insert. I packed the bag with the Canon EOS R3, the Canon EOS R6, the RF 70-200mm f4, the RF 85mm f2 Macro, the 14-35mm f4 L, and the 16mm f2.8. I additionally tried the Vanguard Veo 264CB Carbon Tripod within the aspect pocket.
Improvements
The AJNA is one in all three new baggage for F-Cease. It makes use of a brand new materials known as DuraDiamond that the corporate says is stronger and light-weight. The bag additionally has a number of small touches that I haven’t seen on a number of different baggage, together with magnetic closure reminiscence card slots.
Tech Specs
F-Cease lists the next options for the AJNA 37L digital camera backpack:
37 liter capacityIdeal for journey (carry-on suitable) and quick adventuresDuraDiamond™ materials is proprietary to f-stop and is stronger, lighter weight, and extra climate resistantCombination T6 aluminum and plastic {hardware} provides energy to vital carry and suspension componentsUpgraded climate resistant zippers together with woven-in zippers for considerably improved energy than commonplace coil zippersImproved group and storage options added to pockets, lid, and again panelMesh aspect pockets carries a 32oz/1 liter Nalgene bottleFor snug carry, we suggest you don’t exceed a load of substances exceeding 12 kgs/27 lbs.Aluminum body shifts pack’s weight to hips for all day carry comfortPairs greatest with the Slope – Medium or Professional – Massive Digicam Insert
Ergonomics
The F-Cease AJNA 37L makes use of one in all my private favourite designs for backpacks, much like the one on my go-to backpack. The gear entry is within the again, however there’s additionally a waist belt. You’ll be able to take away the shoulder straps, swing the bag across the entrance, unzip it, and seize gear with out taking the bag off. This isn’t as quick as utilizing a messenger bag, nevertheless it’s extra snug. In contrast to a fast entry door, you may see and seize all of your gear, not simply no matter is tucked into one spot.
The principle compartment is an empty slate prepared for a digital camera insert. You’ll be able to entry it from the big again zipper, which opens totally and stays open. Or, there’s a second zipper to the primary compartment on the high. This zipper has easy accessibility to the additional room on the high of the bag when paired with the smaller Slope insert. There’s one more pocket right here too, mesh with a zipper closure.
The digital camera insert (even the Slope medium possibility) has a number of room. I match two our bodies and 5 medium to small lenses and nonetheless had further house. The bag can also be deep. I match the R3 in flat, no drawback. Smaller our bodies just like the R6 could be turned vertically with the grip up to slot in the deep house with out further wiggle room. Some lenses might equally sit vertically to take up much less house.
On the within of the again flap are three rows of pockets. The primary is designed for reminiscence playing cards and is roomy sufficient for SDs or XQDs. These pockets have a magnetic closure, which I actually like. Beneath that may be a mesh zippered pocket. The ultimate pocket on the underside has a magnetic flap closure and could be a great place for a filter or charger.
Together with the primary entry again compartment (which requires a digital camera insert) the bag has a high compartment for stashing private objects. This spot additionally has a key leash and two smaller, zippered pockets.
The aspect of the bag has two lengthy, zippered pockets on either side, with one aspect’s pocket having one other pocket inside that. Pouches on each side maintain water bottles, tripods, or ski poles, with a latch strap situated greater up on the bag. This latch strap can be eliminated in case you don’t wish to use it. I like having the ability to carry each a tripod and a water bottle. I do want the mesh aspect pockets had been somewhat deeper to raised maintain tall water bottles. However, they’re large and roomy sufficient for large bottles and bigger tripods.
The entrance has a roomy pocket that covers many of the entrance of the bag. There are even loops and a protecting sleeve for carrying ice axes, a characteristic for true adventurers. The underside of the bag hides one other zippered pocket. However, the bag doesn’t have a laptop computer sleeve.
Most aluminum body backpacks are heavy and stiff, however I really didn’t discover the aluminum body on the F-Cease AJNA 37L at first. Skinny aluminum rods alongside the again edges assist give the bag form, construction, and help. However, the body isn’t overly heavy and doesn’t relaxation instantly towards the again. That, mixed with the waist strap, does job of evenly distributing the load.
Whereas the body does job of distributing the load of the gear, I want the straps would have a bit extra padding. The straps are simply okay; I’ve used worse, however I’ve used higher too. They’re skinny, which contributes to the lighter really feel of the bag, however that additionally means much less padding. That mentioned, I discovered the AJNA extra snug than I anticipated once I first pulled it out of the field. The body and the waist belt do job of redirecting the load to your hips as a substitute of the shoulders. The peak of the straps could be adjusted on the high and backside.
The waist strap is equally skinny, nevertheless it makes use of a metallic clasp (one aspect pulls by the opposite). This feels safe and extra sturdy than a plastic clip. The chest clip is adjustable, however I wanted yet one more slot to get it to sit down in a snug place. The chest clip is plastic, nevertheless it really has a built-in whistle. It seems like a daily clip with somewhat bump on it. Blow on the bump, and you’ve got your whistle. It’s a intelligent approach of hiding some emergency gear.
Construct High quality
After I first pulled this backpack out of the field, I believed the brand new DuraDiamond materials felt fairly sturdy for the way skinny it’s. However, two weeks later, the diamond sample that’s woven in is fraying in two very small spots. The place the diamond stitching meets, I can see threads if I run my finger throughout the small discolored spot. It’s hardly noticeable now, and there’s one other layer of inside material beneath. However, it has me questioning the sturdiness of an costly bag that ought to final a number of years. Will these small, frayed spots turn out to be bigger after a 12 months of use? Is simply the diamond sample affected, or will it will definitely have an effect on the integrity of the material? Will water seep in additional in these areas? We’re at the moment testing one other bag constituted of the identical materials and haven’t but had sturdiness points however aren’t completed testing. F-Cease does have a 20-year guarantee on this bag. It covers “defects in materials” however not “the pure breakdown of supplies that happens after prolonged use.”
The brand new DuraDiamond repels water for probably the most half. However, when water sits in a single spot for a couple of minutes, the fabric darkens and the opposite aspect does really feel somewhat damp. If rain or snow sits on the high of the bag, it could slowly leak in.
The sunshine coloured spots have gentle fraying within the diamond weave sample.
Many of the zippers have rubber seals, which is nice. However, each zippers to the primary gear compartment do not need this seal on them. The highest zipper has a flap of that DuraDiamond over the zipper as a substitute, which might must be checked and pulled firmly into place earlier than carrying within the rain. The principle again opening depends on the truth that it’s sitting towards your again for climate sealing. This does assist the primary compartment zippers to unzip somewhat smoother and quicker than the rubber-sealed zippers on the entrance and sides of the luggage.
I tossed this bag within the bathe and the weather-sealed zippers held up (simply make 100% certain that the zipper is totally closed). The non-weather-sealed zipper, after all, bought some moisture inside. This might be sitting towards your again. However, there’s the opportunity of rain working off your rain jacket and into the primary gear compartment the place all of the digital camera gear sits. I actually want F-Cease had simply gone forward and weather-sealed these essential compartment zippers. All that is only a good distance of claiming I might put on this bag in gentle rain, however I wouldn’t belief it in heavy rain.
I actually wished to like the brand new materials, since it’s so light-weight. However, I’m dissatisfied within the fraying, nevertheless tiny, and the 2 unsealed zippers. The material can also be crinkly — it seems like a tarp in case you wiggle the fabric.
Ease of Use
The design of the F-Cease AJNA makes gear fast and easy to entry. The again panel opens totally and it’ll keep open too. You need to use the waist belt to carry the load of the bag, swing it round, and dig out your gear with out placing the bag down. If you wish to take it off, the sturdy materials might be simply high-quality within the filth.
As a result of the bag makes use of a detachable insert, you can too simply use it as a daily climbing backpack. The insert has its personal cowl and zipper, so that you don’t should discover a totally different spot for gear while you pull it out of the pack.
Adjusting the peak of the chest strap was somewhat annoying. It’s important to take it off, then transfer it as much as a unique slot. It’s not as handy as designs that simply slide up. However, it is a change you most likely gained’t be making usually, so it’s not an enormous deal.
The zippers and buckles are all simple to make use of as nicely. The non-sealed zippers on the primary compartment pull somewhat simpler than the weather-sealed ones, however neither are horrible to make use of.
Conclusions
It’s bird-approved!
Likes
Again-access baggage with a waist belt are my favourite backpack kinds for full entry and comfort.This bag is tremendous light-weight, even with an aluminum body.The body and waist belt do job of distributing the pack’s weight.There’s a built-in whistle, hydro pack pouch, and different cool climbing options.It’s a roomy bag, with plenty of other ways to arrange a number of gear.There are a ton of pockets on this factor. I hold discovering extra inside pockets, like they’re rising in a single day.
Dislikes
The diamond sample stitching within the materials is already fraying in two spots after two weeks of use.The material seems like a tarp.The chest clip wants to regulate somewhat greater to be extra snug.I want the aspect water bottle and tripod pockets had been deeper.Solely among the zippers are weather-sealed, and the material isn’t 100% waterproof.It’s costly.
The F-Cease AJNA 37L is expertly organized. The pockets and options are well-thought-out and it has extra pockets than I’ve photograph equipment. It’s a roomy bag, however a really light-weight aluminum body and a waist belt helps distribute the load of the pack nicely. Regardless of how massive it’s, it match my petite body nicely. Made for adventurers, it additionally has some nice options for climbing, like a built-in whistle and a spot for a hydro pack.
However, for a $439 backpack ($349 in case you don’t want a digital camera insert), I used to be dissatisfied by a number of issues. Initially, I believed the fabric would maintain up nicely and repel water. However, the stitched-on sample is fraying in two spots already and water that sits on the fabric for too lengthy will seep by. Solely among the zippers are weather-sealed. I additionally want the aspect pockets had been a bit deeper and the straps a bit extra padded.
There’s loads to love concerning the AJNA and I definitely didn’t hate this bag. However, thinner straps and questionable sturdiness would forestall me personally from spending this a lot. I’m giving the F-Cease three out of 5 stars.
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