A Camera Bag with a Secret Trick

Outdoor photographers struggle with two conflicting needs—protecting their equipment but having it at the ready for quick and easy shooting. MindShift Gear has found an innovative way to bring these two together in its new Rotation 180 Degree Professional Backpack ($390). When you need your camera, the pack swings 180 degrees on the waist belt. Just loosen the front strap, slide off the magnetic buckle on the right side, grab the camera pouch’s side handle, and rotate the bag to the front. When you’ve got the shot, stow your kit and swing everything back in place—the hard plastic retains the cargo area’s shape to allow for unencumbered back-and-forth. Other backpack must-haves include a dedicated hydration sleeve, rain covers for both the pack and the waist bag, a mesh side pocket, easily-adjustable straps, and just less than 30 liters of storage in the main compartment. At 5.3 pounds the pack is heavy—the ounces add up with all that padding and functionality. But it’s one of the only camera-specific packs on the market that don’t require you to take off your pack to get to your camera.—Nathan Borchelt