I used the Trio for the first time on the Lower Eskdale #3 trip (11 May 2009), a backpack that included typical hill climbs, pathless terrain and some brisk walking on the flat along easy tracks.
I noticed very quickly that with the Trio and camera in front supported by the pack front straps, walking felt considerably more natural and comfortable. The shift of load balance towards the front is small but dispropotionately noticeable, I felt better balanced. Once the elasticated bottom cords were hooked in place and adjusted for tension, the pouch didn’t move at all and felt very secure.
I had complete freedom of movement with both arms, unlike the arrangement with the Lowepro where the case sat at the hip area constraining movement of one arm, and I felt less pressure on the base of my neck. On the level easy sections of the walk, including farm tracks and roads, I marched at a brisk pace and the ache at the base of the back of my neck that always niggled me before was greatly reduced. I expect that in warm weather the pouch contact area may feel a bit hot and sweaty despite the mesh, and will reduce the chest area exposed to the air for cooling down, but I’ll see how that goes when (and if) it gets warm enough.
When opening the zip on the Trio, the weight of the camera makes the far side of the pouch sag outwards and a little more care is needed than with the stiff-sided Lowepro. Of course with a camera and lens like those I always take great care anyway, and the operation is just as easy as before with the pouch directly in front of me. I keep the spare battery and storage card in the pouch at the bottom, but anything bulkier would get in the way of retrieving the camera and putting it back easily. It is very useful for putting my shades away temporarily when walking through a gloomy forest.
This walk didn’t have any steep rough rocky paths, but the pitched path at Stanley Force was steep and damp and provided a good test for the ‘downward vision’ aspect mentioned above. I was pleased to find that the Trio doesn’t protrude far enough to be a problem, and as I expected it merely required a slightly different descent technique.
These notes have been added to the OMM Trio review on the main site.
2 Comments
Some good points Geoff, I’ve always carried my camera over my chest mainly for ease of access. I’m sure that it does aid balance. I find it very noticeable if when after a few hours walking it starts raining and I have to shift the camera into my pack, I then really notice the extra weight pulling from the back. The only problem I’ve had is when I have say jumped a stream without holding the camera bag close to my chest; it can deliver a fairly deft blow to the solar plexus!
Ouch!. Fortunately the Trio secures quite well at the bottom end, but I would be wary about jumping a stream with it. It’s still the best solution so far.