The Lab – Long-term review of the EVOC CP 26 camera backpack – A safe companion on the trails?
The EVOC CP 26 must be one of the best known and most popular camera backpacks in the mountain biking scene, and it’s been a loyal companion of ours on the trails. Besides offering a safe way to transport your camera equipment, it’s packed with practical details from front to back.
The EVOC CP camera backpack is available in two different sizes: the 26 litre version on test, or the larger 35 litre version, which is particularly suitable for carrying multiple camera systems or video equipment. In terms of price, there’s a € 50 difference between the two variants, with the CP26 going for € 320. Measuring 17 x 52 x 30 cm and weighing approximately 2,425 grams, the CP26 is ideal for travelling and easily passed as hand luggage on flights in the past, as long as you avoid the more pedantic airport employees and their scales.
The interior of the CP26 can be individually adapted to your equipment and your needs through partition walls.
The integrated rain cover can be pulled over the entire backpack quickly and easily.
As with most camera backpacks, the CP26 gives you access to the large main compartment via the back. Thanks to its width, you can also place it on the ground when you’re out on the trails without having to fear for your equipment rolling away. The inside offers a large compartment for your camera and lenses, which you can configure as needed with the help of Velcro fastening dividers. Depending on your configuration, an additional opening on the side of the backpack gives you access to your camera without having to open the entire backpack. There is an additional large pocket on the inside that is secured by a zipper. We used it mostly to store personal items such as jackets, hats or snacks. This pocket can also be accessed from the outside and has an integrated compartment for laptops. That said, it’s quite small and if you keep your laptop in a sleeve, it can be rather tight fitting. On the inside of the main flap, you’ll find additional small compartments for memory cards and the like, and two mesh compartments with zippers in which we stored things like lens caps and spare batteries. There is another narrow pocket which you can use to store cash or lift tickets, for example.
On the top of the backpack is a large compartment for items like car keys, etc. However, this compartment doesn’t have any dividers or a strap with which to secure stuff. A small hook or carabiner would be very helpful. There is a very flat but quite large pocket on the front of the backpack, which we used very rarely. A separate beverage compartment on the side protects your camera equipment from spilled liquids and keeps you hydrated. And if anything springs a leak, the liquid can simply drain through a small hole at the bottom of the beverage compartment. It will also accommodate a hydration bladder as it features a dedicated port for a drinking tube, exiting towards the straps. However, there are no further attachment points provided and the drinking tube will simply dangle around freely. There are many additional straps on the backpack, which you can use to attach things like tripods, skis, or ice picks. A small pouch for the feet of your tripod prevents it from slipping through, and there’s a rain cover hidden at the bottom of the backpack, which is quick and easy to pull over the entire backpack.
The T-shaped handle makes it easy to open the big zipper of the main compartment.
Unfortunately, the small pocket at the top offers no compartmentalisation or attachment points.
All zippers are of high quality and easy to grip even if you’re wearing gloves. The zipper for the main compartment has a special T-shaped handle, making it even easier to hold on to while opening and closing the coarse zipper. The shoulder straps are very wide and thus remain comfortable even when you’re lugging heavy loads. You can further secure the backpack with a waist and chest strap. As with most of EVOC’s backpacks, the chest strap comes with an integrated whistle, which works great to get the attention of your photography subjects. The wide waist strap – secured with a combination of Velcro and a large buckle – is easy to adjust or remove completely if necessary. It also features two small pockets where you can store a multitool or snacks. Thanks to the chest and waist straps and the wide shoulder straps, the backpack sits securely on your back even when things get wild on the trails and thus doesn’t bother you while riding. The large and thick back padding also ensures that no hard objects press into your back.
It’s not without reason that the EVOC CP26 camera backpack is one of the most popular camera equipment carrying options in the outdoor sports segment. With its countless and well thought through features, many different pockets, and versatility, it makes for a reliable companion that’s worth the money. That way, your expensive camera gear sits securely on your back, doesn’t get in the way while riding and remains unharmed even after a long day on the trails.
Tops
- many storage options
- safe and secure fit on the trail
- high quality zippers and pockets
Flops
- no loop for a key or the like
- very tight-fitting laptop compartment
You can find more information at evocsports.com
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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker
