F-Stop Tilopa 50-Liter Camera Hiking Backpack Review

As an outdoor photographer, lugging around a ton of camera gear is just part of the job, and picking the right backpack is crucial—not just for my gear, but for my back too! Over the years, I’ve tried a few different packs, but eventually, I landed on the F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond 50-liter with the Pro Large Camera Insert. Spoiler alert: it was a total game changer.

When you’re out in the field, you quickly realise how important reliable gear is. If you’re moving from sunrise to sunset, covering serious ground—hiking up mountains and pushing through tough terrain—you don’t have the time (or patience) to reorganise your stuff every day. You need gear that can handle anything thrown at it, and a backpack that can carry it all without compromise.

How to pack F-Stop Tilopa and First Impressions

The first thing that impressed me about the Tilopa DuraDiamond was how much you can fit in its 50-liter capacity. During my day trips, I needed to carry quite a bit of equipment: my Sony camera, along with the 24-70mm, 16-35mm, and 70-200mm lenses (sometimes more), plus my drone, backup batteries, remote, tripod or gimbal and a few other extra accessories. I was surprised how well everything fits inside the Pro Large Camera Insert, with even some room to spare.

Being out in the field means long, intense days with a lot of kilometres to cover. Carrying everything you need for a full day is always a challenge, but somehow, the Tilopa made it feel manageable. I liked keeping my water bottle in one side pocket, which balanced out the tripod I had strapped to the other side with the Gatekeeper straps. It might sound like a small detail, but little things like that make a big difference when it comes to distributing weight evenly.

There’s no universal setup for the camera cube, which is exactly what I love about it. The compartments are fully customisable, so I could tweak the layout before each trip to suit my specific needs. I often switch up the camera cube setup depending on what gear I’m taking with me. For longer hikes, where I only want to document the trail, I swap out for the medium camera cube, which fits my camera, two lenses, and my drone. Even with all that packed, there’s still plenty of room for outdoor essentials like extra layers, snacks, water, and other accessories. For anyone who’s both a photographer and a hiker, this bag strikes the perfect balance between space for gear and hiking necessities.

F-Stop Tilopa is Built for the Tough Stuff

Before this model, I had another version of the Tilopa, and it was practically indestructible. I dragged that thing through rough conditions—rain, mud, rocks, you name it—and it survived it all. I even dropped it from a mountain ridge once—it tumbled down about 30 meters, rolling over rocks and uneven terrain. Miraculously, my expensive gear came out completely unscathed. Not a scratch! The DuraDiamond version took durability to a whole new level. One feature I absolutely appreciated was the aluminum buckles. Plastic buckles have failed me in other bags in the past, but these can handle a beating and I don't have to worry about them breaking if someone accidentally steps on them, for instance when waiting for a flight at the airport.

The Real Test: Comfort on the Trail with F-Stop Tilopa

This summer, I spent a few weeks camping in the Alps, collecting content for a photography guide while also shooting for outdoor brands. I had a ton of gear to organize for different projects, so picking the right backpack was essential. Let me tell you, being 10 kilometers into a hike with a fully loaded bag is no joke. But the Tilopa sat comfortably on my back the whole time.

The comfort of this bag really comes down to how well you adjust the hip belt and shoulder straps. When you get it right, the weight shifts from your shoulders to your hips, making long hikes way more manageable. That’s what’s special about this bag—it doesn’t just carry your gear, it helps you carry it in a way that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve been run over by the end of the day.

Final Thoughts: The Tilopa DuraDiamond Delivers

In the end, I couldn’t have asked for a better backpack on this trip. The Tilopa DuraDiamond 50-liter wasn’t just fitting all my camera gear and hiking essentials, it was also comfortable, durable, and incredibly versatile. The fact that its size also works as carry-on luggage for flights is a huge bonus.

I’ve been using the Tilopa series for the past three years on both day hikes and international trips, and it’s never let me down. For outdoor photographers, or anyone who needs a backpack that can handle both gear and adventure, the F-Stop Tilopa is hands down one of the best options out there. If you’re on the fence about investing in a new pack, take my word for it—this one’s worth it!