Looking for a travel bag

[Panzerbjorn]

Lo all,
I know I've been a bit quiet of late but my whole summer was a bit of a let-down on the photography front.

In about a years time (I know - Holy Early Thread Batman) I plan to go travelling and I want to take my Camera and Laptop with me so I can hopefully get some freelance Graphic Design work whilst I'm out there. I would also like to keep a Graphic/Photo diary of my trip to show prospective employers what I've been up to while I've been away.

I'm looking for a backpack that will take my D50 with 3 lenses and accessories, my 17" MBP + cables etc and a few sets of cloths/toiletries etc. Idealy it needs to take all of the above and still qualify as hand-luggage on the plane because there's no way I'm letting my camera and lappy go into the hold.

The two that I've seen so far are the Lowepro Vertex 300 and the Crumpler Zoomiverse XL.

Does anyone have any recommendations/suggestions on these two bags or on an alternative?

Does anyone have either of the above and fancies giving me the lowdown?

Cheers all

Panzer

 

[8utters]

I use Crumpler photo bags, they are awesome. Great quality and not too pricey

Just make sure you get the right size, the images on their website are rubbish. I bought a L originally but sent it back and got an XXL to fit all my stuff in (I don't even have that much, just a 400D, 1 lens and flashgun).

Not used the backpacks, but heard they are good.

 

[dizzy]

my mate works as a tog for the times and I asked him a very similar question the other day. He's recommendation was the Crumpler if that helps. I've decided to hold fire until I get hands on with the ones I'm interested in especially as I've only got to fit the 30d, kit lens and nifty 50 in at the moment. Laptop and extra lenses will arrive when I get state side.

 

[Steep]

I think the hand luggage limitation is going to seriously cramp your style, clothes take up a lot of room in any bag. That said, if you plan on going somewhere hot have a look at the Rohan range of travel clothes, they specialise in lightweight minimum care material.

This bag might suit you

http://thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtAntdt.php

 

[Panzerbjorn]

Cheers for the input guys, keep it coming.

8utters: The size does worry me. By the looks of it though you can get an awful lot into the zoomiverse. I saw a LowePro Super Trekker in a shop the other day and it's like a proper back-packers bag. However it doesn't meet carry-on requirements otherwise I would have got that.

Dizzy: Cheers for that mate, another vote for Crumpler!

Steep: Cheers for the advice on clothing, I'll look into Rohan. My plan was to have maybe 3 changes of cloths (two in the bag at any one time and one set on me) and wash them as needed. If I need anything specific in any of the countries I'll buy it there and if needs be leave it there when I move to the next.

Thanks also for the bag recommendation. Unfortunately it only accommodates a 15" laptop and I'm a bit worried that the laptop pocket is on the outside of the bag as well.