Backpack tricks? Stop spillage!

[Randy Stout]

Good afternoon all:

I hate to admit it, but I did a dumb thing last night. I was at the local bird sanctuary and had taken a SB-800 out of the Tamarac backpack, sitting on the the bench. I was distracted, and in a hurry, and didn't follow my own rule about zipping it shut every time I get into it.

You can guess what happened. About 20 minutes later, I picked up the backpack to move, and clunk, all the lenses and misc bits fell to the ground. Fortunately it was on wood chips, pretty soft, and I keep my lenses stored in watch caps (thanks Artie), so everything seemed OK, but it could have just as easily been on concrete, or even over water.

So, any fail proof tips for this? I try to check it everytime, but am not infalliable.

I have thought of using internall straps to hold everything in place, even if the top isn't closed. I have thought about big red pull fobs, that will be obvious when the zipper isn't closed. I always close both pulls to the 12 oclock position, so I can tell in a glance if it is closed.

Other thoughts or great techniques, other than a new brain?

Thanks

Randy

[Robert O'Toole]

I do the same dumb manuever with my big cases also :)

I find that if I leave the flap open, not lying closed, when I have the BP on the ground I usually will close it before I throw it over my shoulder.

This makes it easier to grab things out of the BP also.


Robert

[Randy Stout]

Robert:

I think that is an excellent visual reminder. My only issue would be getting dirt and other stuff in it. I will certainly give it a try.

Thanks

Randy

[Robert O'Toole]

Randy, that is a problem, especially with blowing sand!!

Maybe you can throw a jacket of towel over it? I usually try to carry a smallish towel out in the field, it always comes in handy.

Robert

[Randy Stout]

Robert:

I like the idea of a small white towel. That would contrast dramatically with the black bag, so it would be obvious that the bag was open. I will work on that one. You would think checking to zip it up everytime would be simple, but when the birds are flying, its easy to get excited.

Randy