Comments about National Geographic Explorer Backpack - Large:

I have used three of the National Geographic Explorer bags and this is the only one I cannot recommend. I loved so much about this bag, but in the end the weight distribution made it too uncomfortable. A bag this big, designed to carry heavy gear really needs a frame, especially when the camera gear is designed to be stored at the bottom. The result of the design is that the bag sits too low on your back. You can only compensate for that so much with strap adjustment. I am average height (5' 9") and as much as I tried to get it to work, it just didn't. When I compared carrying a similar amount of gear in a competitor's bag, it sat higher on my shoulders and was not nearly as uncomfortable

Also, camera section needs stiffer padding, to keep things in place better, tripod loops are not strong enough for heavy duty gear, and it could use a hydration pack compartment.

However, awesome storage and loved, loved, loved the various pockets. I wish National Geographic would fix these few problems because there is not other bag that would really suit a photo-backpacker nearly as well. The construction and look and feel of the bag were fantastic. However, because of the poor weight distribution, I cannot recommend this bag. It saddens me to have to rate it so low.

Please fix this bag, National Geographic - it's worth the effort.