As someone who has owned countless backpacks, both for photography and for trekking, I can tell you that fit and comfort are second to none when deciding what pack to purchase. My partner sometimes struggles when selecting a pack, as her options can sometimes be limited depending on the brand. F-Stop Gear has taken notice of this very thing, and is testing the market with a Kickstarter fundraiser to create a camera backpack that is built for the body type of women.
The Kashmir UL pack looks like it will be female version of the Loka UL, with a matching black and sky blue style, built on a lightweight frame. It can hold a micro, small shallow, or medium shallow ICU, and has the usual compliment of side straps, pockets, and an internal water reservoir holder.
Rather than dumping a bunch of money into producing a product that may or may not have a large market, it seems that F-Stop Gear hopes to use the Kickstarter reward system to intice buyers and justify the cost of producing the bags. To that end, early purchasers can snag a Kashmir for only $140, which is a not a bad deal compared to the higher cost of their other comparable packs. Below is their Kickstarter video, which is a testimonial from adventure photographer Krystle Wright.
Here's a rundown of the pack specs:
Capacity: 30-Liters
Pack Weight: 1.1kgs or 2.4lbs
Material: DWR-treated, 210D Ripstop Nylon with PU2 coating
Build: Female specific s-shoulder straps, Ultra Lite EVA-padded hip belt
And here are some images that show off the features.
To learn more, check out the Kickstarter page for the F-Stop Gear Kashmir UL. Feel free to leave a comment with what you think about a company using Kickstarter as a way to test the market for a new product. I personally think it's a smart approach for a business to offer a product without having to commit and potentially lose money on a product if no one buys it.
