F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L Review
Summary Verdict
After testing the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L on several long walks with heavy loads, it has proven to be one of the most comfortable camera backpacks I've used. The modular system is a great concept, although not entirely without drawbacks. Many photographers are also likely to settle on one setup and stick with it for most outings.
Score: 4.5/5
Pros:
Exceptionally comfortable for long walks
Modular design allows for customisation with F-Stop Internal Camera Units (ICUs)
Water-resistant fabric and reinforced base provide durability
Cons:
Additional cost for ICUs and accessories
Smaller items can get lost behind the ICU
The waist belt isn’t large enough for fuller figures
There are two straps on either side of the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L. These sit above a stretchy mesh pocket and are ideal for holding a tripod.
What is the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L?
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L is part of F-Stop’s Ultra Light backpack range, which is designed for photographers who need a versatile and adaptable rucksack. Though suitable for anyone, its design focuses on women, aiming to provide a comfortable fit while carrying camera gear.
As a modular system, the Kashmir UL 30L is compatible with F-Stop’s Internal Camera Units (ICUs), giving you the flexibility to customise the interior depending on your kit. However, it brings a few drawback as well.
For my testing, I used the Slope ICU – Medium, priced at £86/€99.99/$89, which fits snugly into the main compartment and holds your equipment in place. The ICU comes with padded dividers that can be rearranged to suit your needs, whether you're carrying a large, double-gripped DSLR like a Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a few lenses, or something smaller like the Nikon Z6 III or Fujifilm X-T5.
Even on petite women, the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L sits in a nice position on your back.
F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L Price and Availability
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L is available from F-Stop's website for €249.99/$239.99 (around £200) by itself, but you may find it on Amazon and in some photographic retailers. It can also be bought in a couple of kits: the Kashmir 30L UL Essentials Bundle and the Kashmir 30L UL Elite Bundle. The Kashmir 30L UL Essentials Bundle includes the Shallow Medium ICU and a Large Rain Cover for €349.99/$339.99 (around £301). Meanwhile, the Kashmir 30L UL Elite Bundle adds a Large Accessories Pouch, Shallow Small Insert and Gatekeeper Straps to the Essentials Bundle, taking the price up to €479.99/$479.99 (around £402).
Specification
Product type: Modular backpack
Capacity: 30L
Fabric: 210D nylon shell with polyurethane and water-resistant coating, Hypalon reinforced base
Dimensions (H x W x D): 52 x 31.8 x 27.9cm / 20.5 x 12.5 x 11-inches
Weight: 1.1Kg / 2.5Lbs
The waist belt and chest strap of the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L
Key Features
As you've probably worked out from its name, the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L has a capacity of 30 litres, providing plenty of space for both camera gear and personal items. The outer fabric is made from 210D nylon with a polyurethane and water-resistant coating, while the base is reinforced with Hypalon, making it more durable for rough terrains.
The backpack measures 52 x 31.8 x 27.9cm (20.5 x 12.5 x 11 inches) and weighs in at 1.1kg (2.5lbs), keeping it lightweight while still offering a solid structure for carrying your kit.
Read our Shimoda Explore 30 v2 Women’s Series Backpack Review
The back panel of the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L is comfirtable and protective.
Build and Handling
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L feels well-made and robust despite its lightweight materials. The water-resistant coating provides decent protection in light rain, though a separate rain cover is available to purchase (or is in the kits) if you expect heavier precipitation.
Although the main compartment can be accessed through the zip at the top of the backpack, the more practical way to reach your gear is via the large back panel zip. This goes around the two sides and top of the bag. The rear-opening design means you’ll need to take the pack off to get at your equipment, which makes it more secure.
Initially, I kept the ICU fully zipped for extra security, but I found folding the ICU flap down and out of the way made things more accessible, especially for quick lens changes.
Smaller items, like compact lenses or accessories, can fall to the bottom of the bag under the ICU, which can be frustrating. F-Stop offers a solution in the form of an ICU Gate – a mesh panel with a zip and Velcro edges. This attaches to the dividers and keeps everything in place, helping to prevent smaller gear from disappearing. Peak Design’s Ultralight Packing Cubes can also help here.
Read our Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cube Review
There's no side access to the backpack's main compartment. However, there's a mesh pocket on either side, each with two straps above. This means you can carry a tripod on the left or right of the bag and still have room for a water bottle.
There's also a large zip-close pocket on the front of the bag, which is useful for carrying accessories. However, the contents mustn't be fragile because they will take the weight of the bag when it's laid down to access the main compartment. In addition, there's another pocket with a simple mesh organiser section at the top of the bag that's useful for filters, memory cards or batteries and the like.
The waist belt also has a couple of zip-close pockets that are useful for carrying items like spare batteries and memory cards, your phone and a small wallet or purse. As well as making small photographic essentials easily accessible when you’re out with your camera, they save you from having to take the backpack off when you’re at the counter of a cafe wanting to pay for your tea and cake.
Even with the medium-sized ICU inside, there’s still room for a few personal items in the top of the bag, which is accessible through the top zip. However, smaller items might shift downwards and get lost behind the ICU.
It may take some time to configure the bag just how you want it, and if you regularly switch around your gear, you might want to invest in an extra ICU or two to save yourself from constantly rearranging your setup.
You can expect to fit a camera body and two to four lenses inside the Medium Camera Insert.
Performance
On several long walks, I carried the Kashmir UL 30L fully loaded with my camera kit, and I found it exceptionally comfortable. F-Stop’s choice of materials for the shoulder straps and back panel plays a big part in this. The straps aren’t overly thick or super-wide, but they have high-density foam inside. When I squeeze the straps between my thumb and forefinger, they don't compress enough for me to feel my finger through the material.
Similarly, the back panel, though minimal in appearance, has enough padding to keep hard objects from digging into your back.
As I highlighted earlier, there’s also a waist belt and chest strap to help distribute the weight. It's easy to slide the chest strap up or down on the shoulder straps until you find the optimum position. I find it most comfortable at the top of its range, where it sits a couple of fingers width below my collar bone. Meanwhile, the waist belt fastens over my tummy button, allowing my hips to take some of the backpack's weight.
I rarely felt the need to use the chest strap or waist belt as the shoulder straps alone were sufficiently supportive and comfortable. They both fit snuggly and comfortably on my 5-foot-2-inch, UK size 8 (US size 4, Europe size 36) frame. The model in these images is similarly sized.
While the waist strap is extendable enough to fit someone who takes a UK woman’s size 18 (US size 14, Europe size 46) when wearing light clothing, it would be tight over thicker clothing.
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L is very comfortable to carry over long distances.
Verdict
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L is a solid choice for photographers who need a flexible and comfortable backpack for long days out. Its modular design allows for a customised setup, though as usual, finding the right configuration can take a bit of trial and error. Despite its lightweight build, the Kashmir is durable enough for outdoor adventures, and the well-padded straps and back panel ensure you can carry heavy loads without discomfort. While the additional cost of ICUs might put some off, the flexibility and protection they provide make them a worthwhile investment for most photographers. The only downside is that smaller items can find their way behind the ICU and that the waist belt is rather short for women who take Uk size 18 (US size 14, Europe size 46) or larger.
SheReviews
Name: Helen Metcalf
Camera: Sony A7R III
Favourite type of photography: Landscape and travel
Website: helenmetcalfphotography.uk
Instagram: @helenmetcalfphotos
Do you have any other backpacks? If so, which?
Vanguard Alta, it’s a big beast! Yes, it fits more in and doesn’t need an ICU, but it’s pretty heavy in comparison, bulky, and it’s not female-specific.
What was it that attracted you to buy the backpack?
The female-specific fit, low bulk and lightweight. It’s also reasonably priced, as are the ICUs.
When do you use it?
The F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L has travelled all over with me on holidays at home and abroad. It’s been on packed tours of the Colosseum, Vatican and Pompeii, squeezed onto buggy tours in Krakow, minibus tours in Tromso, day trips out in the Lakes, outdoor workshops, and shooting at various events both indoors and out. It’s been on and off planes as hand luggage and is very robust.
What do you like about the backpack?
The fit and weight above all else. I had tried generic camera packs and despite having a reasonably long body and broad shoulders, they never suited me and were generally always uncomfortable on my lower back. The other packs were too long in the body. I have carried the F-Stop Kashmir UL 30L for miles and over extended periods of time without any issues. It is comfortable and distributes the weight of my gear extremely well. The chest strap is adjustable and doesn’t dig in. The hip belt works very well and has a zip pocket, perfect for spare batteries and/or car keys. With the medium shallow ICU, I have plenty of room for my kit plus space for a Kase filter kit and small items of clothing above. The lid pocket is roomy and has a mesh divider in the bottom to hold smaller items safely. There is a very large front pocket, which I use for waterproofs (including for the camera) for quick access.
Has it lived up to your expectations?
Absolutely, it’s been my main pack for a few years now!
Do you find it comfortable to carry?
Yes, despite it not having thick padding on the back or straps (presumably to shave weight), it’s surprisingly comfortable. The straps are easy to adjust and well-suited to the female form. Properly adjusted, it sits on the top of the hips and feels very well-balanced.
Is there anything you would like to change about the backpack?
I did find the lack of mesh on the back left me with a wet t-shirt when walking around Rome and Pompeii! That said, it was summer, so that might have been the case regardless, but an element of breathability might have lessened that. I’d also like to see a waterproof cover included.
Were there any other backpacks that you considered buying instead?
I’d considered Shimoda as they get such good reviews, but the price tag was a bit off-putting.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the backpack?
The Kashmir UL has been a great investment for me. It’s functional and it looks good too.
How much kit do you carry regularly?
I usually carry my Sony full frame mirrorless camera body with 24-70mm, 50-40mm0 and 18mm lenses, a carbon fibre tripod and a magnetic filter kit.
