2022 f-stop Sukha Review
I've had a number of f-stop bags over the years, including the Sukha. In fact, I've had my Sukha since 2019. It's gone with me all over the U.S. and abroad, including a long trip to Norway several years ago.
What I discovered about this bag is that it's ready to rock for short trips, long trips, photography outings to the beach or the Arctic Circle, and everywhere in between.
The question is, does the Sukha tick all the boxes for your needs?
Let's find out in this 2022 f-stop Sukha review!
Table of Contents
f-stop Sukha Specs
Let's start this 2022 f-stop Sukha review with a quick discussion of its basic specs, then we'll dive into more detail about its features in the next section.
With a 70-liter capacity, this is a big bag. It measures 27 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 12 inches deep, and weighs 4.6 pounds empty.
The bag has space for multiple camera bodies, lenses, and accessories, and as I explain later, the extra-large internal camera unit (ICU) allows me to arrange the space to accommodate different gear setups. Perhaps on one trip, I need to take my EOS R5, three lenses, and a drone, then on the next trip, I might need my EOS R5, EOS R6, even more lenses, and my GoPro gear. No matter what I need, this bag and the XL ICU can accommodate it!
When you order the Sukha (or any other f-stop bag), you have the benefit of a 45-day risk-free trial and a 20-year warranty. Whether you're a new f-stop customer or a repeat customer, that kind of peace of mind is hard to beat!
f-stop Sukha Features
One of the best features of the f-stop Sukha is that it has a weather-resistant shell. I've had this bag in very challenging environments (like a blizzard in Norway), and it performed like a champ, keeping my gear safe and dry, despite the difficult conditions. That's thanks to the 420D ripstop nylon fabric that has a thermoplastic polyurethane film on it to wick moisture away. Heck, even the zippers are weather-resistant!
Aside from that, another favorite feature is the easy-access back panel that gives you a full view of the bag's contents. As you can see above, when the panel is unzipped, it's easy to see where your gear is, grab it, and start taking shots.
This bag has far more storage than the main compartment, though.
There are full-length expanding side zipper pockets for additional gear, plus a front zipper pocket and space in the lid for stuff as well. Like I said before, 70 liters is a lot of space!
Yet, even when this bag is full to the brim, it offers a comfortable carrying experience...
The aluminum frame helps stabilize the bag when it's full while the suspension system helps prevent neck, shoulder, and back strain from carrying a heavy load.
I also appreciate the contoured EVA-padded jersey laminate shoulder pads that offer a wide range of adjustments - I can cinch the straps up tight to carry the bag higher on my back and loosen the straps to let it rest further down. Alternating between these states helps move the weight of the pack around and gives me additional comfort over long hikes. The big, beefy hip belt (which also features EVA-padded jersey laminate) also makes carrying heavy loads much easier.
The construction of this bag is another feature that's worth mentioning...
One of the reasons I keep coming back to f-stop is because their bags are made to the highest standards of quality. From the zippers to the padding to the exterior material of the bag, the Sukha shines as a well-put-together bag. One look at the stitching on this bag tells you that the accompanying 20-year warranty won't be needed!
Another example of the attention to detail and quality construction is the bottom panel of the bag. As a landscape photographer, I'm constantly taking the bag off and sitting it on rocks, mud, ice, and snow. Yet, the Sukha's bottom panel has sustained no damage like holes or cuts. Nice!
Though I use the extra-large ICU with this bag, you can mix and match smaller ICUs to fit your specific needs.
In fact, the Sukha is compatible with seven different ICUs, so you can truly make the Sukha a custom carrying system for your photography and videography gear. And with the ability to attach tripods and other gear to the exterior of the bag using Gatekeeper straps and mounting points, you have the ability to really load up!
How I've Used the Sukha
Given the size of this bag, I typically don't use it for everyday adventures (I use my f-stop Tilopa for that). Instead, this is my expedition pack for extended multi-day trips.
As I noted earlier, I've taken this pack on trips all over the U.S., from Hawaii to the Sierra Nevadas to the Desert Southwest. But don't think that this bag is just a domestic traveler...
As you can see in the image above, I squeezed the Sukha under the seat in front of me on my flight to Norway a few years ago. So, even though this is a big bag with a ton of capacity, it's still easy to navigate airports and planes with it.
I also use it for shorter weekend adventures, especially if my son is with me. The bag has enough room to accommodate all my photography gear but still gives me storage for things like his snacks, bug spray, jacket, and so forth.
In other words, the f-stop Sukha has proven to be a valuable member of my bag collection and is one of my most-used bags!
Final Thoughts
Investing in a good camera bag is essential if you're serious about photography. The key word here is "good," though...
Not all camera bags are made alike. There are wide differences in specs, features, amenities, and the carrying experience. But, as I said before, I keep coming back to f-stop because bags like the Sukha tick all the necessary boxes. This bag is beautifully made, smartly designed, and even when fully loaded, it's a comfortable carrying experience.
Four years is a long time to have a camera bag. This thing has been put through the paces, and it's performed better than I could have hoped. I don't abuse the bag by any means, but I don't treat it like it's a fragile object to protect at all costs, either.
If you need a high-performance, high-capacity bag that protects your gear in all sorts of outdoor situations, the f-stop Sukha is an excellent choice. I've loved every minute of using it over the years, and I'm sure you will as well!
