I know first hand how difficult camera backpack shopping can be so I decided to share DPRTV’s 2020 Best Camera Backpacks. It’s a pretty comprehensive list but they mixed small and large bags in the review and I think they should have split them up. I personally decided to go with the 31L Wandrd PRVKE when I needed a travel backpack but there are more great bags out there today and I might have picked the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L if I were buying today. Below is a list of the bags covered and their comments about them from above:
- All of these bags are good for airline travel and more
- Wandrd PRVKE 31 Photo Bundle at 1.5KG 3.6Lbs
- Has a handy roll-top
- Smallest of all the bags they used today with a hidden pouch
- Uses a modular system that can be customized
- This is definitely made for a mirrorless shooter
- Great tripod holder and lots of secret pouches
- The roll-top gives you the flexibility to fix extra clothes and food
- One of the most comfortable bags to carry
- Loaded out it is 32.5Lbs, but the straps are very well designed
- There are a waist belt and rain cover that come with the photographer’s bundle
- With the waist belt on you can flip it around to get access to things in the bag
- You can also do one strap off and swing the bag around to get access to things insides
- Might not want to grab it by the straps because it looks like a lot of weight goes on the back zippers when you do, but it is fine to grab the bag by the carry handle
- Did a rain test and it looks like it should be the most weatherproof and everything inside was dry when testing
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and bone dry inside with a little bit of water on the bottom seem
- Can do a lot with a small size
- Shimoda Explore 40 w/ Starter Kit at 1.3KG 2.9Lbs
- Nice leather zipper tassels
- Generous side straps
- Weatherproof expandable pouch with a drawstring
- Front pouch has drain holes but is also good for putting your laptop
- Lots of places to put a laptop
- Modular camera bag
- Very comfortable bag
- Fully loaded 32.6Lbs
- Can be adjusted for your frame height
- Has a whistle on it
- Generous waist belt, but you cant tuck it away
- Distributes weight well
- Good airflow and breathability
- Little zipper pouches and D rings to clip ontop
- Did a rain test and it the water beaded off and a few drops snuck inside
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and wet bottom like many other bags, but nice and dry in the camera cube
- This is the bag that Jordan would pick because it carries like a hiking bag without looking like one
- CosySpeed PhotoHiker 44 with cubes at 1.6KG 3.8Lbs
- Looks like the most serious hiking bag
- Looks like a full-on technical backpack
- Tons of space
- It’s a front access bag
- Tall cameras are not a problem
- This bag held the most and it took everything except for the drone
- Incredible carrying capacity
- Hiking designed
- Most comfortable and effective bag
- Everything is form-fitted well
- Very breathable
- Just under 36Lbs fully loaded
- Laptop storage is limited and doesn’t fit fat laptops well
- Have to put the bag on the ground to access things
- Waist belt doesn’t tuck away
- Affordable
- Did a rain test and the material got soaked but inside is dry
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and water in the bottom of the bag, but the module has no issue
- Very surprised at this bag because you can fit so much in it and its useful for a lot of different phogoraphers
- Manfrotto Manhattan Mover 50 at 1.5KG 3.6Lbs
- Most urban looking but not a lot of weather sealing
- Tripod holder on the back but it blocks the laptop case
- A pouch on the side
- Back access on the bag
- Lots of pouches
- Can be used as a classic backpack
- Great for urban shoots
- Thin origami dividers
- Very light bag that is 28Lbs when fully loaded
- The straps arent very comfortable
- The back access pouch you will feel in your back
- Doesn’t quite fit right for them
- Not great material used
- Very easy to get into the bag
- Affordable and convenient bag
- Did a rain test and it and the bag got soaked like a wet dog and water was inside the bag
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and it is soaked so only put gear you want to lose in the bottom
- This is the only bag you have to rush to get the rain cover on
- Very low price point that might be a great urban bag
- Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L with 2 cubes at 2KG 4.5Lbs
- The stealth fighter jet of backpacks with a technological look
- Holds an impressive amount of stuff with tons of space and they didn’t even have to expand it to fit their stuff
- Two expansion zippers to get you another 10L
- Excellent laptop pouch
- Origami dividers
- Fully loaded was 36Lbs and the straps are very nice and distribute the weight well
- Very customizable
- Waist belt is very thin so you cant flip the bag around and get access to things
- You have to put it down to open it up
- Not a lot of breathability
- Distributes weight very very well
- Did a rain test and nothing wet inside the bag during testing
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and some water soaked through the material, but the camera cubes give you a second level of protection
- Does what Manfroto is trying to but much higher quality
- Atlas Athlete Large Frame at 1.8KG 4Lbs $395
- An interesting hybrid backpack that’s good for on the go
- Very much a hybrid bag
- Tons of space inside thanks to the drawstring seal
- Has an H2O blatter pouch
- Back access camera compartment
- Not a modular bag
- Can get quite a bit of gear in this bag, but the slot for the body isn’t very large so probably best to stick with mirrorless
- Light backpack at 4Lbs
- 32.5Lbs fully loaded
- Generous waist belt
- Very comfortable
- Very easy to carry
- Good breathability
- Adjustable waist belt
- Can trade out of the adventure series belts that give more support
- Lots of storage beyond camera gear
- Did a rain test and it wet on the outside, but nice and dry inside
- The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and not bad with almost no water making it into the bag
- Oozes quality and you will love it if it caries enough gear for you
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