Hey there my fellow backpack enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best camera backpacks to keep your lenses safe with this year. As we are all aware, photography demands a reliable and purpose-built method of transportation to ensure the safety, organization and convenience of your valuable equipment.
And those who like to head out and about to catch that perfect snap often demand specific backpacks that are tailored to the unique requirements of camera gear and accessories. So, for those of you in the market for a good backpack to keep your valuable photography gear safe, I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.
Let’s check them out.
My Three Recommended Camera Backpacks
I will review these in more detail below however if you want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What is a Camera Backpack
A camera backpack is a specialized bag designed to cater specifically to the needs of photographers who need to carry their camera gear, lenses, accessories and other essentials while on the move. They are crafted to provide maximum protection, organization and convenience for photographers of all levels, ranging from professionals to hobbyists alike.
To ensure protection, photography backpacks are usually built with durability in mind featuring high-quality materials such as water-resistant fabrics and reinforced stitching to safeguard the valuable and often expensive equipment they carry. This ensures that the gear remains safe from external elements including rain, dust and impacts, allowing photographers to focus on their craft without worrying about potential damage.
One of the key aspects of photography backpacks is their specialized compartments and dividers. These compartments are designed to accommodate cameras, lenses, flashes, batteries, memory cards and other accessories securely and efficiently. The dividers can be customized and rearranged to fit specific equipment, providing flexibility and organization tailored to individual preferences. This not only protects the gear from scratches and collisions but also allows photographers to access their equipment quickly when they need to capture a fleeting moment.
Check out these: 3 Best Backpacks for Commuting
What Should You Be Looking For?
The following factors should be considered as you hunt around for a good camera backpack for your photography needs.
- Capacity
- Durability and Protection
- Weight
- Accessibility
- Customization
- Additions
Check out my post on: How To Pack A Backpack For Photography
Capacity
Capacity is a crucial factor to consider when selecting the best camera backpack as it determines how much camera gear, lenses, accessories and personal items you can comfortably carry. It’s essential to choose a backpack that offers sufficient space to accommodate all your equipment while maintaining ease of access and organization.
Here are a few considerations regarding capacity when choosing a photography backpack:
- Equipment Quantity: Assess the quantity of camera bodies, lenses, flashes, and other accessories you typically use during your shoots. If you have an extensive collection of gear, you will need a larger capacity backpack to ensure everything fits securely.
- Future Expansion: Consider your future needs and whether you plan to expand your gear collection. It’s wise to choose a backpack with slightly more capacity than your current requirements to accommodate any future additions to your equipment arsenal.
- Shooting Style: Different photography genres may require varying amounts of equipment. For example, landscape photographers often carry extra lenses, filters, and tripods, while portrait photographers may need additional lighting equipment. Consider the specific gear demands of your chosen genre and ensure the backpack has enough space to carry everything comfortably.
- Personal Items: Apart from camera gear, you may want to carry personal items such as water bottles, snacks, a jacket, or a laptop/tablet. Factor in the space required for these items when assessing the backpack’s capacity.
- Weight Considerations: Remember that a larger capacity backpack typically means increased weight. Consider whether you are comfortable carrying a heavier load, especially if you plan on traveling or hiking with your gear for extended periods.
Durability and Protection
When it comes to selecting the best backpack for photography, durability is another key factor that should not be overlooked. As photographers, we rely on our backpacks to safeguard our valuable camera gear, ensuring it remains protected and secure throughout our adventures. A durable backpack gives us the confidence knowing that our equipment is well protected from the challenges of everyday use, travel and varying shooting conditions.
To assess the durability of a photography backpack, it’s essential to consider a few important aspects. First and foremost, pay attention to the quality of the materials used. Look for backpacks made from high-quality fabrics such as nylon, polyester or Cordura, known for their durability and resistance to tears, abrasions, and water. These robust materials provide a sturdy foundation that can withstand the demands of frequent use and exposure to harsh environments.
A well-constructed backpack will have also have reinforced stitching at stress points, such as seams, zippers, and handles. And of course weather resistance is also a crucial factor in a durable photography backpack. As photographers, we often find ourselves shooting in various weather conditions, and our backpacks need to protect our gear from rain, snow or moisture as well.
In addition to internal protection, a durable backpack may feature external safeguards as well. Some backpacks have reinforced bottoms or protective padding to shield against abrasions and impacts when placing the backpack on the ground. Others may incorporate reinforced panels or hard-shell compartments for added security and protection as well.
Weight
As we discussed in capacity above, the weight of the backpack can significantly impact our comfort and mobility, making it essential to find a balance between capacity and weight. A lightweight camera backpack reduces the strain on our shoulders, back, and neck, allowing us to carry our gear comfortably for longer durations. This is especially crucial when embarking on outdoor adventures or traveling to different shooting locations, where we may be walking or hiking for extended periods.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between weight and functionality. While a lightweight backpack is desirable, it should still offer adequate storage space and protection for our camera gear. Assess your equipment needs and shooting style to determine the ideal balance between weight and capacity.
Accessibility
When assessing the accessibility of a photography backpack you should primarily examine the layout and design of the main compartment. Look for a backpack that provides easy and intuitive access to your camera and lenses. Ideally, it should feature a dedicated camera compartment that allows you to reach your gear without having to dig through layers of other items.
Consider backpacks with customizable dividers that enable you to create separate sections for different pieces of equipment, ensuring quick and organized access to each item. Then look at the accessibility of smaller pockets and compartments. These are handy for storing accessories such as memory cards, batteries, filters or cables. Some backpacks may even include specialized pockets for laptops, tablets, water bottles and even tripods providing easy access to these essentials during your photography outings.
Customization
Customization options allow you to adapt the interior compartments, utilize specialized pockets and attach additional gear externally ensures that your equipment is well-protected, easily accessible and organized. Look for backpacks that offer various sizes and shapes of compartments to accommodate different types of gear and accessories with the ability to arrange and customize these compartments ensuring that your gear is well-organized and protected.
In addition to the interior customization, look for backpacks that feature attachment points, straps or loops that allow you to secure additional gear or accessories externally. This can include tripod holders, quick-release straps for securing tripods or monopods, or attachment points for lens cases or other equipment. The ability to attach and carry extra gear externally expands the capacity of the backpack and offers convenience during your photography adventures.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- Tripod attachment: This feature allows you to securely carry your tripod externally, freeing up valuable space inside the backpack and ensuring convenient access when you need to set up your tripod for stable shots.
- Ventilation: Backpacks with ventilation systems, such as breathable mesh panels or airflow channels, help to improve airflow and reduce heat buildup on your back. Such a factor is especially beneficial during hot weather or when engaging in physically demanding activities.
- Available colors: While not directly related to functionality, the availability of different colors can be a consideration for some photographers who prefer a specific aesthetic or want their backpack to align with their personal style. Look for backpacks that offer a range of colors to choose from, allowing you to find one that matches your preferences.
FAQs
What factors should I consider when choosing a camera backpack?
The primary factors to consider when choosing a camera backpack include size, comfort, durability, storage options and weatherproof capabilities. Size refers to the backpack’s physical dimensions and the amount of gear it can hold. Comfort is about how easy it is to wear, especially for extended periods. Durability pertains to the backpack’s ability to withstand regular use and potential rough handling. Storage options involve the number and type of compartments and how well they can accommodate your camera, lenses and other accessories.
Can camera backpacks accommodate a laptop or other personal items?
Yes, most modern camera backpacks are designed with versatility in mind and usually come with a dedicated padded compartment for a laptop, usually accommodating sizes up to 15 inches, although this can vary. Other compartments can hold personal items such as a change of clothes, snacks or travel documents however, it’s important to check the specifications of each backpack to ensure it meets your specific needs.
My Three Recommendations Broken Down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. CADeN Camera Backpack Bag
Tis first option is designed to provide reliable and convenient storage for DSLR, SLR and mirrorless cameras. It offers ample space to accommodate camera bodies, lenses, a flash, an iPad, a tripod and other accessories and features a scratch and water-proof material that provides protection to your valuable camera gear as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: CADen
- Material: Polyester
- Capacity: 22 L
- Weight: 2.017 pounds
- Dimensions: 15.59 x 12.2 x 6.69 inches
- Available color: Black
Other inclusions:
- Durable zipper
- 1-year warranty
- USB charging
- Tripod strap
Why have I chosen it?
The bag’s carrying options are versatile with a convenient handle that allows for various carrying methods with lengthened shoulder belts made of high elasticity and decompression memory foam providing comfortable support for photographers.
The inner bag paddings consist of 7-layer PE foam and PP board, offering excellent shock absorption and protection for your camera equipment with a load-bearing capacity of up to 50kg (110.2lb). This feature ensures that the backpack can comfortably carry your cameras, lenses, flashes, tripods and other accessories making it a reliable choice for photographers on the go.
2. MOSISO Camera Backpack
This next option is a versatile and durable photography bag designed to accommodate DSLR, SLR and mirrorless cameras. It offers ample storage space and features a waterproof hardshell case, making it suitable for various outdoor photography adventures. The bag also includes a tripod holder and a dedicated laptop compartment as well adding convenience and functionality to its design. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Mosiso
- Material: Faux leather
- Capacity: 35 L
- Weight: 3.45 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 6 inches
- Available colors: Army green, Black, Camel, Deep teal, Dusty rose, Gray, Navy blue, Pink, Purple, Royal blue, Rose red, Wine red
Other inclusions:
- Waterproof
- Shockproof
- 1-year warranty
Why have I chosen this?
With its spacious dimensions, measuring 17.32 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches, the backpack features two compartments offering organized storage for your camera equipment. The upper compartment includes padded removable modular inserts, allowing you to customize the dividers based on your specific camera gear, lenses, flashes and even drones.
The full open design of the backpack provides easy access to your gear, allowing for efficient workflow during photography sessions and the bag also offers practical storage options including two accessory pockets on the back face for cables, SD cards, power banks and other small items. Additionally, it features a tripod/monopod holder with a secure strap on one side and a pocket on the other side for storing an umbrella or water bottle with a maximum diameter of 2.5 inches.
One standout feature is the waterproof PU leather hardshell protection on the front, which safeguards your gear from external elements. The foam-padded layer inside the backpack provides excellent shock absorption and protection against drops, ensuring the safety of your equipment while on the move. The high elastic back cushion adds a level of comfort, easing any pain or discomfort during prolonged carrying as well.
3. TARION Camera Backpack
My third option here offers a spacious and well-rounded camera bag designed for outdoor photography, hiking and travel. It features a 3-way opening design with generous compartments, laptop compatibility and reliable protection features making it a reliable companion for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. See its specifications below:
- Brand: TARION
- Material: EVA hardshell
- Capacity: 21 kilograms
- Weight: 4.77 pounds
- Dimensions: 6.69 x 11.42 x 18.9 inches
- Available colors: Grey and black
Other inclusions:
- 3-way opening for improved accessibility
- Anti-theft zipper
- Waterproof
- Scratchproof
Why have I chosen this
With a 21L capacity, this camera bag offers ample space for your equipment with a main compartment that can accommodate up to two cameras and seven lenses, while the back compartment comfortably fits laptops up to 16 inches in size.
Multiple pockets inside the bag ensure safe and organized storage for accessories and a hard shell top compartment with zippered and mesh pockets, along with various-sized pockets on the interior side panels. There are also collapsible pockets on the exterior sides, provide additional storage options for your gear.
Designed for travel, the backpack also features comfortable airmeshed ergonomic back support, allowing for extended periods of wear without discomfort. The wide handle enables vertical carrying, while the front handle allows for horizontal carrying options and the trolley holder adds convenience for easy transport when using luggage with wheels too.
Conclusion
Conclusion
There you have it, my three best camera backpacks for your photography needs this year. And as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul