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Camera Backpacks Reviews For Travel and Hiking

This blog post may contain affiliate links.  I may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement.

All photos are original to the author unless otherwise noted. 

Camera Backpacks Reviews For Travel and Hiking

This blog post may contain affiliate links.  I may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement.

All photos are original to the author unless otherwise noted. 

man carrying backpack taking photo using dslr camera

Photography Backpack Reviews

Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II

Dimensions: H 19 x W 11 x D 9, personal item size
Flat Lay of black Lowepro Backpack with photography and travel equipment

Pros

  • Theft resistant wire to prevent cutting the straps of the bag and a flap covering the front pocket and zippers to the camera pocket to keep your equipment and essentials safe.
  • Looks like a regular backpack
  • Separate compartment for clothes
  • Quick access zipper on the side
  • Laptop compartment fits a 15 inch laptop
  • The 600 mm lens fits, but is too snug to grab on the fly
  • Hiking hip straps are removable
  • Comes with a waterproof cover

Cons

  • Not a lot of flexibility in how you can arrange the lens compartments
  • The tripod attachment and the water bottle pouch are the same, so you cannot carry both
  • Outside strap to secure the tripod will fall off easily if you forget to clip it shut and does not have elastic to secure the excess

This Lowepro camera bag was my top choice because it met all the requirements listed in the previous section, which goes to show more money doesn’t always mean better. The bag fit comfortably for long periods of time, so much so I thought for a moment I left the bag behind somewhere. 

Peter Mckinnon Backpack

Dimensions: H 22 x W 13.5  x D 9, carryon size

Large carryon size backpack with a DSLR camera, 3 lenses, a tripod, a laptop, and clothes

Pros

  • Water resistant exterior
  • Despite its size, the bag feels light and comfortable
  • The 100% velcro interior and 4 sided inserts gives total control of camera compartment arrangement
  • Quick access zipper on the side
  • Laptop compartment fits a 15 inch laptop
  • Clothing compartment expands to add more room for gear or clothes
  • Many small pockets and pouches to maximize space and organization
  • In spite of it's size the bag feels light and comfortable
  • Removable gear straps are easy to secure more gear
  • Removable hip straps

Cons

  • Too big to convert to a day bag
  • The price is steep, but it is a high quality camera backpack and worth the price if it meets your needs
  • Does not fit under airplane seats
  • If you typically use minimal gear, this bag has more space than you need.
  • Quick access zippers would be easily accessible to pick pockets

Nomatic’s Peter Mckinnon backpack is designed by a professional photographer who included every feature on the go photographers need. This high-quality bag leaves nothing to be desired and is the perfect all-in-one travel bag that allows you to go from the airport to the trails in style and comfort. If you carry minimal gear, you may consider the insert that converts to a backpack when you need to carry less gear.

Lowepro Freeline Camera Backpack 350 AW

Dimensions: H 19 x W 11.5 x D 8, personal item size
Small black camera backpack carrying camera equipment and a few other items

Pros

  • Converts to a regular backpack
  • Water resistant exterior with an additional waterproof cover
  • It includes electronics pouch
  • Several pockets and storage compartments to maximize space
  • Laptop compartment fits a 15 inch laptop
  • Does not look like a camera backpack
  • Exterior straps create more room for gear
  • Extra room for a jacket and snacks
  • A back pocket for keeping essentials safe
  • Great for an everyday backpack
  • Quick access zippers on both sides.
  • Two water bottle holders offer the flexibility to carry a tripod and water bottle at the same time Cons

Cons

  • The cellphone pocket is awkward and too small to fit many modern day phones
  • Doesn’t open all the way, which makes storing and organizing your camera equipment difficult
  • Cannot remove hip straps, but can tuck them away to hide them.
  • A bit too small to fit clothes for a 3-day weekend
  • The shoulder straps aren’t padded, and the bag is uncomfortable for extended use.
  • Zippers are not accessible and not pick pocket resistant

The Lowepro Freeline 350 AW is perfect for everyday use, but is not a suitable all-in-one camera backpack for weekend travel or hiking. This lightweight camera bag converts to a regular backpack and great for street photographers.

PRVKE Travel and DSLR Camera Backpack

Dimensions: H 17 x W 11 x D 6.5, personal item size
Flat Lay of blue soft shell camera Backpack with photography and travel equipment

Pros

  • Back pocket for keeping essentials safe
  • Waterproof exterior
  • Plenty of storage for a 3-day weekend
  • Feels light and comfortable
  • Removable hip straps
  • The roll top feature expands to add significant space and protects against pickpockets looking for easy grabs

Cons

  • The camera inserts are sold separately for an extra $100 or you can get the photography bundle, but the bag itself isn’t a camera bag
  • There aren't many pockets to help organize your camera equipment
  • The padding on the back is not aero dynamic and gets hot
  • only one water bottle holder so you cannot carry a water bottle and a tripod at the same time.

The PRYVKE is a versatile bag that converts from a camera backpack to a regular backpack. The bag is stylish and functional with its waterproof exterior, and theft resistant design gives you peace of mind on the trails and exploring the city. 

Mindshift Gear Backlight

Dimensions: H 18.5 x W 10.6 x D 7.1, personal item size
Flat Lay of green hiking camera Backpack with photography and travel equipment

Pros

  • Cannot remove hips pads, but can clip them in the front to keep them out of the way
  • A camera backpack designed for hiking
  • Can fit two water bottles and a tripod
  • Comes with a waterproof cover but does not have a stowaway spot unlike most camera bags
  • Fits a 600 mm lens with the body attached; a rare ability most camera cases don’t have
  • Plenty of room for a 3-day weekend and several lenses

Cons

  • No side access
  • The the design expectations for how you access your gear is cumbersome and unrealistic
  • No security features to keep your gear safe from pick pockets
  • The bag feels heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
  • The depth of the bag is so thick it feels like it is pulling you backwards

I’m going to be honest here, how did this bag make other top camera back pack lists? Any positive features one can say about this back are overshadowed by its inaccessibility and weight. To access your gear, the expectation is to turn the bag to your front with the hip pads clipped in the back. Then you open the back of the bag all the way and use the neck strap to keep the flap open, which blocks your view in the bag. I cannot stress enough how unnecessarily ridiculous this approach is, and I would not recommend this bag.  

Author Bio

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Delaney is a Business Analyst by day and a travel and wildlife photographer by night who is using her skills for translating complex technical language into easy to understand concepts to make photography achievable at all skill levels. You have questions; she has answers.

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  • Landscape, wildlife, and travel photographer based in Austin, Texas.

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