I suppose there are some purists out there that don’t like the idea of carrying their gear in a backpack. For them, a traditional camera bag or messenger bag is their go-to storage and carrying device. But, for me, backpacks just have too many advantages for on-the-go photographers to simply be pushed aside. Let’s have a look at why.
They’re Comfortable
If you’ve ever spent a day going from one shoot location to another, you know how tiring it can be to have your camera bag thrown over your shoulder. Your neck hurts. Your shoulder hurts. Your back hurts. And those aren’t good feelings when you need to use those same muscle groups to do the job of photographing things.
But camera backpacks change all that. With two straps and a hip belt, backpacks distribute the weight of your bag evenly, making for a much more comfortable experience. What’s more, some bags, like the Clik Elite Luminous pictured above, has an internal frame that helps distribute weight even more, while making the bag more stable at the same time. That’s not a bad combination!
They’re Versatile
Another advantage that camera backpacks have over traditional bags is that they are much more versatile. Take the Clik Elite Luminous as an ideal example of this. It has movable cradle dividers that give you the power to customize the interior space to meet your needs. Organize your gear just how you want so that you have the best workflow while keeping everything tidy and safe as well.
What’s more, camera backpacks can pull double or even triple duty. Carry your tripod on its exterior. Throw extra clothing inside. Bring food and water to sustain you on long journeys. Heck, you can even lash your snowboard, skis, shovel, or ice axe to the bag and really have an adventure! If traveling is your thing, use your backpack as a perfect carry-on bag so you don’t have to check your camera gear. Even if it’s a short outing, a backpack just gives you so many more options for what you can bring while carrying it with ease.
They’re Secure
With your valuable gear inside, you want to be sure that your camera bag is safe and secure. Camera backpacks fit the bill on both fronts. As mentioned above, top-notch backpacks like the Clik Elite Luminous give you plenty of customization options so that no matter what gear you bring, it’ll be nice and snug inside. But beyond that, where a single strap camera bag can be pulled off your arm, a backpack has multiple attachment points so you’re sure the bag stays right where it belongs. The shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt are all highly adjustable so you can custom fit your bag to your body for stable carrying. Even the zippers on the Luminous help to protect your gear because they are heavy duty to ensure that years of zipping and unzipping don’t diminish their performance.
Though many of the features of backpacks are perhaps most attractive to photographers that are out and about photographing landscapes or taking part in other adventures, at the end of the day, the comfort, versatility, and security of a backpack are beneficial no matter if you’re a portrait photographer that needs to get gear from the car to the studio or a street photographer that’s on their feet for hours on end. If you’re in the market for a new camera bag, take it from me, a camera backpack will change the way you work for the better!
Learn more about the Luminous camera bag and other quality photography accessories by visiting Clik Elite.