Top Backpacks for Photographers
Photo by Aravind Kumar on Unsplash
When you have a ton of gear to carry, there's nothing better than a backpack.
The dual shoulder straps help stabilize a big load for a more comfortable carrying experience, and many backpacks have sternum straps and hip belts to provide further stabilization.
But the problem with some photography backpacks is that it can be difficult to organize all that gear. Not so with the rigs I've outlined below...
Here's my picks for the top backpacks for photographers.
Top Backpacks for Photographers: f-stop Sukha Waterproof Camera Backpack
I field tested the f-stop Sukha a few weeks ago (and I have it with me on a trip to Mammoth, California right now) and to say that it's an impressive bag is an understatement.
For starters, the f-stop Sukha is a waterproof backpack, so even if it's raining or snowing, you can rest assured that the gear inside is nice and dry.
Speaking of gear, this bag will hold 70 liters of stuff. That means you can probably bring your entire collection of gear and still have room left over!
And as mentioned above, when using a lesser bag, it can be difficult to find what you need inside the bag.
But f-stop's ingenious Internal Camera Units (ICUs) take care of that problem.
The ICU keeps all your gear neatly organized, as you can see above.
Not only that, it's got tons of padding to prevent your gear from banging around against each other as you walk or hike around.
I also appreciate the fact that this bag has expandable zipper pockets on the side in case I need a little more room for gear.
There's carry strap (which are reinforced!) on the exterior of the bag as well, which are great for lashing your tripod to the bag.
To top it all off, this bag is supremely comfortable to carry.
The internal aluminum frame gives it solid rigidity that makes it easier to carry while the enhanced EVA-padded Jersey laminate shoulder straps and hip belt offer a nice softness for supreme comfort.
This is just a fantastic, rugged, BIG bag that is ideal for landscape photographers, travel photographers, wildlife photographers, and others who need to carry a ton of gear.
Learn more about the f-stop Sukha
Top Backpacks for Photographers: Atlas Athlete Camera Backpack
If you're a traveler or an adventurer and you need to carry a lot of gear, but maybe don't need the 70 liter capacity of the f-stop Sukha, a great alternative is the Atlas Packs Athlete Camera Backpack.
This bag is designed for on-the-go photographers that need it to go anywhere and do anything.
It's got a maximum 40-liter capacity that's wrapped in ripstop with a double-coated water repellant shell.
Theres a handy camera access panel on the back of the bag that makes it easy for you to grab your gear, but hard for others to steal it.
The zippers on this thing are next-level, and have the smoothest gliding action of any bag I've tested in recent months.
The big side pockets give you a place to keep water bottles or other necessities without having to take the bag off to access them.
The waistbelt is worth mentioning as well. It's designed to be flexible and customizable to your specific body type. It's also got tons of padding for comfort so you can stabilize even the heaviest loads without sacrificing your comfort level. It's removable, too, just in case you don't need or want it.
You can access your gear through a wide-mouth opening on the top of the bag that seals with a drawstring.
The top lid has three different-sized pockets to keep smaller items, and inside the bag you'll find a handy sleeve for up to a 15-inch laptop.
The best feature is the patent-pending origami camera core, which allows the camera section to be reconfigured to meet your specific needs.
I took this bag to Mt. Whitney and Yosemite last year, and it was awesome to carry. Like I said before, if you need to carry a good amount of gear but don't need a giant bag, this is the bag for you!
Learn more about the Atlas Packs Athlete Camera Backpack
TOP BACKPACKS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: HOLDFAST SIGHTSEER BACKPACK MODULAR SYSTEM
If your photography adventures are more along the lines of urban exploration with a smaller kit, the Holdfast Sightseer Backpack is a good bet for you.
Holdfast designed this bag to carry everything you need while allowing easy access to your camera on the fly.
That's accomplished thanks to the integrated camera slider (this is the only backpack in the world that has such a thing...) that keeps your camera on the bag's exterior for quick shots.
The outside of the bag is made of waxed canvas with either bridle leather or American Bison accents for a waterproof exterior. This bag has waterproof zippers as well, so you can be sure your gear will be dry even in a downpour.
There are a series of loops on the front of the bag where you can attach Sightseer components like lens pouches or a cell phone pouch. This gives you the ability to tailor the bag to your needs and expand its capability and capacity for carrying gear.
Inside, you'll find a gorgeous Aztec flannel fleece lining that's nice and soft to protect your gear from scratches.
The interior dividers help keep your gear nicely organized, and with all that padding, your gear won't be clanking around as you move from one shot to the next.
True to Holdfast form, this bag is impeccably designed and built, so you get a durable, beautiful, comfortable backpack to get your gear from Point A to Point B.
Learn more about the Holdfast Sightseer Backpack Modular System
Top Backpacks for Photographers: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L
What I like most about the Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L is that it has a modular design that allows you to customize the bag to fit your specific needs.
There's a zippered panel that divides the bag into two compartments - one for camera gear and one for personal items.
But if you're in need of tons of gear (or tons of personal items), you can unzip the divider and have one large space for storage.
Don't think that having all that storage space means your stuff will be all jumbled up...
Peak Design has a wide range of optional packing tools that extend the functionality of this bag.
You can get packing cubes for your clothes, a was cube for toiletry items, shoe cubes to keep the dirty bottoms of your shoes contained, and, of course, cubes for your camera gear as well.
Furthermore, there's four mesh zippered pockets on the front of the bag and a host of internal pockets to further your organizational abilities.
Another neat feature is that this bag has rigid sidewalls. Not only does that aid in protecting your gear but it also helps the bag retain its shape, even if it's empty.
When it's full of gear (or when you need to load up), you can do so from the access panel on the back of the bag, the top, or from the side access panels.
You'll love the weatherproof construction (even the zippers are weatherproof), the abundance of exterior handles for easy grabbing, and the ability to expand from 30 liters to 45 liters, and you have the makings of an ideal travel photography companion!
Learn more about the Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L
Top Backpacks for Photographers: LowePro Whistler 450 AW II Backpack
For adventure photographers that need something that's as heavy-duty as it gets, a good option is the LowePro Whistler 450 AW II Backpack.
Made of nylon, the exterior of this bag is made to be highly durable to stand up to even the roughest of photography pursuits outdoors. That includes weather-resistant construction with a seam-sealed cover that keeps even the heaviest of rains out of the bag.
Like the previous two bags on this list, the LowePro Whistler has adjustable, heavily padded shoulder straps as well as an adjustable waist belt to help transfer the weight of a heavy load to your hips. There's also a sternum strap to keep the back centered on your body.
The bag has integrated side compression straps on the sides and the front of the bag, each of which can hold a tripod, monopod, or other gear, like trekking poles.
The way these straps have been integrated into the bag means they can hold up to 220 pounds of gear. That means you can carry your snowboard, ski, or other bulky items without worry that they'll pull the straps away from the bag.
Inside, you'll find a spacious compartment with an adjustable partition system that can accommodate DSLR or mirrorless gear.
In fact, you can carry a DSLR with a 70-200mm lens attached in addition to eight other lenses and a flash. If you have a mirrorless setup, you can carry up to ten lenses.
There's a zippered panel that hides a memory card pocket and two zippered pockets for hard drives, batteries, filters, and other small items. You can also slide a 15-inch laptop in the laptop sleeve so you can edit your photos on the go.
On the front of the bag, separated from the main compartment by a waterproof barrier, is an expandable front pocket with a drain hole that's ideal for stowing wet gear like a drenched climbing helmet. This truly is a bag for the adventurous photographer!
Learn more about the LowePro Whistler 450 AW II Backpack
Top Backpacks for Photographers: ThinkTank Urban Approach Backpack
For trips that require a smaller, yet super durable backpack, you might have a look at the ThinkTank Urban Approach 15.
This lightweight, slim bag is a smaller load to carry than the other bags mentioned above, but you can still carry tons of gear in it.
In fact, it's designed to carry two mirrorless cameras, up to eight lenses, a tablet, and a 15-inch laptop.
You can carry a tripod on the side of the bag and put your smartphone in the front pocket (which is lined to prevent scratches!).
There are also stretchy side pockets for a flash, a small umbrella, or a water bottle.
The shoulder harness is big and beefy, and has an adjustable sternum strap to help you carry the load of the bag more confidently and comfortably.
Speaking of comfort, you'll enjoy the contoured back panel that hugs your body with tons of padding.
Inside, there's organizer pockets that give you quick access to small items like memory cards, filters, and batteries.
There's lots of padding and dividers, too, so all your gear will be neatly organized and protected from bumps and bruises along the way.
Add in a seam-sealed rain cover, lockable zippers, and trolley passthrough straps, and you have the makings of a bag that can go with you through the airport or through the jungle!
Learn more about the ThinkTank Urban Approach Backpack
