Whether you’re breaking trail for dawn patrol or racking up frequent flyer miles and points, adventure and travel photographers need a solid pack for stowing their gear.
You’ve invested in the kit, and now you need to make sure that your pack is gonna protect it during your travels and activities, while also being functional and looking awesome. City-slicker commuter shooters will likely love these backpacks too, but when it comes down to it, these bags are built for the full-kit full-time travel and adventure photographer/filmmaker/vlogger.
These camera carry packs are designed to stow your DSLR or mirrorless camera, lenses, batteries, laptop, chargers, and other accessories, and they may also fit tripods, drones, or stabilizers.
Let’s get into it!
HEX Raven DSLR Backpack
The HEX Raven DSLR pack is constructed with a water-resistant, matte black tarpaulin—which means it’s ready for any elements any adventure-seeker has on the horizon. The main compartment is padded and fleece-lined, with removable partitions for configuring and storing all your camera gear. The Raven also includes a faux-fur lined sleeve for up to a 17″ MacBook Pro, 5 storage-side compartments, tripod attachment straps, and a breathable foam back-panel.
On my first trip with this pack, I fit my Sony a7riii with 24-105 lens, 85 f/1.4 and 12-24 f/4 lenses, along with a travel tri-pod, Goal Zero Venture power pack, DJI Osmo Mobile 2, Shur VP83 Microphone, MOVO wireless microphone system, an external hard drive, extra batteries, a headlamp, my MacBook Pro, Kindle, notebook, snacks, business cards, and a few pens. This is a serious gear pack!
Get The HEX Raven DSLR Backpack
Langly Alpha Globetrotter
Before I got the HEX Raven, my Langly Alpha Pro was my go-to, and I can’t tell you how many compliments I got on that pack. The Alpha Globetrotter, is the upgrade. And it looks awesome!
The big change isn’t in design, but in functionality. The Alpha Pro used to zip completely apart in the center of the pack, between the lower three pocket folds and the upper panel/flap. It seemed pretty cool at first, but after you put your laptop in the back sleeve, and load the upper compartment, it was near impossible to open the middle zipper and access your camera gear without taking everything else out and making it so the pack could fold in half to open again. That didn’t stop me from loving the Alpha Pro and taking it on a ton of trips, but this redesign in camera compartment access (as pictured above) makes it that much better.
The Langly Alpha series is undeniably good-looking, inspired by World War II rucksacks, and made with canvas and leather. It features an internal laptop sleeve, a secure cradle compartment customizable to fit a camera and up to 5 lenses, a tripod holder, large cargo pockets, and a large upper stowing compartment.
Get the Langly Alpha Globetrotter
Peak Design Everyday Pack
I’m a raving fan of Peak Design. Seriously, everything I own or have tested of theirs seems to solve problems I didn’t know I had. Their gear is beautiful, intuitive, and functional. Their Everyday Backpack is no exception.
Peak Design’s patented MagLatch is the answer to your pack access dreams. That along with the weatherproof dual side-loading zips, carry capacity of 20L and 30L, FlexFold dividers to keep your gear organized and protected, accessory pockets, a laptop sleeve, and the outer 400D nylon canvas shell, make this an adventure camera carry pack to be reckoned with.
Get the Peak Design Everyday Pack
Thule Perspektiv Daypack
Thule has been impressing me with their foray into the pack and apparel world. A company primarily known for sweet gear racks and car roof boxes is actually now making equally rad luggage, technical climbing packs, and much more. In their newly expanded line is the Perspektiv Daypack.
This pack features a weather-resistant soft-shell, removable camera gear protection with room for a camera body and up to 4 lenses, zippered stash pockets, and a hideaway rain fly.
If I were heading out for say a 10-mile mountain ridge top run with some friends, and wanted to have my DSLR or mirrorless camera and a lens or two along to capture the adventure, this might be the best pack I could grab.
Get the Thule Perspektiv Daypack
Lowepro Whistler BP 350 AW
My buddy Chris has this pack, and it really is pretty cool. Lowepro does as good a job as anyone with their adventure camera bags and it doesn’t get too much better than the all-season, versatile, Whistler BP 350 AW for wilderness and adventure photographers.
If you’re a photographer or filmmaker who gets out and pushes the limits in all types of weather to get that one perfect shot, this might be your pack. It’s a crazy durable, highly functional, excellent adventure daypack with plenty of room for whatever you might need on your outdoor shoot.
Get the Lowepro Whistler BP 350 AW
Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Backpack 3N1-26
If you’re a photographer/filmmaker, you know the name Manfrotto. Manfrotto makes top-of-the-line tripods and photography accessories. I’ve used nearly exclusively Manfrotto tripods since starting my career with cameras nearly two-decades ago.
If you’re also a Manfrotto tripod loyalist, you may want to venture into their line of camera packs as well. The Pro Light 3N1 modular pack is a pretty impressive piece of gear!
You can wear it as a backpack, a sling bag, or a cross pack. Whichever suits your fancy. Compact but still big enough to carry two bodies plus lenses. It has side opening for quick access, a tripod carry connection, and comes with a protective rain shield.
Get the Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Backpack 3N1-26
WANDRD PRVKE 21
This pack I actually got to try out on a trip to Vegas last December, thanks to the good folks at B&C Camera.
I was in to pickup my new Sony FE 24-105 F4 lens and happened upon this pack while browsing the candy store that was B&C. What struck me about the WANDRD PRVKE pack right off the bat was its unique roll-top and the minimalistic yet functional design.
This innovative, award-winning camera carry pack is built from durable and water-resistant tarpaulin and nylon dobby, has side-camera access for grabbing your gear on the go, a clamshell opening with a laptop sleeve, roll-top access, and comes in 21L or 31L capacities.
Portage Kenora Backpack 3rd Generation
To be honest, I haven’t seen or touched this pack in person, but I was just smitten with it’s design.
The Portage Kenora Backpack is basically built to look good while shooting. But that doesn’t stop it from being super functional and worthy of this list.
The classic-looking Kenora can hold a slew of camera gear, lenses, and up to a 17″ laptop, is made from premium quality leather and water-resistant waxed canvas, has internal velcro dividers for limitless configurations, and an easy side-access panel.
Get the Portage Kenora Backpack
Shimoda Explore 40L / 60L
Do you know Colby Brown? I’ve been following him on Instagram for some time, and he has a super informative adventure photography blog too.
A little while back, he announced the Shimoda Explore and the packs just came off Kickstarter preorder and into the public purchase realm.
“Shimoda Designs is an adventure camera bag company designed as a reaction to real world adventures rather than those imagined from a comfortable office environment.”
The Explore 40 and it’s burly big brother, the Explore 60, are being hailed as the new standard in adventure photography packs. Ready for those epic mountain moments, and capable of keeping your camera kit cool calm and collected during cold camps, rocky ascents.
