The best camera backpacks // my favorite camera bag.
Alright, I’m pretty picky, let’s just say it, no backpack is perfect. That being said, I've tried a few of these and am looking for something specific! Things to consider, I have a bad back, I need to hike with champagne and water, and I sometimes fly with my gear and need it to fit below my seat. I always want a waist strap with loops so I can hang my cameras on my waist when hiking. I do not really care how much room for non-photo gear a backpack has.
F - stop Tilopa
WINNERS:
Peak Design -UPDATE APRIL 2025 this is my favorite all around bag, small, convenient, organized, and light weight.
Pros: I really like the waist straps that you can hide while at the airport etc. Great padded and customizable camera cube, with comfortable straps. I really liked the expandable water bottle holders on either side! Carry-on size and can fit lots of gear.
Cons: The waist strap is minimal, not padded, and doesn’t have a buckle!! It closes with a slide-through clasp that I will never be able to do at night outside. It’s HUGE! I’m 5’6 and it dwarfed me, there’s no way I would be able to hike with this daily.
I got the athlete pack with the adventure waist belt. fits my torso the best, and fits under the seat on a plane.
This bag I’m most excited about! You customize so much about this! It fits think tank lens pouches that directly attach to the hip belt, as well as having a pop-out lens pouch built into the hip belt. The size expands and contracts by 20-40 liters.
it has a rain cover that is discreet and tucks right into the bottom. The padding on the waist strap is thick and sturdy ( I love that you can pick between the adventure and athlete padded belts ) because I wanted a smaller bag but with all the padding usually reserved for larger bags.
Holds champagne and water with a nice stretchy bottle pouch on each side.
Cons: It’s large and bulky !
NON-BACKPACK LAPTOP BAG FOR WORKING AT COFFEE SHOPS AND TRAVELING : So excited about this bag, so many pockets in side and out, helps keep you organized. Slip for fitting over a rolling bag, literally the best bag for working on the go.
loosers:
Wandrd - Overall- mediocre, not great for hiking.
Pros: I’ve had this backpack for about 2 years. I like the simple design and pocket placement. Since I open up my bag on steep surfaces I love a flat-lay bag. where I can open it up from the back. The cloth hooks along the arm straps are so perfect for attaching a speaker or tying up my cameras when I’m worried about my cameras hitting brush or rocks at waist level.
Cons: camera cube sucks! it’s flimsy and small in the 35L. The water bottle pockets are awful!! basically useless. No waist straps or back structure. very uncomfortable!!
Peter McKinnon - not much different from Peak design, not a fan.
Pros: Lots of space, great camera cube, high-quality materials, and lots of customization. Lay flat design.
Cons: waist straps and shoulder straps suck, not much padding, not much movement. Clunky design.
Brevitte - is SO small, with no waist straps. Not functional for me.
F-stop Tilopa ( the smaller versions of the f- stop do not have the same padding as the Tilopa so this is the smallest option with the padding and structure of a real hiking bag)
Pros: great hip belt, has loops to hook my cameras too, lays flat for access on steep cliffs, love the water pouches on either side for champagne! Great padding in the camera cube, very substantial. Great zipper pouches to keep all extra memory cards and batteries organized. Great when traveling, and fits in the overhead bin.
Cons: it’s a little too big for everything. I’m 5’6 and the frame is slightly too long for me because of this it’s heavier than I would like. I’M NOT USING THIS BAG ANY MORE, WHEN I FLY DOMESTICALLY I USE THE PELICAN TO SAVE MY BACK. INTERNATIONALLY I USE MY ATLAS OR PEAK DESIGN. I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS.
