Most camera gear is bulky and heavy. If you plan to carry multiple lenses, camera accessories, and camera bodies, a well-designed camera backpack can make a big difference to your shoot and your physical health.
Prioritize ergonomics and support by selecting a comfortable camera backpack that protects your gear and your back!
Top Features for Camera Backpacks
There are plenty of camera backpacks on the market, so selecting the ideal model can be an undertaking. Here are some of the top variables to consider in your search.
Shop by Size and Gear Type
Start the shopping process by deciding just how much gear your backpack will contain. Do you need to accommodate a minimal kit with a mirrorless camera and one or two compact lenses, or are you going on a bird-photography adventure with a full-size tripod and a 600mm zoom lens?
Make your selection by reviewing not only backpack capacity, but the number of compartments as well. Some backpacks are designed with full-size gear in mind, while others are intended for compact cameras and action cameras instead.
Accommodating a Laptop
When your workflow requires road edits or shooting while tethered, you’ll need a camera backpack with a padded laptop sleeve. It’s easier to accommodate 13- and 15-inch laptops than 17-inch models, but larger backpacks can often handle laptops of any size.
Accessing Your Gear
Are you a photographer who arrives on location and unpacks your bag, or do you need a camera backpack that you can access as you hike or shoot on location? Some packs require you to take them off to access your gear, while others have helpful side access hatches for grabbing a lens or swapping batteries.
Ideal Materials for Camera Backpacks
Water resistance and waterproofing are vital for camera backpacks. Keep your camera gear safe by selecting a pack made of rugged materials that can withstand most weather. Nylon, polyester, polyurethane, and leather are all popular options that will protect your camera gear.
Quality Counts in Camera Backpacks
Camera gear is too expensive and sensitive to leave your backpack selection up to chance. Invest in high-quality, well-reputed brands like Gitzo, Ape Case, Crumpler, F-stop, Lowepro, Manfrotto, Peak Design, MindShift, Tamrac, and Think Tank.
These and other leading camera gear brands manufacture top-of-the-line photography backpacks with plenty of pockets, flexible configuration padding, comfortable straps, and lots of helpful features that will make your shooting experience feel like a breeze!
