Think Tank BackStory 13 Backpack for DSLR Cameras, Lenses, 13" Laptop and 10" Tablet

2024-09-10T20:00:00

I needed a bag that I could use on an upcoming trip as a personal carry on, so I bought the 13 inch backstory. Its top compartment allows for easy access to a main camera, and the rest is well laid out so I can carry 2-3 lenses, a flash, an ipad, and personal items. Its comfortable, and its shoulder straps taper enough so that I can fit a peak design clip on the bottom. The pass through to put on top of luggage works, although it is a bit snug on my platinum travel pro. I'm assuming it will stretch a bit with use. I also considered the urban access, but that is 2 inches thicker, so I worried about under seat storage in an airplane. All in all, a great bag, well designed and well built. I replaced an old streetwalker with this, since that one did not have room for an ipad.

brad

Originally posted at

2023-09-30T20:00:00

Used this for carrying my Sony A7RIV, 3 primes, 1 zoom and my Mini Pro 3 drone around Thailand for 2 months. Bag was comfortable but it needs 2 things added, first a side handle. The photos show a side handle but it is only on the 15L, not the 13L. In and out of so many taxis- tuktuks and boats, the side handle was sorely missed. My Mindshift Photocross 13L has a side handle and frankly I wish I brought it instead just for this reason, but I would have had to leave 1 prime at home. Second added thing it needs is a locking zipper for the top compartment. The back zipper is a locking type but the top compartment zipper doesn't even have metal zipper pulls which could be locked, they are nylon. So what's the point of having a locking zipper on the back if anyone can open the top compartment and pull your camera out in 2 seconds??? Someone in the design department was asleep at the wheel on this decision.

Jim W.

Originally posted at

2023-03-31T20:00:00

Very nice, compact bag. Perfect size for full frame mirrorless kit with 2-3 lenses. Fits most airline personal item dimensions. Took it on a trip with Nikon Z5, 24-120 S attached, with F-mount Tamron 17-35, FTZ, and 40 F2. Still had room in the camera compartment for strap and other accessories. The front compartment, even on the 13L, is large enough for a light compressible jacket. Bag is small and discrete. Padding and shoulder straps are great when the bag is loaded with gear. Like that I can easily re-arrange the camera compartment to accommodate longer lens like my D7500 with tamron 100-400, too. Quality is outstanding. Highly recommend.

Doug

Originally posted at

2022-08-27T20:00:00

Used for a trip to Europe as my carry on backpack. Took my camera with 3 lenses, plus tripod, travel docs, laptop, iPad, headphones, etc. it's the perfect backpack, fits a lot, everything is secure and no need to pull camera or lenses out when going through security, jus leave the back open and that's it!

Maria S.

Originally posted at

2022-06-19T20:00:00

This is my second ThinkTank backpack - the first being the impressive Streetwalker Pro v2.0 - and after traveling with both in a variety of situations, I don't see myself switching to another company for future needs. This BackStory 13 is high quality and well-designed to fit various small configurations, along with some accessories. I purchased it as a more compact option for when I only need a one or two lens kit while never having to worry if it will fit in tight spaces (under small airline seats, for example), and the size lives up to my expectations. It will fit pretty much anywhere while still holding most two lens kits and accessories. For reference, I traveled this weekend with my Z6, Z 70-200 2.8 attached, Z 24-120, Z 1.4TC, a few batteries and cards, my 2022 iPad Pro 11" in keyboard case, and a few other small accessories and personal items thrown in. The single suggestion I'd make for future versions would be to include the plastic-encased netting on the inside pockets like on the Streetwalker Pro v2.0. Now that I've had that on the Streetwalker, the regular netting feels like it could tear more easily when putting sharper-edged things like spare batteries or card readers in those pockets, especially since they're tight pockets and anything that goes in pushes pretty hard against the netting. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this bag or future versions again if it meets size requirements for the kits you use.

Joseph B.

Originally posted at

2021-07-09T20:00:00

Depart tomorrow for summer adventures. Hiking to The Wave and White Pocket, then off to Morocco to travel by Camel and Hot Air Balloon. This pack, unlike my other 20 bags/packs, forces you to only bring what?s important. Canon 5DS, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, Zeiss 21mm prime, 13? macPro, Gitzo Carbon traveler and a Light L16 for backup. All ya Need!

Jim F.

Originally posted at

2021-05-11T20:00:00

My wife is using this with her new Nikon system and loves it. Nice looking bag.

Chris B.

Originally posted at

2021-05-06T20:00:00

I bought the Backstory 13 and the Everyday Backpack Zip (15L) by Peak Design so I could compare them side by side. I'm 5'3? and have been looking for a smaller backpack to carry my Canon 6d and one or two extra lenses. Both packs are well built, similar in size, and can be accessed from the top. I loaded each one with the camera body and 70-300 lens attached, an 85mm lens, a 24-105 lens, a phone, a few incidentals and an iPad. The PD was pretty stiff to open (both the material and the zippers) and readjusting the dividers was a little more difficult than the Backstory 13. Overall, it was fairly comfortable and had a lot of great features but one big drawback for me was that didn?t come with a waist belt. The weight of the gear adds up quickly and the belt helps take the weight off your shoulders and back. The Backstory 13 was noticeably more comfortable right away. It not only comes with more dividers but they?re easier to adjust. The opening at the top is far more convenient to access, the straps have thicker padding and it has a waist belt. Both packs are nice, but the Backstory 13 is more comfortable so I returned the PD pack.

Stacie

Originally posted at

2021-04-14T20:00:00

Really like this backpack. Well made, as someone who writes and photographs being able to have my laptop and tablet with me is nice. I also like the top camera access works better for me over a side access. I set my bag on the front passenger footwell so if I need my camera a quick zip and there it is. One thing if you could make the tablet slot a bit wider it might fit a tablet with its case installed which a lot of use. I wished in came in black but the gray and white is growing on me.( I got another black camera backpack if I want to use a black bag)

Donald K.

Originally posted at

2021-04-14T20:00:00

Overall very good but the pass through for attaching it to the Think Tank Airport International roller is difficult at best. It?s a struggle to get it on and off. It could be designed with a narrower band and a little more flexibility.

Paula F.

Originally posted at

2021-02-02T19:00:00

The Backstory 13 is my new favorite backpack for daily use and travel. It easily fits my A6400, lenses, and accessories. This backpack combined two things I really wanted out of a camera backpack: back loaded main compartment, and a top quick access compartment. And my MacBook Pro 13? fits perfectly in the front laptop pocket.

Caleb Y.

Originally posted at

2021-01-28T19:00:00

I have been using a BackLight 26 for a few years and love it, but sometimes you want a smaller pack. The BackStory 13 fills that need perfectly. I can fit a D850, Z 50, and a few lenses in it, perfect for travel and day-to-day use. The smaller size also works great as an under-seat carry-on. Materials and construction are excellent, as you would expect from Think Tank. Padding on the back and straps are first-rate, not always the case on smaller packs. The top access for your main camera is a great feature, as are the removable belt and sternum strap. There are several small pockets around the pack, one on the back perfect for travel documents, an organizer in the front pocket as found on many Think Tank bags, and a few mesh pockets on the inside. The only small change would be to add a strap on the side above the water bottle pocket to carry a tripod there as an alternative to the tripod carrying system on the back (like the BackLight.) (Disclosure: I received the backpack as a review copy)

Peter H.

Originally posted at

2021-01-27T19:00:00

This bag is exactly what I was looking for: perfect size, weight and quality beyond expectations. This is replacing my PD Everyday Backpack as this has a much better design and protection for my gear. The top access is functional for quickly removing your camera without worrying about other things falling out, plus with the back loading, you know everything is going to stay in it's place. I'm carrying my Sony Alpha Camera with a 24mm GM lens attached, Sony 135mm GM, 20mm G and soon the 35mm GM - along with an extra battery, filters and a mini tripod & clamp. It's the perfect grab and go bag. And there's room for my 11" iPad Pro or 13" MacBook Pro, if needed. I love that it doesn't really look like a camera bag, and the shoulder padding was obviously designed and tested by someone who actually has carried a bag full of gear. Well done! Highly Recommended.

Ryan T.

Originally posted at

2020-12-15T19:00:00

I have had a lot of camera backpacks over the years and picked up this one to replace a previous Think Tank Photo pack, not because that one had issues, but because I couldn't carry all I needed to. I still use that old pack, but in this new pack, the configuration allows me to get out and about for portrait sessions on location or night shoots when I'm doing other creative projects. I use the Fujifilm X Series cameras, and generally have 1-2 bodies, 3-5 lenses, an Instax printer, film, laptop, iPad, wallet, memory cards, make-up bag, and more. The side pockets are adjustable, which comes in handy for carrying small or larger items. And then there's the ability to easily add a tripod, securely. As a traveller, this is so essential! I love the compact project, texture, and colour of this one too. Very well padded and even has a strap to allow you to easily add this on top of a roller bag, for travel or those shoots when you carry more gear. Also always, Think Tank Photo delivers great quality and a wonderful price.

Kate H.

Originally posted at