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Vanguard Alta Sky 66 30L Lens Backpack, Dark Gray

SKU: VGALS66 MFR: ALTA SKY 66
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Key Features

  • Safeguard gear with this durable Vanguard camera backpack, crafted from rugged nylon material.
  • Comfortably carry your camera equipment using the padded shoulder harness & supportive waist belt.
  • Spacious 30L camera backpack: Fits a Pro DSLR with 600mm lens & a 9" tablet easily.
  • Quick, zippered access to your camera; be ready to capture every shot with ease!
  • Weather-resistant camera bag with total-coverage rain cover for superior protection.
  • Secure your equipment; this camera backpack includes trolley strap & top hanging strap.
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Questions & Answers

SHEILA W : Does this meet airline regulations for carry-on?Adam H : The allowable dimensions vary by airline and (in some cases) fare class so I can't give a blanket answer. However, I think it's fair to say the Vanguard Alta 66 exceeds the max length and/or depth of many carriers by a few inches. For example, American Airlines restricts carry-on bags to 22 x 14 x 9 and British Airways sets the limit at 22 x 18 x 10 (the Sky 66 is 24.4 x 11.4 x 11.4). Can you get away with it some of the time? Probably. But I wouldn't count on it -- especially if you happen to be traveling on a full flight where space is at a premium. I have the Sky 53. It's slightly shorter and wider than the 66 but also too big to carry onto many flights (at least with certainty). I'm not willing to check my expensive/fragile gear so rather than taking that risk (and subjecting myself to a lot of unnecessary stress/anxiety in the process!), I purchased a separate "internal camera unit" (ICU). It's essentially a padded box which is designed to safely store camera bodies, lenses, drones, etc. They come in different sizes depending on how much equipment you have. Mine fits nicely inside the Sky 53 and has attachment points for straps. When I'm flying, I just bring the ICU onboard as it meets ALL size requirements and can easily be stowed under the seat or in an overhead bin. Then I put all my clothes and other belongings into the Sky, place it inside another (larger) bag like a rolling duffel, and check it. When I get to my destination, I empty out the Sky (transferring the contents to the main bag) and put the ICU back in. The front flap of the ICU folds underneath itself so that the "innards" are exposed and can be accessed from the back of the Sky.
Shopper : is this airline-approved for carry-on?
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?JON L : I chose this to carry my Z9 and 800 mm lens on my back.Chris O : Need a pack for my 500MM F4 lens.CHARLES S : Needed something to safely transport and store my 500mm f/4 Nikkor with both tele-extender and D500 attached. I try to avoid changing lenses in the field to reduce chances of dust on my sensor.LOGAN W : I chose this backpack over the Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW III after extensive research. It sounds like both backpacks would be able to hold my 400mm f2.8 with the camera body and lens hood attached, which is a major plus, but the main selling point for me was the back tripod attachment option on the Vanguard. With the Lowepro, you are confined to the side tripod attachment, which seems like it could become cumbersome while hiking. The Vanguard backpack is a thousand times more stylish, too.JOHN K : I have two DSLR cameras and 5 lenses and other gear that I want to pack and carry in one versatile backpack. After researching many bags, this one seems to fit the bill.ANNIE H : for canon lens 200-400mmRichard C : It will hold my new 600mm lens and it looks to be what I need for my travels.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2023-09-19T11:40:12

Rated 4 out of 5

Solid Camera Backpack

Build quality and material quality of this camera backpack are excellent. Backpack is very comfortable even when fully loaded with gear. The only thing keeping me from giving it five stars is the large access flap on the back does not lay open on its own. This can be annoying when trying to change lenses.

AARON C.

2023-01-04T11:03:19

Rated 5 out of 5

Great bag for long lens assemblies

This is a well designed and constructed bag for long lens storage and short hikes. It?s a comfortable fit after adjustments, and although I haven?t tested it yet on long hikes, I don?t expect it to be an issue for what I intend. It provides excellent protection for my long lens assembly of AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED (with hood), Nikon TC-20EIII, Nikon D850, and full size tripod. A tall bag like this is ideal for my birding needs, but I wouldn?t use it for general purpose outdoor photography requiring multiple bodies and lenses.

CHARLES S.

2022-04-06T08:25:56

Rated 2 out of 5

Not good for multiple lenses

good quality bag. if you arent putting in a camera and lens that take up the entire bag, it's not very good. there are very few movable compartment walls. I was hoping for something I could carry around my 3 smaller lenses and my big 600mm. if you just want to use it for traveling, it's fine. I would not use it as a hiking bag though.

GREG P.

2022-01-27T07:10:58

Rated 5 out of 5

Phenomenal Gear Bag for Travel

Great for travel, wouldn?t fly without it!

JUSTIN S.

2022-01-12T07:50:49

Rated 5 out of 5

It fits nikon 800mm f5.6E FL ED w/D5 attached no problem at all

Went in a limb and bought for my Nikon 800mm f/5.6E FL ED, it stated it fit most 800mm lens, it does fit both my D5 and D850 attached to body even with the teleconverter, hood has to be inverted while in bag but not a big deal at all. Absolutely best bag paired with this massive piece of glass. :D very satisfied.

Mark J.

2021-03-19T08:47:32

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome

Well made and versatile

Lawrence T.

2021-01-31T09:02:13

Rated 5 out of 5

Nice

Great bag.

Sean B.

2021-01-26T07:38:20

Rated 5 out of 5

Great bag for a very decent price.

Very well made, perfect size for Me, holds My body and 3 lenses with plenty of extra room.

KRISTIE G.

2021-01-12T08:04:36

Rated 4 out of 5

Vanguard Alta Sky 45D Backpack

This is a great travel and day trip backpack. I have not previously owned a backpack designed specifically for camera gear and that was an adjustment but a good one. It holds my tripod easily and securely and the weight distribution is great. There is lots of space and can be tailored to your gear. My wife helped me with organizing the compartments as that is not my cup of tea.

Bernie B.

2020-10-03T05:40:18

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome

Best bag I've ever owned

LEWIS J.

2020-06-12T01:38:59

Rated 5 out of 5

Really well made and designed. Excellent quality.

Ok so this is a HUGE bag but it fits everything for my needs. I can fit my Nikon D850, 3 lenses (including a 200-500mm), my mavic 2 and all accessories, tripod, water bottle, umbrella, weather gear, snacks, iPad, MacBook, personal effects etc. Only need this bag for everything I would need for a day out. Once I filled it, it was pretty heavy which is to be expected, I love the waist belt for extra support and it’s a very comfortable bag to carry. So many easy to access and useful pockets too. For me it would be too big for hiking all day but perfect for having everything in one place. Very happy with this purchase.

BEC M.

2020-06-03T08:58:35

Rated 5 out of 5

Can't be beat!

Very high end construction quality. Smart design in its layout and all the pockets. Interior color yellow was a great idea because of high visibility in identifying your stuff. Main compartment access is from the back again very smart idea. Many main access areas to get out you gear fast. Dimensions fit for the airlines carry on size requirements. I won't check in camera baggage to risky. I removed two of the largest yellow inserts and was able to carry a Nikon d750 with lens attach and a d500 body and 7 lens. Top zipper compartment housed related stuff like batteries and so forth. Attached a water bottle and compact tripod to boot. In my opinion you won't find a better bag that fits airline requirements, is built this well, is this innovative and can take this much equipment.

RICHARD D.

2019-11-06T11:59:50

Rated 4 out of 5

Vanguard Backpack

A little mislead about how to attach a tripod to this backpack? Other than that, I am able to carry all my needed equipment.

michael s.

2019-03-13T09:38:35

Rated 5 out of 5

Alta camera back pack

Very nice quality. Feels a little heavy, but when on your back is quite comfortable. My bag is packed and ready to go, will be leaving for Costa Rica next week! Thank you...

Kathy H.

2019-03-03T07:31:15

Rated 5 out of 5

Great bag

Bag is made of good construction materials, lots of storage, comfortable to wear

TOM S.

2019-02-22T14:31:10

Rated 5 out of 5

Roomy Camera Backpack! GOT A CAMERA WITH A POWER GRIP THAT IS BIG? This will allow your camera to easily be removed from the top zipper door with ease! Others I've tried were too small for my camera with the power pack!

Tried another backpack and would not allow my camera with power pack to easily be removed from the case without opening the whole pack. Roomy enough for all my gear, so far, and very comfortable to carry on my back. Still rearrangling to fit all my stuff but very happy with it. Very robust material. Love the style of velcro partitions in this pack. Had trouble with getting the five stars to show. This is a five star backpack.

David W.

2019-01-30T12:58:43

Rated 4 out of 5

Not a bad bag just not for me

First let me say i love the make and quality of this bag. Also i love the tripod options along with the straps and padding. My gear is a single a7r3 with a few lenses, a flash some miscellaneous items and a surface pro. Not a bunch of gear. fully loaded it can be a bit heavy but with straps and hip belt i can carry all day no problems.I just don't like the access points. especially the side maybe better with a larger dslr. when i have my camera out i like to use peak designs capture clip. Inner compartment customization is very limited. Along with no extra dividers or straps can be purchased separately from vanguard. Want vanguard dividers buy another bag to get them. So all i found was some dividers from ONA. Layout seemed awkward to me. Plus opening the main compartment zip wont open and stay open. It falls back shut unless you force it and then the bottom of the bag folds in a very weird way that doesn't look like it will be good for the long run. I ended up returning because it doesn't function for me. I also tried the alta sky 53. To me a much better bag just cannot fit on a plane and still the same problem with the back access. It had a lot better function for me but very heavy. In the end i have settled on think tanks airplane commuter bag for my day to day though I'm not a fan of how to carry the tripod. but a hiker might like this bag a bit better for the harness and back support. I would highly recommend this bag but only if it serves its function for you.

jeffrey h.

2018-11-01T11:56:40

Rated 2 out of 5

Great quality but too small.

Could not fit Fujifilm XH-1 and two Tele lenses, and no room for future expansion. Traded up to larger Vanguard backpack.

Curt P.

2018-10-03T17:51:41

Rated 1 out of 5

Not made for rugged use.

This backpack construction feels flimsy. The interior compartments are lined wth a relatively thin fabric that is likely to tear under modest stress. Internal liners are not sufficiently firm to provide adequate protection to photo or video equipment at any advanced level. It might be OK for carrying a down jacket or a sweater however.

John T.

2018-08-17T11:54:44

Rated 5 out of 5

Great bag for run-n-gun

Fits everything I need for a 1-man band situation out in the field. Plus the inside is yellow, so you can find your gear!

RYAN B.

2018-05-29T09:08:17

Rated 5 out of 5

excellent procuct

bag is most durable I've seen and allows great flexibility re. possible configurations.

Richard H.

2017-12-28T08:22:54

Rated 5 out of 5

Great design and quality

Use it with a canon 5DsR and Canon 200-400 4L. Excellent product. Very comfortable to hike with.

MARCOS F.

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Vanguard Alta Sky Specifications

  • Compatibility

    Super telephoto lens up to 600mm (f/4.0) & some 800mm (f/5.6) attached to a Pro DSLR Camera, 9" tablet

  • Application

    Photo

  • Material

    Nylon

  • Type of Closure

    Zipper

  • Carrying/Transport Options

    Top handle
    Shoulder harness with connector
    Trolley strap
    Top strap for hanging on hook or carabiner attachment

  • Tripod Holder

    Yes

  • Waist Belt

    Yes

  • Load Capacity

    23.14 lbs (10.50kg)

  • Maximum Volume

    7.9 gal (30L)

  • Dimensions

    Outside: 11.4 x 11.4 x 24.4" (290 x 290 x 620mm)
    Inside: 10.25 x 9.5 x 22" (260 x 241 x 558mm)

  • Weight

    5.58 lbs (2.53kg)

  • UPC Code

    026196349327

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About Vanguard Alta Sky

FEATURED REVIEWS

It fits nikon 800mm f5.6E FL ED w/D5 attached no problem at all

By Mark J.

Went in a limb and bought for my Nikon 800mm f/5.6E FL ED, it stated it fit most 800mm lens, it does fit both my D5 and D850 attached to body even with the teleconverter, hood has to be inverted while in bag but not a big deal at all. Absolutely best bag paired with this massive piece of glass. :D very satisfied.

Really well made and designed. Excellent quality.

By BEC M.

Ok so this is a HUGE bag but it fits everything for my needs. I can fit my Nikon D850, 3 lenses (including a 200-500mm), my mavic 2 and all accessories, tripod, water bottle, umbrella, weather gear, snacks, iPad, MacBook, personal effects etc. Only need this bag for everything I would need for a day out. Once I filled it, it was pretty heavy which is to be expected, I love the waist belt for extra support and it’s a very comfortable bag to carry. So many easy to access and useful pockets too....

View full Review

The ALTA SKY 66 is the ultimate gear-carrying and working backpack, specifically designed to carry a super telephoto lens up to 600mm (f/4.0) & some 800mm (f/5.6) attached to a Pro DSLR, protected in the best possible way and easy to access. Also carries a 9" tablet and offers advanced tripod connection. The ALTA SKY 66 is a dynamic backpack designed to offer the ultimate in protection and transportation for your telephoto lens with camera attached. While carrying one of the largest photographic loads its design maintains a slim and sleek streamlined exterior.

The main compartment is designed to fit a Pro DSLR attached to a 600mm (f/4.0) lens or even some 800mm (f/5.6) lens. A full front opening flap ensures ease of set up. An adjustable thick, sturdy and well-padded cradle supports the camera body from bellow and secures the large lens in position, while making sure it is well protected all around the delicate connection point.

Organize all other gear and personal essentials such as tablet, memory cards, cables, batteries, charger and smartphone, exactly where you need them; either secured in an organizer pocket or on hand at any given moment in a slip-in pocket. Enjoy pockets with double access points from within and from without. Keep rocking with the headset port which will conveniently extend the cable from the internal smartphone pocket. Avoid human error with the simple coded 'Full'/'Empty' media storage. Stay hydrated with two large side pockets for water bottles. Link, hang and sling on anything you can imagine using the multitude of straps, loops and innovative connection features integrated into the surface of the backpack.

The ALTA SKY 66 enjoys additional encompassing protection features, such as the total coverage rain cover, second-to-none quality, materials and bag construction and grab-and-go sturdy carrying handle that also comes in handy when retrieving the backpack from the car boot.

Designed to carry the heaviest gear loads for extended periods of time, they set the bar for comfortable carrying at a new high. The advanced ergonomic back and harness system is fully adjustable and features a well-padded breathable 3D back, uniquely shaped easy height adjusting shoulder straps that perfectly contour to your back and torso, adjustable sternum strap and well-padded supporting waist belt. All these join together to promise a 'never-tire' user experience!

Advanced tripod connecting system enables you to select the best transport solution for your tripod. They also offer the full Alta Experience with Alta Link, which enables you to carry along your Alta Pro Tripod in the advanced Alta Action Tripod Bag connected to your Alta Sky Backpack!

Vanguard Alta Sky Features

  • Ultimate versatility - 100% gear to 100% personal and anywhere in between
  • 'Never-tire' carrying experience - ergonomic Air System back, harness & waist belt
  • Multi-access quick-action - full rear opening and top access
  • Safety first - double security buckles
  • No fumbling - bright colored interior makes finding things easy
  • Well organized - numerous dedicated pockets, organizers and connectors for all essentials
  • Stay hydrated - large water bottle side pockets
  • Keep rocking - headset port to extend cable from internal smartphone pocket
  • Business oriented - holds a 9" tablet
  • Stay steady - optimal balance tripod carrying system
  • ALTA LINK - Alta Action Tripod Bag connection for ultimate Vanguard ALTA EXPERIENCE
  • Keep dry - total coverage rain cover

Key Features

  • Safeguard gear with this durable Vanguard camera backpack, crafted from rugged nylon material.
  • Comfortably carry your camera equipment using the padded shoulder harness & supportive waist belt.
  • Spacious 30L camera backpack: Fits a Pro DSLR with 600mm lens & a 9" tablet easily.
  • Quick, zippered access to your camera; be ready to capture every shot with ease!
  • Weather-resistant camera bag with total-coverage rain cover for superior protection.
  • Secure your equipment; this camera backpack includes trolley strap & top hanging strap.

What's in the box:

  • Vanguard Alta Sky 66 30L Lens Backpack
  • Total-Coverage Rain Cover
  • Vanguard 1 Year Warranty (Lifetime Limited Warranty with Registration)