Review of the best backpack for photographer 2024
Intro
When investing in costly camera equipment, it's crucial also to invest in a good bag to protect it. With so many camera bags available in the market, it can be challenging to select the right one. It all depends on the situations you'll find yourself in while doing photography. As a guide, see if your camera bag can fit into any of the categories mentioned below, and make your choice accordingly.
Citybag
Daytrips
Travel
A good camera bag should not only protect your gear, but also be comfortable to carry around all day and practical enough to easily access your equipment. My two favorite bags are both from Lowepro, and I highly recommend this brand. They offer a wide selection of bags for every situation, as well as smaller bags for organizing items such as lenses, filters, batteries, and SD cards.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Lowepro in any way, and all of my gear from this company was purchased with my own money. I simply love their products.
Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW
For a long time, I had been looking for a backpack to use for day trips. I often leave early in the morning and stay out for the whole day. This means that I not only need to carry my camera gear, but also some additional items like an extra sweater, rain gear, or gloves, depending on the season. And, of course, I always need some snacks and coffee. Many camera bags are good for carrying camera equipment, but I didn't want to carry a second bag for my extras. I thought it was impossible to find the perfect bag until I discovered the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW.
Here is what Lowepro says
Built for photographers who need a versatile pack to protect DSLR camera and outdoor adventure gear. Flipside Trek has the perfect balance of camera compartment and open space, plus all the features you expect in an outdoor pack.
Fits:
Standard DSLR with attached lens, (such as Canon 5D Mkiii with 24-104mm f4) plus 1-2 extra lenses.
Compact Tripod
10'' Tablet in CradleFit device pocket
Off-Road Gear & personal items
Water bottle/s
Data
Weight: 1.4 kg
(I measured 1.6kg on my scale, but I am aware that it may not be the most accurate scale.)
External Dimensions: W28 x D20 x H51 cm
(I got the same numbers)
Internal Dimensions W23 x D14 x H26 cm
(Here I got W23 x D15 x H28 so I think Lowepro is on the safe side here)
External Functions
Side pockets
The backpack has two side pockets made of a stretch and dense mesh material. The stretchable feature of the material allows easy accommodation for larger objects, but I mainly use it for carrying my travel tripod and thermos on either side. The pockets on both sides also come with a convenient strap to secure taller objects like a tripod. Although the stretch material has been durable so far (it's been two years), it's better to avoid sharp objects as I was able to tear a small hole in one of the pockets.
Top and Backside
There are two horizontal straps on the back of the bag that can be used to secure taller objects, such as a sleeping mat or a larger tripod.
At the top of the bag, you will find six loops, three on either side. These loops can be used to strap on additional items such as rain gear, a sweater, or a smaller accessory bag. Please note that straps are not included in the bag. It is possible to place the straps in the opposite direction (from front to back) with a bit of maneuvering. It would be great to have at least one loop going from front to back to further secure certain objects, but overall, the loops do their job.
Rain cover
The backpack comes equipped with a built-in rain cover that can be found in a small pocket on the top. The rain cover is attached with a strap, which can be detached if needed, but prevents it from being blown away in strong winds. The rain cover fits the bag well, but larger items such as a sleeping mat or tall tripod may pose a problem in making the rain cover fit. It is important to remember to close the pocket where the rain cover is stored to prevent water from leaking into the bag.
The bag is equipped with a sturdy top handle, which I find convenient to use.
Waist belt
The waist belt has a smaller pocket on each side, but unfortunately, these pockets are not made of stretch material. I find stretch material better because it makes it easier to get things in and out of the pockets. However, the pockets are still large enough to store a normal-sized mobile phone, keys, and a small wallet.
iPhone 13 in the waist pocket
Internal Functions
When it comes to packing a bag, it can often feel like playing a game of Tetris. Some individuals are skilled at it while others are not, making it difficult to determine exactly what items will fit in the bag. To help you get an idea of what could fit in the bag, I have packed it in two different ways. All the inner walls are removable and can be fitted as needed.
Scenario 1
In my usual packing method, I keep the wall between the upper and lower compartments intact and find it to be the best solution for me.
Gear:
Lower Compartment
Nikon Z6ii mirrorless
20mm prime lens
Cleaning kit
Filter kit
2 batteries
Remote shutter release
Small powerbank
DJI Mini 2 Pro
Remote for DJI Mini 3 Pro
Battery pack for DJI Mini Pro 3
Upper Compartment
Middle-size lunch box (Room for a Sandwich, some snacks, etc
An apple
One Thicker sweatshirt
One pair of thicker gloves
Back Compartment
Smaller laptop 10” (Will fit a 13” but in the larger pocket then)
2 slots for pens
Smaller pocket with mesh and zipper
Enough for cables, Memory cards, and such1 larger slot that runs the whole way down (This is where a 13” laptop can fit)
Scenario 2
In scenario 2, I demonstrate what fits when the wall between the upper and lower compartments is opened up. This is mainly used when I need a larger telephoto lens like my Nikkor 200-500mm.
I can fit almost everything from scenario 1 in the bag, except for the drone. If I include the sweatshirt and lunch box, it becomes a tight fit but it still works fine. However, if I leave out the sweatshirt and lunch box, the drone will fit but I won't be able to use the dividers to create nice, padded slots in the upper part of the bag. This means that the gear will be more disorganized. Alternatively, DJI offers a separate small bag for the drone and that will fit without extra cloths and lunch box.
Gear:
Main Compartment
Nikon Z6ii mirrorless
Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm 5,6
Cleaning kit
Filter kit
2 batteries
Remote shutter release
Small powerbank
Middle-size lunch box (Room for a Sandwich, some snacks, etc
One Thicker sweatshirt
Back Compartment
Smaller laptop 10” (Will fit a 13” but in the larger pocket then)
2 slots for pens
Smaller pocket with mesh and zipper
Enough for cables, Memory cards, and such1 larger slot that runs the whole way down (This is where a 13” laptop can fit)
I stuffed my gloves here since the main compartment is pretty tight with the large telezoom.
Comfort
I must say, the backpack is quite comfortable, especially when packed like in scenario 1. In scenario 2, it starts to feel heavy, but the backpack still manages the weight very nicely. The padded backside feels soft and provides good ventilation. The hip belt is wide and strong enough to carry the weight, and no problems putting more weight on the hips if getting tired in the shoulders. The shoulder straps are also very supportive and soft, even after a whole day in the field.
Conclusion
I have tried numerous backpacks over the years, but none of them have been able to match the durability and reliability of my current one. This backpack has proven to be my go-to choice and workhorse for outdoor activities. It can withstand heavy weight and even harsh weather conditions without any issues. After three years of regular use, it's still going strong. If you're a photographer looking for a backpack for day trips, I highly recommend this one. I have purchased several bags from Lowepro, and all of them have exceeded my expectations with their high-quality standards.