DPRTV: Best Camera Backpacks of 2020

I know first hand how difficult camera backpack shopping can be so I decided to share DPRTV’s 2020 Best Camera Backpacks. It’s a pretty comprehensive list but they mixed small and large bags in the review and I think they should have split them up. I personally decided to go with the 31L Wandrd PRVKE when I needed a travel backpack but there are more great bags out there today and I might have picked the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L if I were buying today. Below is a list of the bags covered and their comments about them from above:

  • All of these bags are good for airline travel and more
  • Wandrd PRVKE 31 Photo Bundle at 1.5KG 3.6Lbs
    • Has a handy roll-top
    • Smallest of all the bags they used today with a hidden pouch
    • Uses a modular system that can be customized
    • This is definitely made for a mirrorless shooter
    • Great tripod holder and lots of secret pouches
    • The roll-top gives you the flexibility to fix extra clothes and food
    • One of the most comfortable bags to carry
    • Loaded out it is 32.5Lbs, but the straps are very well designed
    • There are a waist belt and rain cover that come with the photographer’s bundle
    • With the waist belt on you can flip it around to get access to things in the bag
    • You can also do one strap off and swing the bag around to get access to things insides
    • Might not want to grab it by the straps because it looks like a lot of weight goes on the back zippers when you do, but it is fine to grab the bag by the carry handle
    • Did a rain test and it looks like it should be the most weatherproof and everything inside was dry when testing
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and bone dry inside with a little bit of water on the bottom seem
    • Can do a lot with a small size
  • Shimoda Explore 40 w/ Starter Kit at 1.3KG 2.9Lbs
    • Nice leather zipper tassels
    • Generous side straps
    • Weatherproof expandable pouch with a drawstring
    • Front pouch has drain holes but is also good for putting your laptop
    • Lots of places to put a laptop
    • Modular camera bag
    • Very comfortable bag
    • Fully loaded 32.6Lbs
    • Can be adjusted for your frame height
    • Has a whistle on it
    • Generous waist belt, but you cant tuck it away
    • Distributes weight well
    • Good airflow and breathability
    • Little zipper pouches and D rings to clip ontop
    • Did a rain test and it the water beaded off and a few drops snuck inside
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and wet bottom like many other bags, but nice and dry in the camera cube
    • This is the bag that Jordan would pick because it carries like a hiking bag without looking like one
  • CosySpeed PhotoHiker 44 with cubes at 1.6KG 3.8Lbs
    • Looks like the most serious hiking bag
    • Looks like a full-on technical backpack
    • Tons of space
    • It’s a front access bag
    • Tall cameras are not a problem
    • This bag held the most and it took everything except for the drone
    • Incredible carrying capacity
    • Hiking designed
    • Most comfortable and effective bag
    • Everything is form-fitted well
    • Very breathable
    • Just under 36Lbs fully loaded
    • Laptop storage is limited and doesn’t fit fat laptops well
    • Have to put the bag on the ground to access things
    • Waist belt doesn’t tuck away
    • Affordable
    • Did a rain test and the material got soaked but inside is dry
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and water in the bottom of the bag, but the module has no issue
    • Very surprised at this bag because you can fit so much in it and its useful for a lot of different phogoraphers
  • Manfrotto Manhattan Mover 50 at 1.5KG 3.6Lbs
    • Most urban looking but not a lot of weather sealing
    • Tripod holder on the back but it blocks the laptop case
    • A pouch on the side
    • Back access on the bag
    • Lots of pouches
    • Can be used as a classic backpack
    • Great for urban shoots
    • Thin origami dividers
    • Very light bag that is 28Lbs when fully loaded
    • The straps arent very comfortable
    • The back access pouch you will feel in your back
    • Doesn’t quite fit right for them
    • Not great material used
    • Very easy to get into the bag
    • Affordable and convenient bag
    • Did a rain test and it and the bag got soaked like a wet dog and water was inside the bag
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and it is soaked so only put gear you want to lose in the bottom
    • This is the only bag you have to rush to get the rain cover on
    • Very low price point that might be a great urban bag
  • Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L with 2 cubes at 2KG 4.5Lbs
    • The stealth fighter jet of backpacks with a technological look
    • Holds an impressive amount of stuff with tons of space and they didn’t even have to expand it to fit their stuff
    • Two expansion zippers to get you another 10L
    • Excellent laptop pouch
    • Origami dividers
    • Fully loaded was 36Lbs and the straps are very nice and distribute the weight well
    • Very customizable
    • Waist belt is very thin so you cant flip the bag around and get access to things
    • You have to put it down to open it up
    • Not a lot of breathability
    • Distributes weight very very well
    • Did a rain test and nothing wet inside the bag during testing
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and some water soaked through the material, but the camera cubes give you a second level of protection
    • Does what Manfroto is trying to but much higher quality
  • Atlas Athlete Large Frame at 1.8KG 4Lbs $395
    • An interesting hybrid backpack that’s good for on the go
    • Very much a hybrid bag
    • Tons of space inside thanks to the drawstring seal
    • Has an H2O blatter pouch
    • Back access camera compartment
    • Not a modular bag
    • Can get quite a bit of gear in this bag, but the slot for the body isn’t very large so probably best to stick with mirrorless
    • Light backpack at 4Lbs
    • 32.5Lbs fully loaded
    • Generous waist belt
    • Very comfortable
    • Very easy to carry
    • Good breathability
    • Adjustable waist belt
    • Can trade out of the adventure series belts that give more support
    • Lots of storage beyond camera gear
    • Did a rain test and it wet on the outside, but nice and dry inside
    • The second water test was sitting a few minutes in 15cm of water in a kiddy pool and not bad with almost no water making it into the bag
    • Oozes quality and you will love it if it caries enough gear for you

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