There’s one piece of camera gear that has no impact on the photos themselves yet plays a key role in just how enjoyable that shoot was: the right camera bag. Nothing quite makes photographers miserable faster than a bag that weighs them down and leaves them aching at the end of the day, or doesn’t allow them to quickly reach the right gear. While I’ll use a shoulder bag when packing light with a single body and lens, when I need to carry all my gear, I need a backpack that distributes the weight evenly between my shoulders and hips, rather than a bag that puts all the weight onto a single strap. But the best camera backpacks not only offer comfortable carrying solutions, but an organized way to protect expensive camera gear.
The right camera bag will have comfortable straps — and the largest ones for carrying lots of gear should also have a waist and sternum strap for evenly distributing that heavier weight. And while backpacks are notoriously slower for grabbing out gear than messenger bags, a well-designed bag will still allow fairly quick access to gear and lens swaps. Organization is key too. A camera bag should have not just padded dividers for lenses and bodies, but smaller pockets for filters and memory cards. Roll-top backpacks take this up a notch by adding a flexible space that can carry gear, a jacket or lunch or whatever else you may need to tackle the day.
At the Phoblographer, we’re picky about the bags that we use to carry our gear. We’ve tested hundreds of camera bags and most of them are just average, a few are really terrible, and even fewer are so great that they’ve become our go-to, everyday camera bags. Out of all the bags that we’ve tested, these picks are what we consider the best camera backpacks for photographers. All of these bags were so good, we gave them five stars and an Editor’s Choice award.
While these are our favorite camera backpacks, if you don’t see a bag you love, check out our full list of camera bag reviews here.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
The Phoblographer has been doing real-world photography gear tests longer than any other photography publication currently run. We also have the largest database of real-world lens reviews, amongst other things like straps, camera bags, lights, accessories, and more. Here’s why that matters:
- AI Can’t Do This Job: These days, other publications do roundups, sometimes using generative AI. That’s the same as a person researching products and then making a decision without actually trying it. All of our reviews and guides are written not just by humans but by working photographers — not AI. Computers don’t use cameras, so why would you trust AI to recommend cameras for you?
- Research and Practical Experience: Here at the Phoblographer, humans consult on what roundups to do with guidance from an editor. Then, a human goes through our database of reviews and selects the best products based on our own internal research. The human creating the roundup has practical experience with photography gear and will apply their knowledge of what’s best to the already human-based experience provided in our reviews.
- We Block AI Bots: The Phoblographer blocks indexing bots from reading our site, so what’s here can only be read here.
How we Test and Choose the Best Camera Backpacks
- The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
- If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- When we test lenses, we’ve got various things in mind. First off, we consider who might want to buy the lens and what they might do with it. With that in mind, we try to tackle at least three genres of photography with that lens in a variety of situations. If the lens has weather resistance, then we’ll test it accordingly with a weather-resistant camera. We also test the autofocus of the lens in continuous mode, single mode, with exposure preview effects, without those effects, and then with all the major image quality parameters. These days, no one really makes a bad lens — but some are far better than others.
- In this specific roundup, we’re basing our findings on the reviews that we’ve done. We’re choosing a favorite, but we’re also giving photographers a bunch of others that they might like, depending on how they shoot.
Wandrd PRVKE II: The Best Camera Backpack for Most Photographers
The Wandrd PRVKE II has a near-perfect mix of comfort, organization, durability, and style — I’ve been using it for three years now as my main bag. Access to gear is from a rear panel that unzips fully, both keeping gear protected from pickpockets and offering quick and easy access to every compartment. The top half is an expandable roll-top, but if you need more padded space for gear, Wandrd sells inserts that fit in the top as well as the main bottom compartment. A majority of the bag is made from a waterproof tarpaulin, which is durable yet still looks good, particularly with the range of colors offered. My biggest complaint was simply that the laptop sleeve placement against the back isn’t the most comfortable and that the waist strap is sold separately. Photographers will also need to make sure they pick up the bundle that includes the padded camera cube insert. The bag sells in several sizes, while the Wandrd Lite is a smaller version with the camera dividers built-in.
In our Wandrd PRVKE II review, we state:
“I’m picky about camera bags. I’m one of the last millennials still using a DSLR (or so it seems) — so I’m carrying lots of heavy gear on petite shoulders. But I really loved the updated Wandrd PRVKE II. It’s comfortable, versatile, durable, and still looks great. I can fit a ton of gear in this bag: the roll-top is really like having a second backpack for non-camera gear.”
PROS
- Versatile expanding roll-top
- Comfortable straps and back panel
- Two access points
- The design keeps straps out of the way when accessing gear
- Made from durable, sturdy materials
CONS
- Small objects can fall from the top compartment into the main compartment
- The laptop sleeve is poorly placed
- Lenses with tripod collars are too big to easily get through the side access door
- Without a waist strap, you have to put the bag on the ground for full access to gear.
Compagnon Backpack Gen III: The Best Buy-it-for-life Camera Backpack
The Phoblographer Editor-in-Chief Chris Gampat has been looking for a good camera backpack that uses canvas and leather rather than the cheap athletic look of nylon for years. He found it when he tested the Compagnon Backpack Gen III, which he called “the best backpack I’ve used.” The only reason it isn’t our top pick is the higher price point. But, the bag offers the durability and style that makes it the only camera backpack you’ll need to buy for years to come, making it the perfect choice for photographers tired of fast fashion and looking for a bag that still looks good while keeping gear protected.
In our Compagnon Backpack Gen III review, we said:
“Want to not look like every single dude rocking Patagonia? Cool. This is the backpack for you. Especially if you’re still into fitness and need to look actually stylish on your shoots or at your meetings. The Compagnon Backpack Gen III sports canvas and leather, along with straps galore. You can even add more if you wish. The rolltop makes access and separating out gear pretty easy, and overall, this is incredibly comfortable. More importantly, my gear was always safe and I had no issues running upstairs to catch subways even with it on and fully loaded.”
PROS
- Well built
- Canvas and leather
- Great warranty
- Surprisingly comfortable
- Lots of dividers
- Stylish
- Lots of pockets and places to put things
- The rolltop design means that it can accommodate a lot of extra gear
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a waist strap attached to it, you need to buy it separately
The Best Camera Backpack for Travel: Tenba DNA 16
Like a majority of our favorite camera backpacks, the Tenba DNA 16 is an expandable roll-top. But unlike picks like the Wandrd PRVKE II, access to camera gear is a front pocket that pulls out for quick access to lenses. The TSA-approved design means it’s a solid choice for photographers who regularly travel. There are also plenty of pockets, a laptop sleeve, and comfortable straps.
In our Tenba DNA 16 review, we state:
“The Tenba DNA 16 Backpack is, in every way, a great bag for most photographers. Traveling? Well, this can hold a lot of camera gear and maybe even your necessities. Going on a shoot? You can pack pretty much all your necessary studio gear in here. Still use a DSLR? Get a mirrorless camera but, until you do, this will serve you well. We really like the Tenba DNA 16 Backpack and what it provide for passionate and working photographers. Would we buy it? I run into situations where I’d need a bag like this. So honestly, as the site’s Editor in Chief, I’d be stupid not to. But my heart is still with canvas.”
PROS
- Very comfortable, though the first one felt more so.
- Pretty rigid shape gives your gear more protection
- Even when you put a tripod in the side slot, it’s not throwing your back off much, but you may still feel it. It will be even more pronounced if you’re wearing a thick winter jacket.
- I love that Tenba continues to make rolltops.
- Waist strap and sternum straps work great
- Laptop compartment blends seamlessly and is comfortable
- Fairly priced
CONS
- I know TENBA isn’t a fan of canvas but, more so than any other bag, this would’ve been better in Canvas.
- I wish I could carry a tripod on the bottom. The bag could then be even more balanced.
- The camera section’s zipper can snag a bit around the corners. But it’s not all that bad.
Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter: The Best Camera Backpack for Organization
Some camera bags are more organized than others — and with its plentiful pockets, the Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter has plenty of options for organizing a variety of different photography gear. We loved the expandable rolltop, the comfortable straps, and the versatile design. Besides being great for organization, it’s also an excellent option for city dwellers doing a lot of walking or public transit.
In our Gura Gear Kiboko review, we said:
“I don’t think I’ll ever convince a company to make more canvas or hemp bags, but they’ll compromise a bit with me. That’s the result you’re getting with the Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter. This bag gives photographers so much versatility. A rolltop feature lets you expand the bag to carry a ton of gear. Plus, there is a handy side door for access to your primary camera in the bag. In addition to that, it’s insanely comfortable, not only for men but women too. I had one of my friends wear this bag and walk around our local yoga studio. It was fully packed, and she found it pretty comfortable.”
PROS
- Rolltop
- Waterproof material
- Incredibly comfortable
- You can pack an insane amount of gear in here.
- A few different ways to pack a tripod
- Lots of organizational options, though it’s different from how other companies do things.
- A truly great option for a photographer who lives in a city and either uses a bike, walks a lot, or takes public transportation.
CONS
- Gura Gear’s official way of mounting a tripod leaves room for improvement, but there’s another better option.
Bagsmart Camera Backpack: The Best Camera Backpack on a Budget
The best camera backpacks tend to have a high-end price tag to match the durable materials and thoughtful design. But if the backpacks listed above are out of your budget, consider the Bagsmart Camera Backpack. Not only is it made with stylish canvas, but it’s less than $65 too. While we wish it had a waist strap, it’s an affordable bag that looks and feels like it costs much more. It also fits a fair amount of camera gear too.
In our Bagsmart Camera Backpack review, we said:
“The BAGSMART Camera Backpack is a bag that I honestly can’t complain about for the price point at all. I’ve admittedly have had glasses of whiskey more expensive than this thing, and it’s lasted me far longer than those glasses of whiskey have. This is a fantastic camera bag all around. It can hold a lot of stuff, protect your gear, give you ample yet safe access, and is comfortable enough in most instances. It can also hold a heck of a lot of stuff. Whether you’re hiking or going about your business in the city, the BAGSMART Camera Backpack is a solid choice. And even though it has a few flaws, you can’t really complain at this price point.”
PROS
- You can pack a whole lot of gear
- Leather and canvas
- Two locking systems on either the side pocket or the front zippered pocket
- It can hold a tripod and a thermos with no issues
- Very comfortable
- Incredibly well weather sealed
- Pretty stylish
CONS
- The drawstring top isn’t as great as a roll top
- I wish it had a waist strap system
Using this Guide to the Best Camera Backpacks
If you’re considering purchasing anything from this list, consider the following:
- All the product images and sample photos in these roundups are shot by our staff. In fact, we don’t talk about products at length in roundups like this unless we’ve done full reviews of them. But you can surely know that we’ve done all the research ourselves.
- We’d never recommend a product to you that we haven’t tested or that we really didn’t like. You can reference our linked reviews, for more information on this.
Tips on Choosing the Best Camera Backpacks
Choosing the best camera backpack should rely heavily on both your lifestyle and the gear that you use. That means one photographer’s favorite backpack may not be the best choice for another photographer. Before you choose, consider these factors.
- First off, you’ll need a backpack that can accommodate all your gear. If you only have a body and one or two lenses, you can use a smaller, lighter backpack. Look careful at the bag measurements as well as how many lenses its rated for fitting. Make sure the bag is deep enough to fit your gear, but not so deep that your gear will bounce around. If you typically carry non-camera gear as well, look for a bag that has a multi-purpose space too.
- Another factor to consider is whether or not you need to carry larger items like a tripod or laptop.
- Material choice matters. Canvas and leather are far more stylish, while nylon is far more affordable. Some materials are even rated for resisting rain.
- Consider the space in smaller pockets too, particularly if you like to carry a lot of smaller accessories like filters.
- Versatility can be key too. Consider how many different ways the main pocket can be arranged and how versatile the other smaller pockets are.
- Comfort is a key reason for choosing a backpack in the first place. Look for a backpack with well-padded straps. A sternum strap and waist strap can also go a long way. The back panel should also be padded while allowing for some airflow for hot summer days.
Picking the right Camera Backpack for you
- What’s your budget?
- How will you use the product?
- What lighting situations are you in, and how will that affect what you’re doing? Our reviews hyperlinked in this article can help with that.
- Are you traveling a lot with it?
- Will you be using it in a situation that’s a bit rougher?
- Who else uses this product? How are they using it?
- What’s so appealing about this product that I can’t get from what I have already or something else?
- When will I really have time to use this product?
- Where will I bring this product?
- How will this product help bring me joy and joy in my photography?