The Best Camera Backpack of 2025

Best value

The Manfrotto PRO Light Backloader Backpack is perfect for your camera gear but not much else. The main compartment is all camera storage, so you'll have to find somewhere else for additional bulky items, but you can stow smaller gear in the pack's front secondary compartment. This lands the bag a two out of ten on our additional gear rating; however, you can fit an entire kit inside this pack, and it isn't absolutely massive like some of the rest on this list.

The materials are high-quality, from the nylon shell to the metal zipper pulls. The bag includes a fold-out rain protector, too, which scores it an eight out of ten on our waterproofness scale. The fly, which is a perk, doesn't get in your way when you aren't using it. This pack feels like a daypack when you're wearing it, not a massive travel backpack, and has a sleek look, making it easier to blend into your surroundings, whether you're shooting street photography in the city center or taking a hike to the mountains to get a better view of nature. Plus, with dual water bottle pockets, you can bring a travel bottle and a tripod for steady shots and hydration.

• It carries your camera kit and not much else, making packing easy
• The materials are highly durable, and we dig the metal zipper pulls

• The lack of space for additional gear is limiting from a travel perspective
• You may not be able to fit some super large lenses inside without compromise

Best splurge

In testing, we've been referring to the Lowepro Whistler 450 BP AW II as a big boy, as it's pretty large and beefy. At 36 liters, you can stow an entire kit and then some in the well-padded camera section and a fair amount of everyday gear, too, making it a solid option for long weekends. Thanks to that versatility, the pack lands a six out of ten on our extra gear scale, though heavy packers will need additional space.

The pack itself has excellent waterproofness, but the included All Weather Cover makes it nearly impenetrable when added to the pack, landing it at a nine out of ten on our scale. The All Weather Cover can be a little fiddly to get on; however, you get used to it in time. You can attach a lot of gear on the outside, from tripods to shoes or hiking poles, making this one of the more modular packs on this list. Some of those extra features might be overkill for some, but it's handy to have the feature and not need it, then need it and not have it, especially when photography is involved.

The harness system is one of the most comfortable we've tested, even when loaded with gear and extras outside the pack. For a small kit, this pack is overkill; however, if you have a medium amount of camera gear and plan to upgrade, you'll be set for years to come!

• It's large enough to handle the biggest kits
• The pack has excellent waterproofness before you consider the All Weather Cover

• For side quests that don't require your entire kit, it's overkill
• The pack sticks out in an urban setting, making it hard to be stealthy

Best camera backpack for travel

If we were to use one word to describe the Shimoda Explore V2 35 Backpack, we'd choose epic. Though that's a positive, it has a price point and looks to match. This isn't the most budget-friendly pack, and it looks like a travel backpack, which isn't necessarily bad. The materials are highly durable and water resistant, and the included rain cover leads the pack to score a nine out of ten on our waterproofness scale. Thanks to already water-resistant materials, the rain cover has an easier job.

For 35 liters, this pack is quite large, though you can fit an immense amount of gear inside it. In addition to having the option to choose a Core Unit that works for your needs, you can stow extra gear on top of the unit in the main compartment. If you select a smaller cube, you can bring more additional gear, so we rated it a five out of ten on our extra gear system. Whereas we don't recommend using this pack alone for a week-long trip, the most minimalist travelers might be able to accomplish that. No matter which size cube you choose, there will be room for your camera accessories, tech pouch, and extras.

The harness system feels like a hiking pack, which isn't the sleekest look, but it's one of the most comfortable on this list. You can carry your whole kit and travel gear around an unfamiliar city all day long without becoming uncomfortable. The hip belt is removable, which we dig, but it takes up a lot of space, so you have to find a place to stow it if you remove it in transit.

This pack is all the space that most travelers will ever need for photo gear, though some users might feel it's too large for their needs and the size of their camera kit.

• The harness system capably handles all-day use
• It's highly water resistant and includes a rain cover

• The pack isn’t very low-key
• It's one of the more expensive packs on this list

Best camera backpack for airline travel

If you've been looking for a camera backpack for a while, you've probably come across the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2), and for good reason. Peak Design consistently ranks as one of the most innovative photography companies, and their camera backpacks are proof of that. The Everyday Backpack looks sleek, integrates with their camera accessories and gear, and is highly water resistant, even without a rain cover, scoring a seven out of ten on our rating.

The attachment loops on the bottom of the pack work to stow a tripod, and the lash straps on the front work for a jacket or shoes. The laptop sleeve is adjustable for different-sized computers, and there's ample storage for everyday gear, scoring a five out of ten on our scale. The top flap attaches with a MagLatch, and there are four attachment points, so you can tighten or loosen it as you (or your gear) see fit. You can access your camera gear from the top or either side, making grabbing your camera at a moment's notice quick and easy.

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) works equally well for camera or everyday gear, which is unique in the camera backpack market. If you're excited about a day of photography, load up with camera gear. If you're hitting the town, load up with extras for that journey. The Everyday Backpack is versatile, comes in multiple sizes, and works with other Peak Design gear, making it an excellent choice for a traveler looking for an option that flexes with you.

• The pack is highly modular with other Peak Design products
• You can use it as a daypack or a camera bag

• Without investment in other Peak Design gear, some of the features aren't useful
• The look is highly technical, which isn't a cup of tea that everyone will enjoy

Best camera backpack for hiking

The F-Stop Kashmir 2 AIR's rugged look feels a bit out of place in the city; however, the pack's features and comfort make it a solid choice, no matter your destination. At 33L, the pack is a versatile bridge between camera and travel gear, allowing the wearer to bring a full camera kit and enough clothing for a long weekend if it's packed light. This dynamism will work for some travelers and lands a six out of ten on our additional gear scale.

The pack's exterior is highly water resistant. Though it doesn't include a rain cover, it still scores an eight out of ten on our waterproofness scale. In most weather, the Kashmir 2 AIR can handle it. There are multiple ways to attach gear to the pack's exterior, too, and the harness system is comfortable enough to take a long hike or walk through the city all day.

Typically, travel camera backpacks only come in a few colorways, but the F-Stop Kashmir 2 AIR 33L has five options at the time of writing, which we dig.

• It's incredibly comfortable for use all day long
• The exterior utilizes water-resistant materials

• It looks like a hiking pack, which stands out in the city
• You can fit a lot of non-camera gear inside

The WANDRD PRVKE is versatile and comes in three sizes for kits of all configurations. You can access your gear from three points in the pack, making it quick to grab your camera, switch lenses, or put up the drone at a moment's notice. It has a rolltop closure for the main compartment, which can be slow to open, though we appreciate how it looks. Overall, the pack is comfortable, even with extra gear loaded inside, and getting to your gear is easy, though how much you can stow inside depends on which size pack you go with. The larger the pack, the more camera (and daily) gear you can fit inside.

WANDRD's rain fly doesn’t come standard with the pack, though we think it’s a worthy add-on since it increases the bag's weather resistance. With the rain fly, we'd rate this pack an eight out of ten for waterproofness; however, without it, it only scores a six out of ten, as there are many avenues for water to sneak inside.

As for carrying additional gear, we rate this pack a five out of ten, as you can't get by with just this pack for most trips. If you go with the largest, 41-liter model, you might be able to make it work, but the separation between sections isn't easy to manipulate, and we prefer to use this bag just for our camera kit and accessories, not travel gear. Still, for a daily, everyday carry bag, it performs well.

• The rolltop closure is unique and isn't the only access point
• There are multiple sizes for kits of different scopes

• The rolltop closure is slow to open
• The rain fly isn't included

The Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack is the pack on this list that's most like a regular backpack, which has its pros and cons. It doesn't look like a photography backpack, which helps you blend into the crowd more and deters theft. That said, as it doesn't look like a camera backpack, it doesn't have extra modularity and gear storage features on the exterior that other packs on this list have, making it less useful for many photographers. Additionally, it isn't very weatherproof, offering little protection against rain, scoring a three out of ten on our scale. For casual shooters, this isn't an issue—it'll matter more if you're going on assignment to the rainiest places on earth.

There are two versions of this pack, an 18-liter and a 22-liter version, which is nice, but we wish there were a larger difference in the sizes. You can't fit that much more in the larger size, though we do appreciate an extra lens or two. The inside of the pack is designed like a standard main compartment with camera dividers, which is unique. The more camera gear you bring, the less space there is for non-photo-related gear, landing a four out of ten on our scale. The pack isn't the most comfortable option when fully loaded, though it fares well with less gear stowed inside.

The biggest selling points of this pack are that it can be used for all regular gear in a pinch, it has a raised laptop compartment (though it is only barely raised), and it looks like a regular backpack, which is an underrated feature for photographers trying to keep a low profile.

• You can use it as a standard backpack or a camera bag
• It doesn't look like a camera backpack, so you can blend in more

• There's only a four-liter difference between sizes
• The laptop compartment is barely raised, so your computer still might hit the ground

The NOMATIC X Peter McKinnon Luma Camera Pack 18L is unique-looking compared to other packs on this list, but it is still sleek and offers good water resistance. The interior has many dividers, making organizing your camera gear easy and providing solid protection from drops and bumps. Three access points to your camera gear make it quick and easy to get your camera at a moment's notice. The pack doesn't have strap keepers, which can sometimes make the bag feel unruly, but the overall look and carry experience are sleek.

As mentioned, the pack offers solid waterproofness, though there's no rain cover, so it isn't as good as others on this list, scoring a six out of ten. In light rain, it's not an issue. You should head for cover if there's consistent precipitation over an extended period. At 18L, there's a good amount of space for camera gear but not much room for extras, so we've given the additional gear rating a three out of ten. If you stow gear on top of the shelf in the main compartment, that erases one of your camera access points, which is worth considering when packing the bag.

• It's small enough for daily use
• The look is subdued and low-key

• It doesn’t have strap keepers
• The shoulder straps aren't perfect for all body types

The Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II looks tactical or military-esque, and we're here for it. After all, your camera gear is likely the most expensive gear you bring on your trip, so you might as well protect it. The exterior is thick, padded, and durable, ensuring your gear stays safe from anything you might throw at it. The protection comes at a cost, as this is one of the heaviest packs we've tested. Still, it's worth the extra pounds for those worried about protecting their investment.

In addition to high-quality materials, the Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II includes an All Weather Cover, adding to the pack's waterproofness and landing it at an eight out of ten on our scale. There isn't much room for extra gear in this pack, so it scores a four out of ten. That makes it a solid choice for camera gear and a few extra goodies, but not an all-in-one travel backpack. Still, you can fit your entire kit here along with your daily essentials, which is worth commending. Plus, who doesn't need all that PALS webbing for MOLLE attachments?

• The materials are highly durable
• The PALS webbing makes attaching additional gear easy

• It's one of the heaviest packs we've tested
• The military-esque isn’t for everyone

We've seen many comments online that PGYTECH borrows features from other brands for the OneMo 2 Backpack; however, in testing, there are a few aspects of this camera backpack we haven't seen anywhere else. The main compartment holds all camera gear, including a camera cube you can remove and wear as a sling for excursions where you don't want to (or can't) bring a backpack. This adds versatility to the pack, as you have two bags in one.

Though the main compartment is all camera gear, there's an expandable front pocket with loads of space for extras, like clothing, accessories, or pouches. You can zip the pocket away when not in use, so it isn't in your way when operating in tight spaces. Because of this expandable pocket, you can use this pack for travel or as a liaison between your rolling luggage and sling. With one pack, you've got a travel backpack, camera backpack, camera cube, and sling.

The materials are highly water resistant, though there's no rain cover included, landing it at a seven out of ten on our scale. The zippers have PU coatings, which ensure your gear stays dry in most weather conditions.

This pack might be too much for your needs if you don't have a massive camera kit. However, if you travel with a lot of camera gear and are constantly trying to find a balance between a camera backpack, a camera cube, a camera sling, and a travel backpack, this is the bag for you!

• The expansion compartment is incredibly handy for travel situations
• It includes an internal camera cube you can remove and use a sling

• The pack is quite heavy thanks to all the added features
• Some users claim the brand copies other companies

NOMATIC has manufactured multiple bags with photographer Peter McKinnon. These packs offer insights from a professional photographer and NOMATIC's bag designers, so there are features here we don't see on other packs. The external attachment loops are handy for adding gear but don't stick out on the pack and look sleek. All the zippers are waterproof, adding extra water resistance to an already highly resistant pack, which scores a seven out of ten on our scale. The back panel is dense and not as cushioned as others on this list; however, in the long term, we find it more comfortable for all-day use, which is better for working photographers on their feet all day.

You can't stow much else besides camera gear here, landing a four out of ten on our extra gear scale. The handles on the pack are well-padded, so it's easy to grab and go without much discomfort. That's good, as there will be a lot of weight in this pack since you can stow a lot of camera gear inside 25 liters. The pack is quite large for that capacity, though most of that is due to the dense padding around the pack, which offers adequate protection for your camera gear from the inevitable bumps and knocks that come with photography and travel.

• It's well-padded on all sides, offering solid protection
• The materials are weather-resistant, and the zippers feature a PU coating

• There's not a lot of room for extra gear
• The logo is larger than we'd like