Remember when back-to-school meant shopping with your mom for a sweet new backpack? Those were the days. And, actually, those should still be the days, because camera backpacks are pretty cool and smart.
The more popular messenger-style camera bags are great for when you’re swapping lenses out in a pinch, but beware: The single-strap style can spell big pain in your back. Not only do most photographers have a dominant hand (and thus, they rarely switch the side they wear their bags on), they tend to pack a lot of heavy stuff — which is hard on your shoulders. Luckily, more and more camera bag makers are developing functional (and even stylish) camera packpacks which can not only save your spine, but also make it a lot easier for outdoor photographers to trek into the wild with their hands and arms free.
Here are just a handful of the camera backpacks today’s shooter has to choose from:
ThinkTank StreetWalker® Camera Backpack
Designed more for urban travelers than hardcore outdoor photographers, this bag looks much bigger than it is — and that’s a good thing, if you’re trying to squeeze onto a crowded subway. It’s also a perfectly-sized carry-on, because who wants to check their most precious pieces of gear?
Clik™ Elite Klettern
Haul a ton of stuff without feeling the weight of the world with this tough-yet-comfortable bag, which combines stylish elements like leather accents must-have, study features, like its waterproof layer.
Ona: The Bolton Street
This unassuming unisex pack isn’t bulky, but that doesn’t mean it can’t carry its fair share. A side-access pocket allows you to get to your gear quickly, but the two straps make it a much comfier (and cuter) option than heavy shoulder-bags.
Timbuk2 Espionage Camera Pack
Waterproof, surprisingly compact, and made especially for DSLR photographers, this useful bag offers padded compartmentsthat you can customize to carry all of your accessories and personal stuff, plus camera bodies, lenses, flash kit, and basically anything else you want. Oh, plus, it’s got a lifetime warranty.
Lowepro Flipside 300 Digital SLR Backpack
If lean and mean (and affordable) is what you want, this little dude is the pick for you. Check out the removable accessory pack and super-useful entry compartment that makes it easy to access your stuff, without spilling all over. It’s also water-resistant, so a little rain shouldn’t dampen your shoot.
Filson Photographer’s Backpack
Nothing says classic, rugged style like Filson, and this backpack is no exception. With an extra space for your laptop and a hidden zipper to keep all your gear safe, this ultra-stylish workhorse is a real prize.
