I tested it a lot Of camera bags. Here are some other products that we really love but that just missed out on our top picks.
Long Weekend Moro Convertible Backpack ($150): I seriously considered replacing our number one backpack, The Jumper by Brevite, with the Morro. It’s very similar in terms of style and organization, but the Morro has an extra pouch and, in my opinion, a nicer design (especially the Moss color). It’s a great backpack that doesn’t claim to be a camera bag, and gives you front and side access to your gear (don’t forget to add the Camera Cube bundle, which adds $70 to your purchase). It’s lightweight, fits a 16″ laptop, and is made of water-resistant materials with a double layer waterproof coating. My only complaint is that the camera cube fits awkwardly and the opening sticks out a bit. If the company makes some changes, this will be my favorite camera backpack for under $200.
Nanuk Backpack N-PVD 30L $300: If you’re planning on carrying a drone, this backpack is a great choice, with a top compartment that can easily store your drone kit. It’s a padded, well-structured bag that comes in several sizes (I tried the 30 litre version). You can put your tripod in the side pocket and secure it with a strap. There’s an easy-to-reach side pocket for quick access to your camera, but I don’t like how you access the main compartment – it’s on the back of the bag, and the shoulder and waist straps are always in the way, which makes it a bit fiddly. Once inside, though, you’ll find a padded sleeve for your laptop or tablet, as well as a zippered pouch for extra items. The main area is spacious, so you can easily store your gear. Tetris The included Velcro dividers keep everything neatly organized.
Clever Supply Camera Sling $224: I love the look of this waxed canvas bag and the glamour of the full grain leather. Classic. elegant The design makes me happy whenever I’m out with my camera. The shoulder strap is comfortable and easy to adjust, and it has three grab handles on the top and sides, so you have lots of carrying options. It fits a Nikon Z 6, two small lenses, and a compact tablet. (It’s under 11 inches, so my OnePlus Pad didn’t fit.) There’s a zippered pouch inside for storage cards, and a zippered pocket on the outside for cables. My main complaint is that it sometimes takes two hands to open the main compartment. The zipper gets caught on a corner, so you have to use your other hand to keep the bag in place. I wish the front pocket had more room, too. When the bag is full, it feels too cramped to fit anything in there.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack $280: This is a slightly larger and more feature-packed version of the Everyday Zip we recommended above. Instead of a full-circumference zipper, there are two zippers on each side and a flap on the top. If you don’t need the extra space on top, you can fasten it down using Peak Design’s MagLatch system. There are various pouches throughout for organization, and even a side pocket that can hold a compact tripod. I tried the 20 liter model, but if you have a lot of gear I recommend the 30 liter model.
Peak Design Everyday Sling $160: The Everyday Sling has long been one of my favorite bags for everyday carry or when heading out for a day of shooting. It has flexible dividers that can be adjusted or removed depending on the organization and storage space you need. It comes in 3, 6, and 10 liter sizes. The 10 liter version fits a 13″ MacBook Pro, charger, and FujiFilm X-Pro 2 camera. If you need room for additional lenses or a larger camera body, you may want to skip the MacBook. It can get a little cramped. —Jayna Gray
$200 Hex Backloader Backpack: I usually prefer side access bags, but I’ve been very happy with the Hex Backloader. Yes, you have to remove it from your back to access it. all There’s an access point at the top of the bag for your camera, making it easy to access. The main compartment at the back is very spacious with lots of Velcro dividers, giving you plenty of room for customization. There are lots of mesh pouches and pockets for organization, a padded section at the front that can fit a 15″ laptop, a strap for a tripod on one side, and a pouch for a bottle on the other. It also has a chest strap, making it very comfortable to carry.
Shimoda Explore V2 25 Backpack, $373: I love this backpack, but it’s a bit overpriced. It’s super comfortable to wear because it’s so well padded, and it’s fully waterproof, so your gear is safe and protected. I was able to pack a surprising amount of items into it, given its relatively slim size (all accessible from the back). It even holds my tripod in a side deployant pocket that cinches securely with a strap. My camera is accessible from the side, and there are plenty of organizational pockets (I love the little pouch on the arm strap). There’s also a padded sleeve for a 13″ laptop.
Wotancraft Scout Daily Camera Bag 9L $299: I always like Wotancraft’s designs when it comes to stylish messenger bags, and the Scout is no exception. It’s made from durable Cordura, with cowhide leather on the flap straps. The main compartment is spacious and separated by a sturdy divider, and there’s also a padded laptop pouch that’s just big enough to fit a 13-inch MacBook Air. The two front pouches are great for casually storing small items, but don’t offer much organization. There’s a luggage pass-through and a zippered pocket on the back, but no side pockets and no easy way to mount a tripod.
Ona The Bowery Compact Messenger Bag, $209: I’ve owned this bag (the black waxed canvas version) for seven years and it’s still in great condition. It’s attractive and perfect for quick outings. It has ample padding and dividers to protect your gear. It fits just one camera and a spare lens. In the back pouch, I keep my Nintendo Switch and/or Kindle. In the front pouch, I tuck cables, batteries, and SD cards into. Unfortunately, the two side pockets are too tight to fit anything larger than a pen or a microfiber cloth. There’s one advantage: you can quickly remove the straps to turn the Bowery into a camera cube and a larger backpack. It comes in a wide variety of colors and materials.
Tenba DNA 16 DSLR Backpack, $230: You can access your camera from the front of this bag, and the compartment folds up like a drawer. There’s plenty of room for a large camera and a few lenses, but don’t forget the padded laptop compartment in the back, the expandable roll-top, and the zippered area for other items. The pockets on both sides easily hold a water bottle and tripod. I took it on a trip to DC and the front is already a little worn, but other than that it’s a great bag.
Manfrotto Pro Light Front Loader Backpack $234: Unzipping the main front compartment gives you access to all your camera gear, which is neatly separated by the included Velcro divider system. This 25L bag is spacious, but does bulge quite a bit on your back, and you might bump into someone in a crowd if you’re not careful. Having side access for your camera is nice, but other than that it’s a rather plain looking pack.
Tenba Fulton V2 16L Backpack, $140: I prefer a bag that gives me quick access to my camera, which is why the Fulton V2 isn’t ranked higher. The only way to get to my camera is to take the bag off and unzip the back compartment. (Technically, you can access this compartment through the rolltop, but it requires undoing a lot of Velcro.) Other than that, it’s a nice little bag that holds a decent amount of gear, with an expandable rolltop for lunch and a change of clothes, a stretchy mesh side pocket for a bottle, and a canvas side pocket that will fit a small tripod. Tenba says the front padded compartment will fit a 16″ laptop, but I only managed to squeeze in a 13″ laptop. It’s waterproof and comfortable to carry.
Lowepro PhotoSport Outdoor Backpack III 15L $155: This pack looks great on the trail, with a removable cube (accessible from the side!) that holds just a small DSLR or mirrorless camera. It can be combined with other hiking gear and has plenty of room for snacks and other things you might need for a short hike (including a 2-liter hydration bladder). It’s made from 75% recycled fabric.
