Camera backpacks do not only allow you to protect and comfortably carry lots of gear over an extended period, but it also offers you fast access to everything you need at the same time. Whether you’re a professional photographer going on a backcountry excursion, or an eager beginner who wants to carry your camera and other gadgets, it’s imperative that you only choose the best DSLR camera bag for travel. Choose what will give you comfort but also security and ease of access to everything. With that, here are the 7 best DSLR camera bags for travel.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack- Travel Camera Bag | NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack- Travel Camera Bag makes an excellent choice for every adventure as it allows you to pack your camera gear and clothing all in the same bag. The quality and design are top-notch and made to deliver the best backpacking experience. It can handle plane travel abuse for years. | ||
| AmazonBasics DSLR and Laptop Backpack | AmazonBasics DSLR and Laptop Backpack were designed to securely hold your photo and editing tools while on the move. It boasts a customizable interior that would protect two SLR camera bodies, 3-4 lenses, a 17-inch laptop, and additional smaller accessories. Most importantly, this bag is much more affordable compared to others but still gives you comfort and security. | ||
| Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-26 Camera Bag Backpack | Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-26 Camera Bag Backpack is a multi-purpose camera backpack that allows three ways to wear and carry different professional photo and video camera gears. By smartly rearranging the dividers inside, you can choose to store photo gear or video gear in it, either in photo mode, video mode, or sling mode. | ||
| Vanguard Havana 41 Compact System Camera | Vanguard Havana 41 Compact System Camera is your ultimate companion while strolling through the busy streets or something more adventurous. All these while making sure that you have easy access to your camera, so you’ll always be able to snap a photo at a moment’s notice. This high-quality camera backpack offers a well-padded insert in the lower compartment containing a DSLR with lens attached, 1-2 lenses, a flash, and other accessories. | ||
| Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II – A Travel-Ready Backpack | Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II – A Travel-Ready Backpack boasts a next-generation design that includes enhanced protection with a built-in All Weather AW Cover and CradleFit device compartment. What’s more, it also has three primary storage zones that keep your gears and other belongings organized and ready for modern travel’s fast pace. | ||
| GOgroove Full-Size DSLR Photography Backpack Case | GOgroove Full-Size DSLR Photography Backpack Case allows you to store, transport, and protect your DSLR or Mirrorless camera, and can carry up to five lenses, including other gears. The backpack is specially designed with heavy-duty buckles, handles, and zippers built to last in any condition. | ||
| Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR Cameras | Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR Cameras features adjustable, padded dividers. It lets you customize the main compartment to the various combinations of cameras and lenses you need on your daily adventures. |
Detailed Reviews on the 7 Best DSLR Camera Bags for Travel
NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack- Travel Camera Bag
NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack- Travel Camera Bag makes an excellent choice for every adventure as it allows you to pack your camera gear and clothing all in the same bag. The quality and design are top-notch and made to deliver the best backpacking experience. It can handle plane travel abuse for years.
Product Highlights
NOMATIC McKinnon bag sports a small, foldable and removable divider that lets you customize and organize your gear with its magnetically closed side pockets. It also comes with a sturdy slip to slide the bag over your luggage hand-holder and has plenty of pockets for organization, while maintaining a sleek, black design.
The Good
This best DSLR camera bag for travel allows you to pack and protect everything you need for your camera while leaving a spacious room in a separate compartment for your clothing to pack for a 1-5 day trip. It allows you to quickly access your camera with a convenient side pocket or unzip for full access to the entire camera compartment. Apart from that, the bag also comes with a separate laptop compartment that fits laptops up to 16″, and several useful pockets that can be used to store cords, chargers, or anything else you need to bring in a trip.
The Bad
This best DSLR camera bag for travel allows you to pack and protect everything you need for your camera while leaving a spacious room in a separate compartment for your clothing to pack for a 1-5 day trip. It allows you to quickly access your camera with a convenient side pocket or unzip for full access to the entire camera compartment. Apart from that, the bag also comes with a separate laptop compartment that fits laptops up to 16″, and several useful pockets that can be used to store cords, chargers, or anything else you need to bring in a trip.
PROs
- Dual-purpose, part travel backpack, part camera bag
- Removable folding dividers, expansion, and external carry straps allow you to pack your things any way you want.
CONs
- NOMATIC camera bag could be heavy, weighing 6 pounds with no gear.
- The bag can only be used for light travel or hiking but not on big trips.
AmazonBasics DSLR and Laptop Backpack
AmazonBasics DSLR and Laptop Backpack were designed to securely hold your photo and editing tools while on the move. It boasts a customizable interior that would protect two SLR camera bodies, 3-4 lenses, a 17-inch laptop, and additional smaller accessories. Most importantly, this bag is much more affordable compared to others but still gives you comfort and security.
Product Highlights
The AmazonBasics DSLR and Laptop Backpack can carry many camera gears, including Canon 5D Mark IV and several lenses, including the Canon 400mm f5.6 L lens. Furthermore, this best DSLR camera bag for travel also comes with handy clips on the side to easily attach your tripod. The bag’s adjustable, heavily padded shoulder straps, and wide, yet elastic waist and chest straps make the backpack comfortable to use even when loaded with all your gear.
The Good
Although the AmazonBasics backpack is not waterproof, its material is thick enough to require a significant amount of prolonged and heavy rain before it breaches the bag. What’s more, the brand includes a convenient rain cover that you can pull over the bag to make sure that your belongings stay dry.
The Bad
Accessibility might be one of the bag’s main weaknesses, especially once the rain cover is fitted. When getting your gear, it will require you to take the bag off and entirely unzip the cover because your camera body must be stored at the bottom. Besides, the padding in the straps and back is not incredibly thick and feels cheap, especially if the bag has been used for a longer time, as it tends to become compressed, offering weaker support.
PROs
- Can carry two SLR camera bodies, 3-4 lenses, a 17-inch laptop, and additional smaller accessories.
- The middle section of the bag, which is intended for the camera, also offers plenty of room.
- Other compartments of the bag can adjust with the Velcro dividers that allow extra space for laptop charger while still packing various lenses, business cards, international plug adapters, and cables.
CONs
- Accessibility might be one of the bag’s most significant weaknesses, especially once the rain cover is thoroughly worn.
- The padding in the straps and back tends to be thin, offering weaker support.
Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-26 Camera Bag Backpack
Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-26 Camera Bag Backpack is a multi-purpose camera backpack that allows three ways to wear and carry different professional photo and video camera gears. By smartly rearranging the dividers inside, you can choose to store photo gear or video gear in it, either in photo mode, video mode, or sling mode.
Product Highlights
This water-repellent camera bag can hold a DSLR, up to five lenses, and a flash between padded, touch-fastened dividers inside a triple-entry camera compartment at the base. Further, given that this modular backpack harness converts from a left-handed to right-handed sling, it offers three options for entry into the camera compartment: one from the left side, right side, and from the middle, respectively. What’s more, these options can be opened independently while the others stay closed, or all compartments can also be opened simultaneously.
The Good
The backpack’s top compartment comes with an interior organizer with numerous pockets for further organizing your gear. Additionally, when storing your accessories, dual-sided zip pockets and dual front zip pockets are provided, giving a spacious storage compartment at the top.
The Bad
According to several reports, it was found that accessibility is one of the bag’s weaknesses as opening and closing it could be cumbersome. Configuring the partitions for the camera and heavy zoom lens placement could also be a challenge.
PROs
- Comes with a rain cover that features a silver fabric that helps diverts sunlight to keep your gear from overheating
- The bag’s waist belt keeps the pack close to your body and shares some load as well.
CONs
- Accessibility is one of the bag’s weakness as it opening and closing it could be cumbersome.
- Configuring the partitions for the camera and heavy zoom lens placement could also be troublesome.
Vanguard Havana 41 Compact System Camera
Vanguard Havana 41 Compact System Camera is your ultimate companion while strolling through the busy streets or something more adventurous. All these while making sure that you have easy access to your camera, so you’ll always be able to snap a photo at a moment’s notice. This high-quality camera backpack offers a well-padded insert in the lower compartment containing a DSLR with a lens attached, 1-2 lenses, a flash, and other accessories.
Product Highlights
This best DSLR camera bag for travel boasts a dedicated compartment for a 13″ laptop. It also has a spacious top compartment for other essentials, two zippered pockets, a media pouch, and two side pockets that can be used to dock and secure a small tripod or carry your water bottle. Additionally, you can guarantee that your belongings would stay dry with the bag’s total coverage rain cover should you be caught in a downpour.
The Good
Havana 41 can easily be carried using its top handle or the adjustable, padded shoulder harness. Further, for improved stability, the bag also comes with a center chest strap that connects the shoulder harness straps, while the back part is also padded for added comfort and support. Simultaneously, to improve interior visibility when locating your gear in low light, the backpack’s interior features a light gray 150D polyester and velvet.
The Bad
If you’re planning to bring heavy gears for a big trip, this bag might not be for you as it can only support light to medium traveling essentials. Plus, some plastic parts of the bag may display signs of wear and tear over time.
PROs
- It comes with a memory card pouch sewn inside the front wall of the front compartment, and it also comes with two clear, slip-in pockets with a touch-fastening flap.
- It features a well-padded camera insert and dividers, and can also be transformed into an everyday backpack at the same time.
CONs
- This bag might not be for you as it can only support light to medium traveling essentials.
- Some plastic parts of the bag may display signs of wear and tear over time.
Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II – A Travel-Ready Backpack
Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II – A Travel-Ready Backpack boasts a next-generation design that includes enhanced protection with a built-in All Weather AW Cover and CradleFit device compartment. What’s more, it also has three primary storage zones that keep your gears and other belongings organized and ready for modern travel’s fast pace.
Product Highlights
The BP 250 AW II comes with three padded and zippered compartments that can be used for storing and protecting your gear. The top is intended for personal items such as headphones, clothing, and snacks. At the same time, the rear compartment is for holding a laptop up to 15″ and a tablet. The side compartment, which includes three padded dividers, is intended for storing your DSLR camera with an attached zoom lens and 2-3 extra lenses or flash units. For smaller items like flashlights, sunglasses, cables, pens, cellphones, and a wallet, the backpack also features five slip-in pockets that can be found inside the top compartment. Next to these pockets is a lanyard with a swiveling clip for your keys.
The Good
This best DSLR camera bag for travel also sports an adjustable strap for securing the top of the tripod/ monopod. Further, the Fastpack features a shoulder harness with a chest strap and a removable waist belt. It provides greater comfort and stability, especially with heavier loads and longer treks.
The Bad
Even when it’s empty, this backpack could still be heavy, weighing 7.1 ounces. Plus, it was found that the BP 250 AW II has a weak chest strap, and the tripod strap, which is separate from the bag, is easy to lose.
PROs
- It comes with three spacious storage zones, plus a built-in all-weather cover.
- It features 3 padded interior dividers for organizing photo gear in the lower side compartment.
CONs
- The bag weighs 7.1 ounces, so it could still be bulky even when it’s empty.
- It has a weak chest strap, and the tripod strap, which is separate from the bag, is also easy to lose.
GOgroove Full-Size DSLR Photography Backpack Case
GOgroove Full-Size DSLR Photography Backpack Case allows you to store, transport, and protect your DSLR or Mirrorless camera, and can carry up to five lenses, including other gears. The backpack is specially designed with heavy-duty buckles, handles, and zippers built to last in any condition.
Product Highlights
The Photography Backpack Case is made from high-quality nylon and fabric construction and always reinforced with thick padding to protect your device. At the same time, the padded shoulder straps and back also offer a comfortable and lightweight feel. Additionally, the pack also comes with tuck-away shoulder straps that allow you to wear the bag on one or both shoulders, depending on your needs.
The Good
GOgroove backpack offers a selection of zips and buckles that give the bag that authentic ‘working photographer’ look. It is equipped with Velcro dividers that let you customize the camera compartment and store your equipment however you prefer. The bag’s customizable design is loaded with many user-friendly features, including accessory pockets, rain cover, tripod foot holder, luggage handle slot, and more!
The Bad
When the bag is full, the straps may start to cut into your shoulders after an hour or two, making it an ideal backpack for walks with the dog and family or carrying kit around town as long as the load isn’t hefty. Further, the bag can only offer a light to medium level of protection.
PROs
- Shoulder straps allow you to wear the bag on one or both shoulders and across your chest as a sling.
- Carry your DSLR Camera Backpack by either using the top handle, trolley handle slot, or wear it with the padded, adjustable shoulder straps and connector.
CONs
- When the bag is full, the straps may start cutting into your shoulders.
- The bag can only offer light to medium level of protection.
Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR Cameras
Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR Cameras features adjustable, padded dividers. It lets you customize the main compartment to the various combinations of cameras and lenses you need on your daily adventures.
Product Highlights
The Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack features a soft, padded, cross-body strap that can be worn comfortably and rotated to bring the bag to the body’s front. The top compartment above it is intended to hold the flashes and other accessories, while the zippered interior pockets in both compartments are used to safely store batteries and cards. What’s more, is that the bag has a tripod holder on the side.
The Good
This Altura camera bag’s main compartment is specially designed to hold a DSLR and regular zoom lens. Besides, additional dividers are also included to customize your bag for your gear, and its mesh zippered pockets make an ideal space for storing small items. This best DSLR camera bag for travel is a smart choice for any photographer engaged in journalism that constantly needs a quick and efficient transport of gears.
The Bad
Despite its compact size, the bag might offer a tight space as it may not have as many pockets or compartments as other bags. Furthermore, the bag is not waterproof, so you might need to ready a separate cover for it, should you be caught in bad weather.
PROs
- It’s lightweight and is compact sized.
- It allows for quick and easy access to your paraphernalia through the zippered side opening.
CONs
- The bag might have a tight space as it may not have as many pockets or compartments as other bags.
- It’s not waterproof, unlike its contemporaries.
Conclusion
So now, the question is, how do you choose the best DSLR camera bag for travel? You see, it largely depends on what gear you carry, where you shoot, and how you intend to get there. Quality in terms of build, materials, and design is essential to keep you and your equipment safe are just some of the things you need to consider. Know more about camera bags.