Hitting the trail and streets with camera gear is getting easier every day thanks to innovations in camera backpacks. Great suspension systems — previously only found on serious backpacking packs — customizable camera chambers, laptop sleeves, multiple lash points and much more make hauling bodies, lenses and all the accoutrements for a day shoot easy to carry and access. We tried three top camera backpacks recently and here’s the results:
Chrome Niko Pack – More urban than outdoor, this 23 liter backpack uses a rigid, rectangular shape to contain a nicely customizable interior camera chamber. It was the smallest and lightest in our test. See review.
Lowepro Photo Sport 30L AW – The largest in our test at 30 liters capacity, the Photo Sport 30L boasts a cavernous main storage compartment. Unfortunately, the camera-specific chamber is the least flexible of all, designed for only a single body and telephoto lens. See review.
Mountainsmith Borealis AT – With one of the most cleverly designed camera chambers around, the Borealis AT can haul a ton of gear, multiple bodies and upwards of six lenses. All that capacity comes with a two-pound weight penalty. See review.
Depending on your needs and preferences, one of the above camera backpacks should have you covered. If you run across other products that you find superior (or not so superior) let us know by leaving a comment below.
Thanks for reading another outdoor gear review from GearGuide. And thanks to Chrome, Lowepro, Mountainsmith, Catch and Release Media, Ingrid Niehaus PR and Current for providing product for this review.
