Why is it so difficult to find good camera bags that are great for backpacking and hiking, that also keep your camera safe, and still look great on you?
Most camera backpacks out there are either very good at being a camera bag, but not so much for travel, or they are great for travel but not great for keeping your camera safe. It's never both.
As a travel blogger who likes taking photos while exploring new countries, going off into the wild, and hiking around the backcountry all the time, I decided to set out on a search for camera bags that will keep my camera gear safe and give me the flexibility to use it for hiking as well as backpacking.
And I have found 10 awesome backpacks that I would like to recommend today for those of you who are travel photographers, hikers, and backpackers. Without further ado, here are the 10 best camera bags for hiking, backpacking, and travel that you should buy for your next photography trip.
- 🎒 Quick Summary: The best camera bags for hiking and backpacking
- 1. Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack
- 2. Wandrd PRVKE Backpack
- 3. Think Tank Rotation Backpack
- 4. Peak Design Everday Backpack Zip
- 5. Shimoda Explore Backpack
- 6. Moment Strohl Mountain Light Backpack
- 7. Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack
- 8. Moment DayChaser Backpack
- 9. Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack
- 10. Langly Weekender Backpack
- 👍 What Makes a Great Camera Bags for Hiking and Backpacking?
- Further Reading for Resources
🎒 Quick Summary: The best camera bags for hiking and backpacking
| Product | |||
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🏅 Editor's Choice
Most Beautiful
Langly Alpha Globetrotter
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Features
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Check PriceRead Our Review |
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Most Feature-Rich
Wandrd PRVKE Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Easiest Camera Access
Think Tank Rotation Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best Minimal Design
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best For Backpacking
Shimoda Explore Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best For Hiking
Moment Strohl Mountain Light Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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💰 Great Value
Best For City
Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best For General Use
Moment DayChaser Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best For Long Treks
Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
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Best For Day Trips
Langly Weekender Backpack
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
1. Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack
- Plenty of pockets
- Stylish as hell.
- Can fit most camera gear with space left for other travel essentials.
- Water-resistant.
- 2.3 kg out of the box, quite heavy.
- Many dangling straps
- There is a lack of side straps.
- Expensive.
The Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack is one hell of a stylish camera backpack. With its multiple pockets, vintage-looking exterior, and water-resistant fabric, the Alpha Globetrotter backpack is definitely one of my favorite backpacks on this list.
The Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack comes with a camera compartment that can fit 5 lenses and one camera body in the lower part of the bag, which you can quickly access with a zipper.
The upper compartment is for all the other travel essentials, like your hiking jackets and snacks, which fit exactly what we are looking for in a great travel camera backpack.
Not to mention its ventilated shoulder and chest straps, air channels allowing air to flow through your back, and compartments for your other electronics, the Alpha Globetrotter camera backpack is definitely one of the best camera bags for hiking and backpacking.
It comes in 3 colors: black, brown, and forest green, and the dimensions are 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 29.5 x 20 cm). Additionally, it weighs 1,814g, which is quite heavy. Apart from its weight, my other gripes with the bag are that it is quite pricey and there are no good ways to carry a water bottle.
If you like a good-looking, stylish camera backpack that is great for hiking, this is a great one to get. Click the link below to check the latest price for the Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack.
2. Wandrd PRVKE Backpack
- Innovative features designed with photographers in mind.
- Beautiful and minimal.
- Comes in three sizes and a handful of colors.
- Roll-top compartment, allowing for greater expandability.
- Expensive.
- The material is easily scratched.
- You have to pay extra for camera cubes.
The Wandrd PRVKE Backpack is another great camera backpack that looks as capable as it is modern and beautiful. The backpack is specifically designed for photographers, with features like quickdraw side access, a modular camera compartment, several internal organization panels for cables and batteries, as well as a hidden passport and cash pocket right behind the back panel, making it one of the best bags for backpackers and travelers.
What makes the Wandrd PRVKE Backpack unique is its expandable roll-up top, which is an ingenious way to add more space for other travel essentials like clothes and jackets to a highly capable camera bag.
The camera bag comes in 3 colors: black, green, and blue, and it also comes in 4 different sizes for you to choose from. If you are an extremely light traveler, you can opt for the 11L lite version. On the other hand, if you are carrying a lot of cameras and lenses, you can go all the way up to the 41L version, which is great.
All in all, if you are looking for a highly technical camera bag that comes packed with many features and looks great both in the city and out in the wild, I highly recommend you take a look at the Wandrd PRVKE Backpack and check the price with the link below.
3. Think Tank Rotation Backpack
- Easily accessible camera cube without having to set your bags down.
- Surprisingly, lightweight.
- Made with water-resistant material.
- Very Expensive.
- Not very beautiful.
Think Tank Rotation Backpack is another camera bag with an ingenious design that surpasses all the other camera bags when it comes to easy camera access.
The Think Tank Rotation Backpack comes with a genius hip belt attached to a camera compartment technology that allows you to simply rotate the belt to quickly move the camera compartment at the bottom of the backpack to the front of the hip belt, allowing you easy access to all your cameras and lenses without having to take off the bag.
If you are a run-and-gun type of photographer, you are going to find the rotating camera compartment extremely useful. The bag has the usual features like a water-repellent exterior, breathable back panel, hooks and straps for camera and hiking gear, and other features you can come to expect on a backpack designed for hiking.
But, unlike other hiking backpacks, the Think Tank Rotation Backpack actually looks pretty minimal and clean, with not a whole lot of straps hanging out like other hiking backpacks.
If you are looking for a camera backpack with the best quick access camera compartment, I highly recommend you check out this backpack and click the link below to see the latest price.
4. Peak Design Everday Backpack Zip
- Comfortable to carry.
- Packed with features and compartments, it is designed for photographers.
- Maintain its shape.
- Minimal design.
- Doesn't carry as much.
- Might be too overly designed for most users.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip is a photographer's favorite, and for good reason. Peak Design is well-known for its highly technical and inventive camera gear, and like all their other well-designed equipment, their camera travel backpacks come with a slew of features that you won't find in any other backpacks.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip comes in 4 colors: black, ash, midnight, and bone, and in 2 sizes: 15L and 20L. The bottom compartment is designed for your camera and 2 lenses, while the top compartment is for all your other travel essentials, such as clothes and jackets.
It has a dual-camera side access, which is great for both left and right-handers. It has a ton of zippered pockets all over the backpack, with expandable side pockets for a tripod and a water bottle. Additionally, it has a beautifully minimal design that maintains its shape even when it's empty.
If you are looking for a camera bag that is not too big, allows you to carry 2 lenses and a camera, and is discreetly designed without catching the attention of undesirable characters when you travel, this is the one to get. Click the link below to check the latest price.
5. Shimoda Explore Backpack
- Comfortable to carry.
- Can carry a lot of camera gear as well as other travel essentials. Perfect for backpacking.
- Very beautiful and minimal design.
- Comes in many sizes.
- Expensive.
The Shimoda Explore Backpack is probably one of the prettiest hiking-style camera backpacks on this list. The backpack is designed specifically for backpackers and hikers who are looking for a camera and hiking backpack that can perform very well on both subjects.
The Shimoda Explore Backpack comes in stunning Blue Nights and Army Green colors and 3 available sizes: 25L, 30L, and 35L. The backpack comes with quick camera side access, well-fitted adjustable straps, which are essential for hiking, and a core unit modular camera insert, allowing you to rearrange the camera compartment however you like and keep your camera safe while having plenty of space left for other things.
It doesn't have a side pocket for a water bottle, but it does come with a hydration pack compartment for water, which I highly prefer over side pockets when it comes to full-blown hiking trips. The camera bags are also coated with Carbonate Ether, providing exceptional water resistance from both exterior water and interior condensation.
If you are looking for a backpack that is lightweight, durable, and comes with all the features you can expect from a great camera bag for your next hiking and adventure trips, the Shimoda Explore Backpack is the one to get.
6. Moment Strohl Mountain Light Backpack
- Extremely comfortable to carry.
- Lightweight (1 kg), perfect for hiking.
- Very beautiful and minimal design.
- Might be too big for some.
- Often back ordered.
Moment Strohl Mountain Light Backpack is a newly released camera backpack by Moment, one of the most genuine camera accessories and gear companies out there. They have designed this camera backpack from the ground up to be used in the outdoors and withstand whatever the world throws at it.
The backpack is built with an extremely light fabric material that is not only durable and waterproof but also makes the backpack one of the lightest 45L backpacks out there, weighing only 1 kg in total.
The back panel and shoulder straps are also designed for total comfort, making it great for hiking and camping. A complete set of the backpack also comes with a camera insert and a light camera loader, where you can quickly store your camera in a hip pouch, making it extremely convenient to use your camera on the go.
If you are looking for a camera backpack for hiking and camping, I highly recommend you take a look at the Moment Strohl Mountain Light Backpack. It comes in three colors: black, blue, and the stunning yellow.
7. Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack
- Small and compact.
- Discrete look
- Comes in a ton of colors.
- Can fit more than it seems.
- Relatively affordable.
- Not as flexible as other camera bags.
- The exterior can often become dirty quite quickly.
The Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack is a 15L everyday camera bag that is perfect for those who are looking for a camera backpack that isn't overly large like the rest on this list.
Do not let the size fool you, though. The Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack can pack a lot more than you think, with a space dedicated to your mirrorless camera and the ability to carry up to 2 lenses.
You can also strap a tripod and carry a water bottle as well, with room to spare for your other travel essentials. Its minimal design also makes for a great stealthy backpack that doesn't look like a camera bag and will help avoid unwanted attention.
Plus, it comes in a variety of fun colors like poppy red, lemon yellow, and more. If you are looking for a small camera backpack that doesn't look like a camera bag, fits a ton of gear, and is great to travel with, the Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack is definitely worth your attention.
8. Moment DayChaser Backpack
- Extremely customizable.
- Distinct design.
- Rugged construction.
- Design for Great Comfort.
- Quite heavy out of the box (2.3 kg).
The Moment DayChaser Backpack is a newly released camera backpack designed to be both discreet and rugged, while also being adaptable to changing situations, making it one of the best camera backpacks for travelers.
The Moment DayChaser Backpack comes with an extremely customizable camera compartment and modular camera dividers that can adapt to whatever you need it to be. It also comes with many small pockets for all the accessories and an oversized pocket for your tripod or a water bottle, all the while having enough room for other daily essentials in its top compartment and the extendable front flap.
The backpack is also built like a tank, with super rugged fabric and a waterproof backing, while being equipped with ergonomic shoulder straps, an adjustable waist belt, and a sternum strap for all-day comfort.
It also comes in a fancy yellow/blue color option, which is something I definitely prefer. If you are looking for a camera backpack that is perfect for everything from traveling in a city to hiking in a forest, this is the backpack to get. Check out the recent price with the link below.
9. Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack
- Can fit a quite lot of gear with a spacious interior.
- Lightweight
- Water resistance.
- Not very stylish.
- Side compartments are not big enough for certain tripods.
Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack is a great camera backpack for those of you who are looking for a full-blown multi-day trekking bag that will allow you to carry all your clothes and other backpacking items, as well as keep your camera safe and secure.
The Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack comes with all the great features for hiking, such as well-fitted adjustable straps, a breathable back panel, a hip belt to distribute the weight, and lightweight and durable materials for any kind of weather you might experience while hiking.
What makes this backpack so special is that it also works as a camera bag, with an anti-shake camera compartment and easy camera side access. The design is minimal, with very few straps hanging loosely like other hiking backpacks.
Despite the bottom compartment used for cameras, it still has plenty of space left for other things, making it a true backpack that blends the line between a backpacker and a photographer even further.
If you are passionate about hiking, backpacking, and photography, there is no better bag to get than the Lowepro Photo Sport Backpack. For the latest price, be sure to check the link below.
10. Langly Weekender Backpack
- Great versatility with a roll-top compartment and a modular camera cube.
- Very beautiful.
- Water resistance.
- Not the lightest backpack, weighing 1.9 kg out of the box.
- There are no side straps available for a tripod.
Last but not least is the Langly Weekender Backpack, a new series of versatile backpacks from Langly that come with a unique roll-up top design, great for expandability, a spacious main compartment, and best of all, a removable camera cube, allowing you to adapt the backpack to whatever you need for each trip.
The Langly Weekender Backpack comes in 3 lovely colors, with my favorite being the sand color. It is built to last with its rugged water-resistant fabric and comes equipped with Fidlock Magnetic V-Buckles, allowing for easy access to your backpack.
The bag is great for any situation the world throws at you when you are traveling. If you are looking for a nice-looking bag with a modular design that adapts to your travel, the Langly Weekender backpack comes highly recommended.
👍 What Makes a Great Camera Bags for Hiking and Backpacking?
It Must Have A Camera Compartment
One of the most important things that differentiates a camera bag from other backpacks is the camera compartment feature, which is basically a padded compartment or a camera insert specifically for your cameras and lenses.
The camera compartment should be padded enough to keep your cameras and lenses safe and scratch-free, even when your camera bags move around a lot while hiking.
The camera compartment should also come with several Velcro dividers to allow you to arrange them in a way that will fit whatever camera gear you plan to bring on your trip.
All in all, the camera bags should allow you the flexibility to rearrange your camera compartment as you see fit with its Velcro dividers, as well as come with a padded compartment to keep your gear secure when you haul your bags around while you travel.
Quick Camera Access
A good camera bag should also allow you to access your camera gear easily and quickly without having to put your bag down or going through all your other stuff to get to the gear you want.
After all, you are looking for a camera bag, not a regular backpack. You will often find yourself carrying this camera bag while you are out and about, shooting photos. Having quick camera access will save you a ton of hassle and time. It will also allow you to change lenses as you move around seamlessly.
Space For Other Things
The problem I often have with most camera bags is that, even though they have all the features we are looking for (such as a camera compartment and a quick access feature), they often omit one of the most important features a bag should have: a space for other stuff.
Most camera bags out there rarely leave enough room in your bag for other travel essentials, such as a rain jacket when it is pouring outside, or space for clothes when you want to use the backpack as a carry-on bag for short trips.
When I go hiking in places like the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan, I often have to pack multiple jackets, snacks, water, a beanie, gloves, and all the other gear I need for the hike, all in my daypack.
You never know when you are going to need these items, as the weather can go awry at any time, especially in the high mountains like the Himalayas and the Karakoram. I just can't fit all of those items into a regular camera bag.
So when it comes to a great camera bag for hiking and backpacking, we not only have to look out for a camera compartment but also see if the bags actually give you enough room for other travel essentials. If not, then I would not recommend getting the bag if you are an avid hiker and backpacker.
It has to Look Good
Last but not least, and this is very subjective, but I'll include it anyway, is that the camera bag has to look good on you. If you know me, I love a good-looking stylish backpack.
When I am hiking or backpacking, I often go for a photo of myself overlooking stunning landscapes. Most of the time, my bag is facing the camera more than my face. The best thing you can do to make these types of photos better is to have an eye-catching backpack that looks great on you.
Most of the regular camera backpacks are highly technical; there is no doubt about it. However, they also look too technical and as boring as a rock. If I know a thing or two about shooting a subject with a landscape, it is that your subject has to stand out from the landscape. A good-looking backpack can really help you do that.
All in all, if you are going to buy a camera bag for hiking or backpacking, make sure to focus on the features you need as well as on how good it looks on you. I could spend days talking about stylish backpacks, but at the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and as long as it looks good to you, that is a good enough reason to buy the camera bag.
Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:
Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:
- Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
- Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
- For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
- Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You're going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
- You can't travel without a great daypack, and if you are looking for one, check out:7 Best Herschel Supply Bags For Travelers.
- Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
- Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
- Bought a new camera and not sure which camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
- Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
- If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack To Buy.
- If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
- Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
- Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
- For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
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