Camera Backpacks - Do You Actually Need One?
There’s a lot of great marketing out there pushing beautifully designed bags for photographers, but here’s the thing: I just don’t think you need one.
Or at least not a camera backpack designed specifically for photographers.
Let me explain why.
Prefer to watch? Check out the video on YouTube!
The problem with camera backpacks…
The market is currently flooded with bags designed for photographers, promising to protect your gear and provide quick access. And yes, they do deliver on those fronts, but I think these manufacturers spend a lot of time and money convincing you that you need their bags in the first place.
While there are certainly people who can make use of these bags for professional-level work and travel assignments, I believe it’s a tiny sliver of the photographers who are actually buying them.
Also, I consider myself to be a fair bit of a minimalist, but in my experience, all the emphasis these bags place on camera gear comes at the expense of everything else.
The result? A backpack that’s fantastic at keeping your camera safe but falls short in terms of nearly everything else a backpack is supposed to do.
Comfort
Versatility
Everyday usability
…to name a few.
So, let’s go through my own personal travel solutions and maybe you’ll get a few ideas of your own.
Just here for the bags? Skip there now:
For context: My use case & travel style
Before diving deeper, let’s talk about context.
I’m a full-time traveler and photographer, living out of a suitcase and shooting in cities all over the world.
Over the past two years, I’ve fine-tuned my gear setup through a lot of trial and error.
What I’ve realized is that most photographers, myself very much included, do NOT need some huge, specialized camera compartment that can hold multiple full-frame bodies or a 400mm safari lens. That’s just overkill.
I’m not on assignment for National Geographic, I’m not photographing snowboarders jumping out of a helicopter, or on my way to a destination wedding shoot in Aruba with drones… though now that I’m listing these off, I’ve realized I should maybe make a career change and pursue this stuff after all.
You get the idea.
My point is this: I travel full-time, live out of a suitcase, and carry multiple camera bodies, lenses, film cameras, etc. so if I don’t have any use for one of these bulletproof, waterproof, climbing-everest-type backpacks, perhaps you don’t either?
To reference one of the latest social trends- let me de-influence you and propose a better way for 90% of us to carry our gear.
Why I stopped using camera backpacks
Here’s what I realized after years of using traditional camera backpacks:
I didn’t use most of the gear I packed. Over time, I found that carrying less gear actually made me a better, more focused photographer. I was less distracted by the temptation to switch lenses and more focused on capturing the moment.
Large backpacks are cumbersome. They’re heavy, uncomfortable, and impractical. Plus, many museums, cultural sites, little cafes, and restaurants won’t allow big bags or it’s simply not practical to have one strapped to you. If you’re out for more than a few hours, or plan to do anything other than photography, these backpacks can ruin the experience.
They can draw unwanted attention. I might be extra conscious of this due to the way I shoot, but blending in isn’t just for street photographers. Looking like a tourist who’s just stepped off the plane makes you more of a target for pickpockets, and let’s be real- everyone knows you have expensive gear of some kind or another in that big, technical-looking bag.
So I decided I was over it and transitioned to a more streamlined setup that prioritizes flexibility, mobility, comfort, and blending into the crowd.
My solution? Travel backpack/camera sling
Bellroy’s Venture Ready Pack & 10L Camera Sling
The Bellroy Camera Sling as a “camera cube”
Here’s the secret: On travel days, I pack all my gear into my Bellroy Venture Camera Sling 10L which functions just like any other camera cube would.
It holds my stuff securely without being too chunky or taking up all the space in my backpack.
When I arrive at my destination, I simply pull it out of my bag, and the ‘camera backpack’ becomes just a backpack once again. On days out shooting, the camera sling hangs by my side, making it perfect for the day-to-day.
This setup allows me to travel super light while still having everything I need at my fingertips.
While the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 is a tiny camera, you can see there is a ton of room for larger setups as well.
I love this solution because it eliminates wasted space and serves multiple purposes. It’s efficient, convenient, and keeps me from overpacking too.
Why this system works so much better
It’s easier on your back - I no longer carry a bulky, heavy bag that strains my shoulders and back on an all-day shoot.
Extremely versatile - Even though I usually stick to shooting with my Bellroy Camera Sling, the backpack is there in case I need to bring a lot of gear out with me, want to carry a tripod, or I’m leaving the city for a hike.
The backpack is just a backpack - On days when I head down to a coffee shop or the library to get some work done, I’m not stuck using some massive, over-engineered camera backpack. It’s easy to slip my laptop into it and go.
One thing I will admit is that you do need to be a bit of a minimalist for this to work, and this setup is certainly optimized for smaller cameras or newer mirrorless setups.
It’s also important to get clear on what gear you actually need with you. I used to travel with so much stuff I didn’t actually use and as much as thinning down to the essentials helped me, it was also a tough process that involved a lot of compromise at first.
Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 26L
So, I don’t have a camera backpack these days, but what have I been lugging my stuff around in lately?
By the way: none of the following is sponsored, I’m not using affiliate links, and I’m not being paid for my thoughts here. However, while I bought my camera sling long ago with my own money, Bellroy did send over the Venture Ready Pack for me to test.
I’ve tested a lot of backpacks over the years, and the Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 26L has been a standout addition to my current travel setup.
It’s a great option for those seeking a versatile bag that balances style, function, and comfort.
Design & build quality
As far as looks go, the Venture Ready Pack has a sleek, minimal design, that somehow manages to look just fine at home in the city or out on a trail.
It’s made with a similar tough, weather-resistant material to what can be found on Bellroy’s camera sling. So far, it’s been weather-resistant and held up to the abuses of packing and traveling.
Storage & organization
This bag’s design is all about flexibility.
One of my favorite things about it so far is that, without being huge and bulky, Bellroy has maximized the capacity by giving the bag a couple of extra inches at the top. That means that when I pack my camera gear in at the bottom, I have plenty of room left over up top to organize other items.
Smart organization, without too many pockets
That taller design, and of course the lack of a chunky camera cube taking up half the bag, means you’re left with a large main space that’s customizable to basically any need.
It’s easy to fit my camera sling, laptop, and daily essentials without feeling cramped.
I also appreciate how Bellroy tends to keep photographers in mind despite not making many products that are photography-specific. There’s a strap hidden near the water bottle pocket ready to cinch down a tripod if you’re carrying one, and all the organization throughout the bag is ambiguous enough to secure your tech, whether that’s camera batteries or your standard charging cables.
Strap to cinch down a tripod
Comfort
The Venture Ready Pack is definitely designed for comfort, the shoulder straps are nicely padded, and supportive without being stiff. The back panel is contoured in a way I haven’t seen before that helps it sit really comfortably and kind of mold to your back.
The Bellroy Venture Pack as a Personal Item in Flight
The tall and slim shape makes it ideal as a personal item for flights, fitting easily under airplane seats while leaving plenty of foot space.
The top pocket is one of my absolute favorite bits too.
Gotta keep the AirPods within reach
As a personal item on a plane, or in a coffee shop when this bag is sitting at your feet, you’ll have easy access to whatever you store up here. Headphones, wallet, snacks, gum, etc.
Love it.
Wrapping Up
What I love most about this backpack and my entire travel setup these days is the ultra-lightweight versatility.
I’m set up for everything from weekend hikes to airport days without compromising on a single feature or ever feeling out of place. (Under-rated perk: Not heading to the coffee shop ready for a mountain expedition)
Where photography is concerned, I’m able to head out for an all-day street session with just the sling and get through miles and miles of walking without feeling encumbered or restricted.
Museum? Café? 20,000 steps exploring a new city? Easy.
For me, it’s all about simplicity and comfort and carrying just what I need. I don’t feel I have had to become aggressively minimalistic or make huge compromises to get here. Hopefully having a look over my travel setup has given you some ideas for your own travel system.
I certainly fell for the marketing when I was first starting out, so if you take nothing else away…
Next time you’re tempted by a flashy, feature-packed camera backpack, consider if it’s really what you need. You might find that less is more!
CONNECT WITH ME
Latest from Instagram
