Group Tests and Best Buys

Best Camera Backpacks of 2025 | Hiking Bags For The Outdoor Photographer

Annoyed you didn't bring your camera on a hike? That'll never happen again with these bags - here's our thoughts on the best camera backpacks for 2025

Aside from essentials such as tents, sleeping bags, and camping stoves; most outdoor adventurers will also have that extra non-essential they can’t leave home without. For some people this might be a secret stash of Tunnock’s tea cakes, and for others, in the case of hiker Ursula Martin, it’s a pair of knitting needles and some wool. For many, however, that ‘non-essential’ is a camera.

Since the birth of the camera, photography has always been an excellent way to appreciate the outdoor world in all its natural beauty. From wildlife shots and awe-inspiring landscapes to gnarly action shots and visual hiking diaries; there’s no end to the photo opportunities you might find on the trail.

Coined ‘photo hikers’ – aside from DSLRs, you’re also likely to find drone enthusiasts nowadays, as well as the ultra-lightweight travellers who simply use their phone.

The Best Camera Backpacks of 2025

From quick day trips to multi-day escapades, here’s a breakdown of our favourite camera backpacks to see you through a whole range of outdoor adventures. Here are our five category winners:

Wandrd Prvke 41L V4 – Best Camera Backpack for Hiking Overall
LowePro Powder 55L – Our Runner-Up
Peak Design Everyday 30L – Most Sustainable Camera Backpack for Hiking
Think Tank MindShift Backlight Elite 45L – Best Camera Backpack for Extreme Outdoor Adventures
LowePro PhotoSport III 24L – Best Camera Backpack for Day Hiking

Editor’s Note: This article was updated in October 2025 to ensure that all of the products are still available for purchase. After months of testing, the Wandrd Prvke was updated with its newest version. Mountainsmith’s Tanuck backpack was removed from this list as it’s no longer in production.

1. Wandrd Prvke 41L V4

The best camera backpack for hiking overall, according to our tests.

The Wandrd Prvke V4 backpack. Photos: Wandrd.

Price: From £246
Weight: 1.59kg
Best For: Day hiking trips and travelling
External Dimensions: 47 x 30.5 x 21.6cm
Internal Dimensions: 27.3 x 31.8 x 19.1cm

Designed specifically for photo adventures, the award-winning Prvke (pronounced ‘provoke’) is one of the first bags Wandrd produced and has since made quite a name for itself in the photography world. This here is the fourth iteration of the roll-top style bag and our favourite is the 41L capacity, though it can expand 5L beyond that when the roll top is fully extended.

Constructed from a water-resistant tarpaulin and a Robic N840D ballistic nylon, this bag is made of tough stuff. The zippers are also weather-resistant, and there’s room for a rain cover in the storage pocket on the bottom of the bag. There’s both padded back panels and shoulder straps, as well as magnetic tote handles and a whole host of organisation pockets across the bag. A particular favourite is the hidden passport/ cash pocket integrated into the back panel – very handy indeed.

OM tester Jazz, who’s used both the first ever Prvke as well as the latest version, said “When I first got this bag I was super chuffed with it. On the first few uses, it seemed to have everything I wanted in a camera bag. After embarking on some more strenuous hikes with the bag, however, I noticed that the back panel just wasn’t breathable enough. This fourth version has completely changed that. They’ve totally redesigned the back panel and it now uses a more breathable air mesh construction in comfy, mouldable padded sections. Not only is it so much more breathable, it’s also super comfy too.”

On the downside the padded camera cube itself is not included and will cost extra, though the bag is sizeable enough to fit any camera bag you might already have. You’ll also be able to fit a 13.5” laptop or tablet at the rear, and can reach your kit from the top, back and side access points.

There’s a solid amount of attachment points for the likes of a tripod or your waterproof jacket, including an expandable bottle pocket on the side. Like all Wandrd products, the Prvke also comes with a lifetime warranty should any adventure prove too powerful…

Buy the Wandrd Prvke 41L camera backpack (including storage cubes): £384 at Wexphotovideo.com

Buy the Wandrd Prvke 41L camera backpack (without storage cubes): £246 at Cameraworld.co.uk

2. LowePro Powder 55L

Our runner-up in our search for the best camera backpack for hiking.

A shot from one of our Outdoors 100 gear testing trips. Photo: Chris Johnson

Price: £415
Weight: 2.4kg
Best For: Alpine adventure photography
Dimensions: 33.5 x 22.5 x 62cm

As suggested in the name, the LowePro Powder is built for extreme outdoors conditions. Though it has the look of a traditional hiking backpack, its sturdy build and weather-proof design will also allow for skiing, snowboarding and more intense winter trekking.

At 55L, there’s a hell of a lot of room here too. In fact, 50% of the pack is dedicated to non-camera storage which means you could safely bring the LowePro Powder on a multi-day trip if you pack it right. We were actually so impressed by the Powder we included it in our Outdoor 100 a while back, our yearly round-up of the latest and greatest outdoor gear on the market.

Our tester outdoor photographer Grant Hyatt said, “I’d previously seen this online and hadn’t been interested but now I’ve seen it in the flesh I’m really impressed. I’ve always struggled to find the right photography pack but I think this could be the one.”

“With camera gear all stowed in the protective compartment at the base, any weight is distributed well. It’s been easy to adjust the fit on the go as well, and I like the fact that there’s a little bit of scope for some personalisation with the compartments.

Selected for our Outdoor 100 – read our full LowePro Powder review.

Buy the LowePro Powder 55L camera backpack: £415 at Amazon.co.uk

3. Peak Design Everyday 30L Backpack

Most sustainable camera backpack for hiking.

The Peak Design Everyday backpack. Photos: Peak Design.

Price: £269
Weight: 2.11kg
Best For: Eco credentials
Dimensions: 33 x 37 x 48cm

The Peak Design Everyday backpack takes the crown in terms of eco credentials here as the company is climate neutral certified and the bag is made from 100% post-consumer materials. Pretty impressive stuff. The fabric itself is made from a 400D nylon (DWR and double PU-coated) for optimum strength, and anodised aluminium and glass-reinforced nylon hardware for extra protection.

Though its 30L capacity is more suited to day hiking, it can still hold a DSLR camera and up to 5 lenses, with 8L of top non-camera space remaining. That’s more than enough for a waterproof jacket, some snacks (and beers), battery packs and any other essentials you might need. All of this can be easily accessed from a large panel with weather-proof zips on the top or on the side.

The exterior design is very minimal yet still has dual side pockets for water bottles and tripods, whilst the interior is decked out with slip pockets for laptops, wallets and phones, and smaller side and top pockets for SD cards, cables and the like. This minimal design also makes it look at home both in the city, and out on the trail.

Buy the Peak Design Everyday 30L camera backpack: £269 at Wexphotovideo.com

4. Think Tank MindShift Backlight Elite 45L

The best camera backpack for extreme outdoor adventures.

Think Tank’s Backlite Elite camera backpack. Photos: Think Tank.

Price: £455
Weight: 3.2kg
Best For: Extreme adventuring
Dimensions: 33 x 59.7 x 20.3cm

The Backlight 45L has the design of a more classic hiking backpack but with the robust build to safely secure your photography equipment. They call the construction “storm proof” with sturdy lumbar padding, YKK AquaGuard zippers, a DWR treated and tear-proof Sailcloth material and a rain cover for more extreme conditions. Though the Backlight sizes start from 18L, the 45L seems best suited for hiking adventures with ample room for both your camera gear and your trekking essentials – 17L of non-camera space to be exact. As well as walking poles and tripods, the side straps are also equipped to carry skis too should the snow-capped mountains call to you.

The main access point is through the rear-panel for extra security when you’re out traveling with expensive gear. If you’re wearing the waist belt, this means that you can swivel the backpack around and open the back up like table in front of you. Pretty handy if you don’t want to lay your bag down on muddy terrain.

At its lightest the Backlight is 1.8kg which is fairly light considering the size of the thing. The internal aluminium frame should help distribute this weight too whilst also keeping your kit in place. Check out the link below to see what specific cameras and lenses will fit in this tank of a bag.

Buy the Think Tank MindShift Backlight Elite 45L camera backpack: £455 at Amazon.co.uk

5. LowePro PhotoSport III 24L

Selected as the best camera backpack for day hiking, according to our tests.

Price: £149
Weight: 1.1kg
Best For: Lightweight day hiking
Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 50cm

The PhotoSport III is the third iteration from LowePro’s PhotoSport line. This particular pack is made from 75% recycled fabrics including Ripstop and recycled Robic nylon and polyester “to protect your gear and the environment you shoot in”. Some parts of the backpack, like the inner lining, are actually made from 100% recycled materials and LowePro are currently looking at ways to make their padding, hardware and webbing more sustainable.

At 1.1kg it’s incredibly lightweight for a camera backpack and includes an ActiveZone harness system to further help with weight distribution throughout the bag. This harness system also incorporates a padded waist belt, adjustable contoured shoulder straps and a padded hydration pocket (up to 3L systems).

Our favourite thing about this bag, however, is the integrated and removable GearUp camera insert. This insert will fit a full frame mirrorless camera with an attached 24-70 f/2.8 lens plus one extra lens. The straps provided mean that the insert can be removed from the bag and either attached to many areas on the bag’s exterior, or it can be worn across your body. You can even use the strap system to attach the camera itself to the chest straps of the bag, making for easy photographing on-the-move.

Buy the LowePro PhotoSport III 24L camera backpack: £149 at Wexphotovideo.com

Best of the Rest

6. Thule Covert DSLR 24L Backpack

The Thule Covert DSLR backpack. Photos: Thule.

Price: £260
Weight: 1.88kg
Best For: Versatility and discreteness
Dimensions: 33.0 x 23.0 x 48.0cm

Thule are perhaps best known for their car roof racks and bike racks which, if anything, suggests the Covert DSLR backpack should be pretty darn tough. Considering its made from water-resistant cordura nylon, I’d hedge my bets that that’s true. Featuring multiple kit access points including from the top, the sides, and the back – you’ll also find extra organisation pockets on the front, a padded laptop sleeve at the rear, as well as multiple attachment points on the exterior for tripods and the like.

Internally, the storage system is entirely customisable with zip-out dividers, while the camera pod system is removable so the backpack can be used both with and without your camera gear. My favourite detail, however, is the fact that you can wear the camera pod as a sling, separately from the backpack. You basically get two bags in one.

The divider system within the pod is described as ‘origami-inspired’ and can fold around the smallest to largest pieces of gear. It can fit a DSLR body with an attached ultra-wide-angle lens plus two lenses, accessories and a drone with measurements up to 260mm x 200mm x 100mm. There’s also room for a 15.6” PC or a 16″ MacBook should you need to edit on-the-go.

Buy the Thule Covert DSLR 24L Backpack camera backpack: £260 at Amazon.co.uk

7. Vanguard Alta Sky 51D 33L

Price: £160
Weight: 2.9kg
Best For: Professional shoots
Dimensions: 37 × 26 × 56.5cm

Though on the heavier and more expensive side of the scale, the Vanguard Alta Sky is quite the tank. It can fit one to two professional DSLRs with attached lenses, up to four extra lenses in the surrounding dividers, and any accessories such as flash guns, battery packs and SD cards. The compartments are sized 1/3 to 2/3 so you can decide how much storage your camera and hiking gear require, though you can remove and configure the dividers to your personal tastes. If you need less camera gear, this means you can easily convert the Alta Sky into a hiking backpack and vice versa.

It’s designed specifically for carrying a heavy kit and uses an ergonomic air system back panel, an adjustable sternum strap, and a padded waist belt to help support your body each step of the way. The multi-access points also make life easier, with a full rear opening as well as side and top access.

There are multiple attachment points on the exterior of the bag as well as an integrated rain cover. The external material is a 300D nylon whilst the interior material is a 200D polyester. This means you get the best of both world in terms of a sturdy construction as nylon is incredibly strong, abrasion-resistant and resistant to mold and most insects, whist polyester is additionally durable, lightweight and fast-drying (it doesn’t absorb water).

Buy the Vanguard Alta Sky 51D 33L camera backpack: £160 at Amazon.co.uk

8. Shimoda Explore 40L

Price: £209
Weight: 1.3kg
Best For: Water Resistance
Dimensions: 11.4W x 22.4H x 10.2D inches

The Shimoda Explore 40 is one of the lighter bags here – impressive considering its size. It comes in ‘Blue Nights’ or ‘Sea Pine’ colours and has an adjustable torso height. This means the Shimoda Explore is accommodating to both taller and smaller adventurers, and even has women’s strap options to help accommodate different body types too. They describe this harness system as ‘bear hug-like’ and it helps ensure your pack’s weight is healthily distributed across your body.

There are multiple kit access points across the bag as well as a removable and customisable camera insert system. The hydration bladder port is equally handy and can hold a bladder up to 3L, while there’s also numerous storage pockets and external straps for non-camera gear such as skis, ice axes or a snowboard. In this sense, the bag definitely has the capacity for both photography gear and hiking gear.

The outer shell is entirely water-resistant and is coated in carbonate ether with a double-sided resin application process. This helps create a protective barrier to exterior waters as well as interior condensation to ensure your camera gear will never get wet and damaged.

(As an added bonus, if you buy the Explore 40, Shimoda will plant an estimated 14 trees. Pretty cool.)

Buy the Shimoda Explore 40L camera backpack: £209 at Amazon.co.uk

How To Choose A Camera Backpack

Finding the right hiking backpack with in-built camera protection can also be somewhat of a challenge. In my experience, the most important aspect of any camera backpack is its ability to protect your kit. Considering the price of cameras, and the unpredictability of the outdoors, you’re going to want something that’s both sturdy and very secure.

This usually comes in the form of weatherproofing and extra padding. The former can include water-resistant materials, sealed seams and zippers, and built-in rain covers, while the latter usually involves shock-resistant padding and chunky kit dividers.

Storage capacity is also very important as you’ll need room for both your camera kit and some hiking gear too. In order to separate these storage compartments and avoid cross-contamination, most camera backpacks will have organisation dividers or dedicated camera cubes. These help to organise your lenses from your camera bodies and SD cards, while also keeping any potentially muddy hiking kit well away from your electrics.

Attachment straps and loops on the exterior of the bag will also aid organisation and help to store items such as tripods, sleeping mats, and the like.

Though camera backpacks will be on the heavier side because of the protective padding, they usually range between 1 to 3kg so are still light enough for multi-day adventures. This extra weight also means there’ll be more strain on your back so look out for waist straps, shoulders straps, back panels, and frame systems for ergonomic support.

Possibly the handiest feature to have on a camera backpack, however, is an easy camera access pocket. These are usually zippered side, top or back pockets, and enable you to quickly grab your kit without rummaging through the entire contents of the bag. This also means you’re less likely to miss that perfect shot.

Main Photo: iStock/ anyaberkut