Best Hiking Camera Backpacks | Travel Photography 2024

By Roberto (Updated Aug 2024)

⏱5 min

Welcome to another camera gear post! This post focuses on the best hiking camera backpacks. I decided to do this post for two reasons: I’m in love with camera bags, and I didn’t see many blogs reviewing 25 – 40L bags for hiking or adventure, which I consider crucial for travel photography.

Types of camera backpacks

Let’s first classify the camera bags in three big groups:

Type	Volume	Example
Urban / everyday backpack	< 25 L	WNDRD Duo
1-day Hiking / Travel Backpack	25-40 L	NYA EVO Fjord 36
Long trekking backpack	> 40L	Lowepro Powder Extreme Adventure Powder Backpack 500 AW

This post will show (after days of research) the best backpacks that fall into the second segment: Hiking camera backpacks from 25 to 40L. As I said above, there aren’t many posts covering this range, and they normally put all the backpacks in the same group… something that makes the buying decision difficult.

Do you need a camera backpack?

Being honest, no. You can always protect your camera inside a cube or protector unit, and put it into a normal backpack. The difference or advantage, is that camera backpacks are optimised to carry our camera, lenses, filters, batteries, drone, and other gadgets. They also come with easy access to the gear and improved protection. Based on this protection there are:

• Backpacks with incorporated dividers or pockets.
• Or backpacks with adjustable and removable units. The benefit is that they usually are removable or exchangeable by other cubes or RCI (Removable Camera Insert).

Before starting to list the backpacks, I’d like to highlight that HIKING camera backpacks should have one or two lateral pockets, internal dividers or RCI system, and a set of features that I consider important like weatherproof, light weight and waist strap are mandatory for the most important characteristic of your hiking camera backpack: comfort.

The waist strap or belt is HIGHLY important for these kinds of backpacks, because with 30 – 40L we are carrying a lot of stuff and weight.

Verdict of the very best hiking camera backpacks:

Reviewing the Best Hiking Camera Backpacks from 25 to 40L

Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II – Expandable 25L

We start with one famous model from the brand Lowepro. The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II offers practically everything you need and it’s one of the best value-for-money backpacks listed here. This model comes with 25L, multiple internal pockets, excellent quality and materials. It’s durable and all the reviews you can see are positive.

You can also attach external complements from Lowepro to the backpack or the belt, increasing the space, and it has 4-point access. Some cons for me are: lack of special tripod holder (you need the straps), and it is not weather proof (but it comes with a rain cover).

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II	Expandable 25L	2600 g	Yes (removable)	No	$ 169

Lowepro Whistler 350 AW II – 30L

We could say this model is a tougher version of the Protactic, more oriented to users who face snow and heavy rain. The Whistler 350 AW II is a bit bigger, with 30 L, and it’s fully protected against rain, snow or dust, and it can support the attachment of snow or mountain equipment like skis, axes and tripod.

In contrast, it lacks the possibility of the attachments and has no water bottle pocket. Strangely, this model is more expensive than its big brother, Whistler 450 AW II, making it a bit pricey compared to other alternatives.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Lowepro Whistler 350 AW II	30L	2650 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	$ 330

Mountainsmith Tanuck Camera Backpack – 40L

Another option, with excellent organization, high quality materials, weather protected and hiking oriented, is the Mountainsmith Tanuck Camera Backpack . It has multiple removable straps, secret pockets, many dividers and compartments, a rainfly, laptop sleeve, and it is expandable up to 55L, offering the option of an overnight trekking. Keep in mind that it’s a big backpack.

Many users highlight its versatility, durability, and comfort, as important attributes for this type of backpack. Also, Mountainsmith offers small, medium and large size cubes to combine with the backpack, to customize the space you want for gear and for clothes.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Mountainsmith Tanuck 40L	40L expandable	2400 g	Yes	Yes	$ 230

Atlas Athlete Pack, 30 L

Good design, optimized space, multiple pockets, outstanding protection, 2 lateral pockets and straps… The Atlas Athlete Pack has it all! While it’s not water sealed, it will resist light rain, and I personally love the expandable top access. It was awarded by National Geographic as one of the best camera bags for travelers. The downside is the price. For its deorbited price, there are (I think) other better options.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Atlas Athlete Pack 30L	30L	1800 g (without waist belt)	Yes	Partially	$ 395

F-Stop Lotus, 32L, and Ajna, 40L

F-Stop is another well-known brand with years of experience is this field of camera backpacks. They offer two camera bags in the mountain segment which match our criteria here: the Lotus and Ajna, 32 and 40L respectively and they come in different colours.

The look is amazing, and these are more like a hiking backpack with premium materials and weather sealed. They come empty, without any accessories or rain cover, … It’s true that they admit accessories from F-Stop, but the price will jump. They both deserve a consideration, if money is not an issue.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
F-Stop Lotus	32L	1500 g	Yes	Yes	$ 239
F-Stop Ajna	40L	1700 g	Yes	Yes	$ 259

Tenba Axis 32L Backpack

A cheaper alternative is the Tenba Axis 32L Backpack, which is like the big brother version of the Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II and if you like the military backpacks, you’d be in love with this model. The Tenba Axis 32L Backpack comes in 20, 24 and 32L versions. It has 3-point camera access, straps, and allows to attach different extra pouches and accessories from the brand.

The exterior is water resistant and the quality of the materials is outstanding. The downside is that it doesn’t have so many dividers (something you can solve with the accessories) and it is a bit heavy, but overall, it’s a good value-for-money option.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Tenba Axis 32L	32L	2500 g	Yes	Yes	$ 256

Evoc CP 35L

Continuing with overpriced brands that think they are selling cameras instead of backpacks… We have the Evoc CP 35L. I personally like the size around 35L because it is what I find I really need in my daily hikes. This is a well-designed model focused on comfort and protection. It has many internal pockets and a 3-litre hydration bladder. Thanks to the straps it can also attach snow or mountain equipment. The drawbacks: weight, price, and no weatherproof.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Evoc CP 35L	35L	2700 g	Yes	No	$ 400

NYA Evo Fjord 36L

One of my favourite backpacks on the list, is the NYA EVO Fjord 36. This model raised thousands of dollars on Kickstarter and was founded by and for adventure photographers. The NYA EVO Fjord 36 comes full weather sealed, with premium materials and aesthetic details, straps, two lateral expandable pockets, internal compartments, reinforced bottom, and comfort in the same model.

This backpack comes without RCI (modules of protection) but they offer three different sizes depending on your desired space distribution. In addition, it also offers a helmet attachment system on the front or top panel of the pack, and they come in 4 colours.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
NYA EVO Fjord 36	36L	1700 g	Yes	Yes	$ 279

Think Tank Backlight 36L

Think Tank has been awarded several times for their backpacks for good reasons. This company offers many and varied models of camera backpacks. The Backlight 36L, is a solid option in this segment, with internal dividers, two lateral expandable pockets and straps. It also provides excellent comfort and it comes with a rain cover, yet it is not water protected. Nobody’s perfect.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Think Tank Backlight 36L	36L	2200 g	Yes	No	$ 290

Shimoda Explore 30, Explore 40, and Action X40

Other alternatives (and reaching the end of the list), would be the three models from Shimoda which are also top in specs. I personally love them all. Shimoda offers some of the best backpacks for outdoors photographers and it’s difficult to see a bad review of them. With them, you get what you pay, and you pay a lot.

As they say “The Shimoda camera bag system was born as a result of the pain, fatigue, and suffering we and our adventure photographer friends found ourselves facing in the mountains. We created a system designed to function in – and stand up to – the extreme mountain conditions we inevitably face”.

Thanks to their experience, they provide comfortable and professional backpacks with attention to detail and materials. They come in lovely colours but without modular units to put gear in order. You have to buy them separately and they’re overpriced.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Shimoda Explore 30	30L	1300 g	Yes	Yes	$ 260
Shimoda Explore 40	40L	1600 g	Yes	Yes	$ 280
Shimoda Action 30	30L	1700 g	Yes	Yes	$ 275

Shimoda Explore v2 30L and 35 L adventure camera backpack

Recently landed at Kickstarter Shimoda has upgraded the previous Shimoda Explore backpacks, with this new version. In this case they offer three options: 25, 30 and 35 litres and two colours: black and camouflage green.

They have improved the look, maintained the excellent quality and upgraded some pockets and harness in the new Shimoda Explore v2. The waist belt is also now removable. By the time im wrote this, they offered an interesting 30% in all the backpack models plus the units. I got the Shimoda Explore V2 30 L in green and been with it in several hikes, and I really recommend it. It’s an awesome backpack. 👌

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Shimoda Explore v2 25L	25L	1570 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 260 (Kickstarter Price)
Shimoda Explore v2 30L	30L	1650 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 215 (Kickstarter Price)
Shimoda Explore v2 35L	35L	2000 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 225 (Kickstarter Price)

Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack 35L

With splendid design and materials, the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack 35L is a top model and another one of my favourite models here in terms of aesthetics. It has removable folding dividers and external carry straps. The interior is just outstanding and aesthetic with dedicated areas for gear and clothes. Also, the backpack is expandable up to 42 liters, has lifetime warranty and it is fully water protected.

For this model, the downsides could be the price and its weight, which is a bit heavy compared to similar models.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack 35L	35L	2600 g	Yes	Yes	$ 400

Gitzo Adventury 30L Camera Backpack

And finally, the last option of the group, the Gitzo Aventury 30L Camera Backpack. This model offers similar characteristics to other backpacks here: straps, water resistance, internal dividers, tripod holder, good materials,… the upper part of the backpack is also expandable to gain some extra space. It’s a solid and comfortable option for those who love the military green.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Gitzo Aventury 30L Camera Backpack	30L	2050 g	Yes	Yes	$ 260

Other considerations

As you probably noticed, I haven’t included some famous brands like WNDRD, or PeakDesign. The reason, is that while they offer sublime urban models, I wouldn’t consider them for long hiking. The straps are not so padded, and the backpacks are generally more focus on aesthetics and utility rather than comfort. Additionally, I haven’t included other models from Lowepro or Vanguard, like the Alta Sky 51D Camera Backpack, because they can weigh more than 6 kg!

If you find your favourite backpack is missing here, let me know about it. I hope the post helped you to decide or compare between some of the models here. Thanks for your reading time!

Check some hikes we’ve done with these camera backpacks!