Keep your gear safe from harm with one of these expert picks.
There are many features a photographer must consider when purchasing the perfect camera bag — and there’s even more to think about when traveling.“We are dopamine chasers and light hunters; we need everything to be ready to go,” says Hope Kauffman Ambroze, a travel photographer. That means having a travel bag that’s easy to access and keep well-organized, whether you need to quickly grab a memory card, lens wipes, or even an emergency granola bar.
To find the best camera bags for traveling, I spoke to eight photographers. They informed me that bags should be spacious, durable, and provide protective features for their gear while traveling; plus, they should be easy to keep organized. Ahead is a range of eight styles from crossbody bags to backpacks, and all are travel-approved.
$249
When it came to finding the perfect travel backpack for her photography gear, Kauffman Ambroze took advice from wedding/elopement photographer Haley Jessat and discovered Kamrette, a woman-owned brand designed in Australia. “I love the pocket system. I know exactly where everything is without having to juggle more than one outer pouch, which is good for lens switches, memory cards, and batteries,” she shares. Kauffman Ambroze prefers the black leather because the brown may show scuffs; while it doesn’t have a rain cover, she advises that it can be sourced individually for added protection. “It’s cute and professional but doesn’t look like a camera bag which is ideal for theft prevention.”
$368
$276
After nine years and countless countries, luxury travel creator, Nicole Sunderland, decided to trade in her weathered Lo and Sons Claremont for a new version of the exact same bag. “It’s the perfect camera bag for me because it looks like a purse,” she says of the full-grain leather crossbody bag that features a plush, polyester interior. “I can fit extra memory cards in the front pocket, passport and extras in the back pocket, and an additional lens in the bag.” Plus, it even has a hanging SD memory card holder. The strap length is adjustable, and you can grab it in one of the four colors available. Sunderland swears by the versatility of the black bag, stressing how it “really just looks like a nice leather purse” instead of a bulky backpack or cloth camera bag.
$190
From sunrise shoots at the Eiffel Tower to the bustling markets of Bangkok, travel photographer Zornitsa Shahanska says her most trusted travel companion is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip. “The genius FlexFold dividers let me switch from carrying my Nikon gear to making room for my gimbal in seconds,” she says. “When I'm weaving through Thai street markets or rushing to catch that perfect Seine golden hour shot, the side-access panels are a game-changer — I can grab my gear without ever setting my bag down.” Plus, the backpack has space for her laptop and editing gear so it’s the only bag she needs on her travels. The weatherproof exterior will hold up in a variety of climates, and the included external straps allow you to store your coat on the front if you need to shed a layer. “It's worth every penny,” Shahanska raves.
$299
Sleek, spacious, and sturdy, the Wandrd Prvke Backpack has been travel photographer Ryan Neeven’s go-to camera bag for the last five years. “It's super durable, weather resistant, and can fit just about every lens and camera I use on a shoot,” he says. He finds it perfect for travel because it has a hidden passport pocket among a series of other compartments that can keep gear organized while on the road; plus, it offers all-day wearable comfort with padded straps and a lightweight design. “The fact that it also has a lifetime warranty is a game-changer because you can put the bag through its paces,” says Neeven. “If something goes wrong, Wandrd will make it right.”
$159
“This bag is so versatile,” says Charlotte J Mack, a fine art photographer, who also recommends Wandrd for a reliable camera bag. “I love being able to have just one bag that can adapt to fit so many of my needs.” The crossbody style is adjustable so Mack can tailor it to the type of shoot that she’s on. The size is also perfect: it’s compact enough that it never gets in the way, yet it’s spacious enough to fit necessary gear and accessories. “I’ve tested my sling everywhere: multi-week international trips, backcountry hiking, high-end production sets. It thrives in any environment,” she says. The Rogue bag is available in 3-, 6-, and 9-liter bags as well as seven stylish colors.
$96
For a compact camera bag for urban travel, Erica Connolly, a travel photographer, suggests the Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L — one that she’s been using for the last two years. In her search for the perfect bag, Connolly tried “bag after bag” before finally discovering this design which “quickly checked all the boxes,” she says. “The sling is lightweight, weatherproof, and padded, and the bag itself has customizable/removable dividers and an interior and exterior zipped pocket.” Most importantly, it fits all her most-used gear: a Canon R5 and 24-70 lens, extra batteries and SD cards, her wallet, chapstick, and even a small souvenir collected along the way, all while remaining discrete. “Its reasonable price point and lifetime warranty make it even more exciting to recommend!” she says.
$499
Carley Rudd is a travel photographer who captures both landscape and hotel interiors from her native Maine to farther-flung corners of the world like Morocco, Sri Lanka, and Nicaragua — and this Ona Clifton backpack has accompanied her. “It’s super durable and padded,” she says. “I love that it doesn’t stand out as a traditional camera bag making it more discrete for security reasons.” Rudd says she can fit four to six lenses in the backpack, plus a camera and her laptop. She also uses it for personal trips, saying, “It’s perfect and keeps me from overpacking!”
$499
Another Ona camera backpack is this waxed canvas style that was designed with longevity and functionality in mind — which is exactly why photographer Erin Witkowski loves it. “This bag has traveled the world with me, in rain, snow, and sand,” she says. “It has stood the test of durability and quality while not flashing to onlookers that I am carrying very expensive equipment with me.” The Camps Bay backpack is constructed with waterproof canvas and accented by leather detailing to add a touch of style to its look. “The New Camps allows me to carry at least two bodies and four to five lenses,” she says, while also fitting a well-padded slip for her laptop. “The bonus is the straps are comfortable for those long hikes or long airport hauls.”
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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
2025-01-22T12:03:20Z