Summary
Whether you are a beginner, amateur or professional photographer, it is often necessary to bring your own photographic equipment. Capturing moments of life, landscapes, travel memories, covering an event, a wedding… are so many opportunities to take with you camera, lenses, accessories (flashes, filters, extra batteries, tripod…).
Then comes the choice of a bag that will have to conform to several expectations: its comfort, ergonomics, resistance and volume. Buying a bag for your camera gear can be a puzzle when faced with these many criteria.
To help you choose, we have made a selection of the best photo bags on the market in 2020.
Our top 3 Best Photo Bags of 2020
🏆 The top 3 Best Photo Bags of 2020
How to choose your photo bag?
As the years go by, you start to own more and more photographic equipment. Transporting them becomes complicated. The purchase of a photo bag then becomes necessary to facilitate your travels.
To help you choose the one you need, we advise you to consider the following criteria:
Comfort
You will probably carry your photo bag and all the equipment in it for several hours. It is then advisable to choose a fairly light bag with padded shoulder straps, padded back, breathable surface…
Ergonomics
Some photo bags have quick-release openings to keep your gear close at hand. Others offer good versatility thanks to their modular storage. Photo bags can be adapted to the situation by also being carried over the shoulder or on the back.
Resistance
Backpacks follow you everywhere and are often put to the test. Checking the quality of the materials used and the design of the bag (impermeability for example) will allow you to ensure the protection of your photographic equipment against water, dust or shocks.
The volume
This criterion will depend on the amount of material you wish to transport. You can, for example, put an SLR, 5/6 lenses, a flash, a tripod, accessories (memory cards, extra batteries) and even your 15-inch Notebook at the same time in a large volume bag.
Our complete selection of 2020 photo bags
1. The waterproof backpack from Beschoi
The Beschoi bag caught our attention with its many compartments. Divided into three parts via removable foams, your equipment can be organized and transported safely. Its storage space is arranged as follows:
- Top compartment for personal items
- Intermediate compartment for the reflex and its lenses
- Low compartment for telephoto or flash lenses.
There are also two straps on the right side to attach a travel tripod.
This photo backpack can therefore simultaneously hold :
- 1 reflex camera
- 3 or 4 objectives
- 1 flash
- 1 travel tripod
- 1 iPad or a computer (max 9.7 inches)
- your accessories (SD cards, chargers, water bottle…)
Water doesn’t scare him away thanks to its waterproof nylon material that keeps your gear dry. Durable and flexible, it also resists wear, scratches and tears. Comfortable and ergonomic, it makes a perfect travel companion.
- Versatile thanks to its removable foams
- Sturdy nylon material
- Missing a lap belt to prevent snatching
Technical Specifications :
| Subject | Nylon |
| Color | Grey |
| External dimensions | 42cm × 26cm × 23cm |
| Interior dimensions | 40cm × 24cm × 21cm |
| Weight | 0.94kg |
2. The Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Bag
The Alta Sky 51D backpack is one of the top-of-the-range photo carrying bags. The 1/3-2/3 configuration allows you to organize the storage of your equipment according to your needs.
Its rear ventilation makes it comfortable when worn. Once placed on the ground, it stands vertically in a very stable manner. Your material remains protected.
Thanks to its waterproof cover, it is rainproof. Equipped with a colourful and bright interior coating, you can easily visualize and identify the contents.
It has multiple storage compartments at the rear, sides and also on the top. Your accessories are thus easily accessible.
The Alta Sky 51D backpack can integrate :
- 2 reflex cameras with associated lens
- 4 additional objectives
- 1 flash
- Accessories (chargers, SD cards…)
You can also put a 15-inch computer in there.
- Comfortable with rear ventilation
- Compact, does not take up too much space
- Coloured interior storage to show off your equipment
- Volume may be insufficient
Technical Specifications :
| Color | Grey |
| External dimensions | 37cm × 26cm × 56.5cm |
| Interior dimensions | 32cm × 20cm × 51cm |
| Weight | 2.92kg |
3. The Endurax bag
The Endurax backpack accompanies you on your travels by protecting your camera equipment thanks to its armoured panel positioned in front of the upper and lower compartments. Its interior padding provides extra protection.
It has a large capacity allowing it to accommodate simultaneously :
- 3 reflexes
- 8 objectives
- 3 flashes
- Accessories
A pocket for a 17-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet.
Some compartments have been designed to store cables and other small accessories, preventing them from getting tangled. The main compartment has adjustable dividers to adapt your bag to your needs.
- Adaptable thanks to its modular partitions
- Protects the material well with its interior padding
- Has a large capacity
- Weight of 3kg quite important
Technical Specifications :
| Color | Black |
| External dimensions | 48.6cm × 31cm × 24cm |
| Weight | 3kg |
4. The Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II Bag
The Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II photo bag is versatile thanks to its convertible strap that allows you to carry it over the shoulder or on your back.
It can accommodate a Notebook up to 15 inches, it allows the transport of many materials while keeping a good hold thanks to its robustness.
This photo backpack also includes a utility pouch, a tripod module, a bottle holder and two quick straps. You can easily add a carabiner to the zippers to secure the contents of your backpack when you travel.
Equipped with a protective cover, it is protected from bad weather such as rain, snow, dust and sand. The protective cover is large enough to house a tripod attached to the outside of the bag.
- Can be worn over the shoulder or on the back
- Weather protection cover
- Holds a computer up to 15 inches
- Its weight of 2.84kg which can be felt on the shoulders
Technical Specifications :
| Color | Black |
| External dimensions | 46cm × 22cm × 52cm |
| Interior dimensions | 30cm × 16cm × 44cm |
| Weight | 2.84kg |
| Volume | 25L |
5. The Manfrotto MB MA-BP-T Bag
Best known for its tripods, Manfrotto is expanding its range with photo bags including the Gear Backpack L model.
The versatile Manfrotto Gear Backpack L can be worn in three ways: as a shoulder bag (right or left handed), as a backpack or in an X position thanks to its adjustable straps.
It can hold up to one SLR, a large lens, 6 additional lenses, a flash unit, memory cards, accessories and a 15-inch laptop.
Its design allows you to easily tilt the photo bag back and forth for quick access to your gear. You can access it without leaving your backpack.
It is composed of two parts: a high part and a low part. The lower part is dedicated to your photo equipment and the upper part to the rest of the equipment you need less often.
Foam dividers give you the possibility to modulate the storage of your bag according to your needs.
This bag also has two outside zipped pockets allowing you to retrieve your accessories without having to reopen the main compartments. A place is provided for attaching a small tripod via straps.
- Modular foam separators
- Easy access to storage
- Missing a back ventilation system
Technical Specifications :
| Color | Black |
| External dimensions | 42cm × 30cm × 19cm |
| Weight | 0.82kg |
6. The Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II Bag
Lowepro created its first internally reinforced bag in 1967. Since then, the brand has been developing new bags that meet the needs of many sportsmen and enthusiasts (climbers, skiers, mountain bikers, hikers…). It also designs waterproof backpacks dedicated to photographic equipment, evolving with the demands of the evolution of technology and photography.
The Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II series Fastpack II gives you quick and easy access to your equipment thanks to the photo compartment. It features an adjustable interior and two access modes: 180-degree quick side access and full access.
Adjustable dividers are present to allow you to store a DSLR with lens mounted, up to three additional lenses or flashes, a computer up to 15 inches as well as a tablet, hard drive, smartphone..
A top compartment provides space to store and protect your essential accessories such as extra batteries or memory cards.
On the back is a padded compartment for a 15″ Notebook as well as a pocket for a tablet.
A flap closure also provides additional protection for the outer compartments when you’re on the move. Attachments will allow you to carry a small tripod or monopod. Also equipped with a side net, you will be able to bring a bottle of water when you travel.
The Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II will protect your equipment from bad weather (rain, snow, dust, sand…) thanks to its protective cover. A padded belt is present for a good support of the photo bag.
- Can be worn on the back or on the side for easy access to your equipment
- The upper compartment allows the storage of other objects such as a drone
- The photo compartment is large
- The tripod attachment is especially suitable for small tripods
- Boxes more than 8cm thick cannot fit into the side compartment
Technical Specifications :
| Color | Black |
| External dimensions | 31cm × 26cm × 50cm |
| Interior dimensions | 29cm × 15.5cm × 27.5cm |
| Camera compartment | 29cm × 15.5cm × 27.5cm |
| Notebook compartment | 29cm × 2cm × 46cm |
| Shelf compartment | 24cm × 1.5cm × 30.5cm |
| Weight | 1.8kg |
