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Hiking, battling through bustling airports, or strolling around town — you need a solid camera backpack to protect your sensitive lenses and gear on the go. After years of testing, we've narrowed in on the best packs for your precious cargo of 2024.
You can easily spend a small fortune on photography equipment, so it pays to protect your investment with the best camera backpack possible. Plus, you need to comfortably free up your hands between capturing shots when scrambling up rocky slopes, paddling a canoe, steering a cruiser, or carrying additional props.
Camera backpacks have big shoes to fill. Not only do they have to carry comfortably over the long haul, but have to feature easy access to all sorts of gear, and provide ultimate protection for that pricey glass. With such high responsibility, comes hefty price tags. So — to ensure you aren’t wasting your money on junk — we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. We took over 10 different camera packs into the wild in the past year alone, testing them on photo and video shoots around the world.
These packs traveled to Africa, Europe, and all over the U.S. loaded down with glistening lenses, drones, camera bodies, and gimbals to truly test their mettle. We kept an eye out for a number of key metrics when analyzing each model, including comfort, ease of gear access, and durability. Every backpack had to stand out in several categories to merit any real estate in this roundup.
Chris Carter, a Senior Editor for GearJunkie, and Kendra Smith, a GearJunkie contributor, teamed up for the creation of this guide. Carter comes from roots in freelance videography, shooting for shows on PBS, commercial work for outdoor brands, and personal travel documentary projects. His cameras accompany him to some gnarly locations — so he’s fastidiously fussy about the packs he chooses to protect them with.
Smith is an editorial photographer based in Minneapolis, MN. She has a multi-disciplinary background in photography, cultural anthropology, and communicative arts in marketing. She brought a number of the packs reviewed below on wild romps all over the globe to put them through their paces and gauge their merit.
Rest assured — each pack you see below has been vetted by our stone-cold pros and has proven to be worthy. Need a picture-perfect camera pack for your next adventure? We’ve got ya covered!
We’ve found the top camera bags for every budget and use — whether you need a simple, budget-friendly bag or a multicompartment gear hauler. If you want to learn more about the features that make camera bags unique, head to the bottom of the article to read the buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ.
Editor’s Note: We heavily refreshed this article on February 16, 2024, adding many new products, and re-writing a significant portion of the buyer’s guide. We also made sure our product list is up-to-date with current models, colorways, and designs, and added a slew of photos.
Here it is folks, the best of the best camera backpack of 2024! The Nomatic McKinnon 35L ($331) goes above and beyond to provide all the essential coverage for your professional camera gear while taking comfort and style seriously. This is our #1 pick.
Let’s start with the build. The McKinnon Camera pack was constructed with travel in mind. There are two main compartments: the camera gear hub and the luggage hub. The camera gear compartment easily organizes your gear with sturdy padded dividers fitting multiple cameras, lenses, and accessories.
We fit two DSLR cameras, two lenses, a 35 mm camera, a Profoto AX1 flash, and a run-and-gun microphone attachment in the dividers. Additionally, there are multiple mesh zipper compartments for holding cords, hard drives, memory cards, and batteries.
The luggage compartment can easily hold a day or two worth of clothing without the 42L extension or up to 4 days of clothing when opening the zipper extension. There is a separate side computer compartment on the back panel that fits up to a 16’’ MacBook Pro laptop that is well padded and snug. All of the zippers are waterproof and the entire pack is built with ripstop fabric treated with film-laminated TPU65 coating making it extremely water resistant.
When maxing out the luggage compartment, it’s important to note that the backpack will not fit under the economy seats in smaller jet airlines. While hopping over a few states, we weren’t able to fit the pack under our seat or in the overhead compartment since it was a smaller jet. The flight attendants were kind enough to store it in the pilot’s closet.
This is only when filling out the luggage compartment of the pack and on smaller airplanes. If you are on a larger flight, like a Boeing 747, this should be no issue! If used only as a camera gear pack and without filling out the luggage compartment, we found that the backpack would fit in any overhead compartment.
Another feature we really love is the exterior construction which is sturdy with waterproofing materials, and sleek in design. Even with all the compartments, straps, and handles, the design maintains a minimal, designer look. The fabric was constructed with high-strength nylon webbing and durable urethane-coated zippers and includes Hypalon lash points and reinforcements that are extremely resistant to the elements.
One of the most important features of this backpack is the compression-molded EVA back panel that includes a hip harness and load lifter straps that relieve the heavy load of your gear from your back to your hips. This makes this camera backpack the most comfortable we’ve tested. The hip strap is removable which is a nice feature to have when using it for shorter days that don’t include as much weight or travel.
After running across multiple airports we did find ourselves wishing that this backpack could turn into a roller bag as the weight ultimately became too much to carry on our back when filled to the brim. This is when the padded, sturdy handles came in handy! Read on for a review of our favorite roller camera bag.
Ultimately, we found the Nomatic McKinnon 35L to be the leading champ in our best camera backpacks roundup for 2024. You just can’t go wrong with this sturdy, versatile, and supremely comfortable workhorse.
If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive pack that will keep your camera gear safe, you can’t do better than CADeN’s Camera Backpack ($36). The name says it all — this bag gets the job done.
The Camera Backpack’s interior features the standard padded compartment walls. These can be configured to fit anything from two cameras with seven lenses to a camera and a drone plus accessories to just about anything else you can imagine.
As you’d expect in a no-frills pack, you’re not going to find a lot of organizational pockets. So you’re going to have to reserve some space in your main (only) compartment for your SD cards, batteries, and whatever other small items you want to bring. But it does sport a padded interior pocket that can fit a tablet or a 12-inch laptop.
On the CADeN’s Backpack’s exterior are two elastic pockets to hold bottles. One has a strap attachment above it so you can secure a tripod. The other is a flat external pocket to slide in a notebook or other smaller items.
As for the materials, the durable fabric helps prevent rips or snags from surrounding vegetation. The foam shoulder straps are designed for breathability while strolling around the streets or climbing hills on hot, sweaty days.
Obviously, this pack doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other packs on this list — and the plethora of typos and confusing sentences in the product description is slightly disconcerting. But it does what it’s designed to do, and you’d be hard-pressed to be able to say that about any other pack this affordable. Take it from us — and the nearly 11k ratings on Amazon — this budget pack won’t let you down.
We didn’t quite realize the “everyday” element of PD’s Everyday Zip ($220) would truly permeate “every” element of our lives — but hoooboy do we love this backpack! It became our daily driver nearly the moment we slid it from the box, and has quite literally accompanied one of our authors on every trip he’s taken in the last five months of our testing period. Like old thru-hiking backpacks — or his dad’s ancient Kelty external frame riddled with spiderwebs in the basement — this is one of those rare packs he’s already formed an emotional connection with. It’s hard to beat this little beast.
Now, it definitely is a little beast. This isn’t designed to haul every lens in your loadout, multiple camera bodies, or any big fancy flash or audio rigs. Otherwise, it may be sitting at the top of this guide. The 20-liter volume of this gem allows you to carry just what you need for a simple day-long photo or video shoot, while still being fast and limber as you bounce around a wedding venue, or follow a film crew in the backcountry. For a bigger option, check out PD’s larger Everyday Backpack V2, which comes in 20 or 30 liters, and is a bit beefier.
We included both bags in this guide because they are each so darn good in their own way — but we gravitate to the Everyday Zip for some reason almost every time. Its impossibly streamlined, almost space-age silhouette and near-perfect organizational layout have hit the sweet spot for most photo/video gigs we’ve hopped on recently. At just over 3 pounds it floats behind you, providing all-day comfort as long as it isn’t overloaded.
The Everyday Zip has a wrap-around zipper instead of the MagLatch closure hardware of the Everyday Backpack, less internal space, FlexFold dividers, and less external carry capacity. This may seem like a con, but to us, the simplicity has allowed us to be more efficient and grab our gear faster from any angle than we’re used to with the Everyday Backpack. It’s also one of the more stylish bags we’ve tested.
Two easy-to-customize FlexFold dividers can be configured in limitless ways inside the pack via Velcro, allowing you to carry more lenses with a smaller camera, or a larger cinema base rig with one or two lenses. A small zippered pouch up top stashes cords, SD cards, and tiny knickknacks. Magnetic pouches sit above zippered pockets on each side panel for more internal separation. A zippered laptop sleeve on the back is divided into two pouches, which easily accommodate our 13″ MacBook Pro and iPad. A couple of other small pouches help with the endless spaghetti of cords and chargers.
We’ve been consistently rolling with a Sony FX3 body and two medium-sized cinema and GM lenses, paired with a shotgun mic, and even a small LumeCube light or two, along with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone — which all fit comfortably inside the pack with extra room to boot. Laptops are a tad hard to remove when the pack is fully loaded, though.
What makes this bag shine is its zipper and compartment layout. The pack features top and dual side access via a single 270-degree wrap-around zipper, with four different zippers to open whichever compartment of the pack you need. Robust handles on each side of the pack allow you to whip it around with ease to quickly access each segment, and the rotating shoulder straps let you drop the pack onto one shoulder and rip it open without plopping it on the ground. It just flows so well with our every movement, and seems to accommodate any scenario we find ourselves in on a shoot.
The 400D and 900D nylon canvas shell with a DWR coating shrugs off significant torture, and while this isn’t necessarily designed as a “hiking” pack, we’ve taken it to some wild outdoor locations and put it through its paces. It’s kept our gear dry in light snow and surprise showers, and resisted rips during multiple desperate bushwhacks trying frantically to get that perfect sunset shot.
Drumming up any cons for the Peak Design Everyday Zip feels downright impossible. But if we have to get nitpicky, we wish the shoulder straps had more padding (gets a bit uncomfortable when fully loaded), the sternum strap was a traditional buckle, and the laptop sleeve wasn’t so tight. Those qualms aside, this has got to be one of the best feats of engineering in the camera pack universe. We could go on and on, but in short — just buy the dang thing. You won’t be disappointed, and it’ll probably live on your back forever!
When you’re a traveling photographer and you tend to bring your gear in a carry-on backpack, you can understand just how heavy your gear can get when standing through security lines, walking to and from gates, and on to your destination. The Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II ($470) is the perfect companion for traversing through cities and airports as an incredible camera backpack, with wheels.
Lowepro created the best “convertible camera backpack-roller” that protects and organizes camera gear in a compact, carry-on size. Like most of Lowepro’s gear, this backpack is a part of their “green” line with 69% recycled fabrics and comes with an all-weather rain cover. The ability to wear your camera backpack through any element with the option to convert to a roller bag is extremely helpful when traveling.
We tested this pack on an international trip to Belgium and the Netherlands. As you may suspect, it rained often on this trip and required the rain-fly which stood the test to the elements of both rain and street grunge. Both the camera backpack and roller bag modes were put to use at various times.
The Lowepro PRO Trekker RLX functioned as the carry-on on this trip and was worn as a backpack when traveling with a large carry-on suitcase. Once the suitcase was checked, it was easy to convert the camera backpack into a roller bag for ease of exploring the airport without the added weight on the back.
How does this magical camera backpack convert you may ask? The back panel has a padded barrier that unbuttons to hide the backpack straps so they are not in the way of the roller bag or dragging. The buttons are very tight which makes it great at holding in the straps but a little tricky to fold in the straps nicely. It takes a little effort but is well worth the momentary struggle for long-term utility.
What we also really love about this pack is the amount of storage options. Like most camera packs, the padded dividers can move about to fit your gear, and are structurally sturdy. No one likes flimsy camera dividers. This pack also includes a separate zipper pack that can fit hard drives and other accessories that you may want to grab easily. There are two large zipper compartments on the internal back and up to 12 divided areas for camera gear or other accessories.
On one trip, we fit a Canon R5 with a 35mm macro lens, a Nikon 35 mm film camera, a Leica 35 mm point-and-shoot camera, multiple rolls of film, two LaCie hard drives, and two memory cards. The rest of the space was used for additional items needed in flight. The external compartment has space for a laptop or iPad, and book. There is a front zipper that is perfect for earbuds, pens, etc. Lowepro states that the laptop compartment fits a 15’’ laptop but we found that our 16’’ MacBook Pro fits just fine.
When it comes to air travel, it’s no surprise that the Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II comes in first as the best Camera Backpack for Flying. It is the best we found for professional photographers who need maximum camera space and protection — without giving into a hard gearbox.
A good sling should be as versatile as it is light, and when considering the option of carrying a camera or two for your next rendezvous, the Lowepro Trekker Lite Sling ($85) provides protection, comfort, and packability.
We’ve carried the sling in various settings, both indoors and outdoors, for professional work and leisure, and can attest to its rugged yet refined elements.
The sling features an outer pocket, two clips to secure a packable tripod, water bottle, or rain jacket, and three grip handles on the side and top of the pack. The grips are handy to readily move the pack for quick access to your camera.
Unfortunately, the pack is lacking in coverage from the elements. It could use a rain cover and waterproof zippers, taking the sling to a whole new level of adventure. Whether worn as a hip-pack or a sling, robust padding lines the back panel providing essential comfort.
Internally, the sling houses multiple compartments. An internal zipper and two small stretch pockets on the outside of the padded camera barrier are perfect for keys, phones, and additional memory cards. The padded camera compartment is adjustable and can easily hold a full-size DSLR camera and lens.
It is sandwiched between front and back padded panels as well as a padded flap covering the entire camera area for added protection. The very back of the sling provides an internal padded sleeve for a journal or iPad. While slightly bulky, overall the storage provides top-notch organization and coverage.
Additionally, we especially like a padded sling that provides comfort whether worn along the waist, hips, or cross-body. The padded straps can be fully removed — which we found exceptionally helpful when packing the sling in carry-on luggage.
What we like most about the Lowepro Trekker Lite is the ability to adjust the sling straps to the hip or cross-shoulder depending on the use. We took the sling on urban bike rides, work events, and hikes, all packed with various cameras, lenses, and accessories depending on the day.
The overall weight of a camera backpack can be critical when traveling any distance with your gear. That’s why we recommend the Manfrotto Pro Light Backloader ($215) for an easy load with maximum protection. It’s sturdy yet lightweight and fits the maximum amount of gear in a backpack.
We suggest this camera backpack when traveling about town and on flights that require a lighter load and security. Weighing in at just over 4 lbs, the Backloader maintains a secure cube system with a new “M-Guard Protection System” that is shock-resistant and lightweight. The dividers are made of high-density EVA foam that is both thin, protective, and easy to maneuver to fit your gear. We stored two DSLR cameras, a 24-70 mm lens, a 35 mm lens, an on-camera flash, a 35 mm film camera, and a jumble of charging accessories.
The outer shell of the backpack is reinforced with a “viscoelastic memory foam” that absorbs impacts without an overly thick appearance. There are simple clips on the side to hold a tripod or other items if you get creative with travel! The 16’’ MacBook Pro fits nicely in the front laptop zipper with room to hold an additional notebook or other small accessories. It seems that any charging devices would be best stored internally, either in the top cubby that is accessible from the top zipper or in one of the three pockets on the inside of the back panel.
One thing we really like about two of the pockets is that there are no zippers, making it a little quicker to grab while holding items securely. It is also important that the pockets are mesh which allows you to see what is inside without digging around! This backpack does not have waterproofing built into the zippers but does come with a rain cover.
If traveling with a roller bag, rather than the traditional back sleeve, the backpack has a side handle to hold onto a suitcase and fits snugly under the seat of an economy flight. We use this backpack both for flight travel and as a daily gear pack when going to various shoots in the city that require more than one camera. Additionally, there are hip and chest straps available when the load does feel extra heavy. These are simple and not padded but a nice option for longer journeys.
Lastly, the Manfrotto Pro Light Backloader really focuses on the protection of the gear, not only from impact but also from theft. The backpack does come with a “TSA lock” that is handy to add a little more ease when traveling but we would never suggest that your camera backpack be checked! This lightweight backpack allows you to carry heavy gear with the least amount of added weight as possible with ultimate protection.
When the film or photog gig demands overnight forays in the mountains — or there’s just too much dang gear to haul in a smaller day pack — you’ll need something akin to a traditional backpacking pack to schlep your precious glass.
Camera backpacking backpacks are surging in popularity as filming long excursions with expensive gear becomes more and more a possibility for the prosumer. After taking a few of these hardy beasts on long romps in the woods, we narrowed in on the sleek and light Moment Strohl Mountain Light 45L ($250) pack as our top pick for this niche category.
Though not the most specced out and technical heavy hauler on the market, the Strohl stood out as a healthy balance between function and weight, while still keeping a basic camera setup safe from the trials and tribulations on the trail.
We admit, our backpacking mindset lands squarely in the ultralight cult — so read on with that in mind. We are constantly searching for ways to streamline our setup and whittle down our base weight on long thru-hikes or even weekend missions on trail.
While chucking multiple lenses, heavy camera bodies, mics, etc. into our classic ultralight packs we quickly realized how impossible it is to keep the featherlight weights we’re used to, and how quickly our shoulders start screaming at us. However, it’s easy to swing to the other fringe of the spectrum and snag a bag with so many compartments, straps, and cushions that you end up hauling way more than you ever should on a multi-day battle in the wilderness.
The Strohl treads the fine line between ultralight minimalism and supportive comfort for carrying clunky loads. A full suspension system and internal frame transfer hefty loads to the hips well, and it has an overall balanced feel as you trot and bounce over variable terrain.
A plush hipbelt, shoulder and hipbelt pockets, side straps, a removable brain, a molded back panel, and near-waterproof Cordura fabric decorate this pack — though it still boasts a modest weight of 2 pounds, 6 ounces. No small feat!
Quick camera access was clearly a goal of Moment when designing this pack. Swing it off your shoulder, plop it down, and rip open a subtle storage compartment that sits right on the lumbar portion of the back panel. The lid slides smoothly open, giving you unrestricted access to a large camera and multiple lenses. You can easily stash your own camera cube in this space, or grab Moment’s own MTN Light Camera Insert ($50) for seamless integration and sturdy attachment with the pack.
The insert can accommodate camera sizes up to a Canon 5D body with four lenses. Unfortunately, this insert doesn’t come with the pack and must be purchased separately — which stands out as our biggest ding to an otherwise incredible model.
The Moment Strohl Mountain Light 45L is a dream for the ultralight creative. It allows you to stash days of food and supplies above your camera gear, and head into the hills with confidence and a spring to your step. Don’t let intimidating backpacking missions keep you from capturing them with cinema quality!
Now, we don’t like to use the word “perfect” in this line of work, and well… we aren’t going to use it now. But boy were we tempted with this review! Lowepro clearly (based on the concentration of bags in this guide) stands out as perhaps the most prominent producer of incredible camera bags, and their Flipside Trek BP 450 AW ($290) carries the torch of their reputation. This thing is simply magical to use on gear-intensive photo/video shoots.
Our author had this pack on his Amazon wish list for years before writing for GearJunkie, and it represented the “dream” camera bag for him as he perused options online and dabbled in the freelance filmmaking world. His budget, though, didn’t quite allow it at the time. It wasn’t until actually building this roundup that he had the opportunity to test it — and it was just about as good as he imagined.
For us, this pack carries just about the optimal amount of bodies, lenses, and miscellaneous camera trinkets for a full day of shooting or filming, with a modest amount of personal belongings in tow. We do wish the “open zone” compartment for personal gear was a bit more robust — but you can’t have it all. It does have a small compartment for an iPad.
With the amount of camera storage you have available, it’s easy to pack on the pounds in this pack, but the ActivZone suspension system makes it bearable. This thing carries like a breeze and feels incredibly balanced.
Ease of access to our gear from any angle is a vital characteristic we sniff out when reviewing camera packs. With sleek “Flipside” side access technology, and a hinged lid and back panel that nearly entirely folds open to the camera compartment, the Trek BP 450 scores top marks in this department.
This creative combo allows you to wear the waistbelt, flip the bag around your body, and access your gear without ever having to set the bag on the ground. A cherished touch on high-pace shoots.
The streamlined silhouette seems to contour perfectly with our body, and it’s just a downright rugged, good-lookin’ bag. Tote a day’s worth of pricey glass and a modest amount of personal goods on trail, or bop around a professional set with about as much comfort as you could ask for — the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW is the tool for the job.
A daily camera backpack is one you typically want for working remotely, commuting about town, and carrying some camera gear along the way in case something captures your eye. We found that the Hex Back Loader V2 ($200) backpack is the perfect daily companion.
This camera backpack seems to keep in mind the work of journalists, influencers, and social media gurus who need their DSLR handy with a mic and maybe a few lens options. Lighter than the Manfrotto Light — the Hex isn’t ideal for large amounts of heavy gear but does match perfectly for daily work life.
What we found especially great about this backpack was the pockets for everyday items like pens, notebooks, your laptop, iPad, and other accessories — including a bottle holder for your water, coffee, or wine. It’s clear it was made with everyday work life in mind. The outer shell is water resistant but unfortunately doesn’t come with a rain cover — you’ll have to fit this one under your rain jacket for the rainy season.
There’s a top zipper to easily access a camera or lens while on the go. And the straps of the pack and the entire back outer panel have this nice mesh fabric that seems to breathe well. We’ve all experienced those sweaty back and armpits from backpacks so we found this especially nice to counter sweat. Additionally, there are two simple clips on the Loader V2 to strap in your tripod or glamor light.
Internally, the camera pods do hold a good amount of gear but we would be careful to put the most valuable and likely heaviest gear in the center panels as the outer shell lacks substantial protection from a bad fall or hit. Like most camera backpacks, the pods are adjustable to your gear and liking!
The first thing you notice about Lowepro’s ProTactic 450 AW II ($230) is its understated design. A flat black exterior with webbing throughout perfectly blends style and utility. As great as the exterior looks, this bag really shines when you open it up.
With enough room to fit two DSLR or mirrorless cameras, additional lenses, and even a drone, you won’t need to decide which device to take on your trip. You’ll simply be able to bring the best gear for whatever situation arises.
The padded, flexible dividers can be adjusted to multiple configurations. This allows you to arrange your camera gear however you want. And the tough EVA-molded top padding all around the bag keeps it safe.
We love the ease of entry and gear accessibility of this design. We can grab our camera from the side of the pack on the go, thanks to a lower-corner entry point with a zip closure. There’s also a top entry point. We can also lay the pack flat and open the full face of the front via a U-shaped zipper.
The ProTactic 450 AW II features smaller pockets in the back panel to keep your batteries and cords organized. Further, quick-lock straps and a tripod cup let you attach a tripod for traveling.
Want to do your edits on the road? Lowepro has you covered with a protective laptop pocket that will hold up to a 15-inch laptop. And the integrated water-resistant rain cover keeps everything safe and dry if you get caught in a downpour.
No matter how protective a backpack is, it won’t matter if you hate carrying it around. But Lowepro thought of that as well. The brand added targeted support at the shoulder blades, lumbar, and waist so you can haul your gear all day in comfort. Ultimately, this is an excellent day-in, day-out photography pack.
You probably know Thule from those sleek rooftop cargo boxes you see on that Subaru flying by you on the freeway toward some exotic destination — but the brand also makes excellent packs. And the Covert ($320) lives up to its reputation for quality and innovation.
The first thing we noticed was the removable padded camera pod that can be worn as a sling or shoulder bag. This is a separate pocket that can fit up to a prosumer DSLR camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a DJI Mavic Pro drone.
Cleverly, you can pull the pod out and just take your camera and drone with you without hauling all your gear. The camera pod sports a unique design quirk — the interior organizer takes inspiration from origami, folding in multiple configurations so you can store your cameras however you’d like.
We also love the Covert’s roll-top compartment. It’s spacious enough to take along your personal items and adds a touch of flair to the pack. The customizable interior will hold two lenses, a flash, and all your drone accessories.
An interior partition separates personal gear from fancy camera glass, and fully unzips to tuck away into a mesh pocket for unrestricted use of all internal space. This is especially helpful if you decide to remove the camera pod and use this as a more traditional travel pack. The durable nylon exterior is somewhat water-resistant — though you don’t want to be caught in a downpour without a pack cover.
Additionally, the back-panel laptop pocket will fit both a 15-inch laptop and a tablet. Keeping everything organized is a zippered separator between the roll-top compartment and the bottom compartment. Plus, a wide range of stash pockets offers quick access to your accessories. So many pockets and pouches are nice, but can get a bit overwhelming at times, and we often forget where we’ve shoved small trinkets. For the hyper-organized however — this is a dream come true.
Thoughtful features have been added since previous iterations, including a sparsely padded hipbelt that can be stowed away, and a luggage pass-through panel on the back that easily attaches to rolling luggage. All in all, the Thule Covert is a sleek, stylish bag that offers supreme organization in a compact package. We’ve been really digging this pack for gear-intensive day shoots where a million little cords, lenses, filters, and cameras need their own separate home.
If your biggest pet peeve is having to dig around in your pack to find a specific accessory, this pack from USA Gear ($70) is the pick for you. We’re astonished at the amount of storage and organization crammed into a pack of this size.
There are dedicated pockets all over this pack. The lower back panel lid has two rectangular Velcro pockets that can store charging cords. The top lid has a smaller mesh pocket for batteries and smaller charging cords. And a smaller zipper pocket on the very back has webbed elastic pockets to keep your SD cards organized.
The USA Gear DSLR’s main compartment splits into two sections. The padded bottom compartment sports customizable walls you can reconfigure to your liking, with room for your DSLR, lenses, flash, and other accessories. And it offers side access to your camera, so you can whip it out when an opportunity for a great shot comes up unexpectedly.
The spacious top compartment has room for any other gear you want to bring. The padded laptop case will fit anything up to a 15-inch laptop. And the drawcord side pocket can house a water bottle or your tripod, thanks to the securing strap above it.
Ultimately, the cost of the USA Gear DSLR pack is an entry-level price and serviceable, the padding is fair, and the durability is moderate, so this design is a good fit for a risk-averse, super-attentive photographer.
If two-strapping isn’t quite your style, Altura’s Sling Bag ($50) is another great sling option for you. This lightweight bag sports a side-accessible interior pocket with padded, adjustable dividers, and enough room for a DSLR and extra lenses or accessories.
The top storage compartment will fit extra lenses or a flash unit. And mesh interior pockets and a small exterior zip pocket will keep your cables, batteries, and SD cards secure and organized.
We appreciate the broad and easy front entry, which features a three-sided zipper. And the farthest edge reaches to the backside of the pack. It’s deep and three-dimensional instead of offering two-dimensional access.
The padded sling design allows for rotation from the back to the front for quick access to your pack. And the exterior side pocket, strap, and buckle hold a tripod securely to your pack.
The Lowepro Fastpack Pro BP 250 AW III ($178) is an equally stout and dependable everyday adventure camera pack as our top choices — so don’t let its location in this guide dissuade you! The main compartment fits a DSLR, several additional lenses, a folding drone kit, and a 15-inch laptop.
It also has extra space for personal items. The exterior pocket and security strap nicely carry a tripod, and accessory pockets inside and out help us keep all the accessories neatly organized.
Beefy, U-shape pull tabs on the zippers make access to the pack’s primary zone that much smoother. The topmost section of the pack is an open area and a nice storage hammock for everyday stuff — a midlayer, rain jacket, wallet, and the like.
The middle front pocket zips open with additional storage pockets inside, including one with a tricot liner that’s friendly against a phone screen or sunglasses lens. An external pocket on the front is spacious for keys, a wallet, or a small journal.
The electronics garage is in the bottom half. The Fastpack Pro BP 250 AW III’s device zone features interior molded-in dividers that are adjustable, which makes them easier and quicker to switch up compared to Velcro attachment points.
On the side, there’s a quick door for fast, easy access even while the pack hangs over one shoulder. Once the glove-friendly safety buckles are opened, that same zipper wraps around to the front, allowing a greater range of access to gear.
To help withstand a sudden onset of rain, an included all-weather cover pulls over the pack for additional protection. Otherwise, the exterior fabric on the bottommost half of the pack is PU-coated to prevent damage from dirt, moisture, or rough vegetation. The fabric on the upper half is a robust 300-denier ripstop that’s weight-saving.
We really appreciate the padded waist belt, which means running a mobile office can be that much more comfortable and supportive of our long-term back health. Also, the security loophole is a nice touch — the wide U-shaped zipper pull fits into a buckle, so thieves can’t open the device zone as you wear the pack. (But a lock system would be necessary if you’re not wearing the pack.)
The pack can sit upright solo too. It’s no surprise we like more than one camera pack from this solid brand.
Gear from San Francisco-based company Peak Design is well-known for its minimalist look combined with an ingenious design for travel and everyday life. And the Everyday Backpack V2 ($280) is no exception. The exterior’s clean lines and absence of excessive straps give it the impression of a dearth of features.
But once you open the pack, you’ll find that plenty of thought and innovation went into its design. This pack is very similar to our runner-up best overall, PD’s Everyday Zip 20L, but offers a bit more protection and storage.
You can easily configure this pack for photography or videography alike, and its versatility is truly where it shines. It holds enough room in the main compartment to fit a DSLR camera and nearly five extra lenses or a DJI Mavic drone and all the necessary accessories. It stores them in the form of three slide-out divider shelves that are accessible via the zippered side pockets.
The dividers can fold into different shapes to allow you to customize the configurations to fit different styles of gear. A protective laptop compartment will accommodate up to 15-inch laptops and it can be adjusted to fit smaller laptops.
The pack has additional pockets for tablets and documents, and the side access panels have smaller zippered pockets to store memory cards, batteries, and smaller items. For ease of travel, three padded grab handles are placed on the top and side for a briefcase-style carry.
The Everyday Backpack V2’s bottom is lined with 900-denier waterproof fabric. Otherwise, the durable fabric is a blend of nylon, polyester, EVA, and super-weather-resistant Hypalon.
We appreciate the brand’s innovative, earth-friendlier manufacturing choices: a 100% recycled 400-denier weatherproof shell and the solution-dyed charcoal color option, which saves energy and water. The weatherproof zippers help prevent moisture entry, and the mesh padding along the back is breathable and comfortable.
Designed as a daily driver workhorse, the pack works well even if you’re not taking your camera gear with you. Sliding out the dividers provides plenty of room for your laptop, along with anything else you need for your day — lunch, a jacket, and a 12-pack of adult beverages — with some extra room for anything you pick up during the day.
If you need a bag that can go anywhere regardless of the weather, the WANDRD PRVKE 21L photo bundle ($299) is the way to go. Consisting of the PRVKE 21 pack, accessory straps, a waist pack, and a rain fly, this rugged set is one of our better picks for hiking on this list.
The back panel and shoulder straps feature improved comfort through a more ergonomic shape and additional padding. Plus, there’s a side access port to quickly grab the camera while you trek. Otherwise, the clamshell opening makes gear access so simple and easy on the fly. Magnets in the handles mean they can snap together for a tote-style carry.
This 21L pack’s main body can fit your camera body, extra lenses, a drone, and a flash unit in the main compartment with its removable padded separators. If you need to bring more along, the expandable rolltop unfurls to add an extra 5 L of space to the pack. Smaller internal pockets keep your accessories organized.
Pockets galore! We especially like the elastic mesh internal pockets that allow you to store your SD cards individually for easy access. No more digging around in the bottom of your pack looking for that SD needle in the haystack.
We also love the large, streamlined front organization pocket, which is a solid spot for a journal or field notebook. The hidden passport and cash pocket (which is built into the lower half of the back panel) is a tad larger than the pack’s earlier edition, and three accessory pockets are now on the laptop and tablet sleeve.
The laptop sleeve will store up to 16-inch laptops, and the tablet sleeve will fit up to 12.9-inch screens. The felt-lined tech pocket will keep your phone, sunglasses, or other scratch-prone items safe.
True to the bag’s “go anywhere” design, the removable waist belt allows you to customize your harness system to wherever you go. You can take off the straps for taking pictures around town, and then add them again for photoshoots out in the backcountry. The WANDRD PRVKE 21L is a stylish, functional, and protective bag for just about any destination you want to capture.
With decades of experience behind the lens, GearJunkie’s rabble of creatives is no stranger to flashy photography trinkets — and they know the importance of keeping that precious glass safe and sound in any environment.
A good camera backpack is the foundation of a successful shoot. It keeps thousands of dollars of heavy, fragile gear cocooned in cushy compartments, and is the difference between getting that perfect shot, or endlessly fumbling around while the sun sinks below the horizon.
For that reason, our team doesn’t take our testing lightly. We rummaged around online forums, bugged our pro photog contacts, and scoured the tables at gear shows to narrow in on the absolute best roundup of camera backpacks on the market. Rest assured — this list represents the crème de la crème of these niche, fancy packs.
Senior Editor Chris Carter and GearJunkie contributor Kendra Smith joined forces for the most recent revamp of this guide. Taking over 10 different camera backpacks on shoots and adventures all over the world, they reviewed this fresh stock of packs over a 7-month testing period before feeling comfortable settling on the list you see above.
These backpacks wound their way along cobblestone streets in Europe, bounced across the dusty African savannah, and slowly plodded up endless Sierra switchbacks in California. We clocked some serious distance with each model, and would feel confident recommending any one of them for your various photography ventures.
Drawing from years of documentary work, commercial gigs for outdoor brands, and stints as a freelancer and PBS cameraman, Carter pulled from a diverse film and photog resume to help inform the direction of this guide. His cameras are unwittingly toted to some seriously wild locations, and he is extremely picky about the backpacks he grabs to protect them with.
Smith is an editorial photographer based in Minneapolis. She has a multidisciplinary background in photography, cultural anthropology, and communicative arts in marketing. She hauled a number of the packs reviewed above on wild romps all over the globe to put them through their paces and gauge their merit.
For an extended multiday production on complicated sets, or a simple day shoot at a local wedding — we’ve got a camera backpack for your specific needs.
When considering the perfect camera backpack for your personal or professional pursuits, it’s important to think of location, distance, accessibility, and capacity. Additional considerations are materials and capacity, comfort, and value. Things like weather, durability, body type, and budget will also come into play when making the best personal choice in a camera bag.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you may want a simple hip pack to carry your camera and other essentials, while a professional photographer will need a bag with substantial weight capacity along with storage and good padding for protection. In any case, thinking through when and where you’ll use your camera backpack will help guide your purchase. Below are a few good questions to ask yourself before making your purchase.
It’s worth noting that all of the packs we listed above serve the niche purpose of transporting and protecting sensitive camera gear. If you’re on the hunt for other backpack categories, be sure to check out our comprehensive review on the absolute best backpacking backpacks, or our streamlined roundup of the best daypacks for everyday use. All of these packs could also be converted to DIY camera backpacks with the inclusion of some nifty camera cubes — but it sure is nice to have an all-in-one package.
As every photographer knows, location is everything, and with that comes weather, lighting, and terrain. These aspects will inform some of the most important elements your camera pack should be prepared for — and hopefully help narrow down your options.
Based on location, a common accessory to many photographers is the tripod. Most camera backpacks have clips to hold a tripod but this very much depends on the size and weight of the trip, so look out for the specs of the pack and your tripod when considering how important a tripod holder is to your camera backpack.
If you know there is a higher risk of inclement weather, you will want to look for waterproofing or water-resistant materials on the fabric and zippers or a rain cover. Another major element to consider is dirt and dust. At the very least, good camera backpacks keep out the dirt from getting inside your pack so check out the materials section below for more information.
Consider the full range of conditions and environments you plan on shooting in when choosing your camera backpack. This will largely determine the capacity, materials, and overall organizational features of the pack that are best for your needs.
Knowing how far you need to travel with your camera backpack will help inform how durable your pack should be and how much weight you’re willing or able to carry for that distance.
In general, thicker materials with double-stitching in the seams and straps will help your pack manage normal wear. Ripstop and other strong materials help with extensive wear for increased or long-term use. It’s important to note how much or little space that your pack allows compared to your gear. Ironically, the tighter your gear fits into your pack the better, as extra room allows your gear to get knocked around while traveling. Either get the perfect fit or find ways to make that space tighter.
If you’re carrying your pack longer distances with substantial weight, you’ll definitely want to consider choosing a backpack with waist and chest straps to balance the weight distribution of your gear. A good long-distance pack also has substantial padding around the walls of the front, back, and side of the backpack as well as the interior separators.
We narrowed in on the Moment Strohl Mountain Light pack as our heavy hauler of choice for long backpacking trips. The AtlasPacks Athlete Camera Backpack is another — slightly smaller — stellar pick in this category. Packs like these allow you to safely carry a full camera loadout in addition to a basic backpacking kit for multiday travel in the backcountry.
Inevitably, you’re going to have to cross some big ponds during your filmmaking/photography exploits — which can be an understandably disconcerting experience. Not everyone — TSA *cough cough* — understands just how fragile and expensive this glass can get. Horror stories abound of camera gear getting ruined in transit between countries.
Your best line of defense against these woes is to carry all of your pricey gear in either your carry-on or your personal item. You can then stash more durable gear like a tripod, mounts, or a bulky camera cage, in your checked bags.
Our favorite combo for schlepping gear for even moderately complicated shoots abroad is to slot a large camera cube, such as PD’s Medium or Large Camera Cube V2, into a hard-sided carry-on like the one above, and fill it with any assortment of lenses, mics, or sensitive filters. We then pack our pricey camera bodies and some of the more expensive lenses in a smaller personal item-sized camera backpack — like PD’s Everyday Zip 20L or Lowepro’s Trekker Lite SLX 120 Sling Bag.
This streamlined combo has allowed us to haul an absurd amount of film gear all over the world for everything from simple photo gigs, to complicated multi-month international video projects. Never once have we had to put anything fragile in a checked bag. Though this does make our personal items quite heavy, it’s a price we’re willing to pay for peace of mind.
Checked bags get chucked haphazardly around while loading and unloading onto planes, and we’d rather not worry one bit about a cracked lens or broken body. With that said, we’d still recommend purchasing gear insurance before going anywhere too wild.
If your camera loadout is simply too massive for your personal luggage, you can splurge on something like the bombproof 1615 Air Case from Pelican to check sensitive gear — but this gets pricey fast.
We recently were able to shove multiple camera bodies, a slew of bulky lenses, camera cages, gimbals, mics, monitors, and all manner of awkward-shaped tech accessories into this carry-on/personal item combo and travel stress-free to Africa for a months-long video project in brutal conditions.
The multiple access points of PD’s Everyday Zip, and easily accessible organization of the camera pod in our carry-on, allowed us to quickly reveal our suspect film gear to prying airport security eyes without having to spill all of our personal contents on the ground at checkpoints. A cherished detail.
When traveling internationally, it’s safe to assume that expensive camera gear will be scrutinized while going through airport security. It’s therefore best to have everything as easily accessible as possible if/when your bag gets pulled aside to be rummaged through.
It’s also helpful to have an itemized list on hand of what camera gear you’re bringing into the country, and its rough monetary value — as we’ve been asked for this on multiple occasions while traveling abroad. Having to scroll through your recent Amazon purchases to wrangle this info together last minute while folks wait impatiently behind you is less than fun.
Camera pods/cubes are another important feature to consider, and can be immensely helpful when flying or road-tripping around — as mentioned above. Pods, or “camera cubes” can make many different backpacks into camera backpacks, and are smaller inserts that fit within a larger pack. They generally have foam dividers for cameras and lenses, and vary in sizes.
First, be on the lookout for pods that are and are not included. Many packs are now offering pods as an add-on to create a more customized bag that can double as a camera backpack or regular pack. The add-on options allow you to choose what size of pods you need. In any case, try to visualize where your gear will be placed in the pods, how many you need, and how to customize them to your needs.
Some of our favorite camera cubes are Peak Design’s Camera Cube V2s and Lowepro’s GearUP Pro Camera Boxes. We’ve been using the small and medium PD cubes to make our regular carry-ons into full-fledged camera rollers, and the GearUP Boxes for carrying loads of heavy bodies and lenses on backpacking trips.
The ability to slide them in and out of any backpack makes these shoo-ins for just about any adventure we’ve gone on during this testing period. The PD cubes also work seamlessly with all Peak Design bags — such as their sleek Travel Duffels — and can be securely clipped into attachment loops within the bag.
We love being able to store a body and one or two lenses in LP’s GearUP Boxes, and slide them vertically into our backpacking backpack for quick, multidirectional access to our camera mid-trek. The GearUPs have a large zippered opening on the front to access everything when you pull it out of your pack, or you can open a smaller door on the top to slide the camera out when the pod is slotted vertically, nestled among your gear (see above). If you aren’t using a dedicated camera backpacking backpack — like Moment’s Strohl Mountain Light pack — this can be a great solution for the trail-trotting creative.
Camera cubes can also be used to add more gear storage to camera backpacks. Often times, the included camera compartment of camera backpacks just isn’t enough, and cubes can be added to personal gear sections of the pack to safely store additional sensitive gear.
This is perhaps the most important feature that we sniff out when analyzing a camera backpack’s worth, and each pack seems to have its own unique way of allowing you to quickly snag your gear. Manufacturers of these packs face the difficult challenge of crafting a design that keeps fragile glass safe, while still allowing you to swiftly rip the pack off your back, and easily access your camera the moment that perfect shot materializes.
Multidirectional zippers, various access points, and strategically placed Velcro dividers all aid in this complex process. Perhaps our favorite accessibility layout can be found in PD’s Everyday Zip 20L. The pack features top and dual side access via a single 270-degree wrap-around zipper, with four different zippers to open whichever compartment of the pack you need.
Handles on each side of the pack allow you to rip it around with ease to quickly access each segment, and the rotating shoulder straps let you drop the pack onto one shoulder and rip it open without plopping it on the ground.
Not all packs have this level of complicated tech — nor would you necessarily need it. It’s important to determine how complicated or simple you want your back to be, which largely depends on the type of shoots you plan to be involved in.
Some photographers need quick access to their camera backpacks while others use them purely for transportation. Knowing whether you need to easily access your camera while on the move is another important step in choosing the right backpack.
There are packs with top and side access, as well as loops on the straps to add camera clips. One of the best features of well-designed camera packs is a side door entry that folds open, so you can reach in and grab your camera, even with your pack still on.
Usually that zipper extends further to the other side of the pack, too, so you can get a full bird’s-eye view of your equipment (while stopped with the pack lying flat on the ground). A clamshell opening is also a solid design, so that the bag’s exterior completely opens up for visibility on all of the gear.
Another consideration is where the camera compartment is located in the pack. The zipper could be closer to the back, near the front, or down along the sides. Some like their gear uber secure, leading to more difficult access but added protection, while others prefer to be able to get to their camera from the back or outer zipper. Accessibility really depends on your primary focus for your gear.
Every good camera backpack will have a tripod holder. If the bag you’re considering has one, it’s usually located on the exterior of the pack. Many packs use a pocket that usually acts as a bottle holder to support the bottom of the tripod, with a strap near the top of the pack to secure it.
Most standard camera bags will come in around 20-30 L. This is plenty of room for camera gear, a laptop or tablet, and other essentials.
If you go out on longer multiday trips, opt for a larger pack — 50 to 60 L might be a good size. And find a padded camera cube so you can pack your camera and lenses safely in the pack if you don’t plan on getting one with integrated camera storage.
As far as pack durability goes, double-stitched straps and high-denier (thicker) materials will help your bag withstand standard wear and tear. For keeping your gear safe, the more padded the backpack, the safer your equipment will be.
Also, the more snug the compartment design is, the better. Extra space leaves room for gear to jostle around whether you’re running through the airport, riding your cruiser to the park, or steering a dirt bike to an overlook for sunset.
Look for a pack that has padding that surrounds the main compartment, not just on the separators. If you tend to be extra hard on your gear, some bags have hardshell liners for extra impact protection.
It’s important to know the difference between waterproofing, water-resistant, and how long these materials last. If you want to be prepared for any weather, definitely look for a backpack that is waterproof with waterproof zippers.
Water-resistant bags are great for minor exposure to liquids and in between throwing on an additional rain cover or rain jacket. They will eventually become saturated if there is substantial water so be sure to consider a game plan if you’re out and about during rainy or snowy seasons. In any case, you can always plan to move your camera backpack underneath a rain jacket for coverage on the move.
If you tend to shoot in rainy weather, look for a pack that comes with a rain fly. Many packs stash these in a small pocket on the exterior for quick deployment.
Be wary of packs that are advertised as waterproof. Even if the bag’s material is waterproof, the zippers usually aren’t. So, while a waterproof exterior may repel rain, humidity, mist, or splash action from the bottom of the canoe, there’s a chance that it can seep in through the zippers and get your camera wet.
Camera backpacks can get heavy fast. If you’re planning to pack multiple cameras, lenses, and accessories along with your laptop, it’s important to consider how much weight is bearable for your body and find a backpack that distributes weight evenly.
Many backpacks include chest and hip straps. Really great packs add padding to all the straps with adjustments to fit your body. Look out for these features and consider spending a little extra if you’re someone who often carries heavy gear.
Another thing to consider is how heavy the backpack is before you put your gear in. It’s a hard balance as extra comfort and padding usually lead to more weight while ultralight gear can be flimsy and less likely to distribute weight evenly. There are packs that do a great job of balancing both comfort and protection with good padding and weight distribution to help offset the discomfort.
Some camera packs put these two important comfort qualities on the back burner, which is a bummer because a loaded pack of electronics is a fair load to carry around! Ideally, the shoulder pads are breathable, ergonomic, and well-cushioned.
Likewise, the back panel should have cushion, support, and hopefully breathability through a mesh material and airway channels between the pads.
Hip belts that are constructed of a simple strap will help secure the load from swinging around but will not support the load off the shoulders and upper back. They are also not the coziest to snap on.
Cushioned hip belts help to protect the hips from rubbing and carry a portion of the pack weight, relieving the upper back; plus, they are generally more comfortable. For folks with back or neck pain or injuries, be sure to look for adequate pads in your camera pack.
Expect to pay more for your camera backpack than you would any other pack, as the materials and construction entail added costs. It’s important to consider how much your gear costs, countered with how much you are able and willing to pay to safely travel with all you need for your next gig. As mentioned, your camera backpack has extra padding, increased pockets, and enclosures, as well as varying levels of waterproofing to protect your gear.
Whether for personal or professional use, be prepared to spend a little extra on a good backpack. Prices can range anywhere from $80 – $400 depending on size and value. Because there are so many options and price tags out there, we’ve dug deep to find camera backpacks that match their value with the price, and included a whole range of them in this guide.
Different camera backpacks serve different creatives’ needs. Whether you gravitate to simple day or wedding shoots, or frequently find yourself filming technical expeditions lasting for months, there’s a pack out there with your name on it. We’ve broken down some of our favorite camera backpacks into three main categories. Most of these packs are featured above, while some we have reviewed in previous years.
Protection, organization, weight, access, gear fit, and comfort are the key components of good camera bags. Look for a bag with a padded interior, plenty of internal and external pockets for keeping your small, easy-to-lose accessories handy, and a well-designed harness system that distributes the pack weight well.
Look for a pack that allows you to grab the camera on the fly thanks to a seamless side entry point.
Every camera bag has a padded compartment that’s designed to keep your camera safe from bumps and scratches. The best way for you to keep your camera safe in your pack is to pack it correctly.
Also, know that your average camera pack is not bombproof. Use common sense with your bag: Avoid throwing your bag around, sitting on it, or piling other bags on top of it, and your camera should be safe.
While camera backpacks are built with durable, often water-resistant material, note that zippers are not typically waterproof. Be aware that moisture, humidity, splashes, setting it in puddles, traveling through pouring rain or snow, or a spilled water bottle have the potential to reach your equipment.
Pay attention to your surroundings when you travel, too. If you’re overseas or in a crowded bus or train station or at an airport, consider using a lock on your pack. Not all camera pack zippers are compatible with TSA locks.
The TSA allows bags with cameras, tripods, and lenses if they fit in the overhead bin or under your seat. Drones are allowed through checkpoints. But individual airlines’ rules may vary. Check with your specific airline to see if your drone is allowed in your carry-on.
Short answer: no. If you feel like risking it, you can keep your camera in a regular bag. But the likelihood that your camera will be damaged is increased. And if you’re attached to your bag, you can always buy a padded camera cube, put your camera in it, and then place it in the bag.
That said, a camera bag will not only be safer for your camera but will also keep all your peripherals organized, allowing you to access everything you need when you need it.
Like a painter or graphic artist, every photographer is slightly unique with their technique, tools, and how they carry and operate their gear outside or indoors on a film mission. Generally, a few things that pros will carry include multiple memory cards, batteries, a lens wipe, a tripod, plus, of course, their camera and a couple of lenses tailored to the shots that they have in mind for that destination.
Sometimes they’ll also bring an extra camera, reflector, or light meter, but it really depends on how quick, fast, and lightweight they need to travel and what their objective or contracted project entails.
Just like any other piece of gear, it’s important to provide routine TLC to your bag. Clean the exterior and interior according to the product tag, and reapply water repellent too. Make sure the zippers are well-lubricated and clean.
Repair and patch any tears or deep scratches. Also, be sure to air out the interior pockets and camera cubes, as storing your equipment in a dry, clean space is important.
Head into the backcountry with the best backpacking backpacks of 2024. From budget-friendly options to ultra-comfortable picks, we’ve got you covered.
We tested the best daypacks of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Osprey, Cotopaxi, and more.
Kendra Smith is a contributing writer and editorial photographer based in Bentonville, Arkansas. She has a multi-disciplinary background in photography, cultural anthropology, and communicative arts. When she’s not behind the camera, Smith is outdoors, cooking, gardening, traveling the world, or back home with her pups. You can follow her @kendrasmith
Based in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris Carter is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie, while squeezing in side gigs as an adventure filmmaker and content creator in the outdoor industry. Drawing from his childhood in Africa, experience as a rock climbing and backpacking guide, ultra-marathon running, and years of extensive thru-hiking, he’s passionate about journalism that gets people into the wild. He has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails in America: the Pacific Crest Trail (2018), the Continental Divide Trail (2021), and the Appalachian Trail (2021), and has explored, rock-climbed, and backpacked all over the world. He hopes to spread his love of adventure and travel through his writing, art, and videography.
Based among the awe-inspiring peaks of Crested Butte, Colorado, Morgan Tilton is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie honing the SnowSports Buyer’s Guides alongside warmer coverage. More broadly, she’s an adventure journalist specializing in outdoor industry news and adventure travel stories, which she’s produced for more than a decade and more than 80 publications to date. A recipient of 14 North American Travel Journalists Association awards, when she’s not recovering from high alpine or jungle expeditions she’s usually trail running, mountain biking, or splitboarding in Southwest Colorado, where she grew up and lives today. From resort to backcountry and human-powered to motorized travel, she loves sliding across snow.
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