To make a great camera bag for photographers on outdoor adventures, this solution from Lowepro is not entirely a camera bag but a hiking backpack with seamless compatibility with modular camera inserts. This new sub-variant of the Lowepro Photosport backpacks is clearly for serious adventurers.
As a photographer, the thought of hiking with your camera gear almost always means bracing yourself for hours or even consecutive days carrying so much weight on your back. Hiking itself means bringing everything you need with you, and bringing camera gear often doubles or even triples that load. Knowing that, choosing the camera bag for outdoor adventures should always be guided by finding the bag that protects your gear, provides a comfortable carrying experience, and reduces the weight it contributes to what you’re carrying. This modular option from Lowepro aims to provide exactly that solution and more.
The Lowepro Photosport X 45L
The Lowepro Photosport line has been around for a number of years already and has been released with three generations as of 2021. The camera bag line’s design has always focused on providing lightweight bags with sufficient padding and protection while not compromising carrying comfort. The third generation of the Photosport camera backpacks that we reviewed back in 2021 came in two different sizes (15L and 24L) and two color variants designed for quick day hikes with minimal camera gear. They were also one of the first few bags that Lowepro released under the “Green Line” initiative, wherein the bags are made up of mostly recycled fabric.
A year later, Lowepro released a much larger 70L version called the Photosport Pro, made for long multi-day hikes that involved a lot of gear for both imaging and climbing. For a while, there remained a considerable gap in the camera bag range for photographers who carry a significant amount of gear but not necessarily as demanding as 70L. Thus, the Photosport X bags came with 35L and 45L size variants to bridge the gap.
The Photosport X 45L comes in as a 33 x 24 x 61 cm (12.9 x 9.5 x 24 in) backpack when fully loaded. However, when being shipped, the thickness is reduced to only about 3 inches as the bag itself (without the camera inserts) is thin. This empty bag weighs 1.89 kg (4.17 lbs) due to the combination of 420D and 600D polyester fabric and the metal frame that spans the height and length of the backpack.
The Photosport X bags only come in one colorway, which is a combination of mostly dark olive green and black, plus some small orange accents on the accessory straps. The front surface comprises a front flex pocket that is lined by elastic cords, which can be used to carry large and long tools on the exterior of the bag. The upper section of the front is made up of the front cusp of the outer top lid, which connects to an equivalent flap from the rear. Opening the buckle that holds the two outer lids reveals the drawstring access to the top part of the main compartment and a small but significant space between the inner and outer lids that can also be used to support softer and relatively lighter items from the outside, such as mats, blankets, and the like.
On both sides are orange accessory straps that can be used in combination with the other fastening tools on the outer surface of the bag as well as the small flex pocket on one side. Near the bottom of the right-hand side is a small zippered pocket that gives access to a small section of the main compartment, which can be closed off to hold tools that are either heavy or can provide additional padding to the bottom of the bag. The bottom surface is a reinforced area to withstand contact with dust and moisture.
The main compartment, which can be accessed through the top drawstring closure or the rear panel zippers, is by default a wide-open 45-liter compartment with absolutely nothing in it. By default, the entire space can be used for dozens of pieces of clothing and personal items. However, when the bag is to be used with camera gear, the Photosport bags were designed to be used with Lowepro’s modular camera inserts, the GearUp camera boxes, specifically the GearUp Pro L and XL camera boxes. However, there is technically no incompatibility with other camera inserts from other brands since the bag is just a shell to carry them in. The interior of the bag has additional pockets on the two sides and the inner surface of the front panel. On the corners of the interior of the main compartment are orange attachment loops that can be used with the supplied accessory straps that by default are stored in the inner front pocket. These then allow the loops on the GearUp camera boxes to be securely fastened onto the bag and stabilize the sub-compartments during transit.
The GearUp Pro L can safely hold one full frame mirrorless camera body with an attached 70-200 mm lens with the lens hood inverted. Alternatively, this can be used to hold a camera drone with a couple of extra batteries and possibly a remote. It is, however, evident that since the GearUp boxes were made to fit a range of different bags, they don’t perfectly stack together within the compartment. The only solution to this is for there to be more size variants for the modular inserts. In addition, it would be great if the backpack shell and the camera boxes had quick attachment systems that would not require reaching for a strap and looping them together.
The GearUp Pro XL can hold 1-2 camera bodies and 4-6 lenses depending on the size and arrangement of the customizable dividers.
Another convenient tool that can be used with the Photosport X 45L backpack is the Runabout collapsible daypack that can hold the larger GearUp Pro XL securely. The intention is to provide a smaller backpack that can be used with just the camera gear while the main bag (in this case, the Photosport X or Photosport Pro) can be left at basecamp to lessen the load being carried when out specifically to shoot and explore. The Runabout daypack, when rolled up, can easily be placed in the bottom sub-compartment when not in use and easily pulled out when the need arises.
The rear panel is comprised of a heavily padded surface that can be adjusted in height to also adjust the chest and shoulder height of the bag to best fit the user. In addition, adjustments can also be made on the lifter strap found on both shoulders that connect the shoulder straps to the top part of the rear panel. The shoulder straps come with generous padding using EVA foam within perforated mesh to keep air circulation open and allow moisture to escape easily. The front part of the shoulder straps is lined with two mesh pockets that can conveniently hold a smartphone or other tools that require quick access.
At the bottom of the rear panel is a removable waist belt with adjustable straps that can be removed entirely and replaced with a thinner, less-padded strap for casual carrying.
User Experience and Application
More than anything, the Lowepro Photosport X backpack bridges the gap between casual day-hike camera bags and long-haul hiking camera backpacks. While this review focuses on the larger 45L variant, it is easy to estimate how a slightly smaller yet still very spacious 35L backpack can be handy for quick but serious outdoor adventures.
More than anything, the Lowepro Photosport X backpack bridges the gap between casual day-hike camera bags and long-haul hiking camera backpacks. While this review focuses on the larger 45L variant, it is easy to estimate how a slightly smaller yet still very spacious 35L backpack can be handy for quick but serious outdoor adventures.
What is striking about the Photosport X 45L is the customizability and modularity that it offers. Essentially, it is just a shell, but with the use of the right packing tools and modular camera inserts, it can be very convenient, especially if the user wants to pack everything for a multi-day adventure in just one bag. While the components of the modular set are sold separately, when used together, they offer a convenient system wherein the photographer can adjust to the logistical needs and downsize their gear into a more comfortable minimum while keeping the rest of their equipment and personal belongings safe and sound.
With all of the available outdoor backpack options for photographers, the key is to know precisely what needs to be brought and anticipate when more camera gear becomes merely excess load. While offering a large compartment for a lot of equipment and personal items, the 45L Photosport X covers the sensible middle ground for multiple days of adventure with your camera gear.
What I Liked
- Modular large capacity backpack with lightweight material
- Highly adjustable and comfortable strap system
- All-weather protection
What Can Be Improved
- More camera insert/camera box size variants to better fit the larger bags
- Better and quicker fastening methods for inserts and bag interiors
- More color options
This looks like a good bag for hiking when you need to be able to put on or shed extra layers as conditions change. Having made it in subdued colours suitable for remaining inconspicuous, the bright orange straps and zippers are deal breakers - and suggest it’s more of a fashion statement than functional backpack for wildlife photographers. Having ‘Photosport’ so prominent on the back isn’t clever either, marking this as the bag for thieves to prioritise!