Important Things to Look For When You Choose a Camera Bag

There is a bamboozling range of different camera bags on the market, and deciding which to buy is a veritable minefield. Here are some explanations of the various bags, their purposes, and what to look for when choosing yours.

As a rule, I don’t use a camera bag. Years ago, when I was still a novice photographer, I thought carrying all my gear with me on a shoot was necessary. But now I know better; I only take what is essential and, consequently, rarely need a bag.

However, there are times when I do need something to carry my equipment in. For example, when running courses and workshops, I have extra stuff I take with me that I need quick and easy access to. When I travel, I want to transport my precious gear securely. Or, if I am venturing into the wild for a day, my needs are different again.

I’ve tried many different bags from various manufacturers. Some have stood out above the rest, while there have been some that I have returned because they were just not good enough.

A Bit About Different Brands

We all have our favorite brands, and there are some good models out there. Moreover, there can be an advantage to staying with one manufacturer, which is the compatibility of the gear and interchangeability of their components.

For me, that is Peak Design. I chose them partly because their ethical and environmentally friendly approach aligns with my values. Just as important, I find their bags comfortable, well made, and the design well thought through.

Equally, other brands make good gear too. For example, I’ve recently been testing a Wandrd bag, and it too is pretty good. There are others reviewed across Fstoppers that have been great as well.

So, without apology, I’m illustrating this article with the Peak Design range because that is what I have and use. If you are drawn to a different brand, then there will most likely be equivalent models in their range. This isn’t strictly an evaluation of the Peak Design bags, just an illustration of what is generally available and a review of what types of bags are suitable for various purposes.

Things to Consider When Buying a Bag

You get what you pay for. Better-quality bags should be designed to meet your needs and last for years. Cheap bags fail in a short time. The webbing frays, the zippers break, and the buckles become fragile and snap. Moreover, they are usually general-purpose, not perfectly designed for the photographer’s specific needs. There are dozens of them in the online marketplaces, and if you are on a limited budget and it’s all you can afford, then who am I to say that you shouldn’t buy one? However, you get what you pay for, and spending more usually brings a bag that will last longer and meet your needs better. Moreover, some cheap brands are produced with little concern for the environment or their employees' human rights.

When you pay top dollar for a bag, you expect it to meet certain expectations. It should be strong and comfortable to wear, and the zippers should be high quality; YKK is highly thought of but not the only good manufacturer. Peak Design, for example, has its brand-marked reliable zippers; I have never had one fail. Good bags also have water-resistant zippers that run freely when pulled, especially around corners, but otherwise stay shut.

One of the first things I do when deciding whether a bag is good enough is check how it is sewn. It should have mostly hidden seams, so minimal stitches that go through to the interior are visible outside of the bag; they are a weak point for watertightness. Also, there should be no loose threads or missed stitches.

When reviewing a bag, I run it under the shower for 30 seconds to see if it stays dry inside. That test isn’t possible if you look at bags in a shop, but the zipper, stitching, and material should give you a good clue to its water resistance.

Trying on a bag is like trying on clothes; different bag designs suit different body shapes. For example, one characteristic I particularly like about some of the Peak Design backpacks is the hinged attachment for the shoulder straps that allows the strap's top to swivel outwards, so the straps don’t rub against the neck. I had that issue with some other bags that were not a problem for my wife.

Besides having comfortably wide, padded shoulder straps, a good backpack should at least have a sternum strap and preferably a hip belt too. However, the trend is for manufacturers to sell the latter separately, and often these hip belts are interchangeable between different models.

Also, the opening positions and the means of accessing the bag are important considerations. Do you need a quick-draw side entrance? Or is the extra security offered with the opening against your back more important?

Also, think about what you are carrying. Besides your camera and lenses, you may have spare batteries, filters, lens cloths, memory cards, a tripod, a passport, money, car keys, a coat, a first-aid kit, a water bottle, a laptop or tablet, and other ephemera. Or, you might have just your camera.

You won’t use the bag constantly, therefore its storage is also an important consideration. Does it pack away to a small size?

Deciding upon your needs will dictate what bag or bags you want; not every bag will meet your needs. The bag should be designed for the purpose it has been built for, and choosing the wrong model can be problematic for you. Fortunately, there are multiple models from each brand designed for different purposes.

Everyday Backpacks

Thirty- to thirty-five-liter everyday bags are great for street photographers and day trippers, big enough to pack a smaller camera system, plus a packed lunch and a raincoat.

As an OM System user, this size is big enough for me. When I run workshops, the 30 L version of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack will take my OM-1 and lens, my old film camera, the handouts, and the props I use. It’s also just long enough to fit my camera with the OM System 150-400 mm lens. However, another brand's 35 L bag is not as long, so that lens doesn't quite fit. If I used a larger system, then I would want a larger capacity bag. Therefore, it's worth checking the interior dimensions with those of your camera gear.

The PD Everyday Backpack has a top opening and side access, making it easy to access my equipment. It also has side pockets suitable for a small tripod on one side and a water bottle on the other.

You can read my full review here.

Travel Backpacks

The Travel Backpack serves a different purpose from an Everyday Backpack. These are designed more for safely transporting gear. The payoff is that access to equipment is slower. Travel bags tend to be more secure, protecting your equipment from pickpockets. They have multiple grab handles, making them easy to hold and secure to, for example, a motorbike rack. Often, the shoulder straps will stow away to prevent them from entangling. They are likely to have a system so they can slide over the handle of a roller bag or suitcase for easy transportation through an airport.

Furthermore, they are sized to fit in the cabin luggage of an airplane.

When I visited Finland last winter, the Peak Design 30 L Travel Backpack was perfect for carrying my two cameras, a long lens, a flash, a 15” laptop, and various photographic accouterments. The gear is doubly protected by internal Camera Cubes, removable soft padded boxes that double as storage when I am at home.

Bags for the Great Outdoors

Many photographers, including me, venture into the wild. If you do this, then you’ll find your needs change dramatically. Superior waterproofing becomes essential, and bags need to be both well-balanced and comfortable. You don’t want to scramble across a narrow path with a steep incline on one side when your bag is wobbling on your back.

These requirements inevitably mean a change in design with fewer openings as opposed to having easy access. Although the zippers on the bag should be water resistant, they are the weak point of every bag when it comes to keeping the wet out.

Having fully adjustable shoulder straps and sternum and hip belts makes a lot of difference to stability and comfort

I’ve been trialing the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack. You can read Nicco Valenzuela’s review of it here when it was announced. Incredibly hard-wearing and weatherproof, this is the bag I will carry when on an expedition in Scotland next year. My full review of that bag can be seen here soon.

Messenger, Slings, and Shoulder Bags

Some photographers prefer small slings and shoulder bags for carrying their equipment. They are not something that I have ever used. However, an over-the-shoulder bag can be a secure way to carry your camera and give fast access to it, especially when walking around town. Messenger bags are particularly popular with street photographers near me.

Roller Bags

Of course, if you spend a lot of time walking through airports, roller bags with wheels and a drag handle can be useful. However, I usually have more than one bag, and trying to roll two bags consecutively is a nuisance. Consequently, in that circumstance, I would use a travel backpack that can be hooked over a rolling suitcase handle.

Duffel Bags

I use Peak Design Duffels to transport a lot of gear at once. Combined with Camera Cubes, they are perfect for carrying my gear when away. For me, they are also good for carrying flash heads and flash tripods when using those on location. My wife also steals my 35L Travel Duffel when heading off for the weekend.

I wouldn’t go backpacking with them, but the handles and straps are adjustable, and they can be carried as a backpack. You can read my previous review of them here.

Packing Cubes and Other Inserts

Whereas some bags have Velcro-attached dividers for separating equipment, others have padded cubes that protect individual items. Usually, these cubes come with dividers. Thinner, color-coded Packing Cubes are great for storing other gear.

Also worth a mention are Tech Pouches. These are great for storing memory cards, batteries, cables, etc. The Large PD Tech Pouch  will even take the body of my OM-1 camera.

Beware Greenwashing

Finally, if ethical and environmental standards are important to you—and they are to most photographers—check the company's credentials and beware of greenwashing. Some manufacturers are not specific about past and present performance but solely give vague targets. If that's the case, you can be sure that this means they don't do much to protect the people who work for them or the planet.

Meanwhile, other companies, including Peak Design and Urth, provide empirical evidence of their performance.

In Conclusion

When buying a bag, consider your requirements: how and where you are going to use it, and under what conditions. Then, read professional hands-on reviews here at Fstoppers. Also, if possible, try them on, open and close the zippers and buckles, and check the stitching.

Sticking to one manufacturer is a good idea. Familiarity is useful when swapping between models, and compatibility with other gear made by the same brand is helpful too.