What happens when you combine just about every feature and size into a line of camera bags? You end up with a pretty great bag (and a long review)! In this review, I’ll be taking a look at PGYTECH’s 40L Flex bag from their new OnePro line.
OnePro Line
PGYTECH has launched their OnePro line with two “sub-lines” and a total of 5 models. Broadly speaking, the Flex line is focused on travel with photography gear, while the Focux line is intended specifically for photography. In practice, this means the Flex line is more flexible when it comes time to pack, making use of the newer trend of compartmentalized bag inserts to accommodate a mix of camera gear and other items like jackets, snacks, and other items.
The 3 sizes in the Flex line range cover 30L, 40L, and 50L. Apart from size, they share similar build quality and features—you’re really just choosing between size, weight, and ability to accommodate multiple inserts (XS, S, M, L). It’s really nice to see that all 3 bags can accommodate the Large bag insert or a mix of smaller inserts. The 30L can do XS and M, the 40L can take S and M, while the 50L can do XS and L or two medium inserts.
Here’s a quick reference for what you can expect to fit in each insert:
- XS: 3 medium-sized lenses, stood up.
- S: A camera body and lens without a vertical grip, along with 3 to 4 other lenses based on size.
- M: A camera body, with grip and lens, along with another 4 to 5 lenses. A smaller telephoto can be swapped for 2 lenses.
- L: Two camera bodies, at least two telephoto lenses, 4 lenses, and accessories. Large is genuinely a ton of space in a camera backpack and could accommodate larger telephotos with rearranged dividers (the largest f/2.8 primes may still be too large, however, with PGYTECH saying 400 mm primes are possible).
I’ve checked out some other bags that make use of this bag-within-a-bag concept, and I’ve really liked them. Having the flexibility to swap in different inserts, along with the added protection of another layer of padding, is really nice. PGYTECH has executed a really good mix of sizes in these dividers—everyone from a hiker who wants to bring a camera and an additional lens, to a dedicated landscape photographer bringing tons of gear, filters, and accessories will be accommodated.
In Use
All that capacity means nothing if the bag is tough to operate or uncomfortable. To help address the heft you can pack into a 50L bag, PGYTECH has built a full aluminum frame into all 3 models of the bag. If you’re not familiar with the frame concept from hiking bags, it’s essentially a metal structure in the bag that helps distribute weight across your back and hips, improving comfort and breathability, and reducing strain. Along with the frame, there's a four-position back-length adjustment to help you dial in where the pack rides. This is easy to adjust and really makes a difference for users in every height range.
The straps are wide, thick, and well-padded, but they’re still quite breathable with a combination of different-sized meshes and foams. Arizona is still topping 100 degrees, and even on hikes, the bag never felt suffocating or soggy.
For photographers taking their bag into weather other than “baking heat,” the Flex still has you covered. The fabric is a CORDURA base material, and this well-regarded woven synthetic has been further treated with a polyurethane coating to further improve splash and scratch resistance.
Rounding out the exterior, the shoulder straps have attachment points for camera clips or camera straps, while the roll-top lets you expand the capacity by another 10L. The waist strap has a zippered pouch for storing your phone or some small items. There’s an additional elastic water bottle pocket on the shoulder strap. The back of the pack offers a separate zippered compartment for things like a gimbal or travel tripod, with organization coming from two interior pockets.
On the outside, there are attachment points for a ground mat, tripod, trekking poles, and a mesh pocket for a helmet or wet clothes.
Throughout the bag, excellent quality materials have been used. Along with the already mentioned CORDURA, there are YKK zippers with reinforced tapes, magnetic-attach buckles to make quick connections, and that frame is made of light, aerospace-grade aluminum. The liner is a neutral olive color and is carried through the inserts. The inserts themselves feature metal reinforcement inside the lip of the insert, preventing them from getting squished.
Included with the bag are some nice quality-of-life features: a rain cover helps the bag resist even heavier precipitation, while the bag also includes a garment storage bag to manage the non-camera space. There’s a hidden AirTag pocket and a detachable tripod pocket, which lets you switch between side and rear mounting. The tripod pocket has a cinch closure, but the maximum size will only accept what I’d call a “medium” tripod, and users with the biggest tripods might find that they need to strap their legs to the bottom of the bag.
Along with gear, the included laptop compartment works well enough. There’s a relatively flat surface on the interior of the bag, and other than a mostly-flat magnetic closure, there shouldn’t be undue pressure on the laptop screen. For best results, I’d store my laptop screen up on the inner pouch, which puts the bottom of the laptop across the pack’s frame, and then store the pack with the back-facing side up on the plane.
In the Field
Bags are always a balancing act between comfort, capacity, and ease of access. The Flex does a good job at balancing these priorities. The main camera compartment has two access modes: a full 180-degree unzip, revealing the entire main compartment with just one zipper and two magnetic clips, or the side access, which syncs up with zippers on the S/M/L inserts to offer quick access to a camera and maybe a lens.
With the emphasis on capacity and comfort for trekking, this all feels reasonable to me—it’s not a photojournalism or wedding photographer’s bag but would be perfect to set out at the viewpoint to capture some photos, even if the ground is rough and muddy.
If you need more access while walking around, the inserts can be pulled out and paired with the included shoulder strap to make a convenient lens-changing station. The strap mounting is a little fiddly the first time you do it, however, requiring you to press a small plastic notch through a stiff loop—it’s certainly secure, but not something I'd want to do every time I stop to shoot.
Instead, I see this as something you do when you get to camp and will be walking short distances, or perhaps using it while the full bag is in your car or hotel room. The inserts are padded well and have secure zippers, and the M insert’s strap is even padded too. The steel frame around the opening helps the insert keep its shape, even without the additional exterior bag.
Overall, I was surprised by just how comprehensive of a product PGYTECH delivered. While I’ve enjoyed using PGYTECH gear in the past, the breadth of both the features in the bag and the variety offered by the line was impressive. They’re well thought out and check just about every box I could think of. Smaller trekking bags with support for a single body and a few lenses, through bags and inserts that support 400 mm primes and multiple bodies are all covered.
I tested out the 40L and a few of the inserts for this article, and I think it’s the sweet spot, particularly with the M and L insert. The L is great if you’re bringing 100–400 style lenses, Mavic 3 style drones, or multiple bodies, while the M is a good choice for a single body, multiple lenses, and even a folded drone.
Prices are right in line with the current bag market, and while the bag series isn’t cheap, I think it’s a very good value. Prices start at $356 for the 30L bag and a medium insert, moving up to $389 for the 40L and M, then $409 for the 50L and M or $429 for the 50L and L insert. Inserts are available separately, starting at $49 and maxing out at $99. Various combinations are available for purchase from B&H. Like with other insert-based bags, I think having an extra insert or two really amplifies the value, and I’d love to see PGYTECH offer a package discount on the inserts.
I’m really happy with the OnePro Flex backpack. PGYTECH managed to pack in every feature, making a fantastic bag for adventure, expedition, and travel photography. By borrowing some of the best parts of trekking bags, they kept everything comfortable, while still keeping the focus on transporting and using camera gear.
What I Liked
- The frame, straps, and adjustability make it feasible to carry a ton of camera gear in relative comfort
- Durable build quality can stand up to the outdoors and inevitable knocks and scrapes that come with travel
- A variety of inserts help you tailor the bag to your exact trip profile
- Multiple approaches to many storage considerations like tripod mounting and accessory storage
What Could Be Improved
- Removing the buckle from the laptop pouch could reduce the risk of a pressure-point on the laptop screen
- Bundles with additional inserts would be welcome
