Backpacking photography: choosing the right bag
10.08.2021 | Reading time: 10 minutes
Author: Lowepro
When it comes to backpacking photography, you need the right gear—lenses, filters, batteries, maybe a tripod, and definitely something to carry it in. If you are going to be on the move in the mountains, without a backpack, you won’t be able to trek long distances, so one of the most essential pieces of gear that you’ll need to invest in as you get started in hiking photography is the right bag. Once you start researching packs, you might become overwhelmed with the many models out there and especially with the decision about whether to get a bag that is designed for photography or hiking. The good news is, there are bags out there that are equipped for both!
To help you get started in deciding the best backpack for your photography expeditions, here are some bags and tips to keep in mind.
Backpacking essentials
Professional photographers recommend keeping your gear safe while you are hiking by investing in what some call "expedition backpacks". These professional-grade bags are not only designed for comfort while you are wearing them—like any other trekking pack, but they also have built-in protection for your gear and compartments to keep everything organized. The versatility of this kind of bag means that it could be used by a documentary photographer on an assignment in the Himalayan mountain range or Amazon rainforest, or by a semi-professional photographer going on a multi-day trek in a park in their home state.
For example, the Whistler Backpack is designed to be used in four-seasons with multiple access points to get to your gear fast. This is important when you might be on a trek where you can’t have your camera in hand, but want to get to it quickly in a moment’s notice. With enough space for three lenses and a laptop, it has the setup to not only assist you with the gear you need to shoot in the field, but also upload files to your laptop as you go. It even has a support system for skis, tripods, axes, or a snowboard, for the truly adventurous.
Hiking Photography
For hiking photography, a light-weight backpack is ideal. You’ll want to evaluate the gear that you’ll use the most, and then go for a backpack that can carry it without being bulky.
For example, you might have several lenses in your photography kit, but bringing them all might not be essential for a short hiking trip. You might find that for hiking photography, you don’t need to carry a large tripod or several lenses, and it could be that one extra lens is sufficient. It really depends on your style.
Aside from your photography gear, you’ll also want to carry along everything you need for your hike, like extra clothing layers, water, food, and maybe even camping gear. When researching hiking backpacks, you want one that will combine freedom of movement with keeping your gear safe and easily accessible. And if you are a true adventurer, you cannot miss the Lowepro Photo Sport backpacks, modular with recycled fabric and ideal for photo hikers.
Trekking Photography
With trekking photography, you could be venturing off into trails that are in the true wilderness of the back country, and your adventures might last multiple days. That means extra batteries and memory cards will be a definite must, as well as your standard backpacking gear. If you are planning to spend a lot of time on trekking expeditions, you could consider the Pro Trekker backpacks, designed for DSLR and mirrorless cameras and ideal for an outdoor experience.
Another option could be a backpack for back country photography, like the Powder Backpack. For example, an advantage of the Powder Backpack is that it’s designed for both camera gear storage and the other essentials for trekking, with half of its storage organized for photo gear and the rest for everything else like food, water, and clothing. This can be a winning combination when you need one bag that can serve multiple functions.
