p.1 #1 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
I recently discovered this camera backpack when looking for one at 15L size, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it? I mainly have a few questions like
-Does it feel bulky or look bulky in person
-Do the flaps on the side make it harder to open and close the side access
-Can 2 cameras fit side by side so I can access either from one side access
-Overall impression of the camera backpack
p.1 #3 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Yes I bought it, but haven't brought it out on long trips. Mainly just day stuff, but even then, I didn't use it as much. I really like the quality of it, and I can fit my a7riii and rx1rii side by side well in my setup. Two a7riii might be tight as the zip flap opening is like a half flap as in it opens diagonally. Convenient zip openings look more like U while this is like a sideways J, so the opening near the top is narrower. Based off pictures, the 25L looks quite bulky, but the 15L doesn't look as bulky to me. I do have some caveats with it though
Pros:
1) great quality and design aesthetics
2) Zip has 2 metal zippers, so you can open in any direction
3) cool pockets, though I'd probably only use the main one for camera stuff and not use the smaller pockets since it seems to add some bulk
4) Can fit my 11.6 mac air. Tight when I put an incase tensaeler(cant spell) case with it. Im guessing 13 inch macbook pro can fit if you dont have any case or anything with it
5) Feels comfortable to wear
6) has water bottle holder
Cons:
1) I'm not sure if I like the wing flaps since I prefer a cleaner, slimmer look.
2) I'm not sure I like these roll top style backpacks as I prefer a zipper access for more convenience
3) I wish both sides could access the main compartment like the 25L can, but unfortunately this only has one side that can be used for access
4) The side access can be harder to take camera out at one end because of how the zipper flap opens narrower at the top.
5) Since it only has one side access, I feel like there's a lot of wasted space on the side without access when I put my camera in. It's like the bottom area can only hold my cameras some maybe some backup shirts/cases that will be harder to access unless I take out the cameras. That's why I wish the other side could have a zipper opening so I can put backup clothes/cases/accessories there conveniently
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I'm actually currently trying out the manfrotto chicago 30 which has two side accesses, top separate compartment, and laptop compartment. Just questionable water bottle holder.
p.1 #4 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
huh, interesting... I didn't realize the 15L only had side access on one side. That might drive me to the 25L version... I asked wotancraft and the recommended I get the 25L but I was wondering how the 15L packed out. Sounds like the 25L may be a bit more versatile given the two side openings but I don't know if it will be too big for what I want to use it for... (basically used like a regular EDC bag for use on day trips and family outings) I have a 13" MacBook Pro and the site indicates that it will fit in the 15L but not so sure I'd be taking my laptop out with me every day. Interesting that your 11.6 MacBook Air won't fit.
Do you feel the 15L is crammed in any way when you put both cameras in? I would likely be taking a Leica M and maybe a Sony A7c in the bag, along with maybe 1-2 extra lenses + some daily stuff for a day out with family. I'm basically looking for a small(ish) EDC camera backpack.
The worry I had with the 25L that it might be too big and unwieldy if not fully packed out in the main compartment.
If it's not too much of a hassle would you mind posting some pics of your bag (empty and packed out)? Like you said before... there are no reviews/etc online of the 15L (that I've been able to find).
p.1 #5 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Oh my mac air 11.6 fits, but with incase tensaelrite case, it's a bit snug since that case is bigger for cushioning.
I think it's possible to put both cameras in, but the crammed part might just be how the zipper flap is designed. The bottom part of the bag allows for the zipper flap to open more, but as you get to the top, it kind of gets harder to take stuff out. I haven't seen the 25L in person, but from reviews and pictures, it just looks big and wide (not sure I like it wide and with flaps). I just feel the 15L has wasted space due to not having side access on both sides.
Here's an image of how my a7siii looks in it. Notice how the zipper towards the top has a narrow opening due to the flap. Besides that, I haven't used it recently to set it up well.
Usually with my setup, The bottom and middle is only for cameras...I don't think it's ideal as an EDC bag when you need to change lenses and stuff due to that limited side access. If you only have one camera one lens, that's fine.
p.1 #6 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
I see... I'm still on the fence for 15L vs 25L. Usually when I travel I will bring 2 cameras with me... usually both smaller cameras like a Leica M10 and Q2 or Sony a7c and a few lenses. Then I'll have my laptop and various electronics. When I get to destination I'll usually unload most of the stuff and then on my days out and about I'll only take 1 camera and maybe 1 extra lens and leave the rest of the larger electronics at the hotel or where ever I'm staying.
Have you tried stuffing the 15L full to see how much you could fit?
What do you think you could fit in to the roll top section on the top?
And lastly, in the pic you posted does your a7s iii consume the entire space or is there room behind there to store an extra lens or small camera body?
p.1 #7 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
So I did stuff the 15L at one point, but it looked overstuffed because of the space in the front. I think if you had flat things in there, it'd be fine. It was comfortable either way though.
There is some space behind my a7siii (with batis 18mm on without hood), but it's not like a square shared space. It's like a corner space. The backpack has a weird shape where it's like an isosceles trapezoid with the longer edge as the part that touches the back. Because of that, it's very tight if you fit just a summilux 50mm without a case.
I think I can fit two a7siii type bodies each with batis 18mm lenses in terms of side by side within the bag, but it might be a little crammed. My setup limits the top compartment by alot though as pictured below. Also the camera closer to the top will require me to pull back the flap alot more, so not convenient.
p.1 #8 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
My setup will probably just be a7riii + 24gm, a7siii+batis18mm, and then just cables/chargers/airpods at the top. mac air 11.6 in the back (13 inch without case or anything should be fine), then maybe one backup shirt (folded flat) in the front pouch. You can definitely put more stuff in the rolltop, but it may look weird since itll just extend higher. If that sounds like the amount you would put in, it might be okay then.
I would probably only use it for day trips. For vacation, I would probably use something that allows easier access like double side access backpack(manfrotto chicago 30) or a backpack with one side access and one back access (vanguard veo select 45).
I liked the look and size of the peak design zip 15L, BUT i hated how the side access flaps opened in the other direction when I want to access it, so I returned that. You're pretty much showing ppl in front of you what you have in your bag because of the direction that it opens.
p.1 #9 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Here's an image with a7riii + 24m (left) and a7siii + batis 18mm (right) side by side with their lenses pretty much touching the farthest back in the bag
p.1 #10 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Thanks for the information and pictures! I can definitely see what you mean about the odd shape and unusable space now... that being said, it does look like it could be a great day bag option! Will need to compare against a few others... did you by chance look at the Pilot backpack when you got yours? I'm wondering if the Pilot may be a good option or if it'd be too big.
p.1 #11 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Sorry a couple more questions...
- Is the water bottle holder easily accessible? Looks like it's under a flap on the right side of the bag?
- Did you bother with any add-ons like waist straps/etc?
p.1 #12 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
No worries. I always have a bunch of questions when buying something, so I understand.
It can fit the water bottle (like poland spring disposable bottle) easily. The wing flap is very easy to bring up before you take the water bottle. The bad thing is that the wing flap won't be able to close well when theres a bottle there since the magnet that holds the wing to the side will be too far when the bottle pocket expands.
The only accessories I got were for the inside. Like those velcro mini bags to put my airpod pro and other stuff. not sure if those are needed though. I was thinking about getting waist straps at one point, but since it's a small backpack, idk if I really need to balance weight with the waist straps (and not sure if I like them dangling when not in use).
I also highly considered the pilot backpack since I liked the size and how the side access opens towards you (opposite direction of peak design zip), BUT the deal breaker was the way you access the top compartment. I think it's worse than the rolltop design for my use. This video shows how he has to fold back the back area to access it
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The last wotancraft bag I considered was the wotancraft sniper. I like the tall design, but it just didn't seem to be able to fit a macbook, and the direction that the side access opens up is not what I like (similar to peak design where it faces outward when opening)
p.1 #14 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
For 2 camera easy backpack setups, I'd currently recommend like:
-lowepro protactic aw 350 (v1/2) -> i think 18L? Just not casual looking
-onemo backpack 25L -> I really like the way it's designed, and I cut up one of the small pockets to allow access to top. Just a little big bigger than what I'd like.
-manfrotto chicago 30 -> quite small too. Not 30L like I initially thought when I read it's name. Might not be good if water bottle pocket needed since it's quite tight for it
p.1 #15 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
Thank you so much for the detailed information! I hadn't focussed much on how the pilot opens from the top but after looking at that video, I have to agree that is a dealbreaker for me too... I can see why they did it like that but for me I think a camera insert would have been a better choice.
Anyway, right now all signs are pointing to the 15L nomad for me and I'm also considering the Ona Clifton backpack. The Clifton looks like it would fit what I'm looking for and be casual enough to do some city trekking or even a day at Disney with my family... the only downside I see with the Clifton is that it might be a little hard to get my camera out on the go and the water bottle storage isn't great. I also feel that Ona bags aren't the same level quality as Wotancraft based on the bags I've had from both companies...
p.1 #16 · Anyone tried or owned a Wotancraft nomad 15L backpack?
I havent tried Ona, but I keep seeing them. They look nice, especially some of the other ones, but I've heard comfort issues from the straps (Ona camps bay backpack), and I think overall functionality, they didn't fit my use case. The laptop seems inconvenient to get in and out also for the ona clifton. The size and look is definitely nice for it though.
I would also check out this review &ab_channel=Carry-OnPhotography
He has the 25L and he wears it at the end so you can see how it might look in terms of actual size on a person. ALSO he mentions how it saved him with with space cuz he was able to put a bunch of his kids toys and stuff in it.
I'm a short guy, so I think the 25L might look like im wearing a turtle shell. I also don't put my toddlers stuff into my backpack, so 15L just suited me more. Hard to say at times though. The time I tried stuffing my 15L with clothes and extra backup stuff, it looked too packed, and makes me wonder if the 25L might hold it better without losing the slim-ish form
