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Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)

  
 
Braindrain232
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p.2 #1 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


nineblade wrote:
So I find myself looking for a new travel backpack. Let me give some background:

I have been traveling with the following:
- Peak Design ZIP 21L
- Wandrd Prvke 21L
- Brevite Jumper 18L
- Lowepro Photo Sport 24L

What I discovered for some trips is that I found myself, surprisingly, liking the Brevite. The main reason was that it was light, and that I could get it on and off my shoulder without much of a fuss.

Peak Design: It's my go to backpack most of the time, primarily because it's so configurable and comfy on the shoulders. Where I found myself annoyed with it
...Show more


Here's my travel camera backpack that I take everywhere - the Roots flannel collection RG30. I actually use the same as the backpack to take to the office.

Lightweight? Yes (2.4 lbs)
Easy to slip on and off? Yes. There are no fiddly waist straps.
Durable? Yes. Although it's not waterproof. Water-resistant to a point.
Half the bag holds camera gear, half of it holds other stuff? Yes, yes, yes! It has velcro straps that split the top and bottom half and can be converted to using the entire bag as a single space.
Doesn't scream camera bag? Yes!

Is it designed to hold a FF camera with multiple lenses? Maybe, as in the description, perhaps 2-3 small lenses. I have a m43 and have stuck in my Olympus EM1.2 with 100-400mm into the top half (the smaller half) without issue.




Here's a link to it, although you can usually find it much cheaper on sale at retailers.

Comes in that colour (more brown in real life) and also black. I've got both colours.



Jun 02, 2026 at 02:05 PM
nineblade
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p.2 #2 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


I got a Wandrd Prvke Pocket, and the top compartment is so tiny. Not even sure if it fits anything beyond a jacket. Seish...

I guess I could just get the latest Prvke. The rolltop seems to be the way to go if you want to store a jacket.



Jun 05, 2026 at 11:25 PM
patotts
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p.2 #3 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


OK, fellow addict/nut here.

First of all, they are all a compromise. Just like cameras. No one seem to be able to build the Goldilock one.

If money is of less concern, I would get a Evergoods CBT, either 20 or 26 (latter one for myself). Second choice would be AER - great bags, perhaps a bit too techie-looking IMO.

After that it becomes a blur. Too many to chose from. It all depends on if you want better straps, how you want to to sit (which also depends on your height and body), branding or no branding (if you can live with branding both Patagonia and North Face makes pretty good value packs).

I would go with clam shell design so you can pack it better. Top access or roll top is great in theory, but gets a hassle to get things in and our, or stay organized. If you want extra access, look at something with an expansion zipper or ability to store things on the outside via some type of pocket or cord.

https://evergoods.us/collections/backpacks/products/civic-travel-bag

Again, my money would be on the CBT26, in OD Green. So yummy. Extra space when you need it to stuff a rain or puffer jacket, double as a gym bag with shoes, bottle, and clothing change, etc.



Jun 07, 2026 at 05:39 AM
outdoorsben3
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p.2 #4 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


Not a camera bag but I use a Goruck GR1 26L for my everything bag. Daily, gym, hiking, travel, day trips, weekend trips, etc... I usually have my camera out on the strap with a capture clip and I don't often swap lenses when I'm out and about so it works for me. Lenses I will toss in with a case for each lens or using an insert. It's heavy but it's bombproof and i'll never have to buy another bag for as long as I live.


Jun 12, 2026 at 07:15 PM
aryaah
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p.2 #5 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


My recommendation for a multipurpose bag, including photography use:

Defy Bags:
VerBockel Rolltop Backpack 2.0 'Un-Zipped' / Black Ballistic Nylon x ECOPAK™ EPX ’Fire Edition’

I enjoy using my version of this bag. It is exceptionally well made with very thoughtful features, as well as being of high durability.

Great company. I own several of their products, all of consistent superb quality.



Jun 13, 2026 at 01:41 AM
 


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patotts
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p.2 #6 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


patotts wrote:
OK, fellow addict/nut here.

First of all, they are all a compromise. Just like cameras. No one seem to be able to build the Goldilock one.

If money is of less concern, I would get a Evergoods CBT, either 20 or 26 (latter one for myself). Second choice would be AER - great bags, perhaps a bit too techie-looking IMO.

After that it becomes a blur. Too many to chose from. It all depends on if you want better straps, how you want to to sit (which also depends on your height and body), branding or no branding (if you
...Show more

I manage to find an Evergoods CBT26 on sale via an Italian distributor (Evergoods almost never do sales). I had high expectations, but after delivery, I have decided to return it. It is just way too overbuilt. It weighs 3.6 lbs/1.6 kg empty, which I think is a bit too much for a simple bag with no belt, roll-top, etc. The X-PAC version is actually even heavier.

I think I've found the close-to-perfect pack in the https://filipraboch.com/products/wanderer but I'm not paying north of 700 EUR/$800 USD for a backpack. Sure seems nice though.

To the OP, perhas a Wandrd PVRKE 21L 4th gen will work? It is a tad lighter and had luggage pass-through.




Jul 14, 2026 at 07:35 AM
patotts
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p.2 #7 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


outdoorsben3 wrote:
Not a camera bag but I use a Goruck GR1 26L for my everything bag. Daily, gym, hiking, travel, day trips, weekend trips, etc... I usually have my camera out on the strap with a capture clip and I don't often swap lenses when I'm out and about so it works for me. Lenses I will toss in with a case for each lens or using an insert. It's heavy but it's bombproof and i'll never have to buy another bag for as long as I live.


Great pack, I've been "this" close to buy it several times, but it sort of falls apart on the combo of 18"/50cm hight (techically too big to fit as a personal item/pack on many e.g. European flights), weight at 1.5 kg, lack of luggage strap, and price (Made in the US though). If I was just lugging it around a bit, dragging in and out of my SUV, etc, I already own this. Also, I wish there was a version without MOLLE the outside.

The answer, of course, is the GR1 26 in X-PAC - lighter at 2.6 lbs/ 1.18 kg, but the price... 525 USD in the US, $730 USD (!) in Europe. And backordered.




Jul 14, 2026 at 07:48 AM
outdoorsben3
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p.2 #8 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


patotts wrote:
Great pack, I've been "this" close to buy it several times, but it sort of falls apart on the combo of 18"/50cm hight (techically too big to fit as a personal item/pack on many e.g. European flights), weight at 1.5 kg, lack of luggage strap, and price (Made in the US though). If I was just lugging it around a bit, dragging in and out of my SUV, etc, I already own this. Also, I wish there was a version without MOLLE the outside.

The answer, of course, is the GR1 26 in X-PAC - lighter at 2.6 lbs/ 1.18
...Show more
The slick versions don't have the molle. Agree that the weight and measurements can be a problem when flying on European or Asian airlines where that is routinely checked.



Jul 14, 2026 at 04:04 PM
patotts
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p.2 #9 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)


outdoorsben3 wrote:
The slick versions don't have the molle. Agree that the weight and measurements can be a problem when flying on European or Asian airlines where that is routinely checked.


I did look at that slick version, esp the Huckberry version, but it is almost too clean. No waterbottle/tripod/umbrella pocket. No attachment points at all for a shock-cord/anything, no luggage passthrough. Still heavy. Great quality though.



Jul 14, 2026 at 05:39 PM
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