Best Hiking Camera Backpacks: 15+ Options for 2026

By Roberto (Updated Oct 2026)
⏱️ 10 min

Welcome to another camera gear post. This post focuses on the best hiking camera backpacks. I decided to do this post for two reasons: I’m in love with camera bags, and I don’t see many blogs reviewing 25 – 40L bags for hiking or adventure, which I consider crucial for travel photography.

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Types of camera backpacks

I want to first classify the camera bags in three big groups:

Type	Volume	Example
Urban / everyday backpack	< 25 L	WNDRD Duo
1-day Hiking / Travel Backpack	25-40 L	Shimoda models
Long trekking backpack	> 40L	Lowepro Powder Extreme Adventure Powder Backpack 500 AW

This post has (and tries to be updated) the best backpacks that fall into the second segment: Hiking camera backpacks from 25 to 40L. I’ve hiked for years in Dolomites, Spain or other countries with some of these backpacks, and I can provide real advice.

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Do you really need a camera backpack?

Being 100% honest: no. You can always protect your camera inside a cube or protector unit, and put it into a normal backpack. Also, the longer the hike, the more I want a proper pure hiking backpack with a camera insert. BUT, for short hikes (maybe less than 6 Horus) the difference or advantage, is that camera backpacks are optimised to carry our camera, lenses, filters, batteries, drone, and other gadgets.

They also come with easy access to the gear and improved protection. Based on this protection there are backpacks with incorporated dividers or pockets or backpacks with adjustable and removable units. The benefit is that they usually are removable or exchangeable by other cubes or RCI (Removable Camera Insert).

Before listing backpacks, I’d like to highlight that HIKING camera backpacks should have one or two lateral pockets, internal dividers, and a set of features that I consider important like weatherproof, light weight and waist strap are mandatory for the most important characteristic of your hiking camera backpack: comfort.

The waist strap or belt is super important for these kinds of backpacks, because with 30 – 40L we are carrying a lot of stuff and weight.

Reviewing the Best Hiking Camera Backpacks from 25 to 40L

Lowepro Protactic 450 AW III– Expandable 28L

We start with one famous model from the brand Lowepro. The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW III offers practically everything you need and it’s one of the best value-for-money backpacks listed here. This model comes with 28L, multiple internal pockets, excellent quality and materials. It’s durable and all the reviews you can see are positive.

You can also attach external complements from Lowepro to the backpack or the belt, increasing the space, and it has 4-point access. One cons for me is that it is not weather proof (but it comes with a rain cover).

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Lowepro Protactic 450 AW III	Expandable 28L	2950 g	Yes (removable)	No	$ ~300

Lowepro Whistler 350 AW II – 30L

We could say this model is a tougher version of the Protactic, more oriented to users who face snow and heavy rain. The Whistler 350 AW II is a bit bigger, with 30 L, and it’s fully protected against rain, snow or dust, and it can support the attachment of snow or mountain equipment like skis, axes and tripod.

In contrast, it lacks the possibility of the attachments and has no water bottle pocket. Strangely, this model is more expensive than its big brother, Whistler 450 AW II, making it a bit pricey compared to other alternatives.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Lowepro Whistler 350 AW II	30L	2650 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	$ ~410

Atlas Athlete Pack, 30 L

Good design, optimized space, multiple pockets, outstanding protection, 2 lateral pockets and straps… The Atlas Athlete Pack has it all! While it’s not water sealed, it will resist light rain, and I personally love the expandable top access. It was awarded by National Geographic as one of the best camera bags for travelers. The downside is the price. For its deorbited price, there are (I think) other better options.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Atlas Athlete Pack 30L	30L	1800 g (without waist belt)	Yes	Partially	$ 425

F-Stop Lotus, 32L, and Ajna, 40L

F-Stop is another well-known brand with years of experience is this field of camera backpacks. They offer two camera bags in the mountain segment which match our criteria here: the Lotus and Ajna, 32 and 40L respectively and they come in different colours.

The look is amazing, and these are more like a hiking backpack with premium materials and weather sealed. They come empty, without any accessories or rain cover, … It’s true that they admit accessories from F-Stop, but the price will jump. They both deserve a consideration, if money is not an issue.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
F-Stop Lotus	32L	1500 g	Yes	Yes	$ 330
F-Stop Ajna	40L	1700 g	Yes	Yes	$ 350

Tenba Axis V2 32L Backpack

A cheaper alternative is the Tenba Axis V2 32L Backpack, which is like the big brother version of the Lowepro Protactic 450 AW III and if you like the military backpacks, you’d be in love with this model. The Tenba Axis 32L Backpack comes in 20, 24 and 32L versions. It has 3-point camera access, straps, and allows to attach different extra pouches and accessories from the brand.

The exterior is water resistant and the quality of the materials is outstanding. The downside is that it doesn’t have so many dividers (something you can solve with the accessories) and it is a bit heavy, but overall, it’s a good value-for-money option.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Tenba Axis V2 32L	32L	2500 g	Yes	Yes	$ 260

Evoc CP 35L

Continuing with an overpriced model… We have the Evoc CP 35L. I personally like the size around 35L because it is what I find I really need in my daily long hikes. This is a well-designed model focused on comfort and protection. It has many internal pockets and a 3-litre hydration bladder. Thanks to the straps it can also attach snow or mountain equipment. The drawbacks: weight, price, and no water resistance.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Evoc CP 35L	35L	2700 g	Yes	No	$ 400

NYA Evo Fjord 36L

One of my favourite backpacks on therms of design, is the NYA EVO Fjord 36. This model raised thousands of dollars on Kickstarter and was founded by and for adventure photographers. The NYA EVO Fjord 36 comes full weather sealed, with good materials and aesthetic details, straps, two lateral expandable pockets, internal compartments, reinforced bottom, and comfort in the same model. What I don’t like is missing pockets and the quality of the shoulder straps.

This backpack comes without RCI (modules of protection) but they offer three different sizes depending on your desired space distribution. In addition, it also offers a helmet attachment system on the front or top panel of the pack, and they come in 4 colours.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
NYA EVO Fjord 36	36L	1700 g	Yes	Yes	$ 270

NANUK N-PVD 30L and 35L

I didn’t know about this brand until recently. The designs and the quality of their products make this brand to consider for a long lasting camera backpack. They have the NANUK N-PVD 30L and the NANUK N-PVD 35L in the segment we’re considering here, with similarities but space differences. These two models come with water-resistant build with YKK® Aquaguard® zippers, customizable padded dividers, and a comfortable breathable back panel and waist straps.

These models from NANUK have it all, solid design (for both urban and hiking adventures), interior organization, details inside and outside, aluminium hooks, double-layer foam padded body and much more. I personally love that (same in some models of Shimoda) sides can be used to carry a tripod or water bottle AND have a zipper to use the side access. Since I love this model but I own other options for 21, 24 and 25 L, I’ll consider buying the NANUK N-PVD 18L as a daily backpack. NANUK if you read this and want to send a model for review… 🤙🏽

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
NANUK N-PVD 30L	30 L	2000 g	No	Yes	$ 300
NANUK N-PVD 35L	35 L	2250 g	Yes	Yes	$ 330

VSGO Pocket Ranger Bag/Elite 25L and 35L

I got a unit of the VSGO Pocket Ranger 25 L version and I’m impress by the quality of the materials. This brand offers two hiking backpacks: the Pocket Ranger Bag and the Pocket Ranger Elite. Both come in 25 liter (expandable to 33) and 35 liter (expandable to 43). These models are really light and simple but offer what’s necessary: the camera area and the space for adventure stuff. They have top and back access and come with a rigid frame construction. They do feel solid.

They are designed for comfort, with padded shoulder straps, adjustable chest and waist belts, and a breathable back panel. The backpack doesn’t have many pockets inside but comes with extra pockets in the straps. They are expandable by 8 litres and have multiple attachment points, like the dedicated to the hiking poles. I’ve used this backpack in a recent loooong hike in the Pyrenees and I’m impressed with the comfort.

The VSGO Pocket Ranger Elite version is an ultralight version of the Pocket Ranger Bag, that comes with added features, like side access and an improved camera unit. The VSGO Pocket Ranger bags come in different colours. Definitely a good option, considering they are in the lower price range in this list.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
VSGO Pocket Ranger Bag	25 L (expandable to 33) / 35 L (expandable to 43)	1,450 g bare / 2,120 g with cube 1,650 g bare / 2,320 g with cube	Yes (removable)	Yes	$ 230
VSGO Pocket Ranger Elite	25 L (expandable to 33) / 35 L (expandable to 43)	1,120 g bare / 1,650 g with cube 1,310 g bare / 1,840 g with cube	Yes (removable)	Yes	$ 250

Think Tank Backlight 36L

Think Tank has been awarded several times for their backpacks for good reasons. This company offers many and varied models of camera backpacks. The Backlight 36L, is a solid option in this segment, with internal dividers, two lateral expandable pockets and straps. It also provides excellent comfort and it comes with a rain cover, yet it is not water protected. Nobody’s perfect.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Think Tank Backlight 36L	36L	2200 g	Yes	No	$330

Shimoda Explore v2 30L and 35 L adventure camera backpack

Other alternatives (and reaching the end of the list), would be the three models from Shimoda which are also top in specs. I personally love them all. Shimoda offers some of the best backpacks for outdoors photographers and it’s difficult to see a bad review of them. They’re pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Shimoda has upgraded the previous Shimoda Explore backpacks, with this version. In this case they offer three options: 25, 30 and 35 litres and three colours: black, camouflage green and teal (women).

They have improved the look, maintained the excellent quality and upgraded some pockets and harness in the new Shimoda Explore v2. The waist belt is also now removable. I got the Shimoda Explore V2 30 L in green and been with it in several hikes, and I really recommend it. It’s an awesome backpack.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Shimoda Explore v2 25L	25L	1570 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 300
Shimoda Explore v2 30L	30L	1650 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 310
Shimoda Explore v2 35L	35L	2000 g	Yes (removable)	Yes	From $ 320

Gitzo Adventury 30L Camera Backpack

And finally, the last option of the group, the Gitzo Aventury 30L Camera Backpack. This model offers similar characteristics to other backpacks here: straps, water resistance, internal dividers, tripod holder, good materials,… the upper part of the backpack is also expandable to gain some extra space. It’s a solid and comfortable option for those who love the military green.

Model	Volume	Weight	Waist belt	Water resistant	Price
Gitzo Aventury 30L Camera Backpack	30L	2050 g	Yes	Yes	$ 260

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Other considerations

As you probably noticed, I haven’t included some famous brands like WNDRD, or PeakDesign. The reason, is that while they offer sublime urban models, I wouldn’t consider them for proper hiking. The straps are not that padded, and the backpacks are generally more focus on aesthetics and utility rather than comfort. I personally love the Pete Mckinnon Camera backpacks.

Additionally, I haven’t included other models from Lowepro or Vanguard, like the Alta Sky 51D Camera Backpack, because they can weigh more than 6 kg!

If you find your favourite backpack is missing here, let me know about it. I hope the post helped you to decide or compare between some of the models here. Thanks for your reading time!