If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
Best Everyday Sling Wandrd Rogue SlingRead more automatic tray erector machine
Best Everyday Backpack Brevite The JumperRead more
My Favorite Camera Bag Wandrd Prvke Camera Bag V3Read more
Another Good Backpack Peak Design Everyday Backpack ZipRead more
The Best camera bag doesn't exist. I once spent two hours at B&H in New York City trying to fit all of my photo gear inside each of the more than 20 bags the store had on sale, and I still left unsatisfied. Everyone's needs are different, and what works for me might not work for you. But to make your search easier, the camera enthusiasts on the WIRED Gear team have tested more than 80 bags to help whittle down the choices. We’ve shoved our equipment into slings, messenger bags, backpacks, and cubes—we've even gone bag-free—all in search of a convenient way to carry everything while keeping it protected and lightweight. These are our favorite picks.
Check out our other buying guides, like Best Messenger Bags, Best Fanny Packs, Best Compact Cameras, Best Mirrorless Cameras, Home Video Gear, and Best Mobile Camera Accessories. We also have a handy explainer on what “liters” mean in backpacks and advice on How to Buy a Camera.
Updated November 2024: We've added filter and memory cases from Lowepro and Wandrd, a sling from Moment, and a Peak Design tech pouch.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Wandrd’s Rogue sling comes in three sizes: 3, 6, and 9 liters. I tried the latter, and it's become the pack I carry on all my ebike and electric scooter treks. It can be carried as a sling, messenger, or waist pack, and because the soft padding conforms to my back, it's comfy to wear for long periods. The mix of 840-denier and 1680D ballistic nylon and water-resistant YKK zippers makes it feel like it's worth twice its price.
There's plenty of space for cameras, lenses, and other accessories. Need to carry a tripod? Cinch it to the bottom with the included straps. Need to bring a large tablet or laptop? Get Wandrd's laptop case ($59), which elegantly slots in vertically in the rear-most pocket. It's easily my favorite sling.
Out of all the backpacks I've tested under $200, I often find myself coming back to The Jumper by Brevite. This 18-liter bag makes me feel good when it's on my back. That's probably because it's available in several bright, eye-catching colors, like lemon yellow and poppy red. It's stylish and doesn't look like a camera bag. Yet you get the side pocket common on camera bags for easy access to the camera inside, and you can unzip the front to grab additional lenses. There's a zippered pocket on the front with some mesh pouches for batteries, cables, or SD cards, and the main compartment is roomy enough to hold a sweater (or lunch). The rearmost compartment closes with a waterproof zipper to protect your laptop.
I like that there's no camera cube to take out when converting it to a normal bag. Just fold down the Velcro divider in the main compartment and take out any additional dividers. The Jumper is comfortable to carry, and there's a luggage pass-through strap, a roomy side pocket, and tripod attachment straps on the base. Seriously, it has it all. The 600-denier polyester material has held up over a year of use, though my Lemon Yellow model is prone to stains.
If you've gone through a few camera bags, the Prvke (pronounced “provoke”) is the one upgrade you'll be satisfied with for years. For me, it's the closest a camera bag has ever come to perfection. It comes in green, blue, black, camo, orange, and tan, and you choose between 11, 21, 31, or 41 liters—I opted for the 31-liter version. I like it so much that I wrote about it in greater detail here. All of the bag sizes come with an expandable, handy roll top that offers an additional 5 liters of space. I originally tested the V2 (and the prior model), but the V3 that replaced it makes some minor changes, with more padding and comfort in the back panel and shoulder straps, a larger passport pocket, a luggage pass-through strap, stronger magnets in the handles, and updated zippers, plus tweaks to the internal organization.
The exterior waterproof tarpaulin and Robic 1680-denier ballistic nylon materials have held up extremely well over time. It fits everything I need to shoot a video in the field, including a tripod (which secures in place with a buckle). With the side-access pocket, grabbing the camera is a snappy affair, but you'll need to take the bag off to unzip the main compartment and access your other gear. There's a laptop sleeve big enough to house a 16-inch computer, plus another spot for a tablet, and there are lots of pockets and pouches to store smaller items. Additional attachment points on the exterior mean you can strap in just about anything else. Make sure to buy the Photography Bundle to get the Essential Camera Cube.
The Everyday Backpack Zip doesn't immediately give itself away as a camera bag, and I like that I can access my camera by slinging the backpack around my shoulder to the front—though it's not as simple as a camera bag with a traditional side access pocket. I tested the 20-liter model and it had plenty of room for my Nikon Z 6, three lenses, and my external monitor recorder. I also had no trouble housing my Peak Design Travel Tripod in the side pocket, especially with the included straps to keep it secure. There's another pocket on the other side that can fit a water bottle with no problem.
There's yet another zippered pocket for storing up to a 16-inch laptop (the 15-liter model is limited to 13-inch laptops), plus an extra sleeve for a tablet. This compartment has some organization and pouches for storing spare batteries, storage cards, chargers, and cables. I just wish it opened up a little more—it's a bit of a tight squeeze. The bag itself is well constructed, with a 400-denier water-repellent nylon canvas shell made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer material that protected my gear from a sudden downpour one evening. I like that there are grab handles on three sides, and most importantly, it's pretty comfy on my back. It's a good blend of features for the money.
OK, I have to say that the Wandrd Transit looks far better in real life than it does in its pictures online, where it looks overly bloated and way too shiny. It's a smart-looking 35-liter backpack IRL (also available in 45L) and doesn't make it known that you're carrying expensive camera equipment. I've taken the Transit on a weekend trip to Montreal and a short trek to cover Google I/O, and I've been able to fit my camera and spare lenses into the Essential Camera Cube (not included), which is cinched down with two Velcro straps, along with a spare set of clothes into the area above. Oh, and a 16-inch laptop and portable monitor in the padded laptop compartment, though taking the laptop out is a two-handed affair, as things are tight.
The main compartment opens up like traditional carry-ons, and there are large zippered pouches, which is where I stowed cables, chargers, and batteries. On the front, you'll find more of these, and I was happily able to fit wireless lav microphones and a shotgun mic. I especially love the two small zippered pockets at the top, which is where I store my sunglasses and spare phone. A hidden water bottle pocket rests on one side, and I usually have my Peak Design Travel Tripod on the opposite side pocket, cinching it with the strap. I love that you can access the main compartment via both sides, though accessing it without taking the pack off is tougher than some other bags since the zipper sits much higher up. Still, since the camera cube has a sideways opening, it means you can grab your camera without much fuss.
It's comfortable to carry, handled the rain in Montreal just fine without my equipment getting wet, and adheres to most airline carry-on rules (it was fine on Delta!). But the best part? You can add 5 liters by undoing the wrap-around expansion zipper, much like a traditional carry-on roller. It gives you breathing room if you have a lot of stuff in there. My only issue? The zippers can get a bit sticky.
Long Weekend Monterey Camera Sling 2L for $50: You can don this sling bag as a cross-body or a fanny pack, and it's comfy whichever way you wear it. Its rad design will turn eyes—a stranger asked where I got it—but know that its 2-liter capacity means this is meant for carrying a slim point-and-shoot, phone, or very compact mirrorless camera. Its main compartment has a thin sleeve to store an item alongside your camera, and over on the front are two pockets for spare batteries or keys. It's made of recycled 500-denier nylon and 210-denier ripstop with YKK zippers.
Moment Everything Sling 4L for $99: This handsome sling is comfy and the 4-liter size is deceptive—you can hold more than you think. I was able to carry around my Nikon Z 6 III with a 50-mm lens without having to take it apart, though it'll look less lumpy if you do. It's made of 420-denier ripstop nylon and has a double-layer waterproof coating along with YKK zippers. There's decent padding but a drop would worry me. There's a divider in the main compartment and several zippered pockets on the outside. Not much in the way of actual organization (no mesh pouches or anything like that), but it's a great everyday sling to toss in sunglasses, a phone, a wallet, and your precious camera. It also comes in a 2-liter size, which might be better suited for smartphones or compact cameras.
Hex Ranger DSLR Camera Sling XL 10L for $60: This bag has decent padding on its sides, and the 10-liter size is large enough to pack most everyday essentials for photo and video shoots—including a 13-inch laptop in the rear zippered compartment. There are two roomy pockets on the front, one with lots of pouches for chargers, SD cards, and batteries, and the other is lined with faux fur and is great for more delicate items like sunglasses. The straps at the bottom make it really easy to stow a small tripod, and the Cordura and ballistic nylon exterior did a great job protecting my gear in the rain. I wish the top zipper moved more smoothly. (I also tested and like the 8-liter version for lighter days.)
When I traveled to Cupertino to cover the Apple announcement in September of 2023, I packed all my camera gear into the Ekster Grid. I used Ekster's Tech Case ($60) to store chargers, batteries, storage cards, and cables, and its Camera Cube ($60) to stow my Nikon Z 6 and an extra lens. The bag's main compartment is cavernous, so I was also able to fit a mobile gimbal, a speedlight, and a video light. I shoved a 16-inch laptop and a portable monitor into the rear-most section and secured my Peak Design Travel Tripod in the water bottle pocket, cinching it tight with the built-in strap. It holds its shape well and stays upright on the ground. I also liked the secret side zippered pocket where I kept my passport, and the luggage passthrough means you can affix it to your carry-on.
It's not a system I'd use if I needed immediate access to my gear since you need to open the whole thing and then open your camera cube, but I love that it remains slim despite the amount of hardware inside. The Grid is made from upcycled PET bottles, making it water resistant, and I found it a comfortable way to carry a heavy load for hours at a time.
Billingham bags have a solid reputation among photographers. They're renowned for their durability, understated style, and lifetime warranties. As a camera bag, the Hadley Pro is not as fully featured as some others on this list, but it’s great for the basics and serves double duty as a solid overnight travel bag. Its weather-resistant finish and timeless style make it one of my favorites. —Jaina Grey
I took this Everything Tech Tote bag to the beach last summer, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Using the included divider, I was able to stow my camera and a spare lens. I could also fit two water bottles, towels, sunscreen, my dog's food, and extra clothes. It's roomy, though you might have to dig through some items to get to the camera if you fill it up. I don't love carrying tote bags because the shoulder strap is usually too short, but that wasn't a problem here. I used the extra crossbody strap more often because it's more comfortable over a long period.
There are a lot of pouches for organizing other accessories on the inside, including a zippered pouch, and you can keep it all protected by zipping up the top. Each side of the tote has a small pouch, one of which is magnetized, which is where I store my sunglasses for easy access. The strap fabric is nice and soft, but I wouldn't have minded a shoulder pad for extra comfort.
With a bag named the Manfrotto Advanced Messenger M III, it's hard not to feel like Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush while wearing this thing. This messenger has an inconspicuous look, but it's versatile. I love that I don't need to open the flap to reach inside the spacious main compartment—there's a zipper up top that opens to give you quick access. You can fit a 14-inch laptop in a padded pouch, though you only get a few pockets and pouches for some basic organization. A luggage pass-through strap means you can set it on top of your carry-on roller, and you can even stow a compact tripod under the main flap with the included attachment straps. The polyester nylon has been treated with a water-resistant coating, so it should keep your goods dry, but the included rain fly will help when there's a sudden storm.
★ Another good messenger: The Tenba DNA 13 DSLR Messenger Bag ($180) is shockingly similar, but its higher price puts it a rung below. The water-repellent cover flap uses Velcro to stay attached, but pull it down and out, and you'll magically open it up almost silently. It's ingenious. Or you can use the top zipper to access the main compartment without fuss. You can fit a slim 13-inch laptop and a tablet in two pouches, and a DSLR with several stacked lenses because the bag is quite deep. (The camera insert is removable, adding some versatility.) There are mesh side pockets, a luggage pass-through, a front zippered pocket with pouches for smaller gear, and hooks at the bottom to attach straps for carrying a tripod.
It's shocking just how much you can pack into this 12-liter backpack. I filled it with my Nikon Z 6, a strobe light, a Peak Design Travel Tripod, a tech organizer with spare batteries, wireless mics, an external video monitor, a half cage with a handle, charging cables, adapters, and a laptop. Pretty much everything I needed for an all-day shoot. It remains true to its name and stays slim.
The synthetic fabric Manfrotto uses doesn't feel as durable as the fabric on our pricier picks, and there's no way to take a camera out of the bag without swinging it forward and unzipping the front pouch. I also wouldn't have minded firmer padding on the base. On the plus side, you can take out the camera cube and convert the Street Slim into a regular backpack with a dedicated laptop sleeve. The side pockets are expandable, and there's a luggage pass-through and a few roomy pockets for housing various gizmos.
Moment's Rugged Sling is aimed at street photographers who trek around all day. It has a modular organization system inside, and its weatherproof fabric is made from recycled sails (technically it's recycled polyester fiber and film, made by North Sails). There's a large zippered front pocket that makes it easy to get to your gear, and the “winged” rear padding design makes it super comfortable on your back. The best part is the ingenious magnetic clip system, which works very well. It comes in two sizes, 6 liters and 10 liters. I found the larger version perfect for carting around a drone. —Jaina Grey
Moment's Everything Backpack is effectively a revamp of its original MTW Backpack, an already great camera bag. It comes in 17-, 21-, and 28-liter sizes, though I prefer the first two. This new iteration fixes the gripes I had with the original—it no longer feels like it's about to pop if you fill it up with gear, thanks to its increased depth. The luggage passthrough sleeve also keeps the bag vertical instead of sideways on your carry-on, the backpack does a better job of sitting upright by itself, and there's increased padding where the bag meets your back. All great improvements.
The 21-liter bag I tested can fit a 16-inch laptop, though the 17-liter is better suited to carrying a 14-inch machine. There's space to store a tablet, with pouches for other accessories, but that's just the laptop compartment. Open up the main section and you get a wide open space to stash Moment's 4-liter camera cube (not included) and more. (You can affix the cube to the hooks in the bag to keep it in place.) I can store my Nikon Z 6 and a spare lens in the cube, plus a gimbal, video light, and other tchotchkes. At the front is a zippered compartment with extra pockets and pouches. It's comfy to carry, and the 420-denier Nylon fabric has a durable water-repellent coating that has kept my gear dry. My only complaint? I wish there was a strap above the water bottle side pocket to secure my Peak Design Travel tripod. It's not very tripod-friendly; anything heavier than a mobile tripod flops over and falls out.
This is my kind of camera bag. It doesn’t draw attention to itself. It’s stylish but doesn’t scream “camera bag.” It’s slick and round where so many camera bags are boxy and technical. Claremont doesn't sacrifice functionality in pursuit of a more elevated style, either. The bag has numerous internal pockets for memory cards, batteries, and snacks. It’s roomy enough for a mirrorless camera and a couple of lenses, plus additional everyday essentials. —Jaina Grey
Holsters have waned in popularity, and they're not particularly stylish, but I can see their appeal when there's nothing you want to bring besides your camera. This one from Manfrotto checks off many boxes. I tested the medium size and it can fit a camera with a medium-size lens, there are two small pouches on the inside, and you can attach a small tripod to the exterior of the front with a strap. (There's a small and large size as well.) You can either swing it from your shoulder or attach it to your waist with the belt loop. The design is very rigid, so it'll keep whatever's inside intact.
The Nanuk 935 is a slick-looking hardcase camera roller, and it can fit a lot of gear. There's the Lid Organizer, which stays put via adhesives in the top section of the carry-on when you open it; the zippered pouches can store batteries, cables, chargers, and SD cards, and I've managed to fit a 13-inch laptop into the sleeve inside, though it's a bit tricky pulling it out. The bottom side is spacious enough for your camera, several lenses of varying sizes, and other camera equipment, all of which can be organized via dividers. All of this stays inside thanks to the latching system, which ensures the bag stays closed.
It rolls well thanks to the polyurethane wheels and is airline-compliant as a carry-on. The resin shell feels tough and has gone with me through a move and a trip, and it looks unchanged. Nanuk says it's waterproof (with an IPX7 rating), and I poured water over the gaps and nothing seeped through. This is a solid option for anyone who travels with a lot of camera gear, especially to rugged areas, and needs the extra protection.
We have a guide filled with laptop tote bags here, but Peak Design's Everyday Tote is a nice option for photographers and videographers alike. I like carrying it by the handles at the top most of the time, but when your arm gets tired, you can pull out the straps in the rear pouch to pop the bag on your back. The top access is magnetic (there's also a zipper), so it's easy to grab the 13- or 16-inch laptop out of the sleeve. For everything else, you'll want to use either of the side pockets. The built-in dividers make it easy to organize the pack to fit a telephoto or tiny pancake lens (or lunch).
plastic barrel bag inserter machine As for your tiny gear, you can stuff it into the zippered pouch in the front. Sadly, there are no side pockets, so you'll have to store your water bottle or umbrella inside with the rest of your goods and have the dividers keep things protected.