Photographers love these 8 camera bags
From backpacks to crossbodies—these expert-approved bags offer plenty of protection for the way you travel.
As a photographer and travel journalist, I’m always looking for ways to optimize my gear, and camera bags are essential. For me, the best travel camera bag must be compact enough to avoid the gate-check, durable enough to withstand bumpy safari vehicles and hiking excursions, and it needs to hold up—comfortably—under the weight of a long lens, laptop, and two camera bodies.
Competition is stiff, but it’s tough to beat the 26L Think Tank MindShift BackLight as an all-rounder camera bag for travel. With its customizable interior and separate pockets for personal essentials—including a 16-inch laptop—the BackLight transitions easily between backcountry and overhead compartment. But we have a few more favorite bags to share.
Our picks for the best camera bags for travel
• Best camera sling bag for travel: Bellroy Venture Camera Sling 10L
• Best small camera bag for travel: Tenba BYOB 9
• Best camera bag for hiking: Shimoda Designs Action X40
• Best camera shoulder bag for travel: Peak Design Everyday Tote
• Best camera bag purse for travel: Lo & Sons The Claremont
• Best waterproof camera bag for travel: OverBoard Pro-Sports Waterproof SLR Camera Bag 15L
• Best camera bag backpack for travel: Vanguard VEO Select 45M
The best camera bags for travel
A great camera bag should keep your gear protected and in place—ideally with adjustable internal dividers to customize your layout. Extra space for accessories, snacks, or a jacket is a plus. Water-resistant material (or an included rain cover), comfortable straps, and airline-friendly sizing are further essentials.
The best camera bag for travel overall: Think Tank MindShift BackLight 26L
Why we like it: Think Tank was founded 20 years ago by photographers, for photographers. The MindShift BackLight is a terrific example of the brand’s design prowess.
The 26L features rear-panel access, which is ideal for swapping gear without getting the back of the bag or the straps dirty. It also provides peace of mind when you’re moving through crowded spaces.
The BackLight has nine liters of capacity, compartments for a 16-inch laptop and tablet, a water bottle pocket and tripod-toting attachment, plus an ultra-supportive harness system.
The 26L size allows you to breeze through boarding and keep you nimble on the trails. Outdoor enthusiasts will further appreciate the daisy chain, lash points, and loops for an ice axe or trekking poles.
Keep in mind: The outdoorsy design of the BackLight may not be to everyone’s taste. Depending on your setup, this bag may be too small for the number (and size) of lenses you can carry.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 11.4 x 20.3 x 7.9 in. | Interior capacity: 10.2 x 19.3 x 5.9 in. | Weight: 3.9 lbs. | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best camera sling bag for travel: Bellroy Venture Camera Sling 10L
Why we like it: Bellroy products shine for their attention to detail. This sling has self-compressing gussets to adapt to your loadout, adjustable padded dividers, and a main compartment with a double-ended zipper that opens so you can rummage around. There’s also a key clip, lens cap storage, stretchy slip pockets for things like filters and SD cards, and detachable tripod carry straps.
The Venture camera sling is perfect for a compact camera and everyday essentials for walking around town. You’ll keep a nice low profile with the modest 10L size and stay comfortable, thanks to the lightly padded shoulder strap. The sling isn’t waterproof, but it’s made with water-resistant ripstop material and water-resistant zippers. You’ll be fine if you’re caught in a surprise afternoon shower.
Keep in mind: This is a pricey little bag. It’s best for someone with a small camera who is comfortable carrying a sling.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 8.66 x 14.1 x 4.72 in. | Interior capacity: 10L | Weight: 1.1 lbs. | Warranty: 6 years
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Best small camera bag for travel: Tenba BYOB 9
Why we like it: At first glance, the Tenba BYOB looks like a camera cube—which isn’t wrong. Its versatility makes it a standout for best small camera bag. The BYOB features adjustable dividers, interior zip pockets, exterior mesh slip pockets, a handle, and a detachable shoulder strap.
This travel camera bag is a great option for packing your camera into a larger bag or suitcase for transit. At your destination, you can clip on the strap and hit the town with whatever you’ll need for the day.
We appreciate that it comes in four sizes, making the BYOB a good choice for a variety of camera kits. The 9 fits a camera body and two or three lenses, plus small accessories.
Keep in mind: With its boxy design, the Tenba BYOB isn’t the most stylish option on the market. But for us, practicality trumps sartorial appeal.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 4 in. | Interior capacity: 8.5 x 6 x 3.5 in. | Weight: 0.55 lbs. | Warranty: 5 years
Best camera bag for hiking: Shimoda Designs Action X40
Why we like it: Shimoda bags are built for comfort and protection in the field—it’s no wonder the pros love it. London-based travel photographer and writer Bella Falk of Passport & Pixels carries an Action X40 from Shimoda’s women’s fit line, praising its “extra space for things like clothing and food if I need to be out all day in cold weather, and a removable core so I can leave the gear behind and use it as a regular backpack,” she says.
This bag is ideal for outdoor work—you can attach skis and a helmet, let alone a tripod and water bottle. Leo Plunkett, a Bristol, England-based documentary filmmaker, uses the slightly larger Action X70 and says it’s “perfect for shoots where you’re constantly on the move—running through jungles or jumping in and out of a car,” he says. “The thing I love most is when I get back from a shoot, I can transfer out the core unit. It really is a bag for every occasion.”
The Action X40 allows you to customize your carry experience with different core inserts, an expandable rolltop, laptop sleeves in both the front and rear of the bag, and torso height to ensure a perfect fit.
Keep in mind: The Action X40 is not a lightweight bag. It’ll do fine as a carry-on, but weighing in at six pounds before you’ve loaded anything into it means you may need to double-check airline weight restrictions—or pay up for a more forgiving seating class.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 11.8 x 20.9 x 7.9 in. | Interior capacity: 11.6 x 20.7 x 7.5 in. | Weight: 6 lbs. | Warranty: 5 years
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Best camera shoulder bag for travel: Peak Design Everyday Tote
Why we like it: The Everyday Tote doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as Peak Design’s popular Everyday Backpack, but it should. This bag looks more like a nicely structured tote than a camera bag, which is great for discretion in busy cities and adds to the Everyday Tote’s versatility.
Close the top access with a zip or the magnetic clasp and modify the interior to fit your camera kit with Peak Design’s FlexFold dividers. Slide in a 13-inch laptop and a few personal accessories too. You can carry it all with confidence thanks to the bag’s water-resistant material and waterproof bottom liner.
Because shoulder bags can weigh you down, we like that you can carry the Everyday Tote either by the handles or the included padded shoulder strap. It also has a luggage pass-through strap and comes with a key tether, plus two external carry straps—perfect for bringing a jacket when you don’t want to sacrifice internal space.
Keep in mind: When loaded, this tote can be tedious to navigate since you’re limited to access only from the top.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 17.3 x 14.8 x 6.7 in. | Interior capacity: 15L, 20L with the top unfolded | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Warranty: Lifetime
Best camera bag purse for travel: Lo & Sons The Claremont
Why we like it: Camera bags often look like camera bags despite a designer’s best intentions—not so with the Claremont. This elegant handbag is designed as a leather crossbody with a quilted, padded interior to protect your camera and an extra lens.
You’ll find small slip pockets for keeping SD cards secure, a zippered rear pocket that’s great for a passport, and a turn-lock closure for the main compartment. It comes in four colors in full-grain leather, with removable internal dividers so you can use the bag as a regular purse.
Keep in mind: The leather strap is adjustable but fairly thin. Under the weight of camera gear, it may not be comfortable for carrying all day.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 10.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 in. | Interior capacity: 9.5 x 7 x 4.5 in. | Weight: 1.5 lbs. | Warranty: 1 year
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Best waterproof camera bag for travel: OverBoard Pro-Sports Waterproof SLR Camera Bag 15L
Why we like it: “Waterproof” is often inaccurately used interchangeably with “water-resistant.” But this camera bag can back its waterproof claim. It’s made of PVC tarpaulin with fully welded seams made to keep out dust, sand, and water. The brand claims that this bag will protect your gear if it’s briefly submerged in water (it floats!), making it ideal for water activities.
The OverBoard waterproof camera bag has internal accessory pockets and a padded base. It also comes with two removable straps allowing you to wear it as a backpack or shoulder bag.
Keep in mind: This is essentially a luxury drybag, so there are no internal dividers or organization to keep camera bodies and lenses separate.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 15 x 9.8 x 5.9 x 7.9 in. | Interior capacity: 15L | Weight: 0.9 lbs. | Warranty: 5 years
Best camera bag backpack for travel: Vanguard VEO Select 45M
Why we like it: The VEO Select 45M is my current go-to for photographic travel. Despite its compact size (capacity is 14 liters), I can fit a 14-inch laptop, two camera bodies, four lenses (including a 150-600mm), and accessories like battery chargers and a blower. Even loaded out, I can still fit this bag under the seat in front of me on an airplane. I also love that there are three access points: From the rear panel, the top, and the side.
By removing the divider that separates personal items, I reconfigured the interior to accommodate my long lens with an attached camera, which I can now grab quickly, whether the bag is lying on the seat next to me or standing upright. That kind of versatility comes in handy on safari.
The VEO Select easily accommodates a water bottle or tripod. It has a hidden rear pocket and a luggage pass-through. Extras include a rain cover and a shoulder strap, for a different carry option.
Keep in mind: The slim design means there’s no wiggle room for stuffing the external pockets—what you see is what you get.
Product details: Exterior dimensions: 18.25 x 12.62 x 7.5 in. | Interior capacity: 17.7 x 10.8 x 4.3 in. (14L) | Weight: 3.3 lbs. | Warranty: Limited lifetime
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How we chose the best travel camera bag
A sturdy, durable, and organized camera bag is an essential piece of travel luggage. You want to ensure that your gear is as protected and as comfortable to carry as possible—ideally within the constraints of air travel regulations. In compiling this list of best camera bags for travel, I leaned on my background as a professional photographer and interviewed other expert photographers. These are the factors I considered:
• Size: Camera bag size is critical, not just for portability, but also to ensure you won’t have to check your gear due to baggage restrictions.
• Features: There’s no such thing as a perfect bag for every photographer, but most photographers need a versatile interior configuration, pockets for accessories and personal items, and comfortable carrying options.
• Material: Protecting camera equipment from rain, dust, sand, and the occasional bump or drop is a big part of why we elect to buy specially designed camera bags in the first place. I chose bags that are constructed with high-quality materials and secure closures.
• Warranty: Good bags usually don’t come cheap, so it’s reassuring to know a brand has your back in case something isn’t a hundred percent.
Tips for buying a camera bag for travel
In her quest for finding the perfect travel camera bag, London-based travel photographer and writer Bella Falk of Passport & Pixels says that size is critical. “A travel camera bag has to be big and padded enough to contain and protect all my gear, while at the same time being small enough to meet airline hand luggage rules.”
Here are more things to look for when shopping for a camera bag.
Don’t ignore bag weight
Even the most lightweight camera bodies and lenses will feel heavy if you carry them around for hours. While a good camera bag for travel should be sturdy enough to protect its contents, remember that the weight of the bag itself contributes to the overall burden. If you choose a weighty bag—like the Shimoda Designs Action X40—make sure it’s equipped with a comfortable, supportive harness. Well-padded straps and a wide, load-distributed waist belt will go a long way toward reducing discomfort on the road.
Think features, not flash
Sure, it’s great if a camera bag looks nice, but toting expensive equipment should mean prioritizing practicality. Consider which features are likely to matter most to you and shop accordingly. Are you planning to carry multiple lenses? A laptop? A tripod? Do you want the option to use your camera bag as a regular backpack or sling? Do you need a dedicated pocket to accommodate the 10 protein bars you refuse to travel without? Understand how you like to travel with your camera and then look for a bag that will give you the support you need so you can enjoy your trip.
Try before you buy, if possible
Camera bags are similar to shoes—you don’t know if they’re going to work for you unless you try them on. If you’re able, take time to stop by a camera or electronics shop in person and try out different bags to get a feel for comfort and capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring a camera on a plane?
Generally, yes, you can bring a camera on a plane. It’s best to keep your camera and lenses with you on an airplane, so check your carrier for their carry-on size rules. All the travel camera bags on our list are carry-on appropriate in most situations.
How do I pack my camera for travel?
Using a proper camera bag will go a long way toward keeping your camera safe during transit. Padded dividers keep everything in place and protect your gear from scratches or impact damage. Make sure lens caps are on, cameras are switched off, and don’t forget spare batteries, memory cards, and essential cables.
What is the best material for a camera bag?
Camera bag materials can vary widely, from leather to nylon, polyester, canvas, and beyond. Be aware of the difference between truly waterproof material, like the PVC tarpaulin used on the OverBoard waterproof camera bag, versus DWR (durable water repellency) coated or impregnated materials. Water resistance is terrific and more than sufficient for most camera bags, but you won’t be able to take your Everyday Tote paddleboarding.
Does a camera bag count as luggage?
Yes, a camera bag counts as luggage. Depending on the size of your camera bag, it may qualify as a personal item if it can fit underneath the seat in front of you on an airplane. Otherwise, it’s best to ensure the bag fits standard carry-on size requirements to fit into the overhead bin. Always check your airline’s requirements, as every carrier has different rules.
