we tried a lot of camera bags. Here are some that we really like but were overshadowed by our top picks.
Peak Design Everyday Sling for $159: The Everyday Sling has long been a personal favorite of mine (Jaina) for everyday wear or going out on a shoot day. It comes with flexible dividers that you can adjust or remove, depending on how much organization or storage space you need. It comes in sizes of 3, 6 and 10 liters. The 10-liter version has room for a 13-inch MacBook Pro, a charger, and my FujiFilm X-Pro 2 camera. If you need room for extra lenses or a larger camera body, you might want to forego the MacBook; it can get a little tight in there.
Wotancraft Scout Daily Camera Bag 9L for $299: If you’re looking for a messenger with style, I’ve always loved Wotancraft’s designs, and the Scout is no different. It’s made from durable Cordura with some cowhide pulled in for the lapel straps. The main compartment is spacious and separated by sturdy dividers, along with a padded laptop bag that can barely fit a 13-inch MacBook Air. There are two pockets in the front that can carry some small items, but there’s not much organization here. There’s a luggage pocket and a zipped back pocket, but no side pockets or an easy way to fit a tripod.
Tenba Fulton V2 16L Backpack for $140: I really prefer bags that have some way to quickly grab the camera, which is why the Fulton V2 isn’t higher: the only way to get your camera gear out is to take the bag out and unzip the compartment rear. (Technically, you can access this compartment from the roll top, but that requires undoing a lot of Velcro.) Otherwise, it’s a nice little bag that can fit a good amount of gear, with an expandable roll top to store lunch or spare. clothes, an elastic mesh side pocket for bottles and a canvas side pocket that can fit small tripods. Tenba says this can fit a 16-inch laptop in the padded compartment in the front, but could only squeeze a 13-inch one. It is water resistant and comfortable to wear.
Ona The Bowery Compact Messenger Bag for $209: I’ve had this bag (the black waxed canvas version) for seven years and it’s held up in great shape. It’s attractive and perfect for short rides, with plenty of padding and a divider to protect your gear. You will only be able to place one additional camera and lens. There’s a pouch on the back that I’ve used to store a Nintendo Switch or Kindle, and I put my cables, batteries, and SD cards in the pouch on the front. Unfortunately, the two side pockets are too tight to fit anything larger than a pen or microfiber cloth. An advantage? You can quickly detach the strap to turn the Bowery into a camera cube for a larger backpack. It comes in a variety of colors and materials.
Lowepro PhotoSport Outdoor Backpack III 15L for $190: This pack only looks good on the trail and can only fit a small DSLR or mirrorless in its removable cube (with side access!). It’ll fit in well with your other hiking gear, and there’s a good amount of room for snacks and anything else you might want on short hikes (including a 2-liter hydration bladder). It is made of 75% recycled fabrics.