No matter where you travel and take pictures, camera gears are heavy to carry. Especially, when you get by air, you need a suitable backpack that is allowed on planes and well protects your camera. Therefore, we will now show you how to choose the best camera backpack for airline travel.
Here are the best camera backpacks for airline travel (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: USA GEAR DSLR Camera Backpack Case
- Ultra-Lightweight: CADEN DSLR SLR Camera Bag Backpack
- Best For Mirrorless Cameras: MOSISO Camera Backpack
- Spacious: Lowepro LP37177
- Most Durable: CADEN Leisure DSLR Camera Backpack
- Best For Small People: Qipi Camera Bag
| 6 Best Camera Backpacks For Airline Travel | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | USA GEAR DSLR Camera Backpack Case | |
Ultra-Lightweight | CADEN DSLR SLR Camera Bag Backpack | |
Best For Mirrorless Cameras | MOSISO Camera Backpack | |
Spacious | Lowepro LP37177 | |
Most Durable | CADEN Leisure DSLR Camera Backpack | |
Best For Small People | Qipi Camera Bag | |
Best Overall: USA GEAR DSLR Camera Backpack Case
- Spacious and well-organized for huge loads while keeping a compact shape – a 15.6” laptop sleeve & Padded adjustable/removable dividers
- Protective & quick access - Reinforced zippers with non-slip soft rubber pullers
- Wish the zippers had rings on them for any sort of lock
Our metrics when looking for the best camera backpack for airline travel include capacity, organization, durability, and protection.
The USA GEAR, during our tests, spectacularly gained the highest scoring on these four elements, making it the best overall performer this year.
Its capacity is spacious enough for three-day packs, including your essentials, camera, and its accessories, a tripod on the outer, sided pocket. And the best thing is an additional 15.6” laptop sleeve.
On the specific compartment for your camera and its accessories, most of the dividers are adjustable for the best fit. All the zippers are metal with non-slip soft rubber pullers for quick access and extended longevity.
| USA GEAR DSLR Camera Backpack Case Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.47 pounds |
Dimension | 18 x 12 x 8 inches |
Material | high-quality nylon |
Capacity | 15.6" laptop |
Highlight Features | Reinforced zippers with non-slip soft rubber pullers fits up to a 15.6" laptop Padded adjustable/removable dividers |
If you’re looking for something that not just protects your camera and its accessories but is also spacious enough for your laptop and many other essentials, this is your best overall option.
Ultra-Lightweight: CADEN DSLR SLR Camera Bag Backpack
- Weigh only 1.87 pounds – made of polyester and webbing materials & compact dimensions
- Durable and protective - 18mm thick padded detachable dividers and water-repellent 900D polyester fabric
- Reliable - backed by a 1-year warranty & zippers are guaranteed to not break within 5 years and not rusty within 3 years
- Unable to hold large tripods
- Wish there were more dividers
The CADEN DSLR SLR Camera Bag Backpack is perfect for those flights that you don’t have to carry your laptop, but just a tablet
It’s literally a camera backpack so the whole dimensions are very compact and ultra-lightweight, measured by 14.2” H x 11” W. It accommodates a DSLR/SLR camera body, up to 5 lenses, and other accessories.
There’s also an additional sleeve fitting a 13” IPAD.
Rest assured that it is extremely protective: featuring 18mm thick padded detachable dividers and water-repellent 900D polyester fabric that’s able to bear a max load of 110 pounds. The zippers are guaranteed to not break within 5 years and not rusty within 3 years.
Moreover, the backpack is backed by a 1-year warranty.
| CADEN DSLR SLR Camera Bag Backpack Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.87lbs. (0.85kg) |
Dimension | Internal dimensions: 10 x 4.5 x 13.2 inches Outer dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 14.2 inches |
Material | water-repellent 900D polyester fabric |
Capacity | Compatible with 13" IPAD 1 tripod and other photography accessories, 1 flash Speedlite, 3 ~ 5 lenses, and 1 SLR / DSLR camera bodies |
Highlight Features | A one-year warranty High-quality zippers & bar-tack technology applied to the stress position of the camera bag Only 1.87 pounds 18mm thick padded detachable dividers and water-repellent 900D polyester fabric |
Featuring a modest backpack made of ultra-lightweight polyester and webbing materials, the CADEN is ideal for those photographers who love traveling light.
Best For Mirrorless Cameras: MOSISO Camera Backpack
- Roomy and well-organized - 2 well-padded compartments, 1 anti-theft back pocket, open, 1 sided pocket, 1 tripod strap holder, and 2 accessory back pockets
- Ultra-secure and protective - a waterproof hard-shell and supportive foam padded layers
- Comfortable and supportive - back cushion & padded, adjustable shoulder straps
- Convenient to use – feature back trolley belt, a durable handle, and a clip strap on shoulder straps
- The inner deciders could be a little stiffer
This option is professionally designed for mirrorless/SLR/DSLR cameras of all brands and is backed by a 1-year warranty.
It features two compartments with thickly-padded, detachable modular inserts in the top one, one anti-theft back pocket for your small valuables (like smartphone and wallet), one open, sided pocket, a tripod strap holder, and two accessory back pockets.
We love that it is constructed with a waterproof hard-shell and supportive foam padded layers for decent protection to your expensive gears.
In the meantime, the added back cushion with high elasticity and padded, adjustable shoulder straps significantly ease out your back pain.
Regardless, you’ll benefit from many other add-ons, like a back trolley belt, a durable handle, and a clip strap on shoulder straps.
| MOSISO Camera Backpack Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.49 pounds |
Dimension | 17.32 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches |
Material | Foam and waterproof hardshell |
Capacity | One compartment: 16.93 x 10.63 x 1.58 inches One main compartment: 16.54 x 11.42 x 5.5 inch |
Highlight Features | 2 well-padded compartments, 1 anti-theft back pocket, open, 1 sided pocket, 1 tripod strap holder, and 2 accessory back pockets a waterproof hard-shell and supportive foam padded layers back cushion & padded, adjustable shoulder straps feature back trolley belt, a durable handle, and a clip strap on shoulder straps |
Designed to be spacious and well-organized yet compact with the main compartment specifically made for mirrorless cameras, the MOSISO brings home our Best Pick Choice Award.
Spacious: Lowepro LP37177
- Roomy – offer a 25L capacity
- Provide superior protection to your valuable gears - an additional rain protection safeguard and straps with slip lock system for securing your tripod
- Comfortable - activzone system technology
- Expensive
- Heavy
Giving a capacity of 25 liters, the Lowepro LP37177 is an unrivaled choice for the most spacious camera backpack available in the market.
It’s able to fit two cameras, two lenses, a camera kit, a drone, along with a 15” laptop, a tripod, notes, and more. It meets everything that a professional cameraman might need, even there’s a key holder.
All are well-protected by heavy-duty fabrics, zippers, an additional rain protection safeguard, and straps with a slip lock system.
To help you haul such a huge amount of load with comfort, it is thoughtfully designed with activzone system technology, highlighting shoulder blades waist, and lumbar.
| Lowepro LP37177 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.7 kg |
Dimension | Internal Dimensions: 30x16x44 cm External Dimensions: 36x22x52 cm |
Material | FormShell technology fabric |
Capacity | 25L |
Highlight Features | activzone system technology an additional rain protection safeguard and straps with slip lock system for securing your tripod offer a 25L capacity |
While offering you ultra-spacious storage space, the Lowepro LP37177 boasts extra comfort and support for you while carrying and many other benefits.
Most Durable: CADEN Leisure DSLR Camera Backpack
- Super-quick access, within 3 seconds - a side-open camera “drawer”
- Spacious storage space – able to hold an additional mini IPAD and a 15” laptop along with some other essentials
- Heavy-duty, high-quality, and durable – made of 18mm thick removable camera liner, water-repellent 900D polyester fabric, non-rustic and indestructible zippers, and more
- Wish the zippers worked more smoothly
- Not much room to squeeze something in the inside pocket
We’re strongly impressed by the user-friendly construction of this camera backpack by CADEN.
It stands out by featuring a side-open camera “drawer” which is also well-organized with adjustable/removable dividers. This special storage space is able to fit different brand cameras, such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
The most amazing thing is despite such a compact, casual-look design, it still can hold an additional mini IPAD and a 15” laptop along with some other essentials.
About the fabrics, zipper materials, and warranty policies, this option is similar to its previous sibling, which makes it your new must-have.
| CADEN Leisure DSLR Camera Backpack Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.2 lbs. |
Dimension | Outer dimensions: 11.8*6.3*15.5" |
Material | water-repellent 900D polyester fabric |
Capacity | Compatible with 13" IPAD water bottle and other photography accessories, 1 tripod, 14 inches laptop, 2 lenses, 1 SLR / DSLR camera bodies |
Highlight Features | a side-open camera “drawer” provide spaces for an additional mini IPAD and a 15” laptop along with some other essentials made of 18mm thick removable camera liner, water-repellent 900D polyester fabric, and non-rustic and indestructible zippers backed by a 1-year warranty |
Looking for the most durable and functional camera backpack? Try this!
Best For Small People: Qipi Camera Bag
- Keep your valuable things more secure – a hidden anti-theft pocket on the shoulder strap
- Enhanced rain protection to your expensive gears - a rain protection safeguard
- A bit hot when carrying it on humid summer days
This final option is our suggestion for women or people with a small frame.
It is measured only by 16.1 x 10.2 x 6.7 inches, and lightweight. Its capacity is perfect for housing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a zoom lens, and other accessories, including your tripod. There’re also specific rooms for other of your essentials, like smartphones, wallets, and keys.
Our testers particularly like the smart, hidden anti-theft pocket located on the shoulder strap where you can put on some cash, bank cards, and things like that.
Finally, it’s added with a rain protection safeguard as well as backed by a 6-month money-back warranty.
| Qipi Camera Bag Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.7 pounds |
Dimension | 16.1 x 10.2 x 6.7 inches |
Material | Nylon |
Highlight Features | a hidden anti-theft pocket on the shoulder strap a rain protection safeguard |
The Qipi Camera Bag is one of the very must-try backpacks that we recommend for small people.
How To Choose The Best Camera Backpack For Airline Travel?
Sizes
A camera backpack should have a separate section for a laptop along with extra space to keep other camera accessories such as lenses, cables, SD cards, external hard drives, etc.
Backpack sizes range from 15 liters that can fit only one camera to 40 liters and even larger to keep multiple cameras and your travel gear. However, avoid choosing a backpack larger than 65 liters as that’s too large to travel.
Therefore, it’s important to pre-determine what you will carry on your travel to decide on a suitable size.
If you go by plane, you need to check the dimensions to make sure your backpack can be counted as a carry-on bag or a personal item.
Most airlines allow for a bag measuring 22x14x9 inches as a carry-on bag, which is equivalent to 45.2 liters. This is also the most efficient size for a camera backpack for airline travel.
Materials
When you travel, you will not only be on the plane but also go to many places, which is why you need a sturdy backpack to endure various situations like when it’s brushed, banged, or scratched.
It’s best to go with a weather-resistant and water-resistant material to provide the best protection against bad weather.
For example, the canvas is among the most widely used materials for a travel camera bag due to its water resistance, durability, and affordability. Synthetic is also a good material for camera backpacks but it’s more expensive.
Security
Cameras are the kind of product that can be very costly to buy, so you need a secure backpack to protect your gear from potential thieves. You should get a backpack with sturdy, secure zippers and fastenings that can be locked up easily and quickly.
Also, a simple-looking backpack may be less tempting to thieves than fancy-looking ones.
Comfort
When hunting for a perfect shot, you may have to move a lot. Therefore, you need a backpack that’s easy and comfortable to carry.
It should be adjustable at different levels so that you can carry for a long time across many places.
Which Brands Make The Best Camera Backpack For Airline Travel?
USA GEAR
This brand is committed to customer satisfaction. It offers a wide range of products including a lot of bag models so you can freely choose the most suitable one for you.
Lowepro
Over the past 50 years, this brand has specialized in camera bags and backpacks for travel. The brand takes pride in its design and creativity put in each product.
FAQs
Can I bring two backpacks on a plane?
Yes, but there are rules for carry-on bags and personal items. So, you need to make sure both your backpacks meet the requirements in terms of the size.
Is it better to travel with a backpack or suitcase?
The answer to this question depends on your own preference because a backpack and a suitcase have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, it’s much easier to drag a big suitcase on wheels throughout the airport than carrying a big backpack. However, if you move a lot, a backpack could be more portable and more convenient to carry along.
How big of a backpack can I take on a plane?
Each airline has its own policy for carry-on luggage, but most of them allow for a bag that measures 22x14x9 inches in size. So, when packing, you need to check your airline’s policy for personal items and carry-on luggage.
Will a backpack fit under an airline seat?
This depends on the size of your backpack. Generally, a 40-liter backpack can fit comfortably under the seat on the plane.
Why are camera bags so expensive?
Camera bags are expensive because they protect even more expensive gear. Also, due to their purpose, camera bags have special designs and structures.
They need to be sturdy on the outside and soft on the inside, featuring pockets and sections for different accessories.
Conclusion
Through this complete post, we hope that you will be able to find the best camera backpack for airline travel. No matter what model you choose, remember that the backpack is allowed on the plane and offers enough protection for your camera and accessories.
Bryan Listor
