Are you an adventure mom that also enjoys nature photography? Then you probably have noticed that it is challenging to find a backpack that can fit it all without becoming an absolute beast. In this article, I provide a roundup of the best hiking camera backpacks that will also fulfill your needs as a mom on the trail. In the end, I provide my ultimate choice, as well as alternative arrangements if a camera backpack is not for you.
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The Challenge
There are a number of challenges that outdoor moms face when hiking with kids and camera gear.
In addition to carrying their own gear, they must also bring additional snacks and water for their troop, particularly if the children are small. Hiking with an infant presents further challenges, because diapers, changing mats, and baby carriers are added to the mix…
Add to this the fact that women’s frames are smaller than men’s. This is not something most companies take much into account. So, we have to carry a lot, in a small amount of space.
It may seem crazy to even consider adding camera gear to the mix…but it can be done with the right backpack for your needs.
Best Hiking Camera Backpacks for Moms
Camera Backpacks for Hiking Under $100
USA GEAR DSLR Camera Backpack
This basic USA Gear Camera Backpack was tempting because of its price and the internal color options. The material and colors makes it look like a regular hiking backpack, which would also attract less attention.
The pros include the fact that it is on the smaller side, and it has a laptop compartment in the back. It has a good amount of space on the top that can be used for hiking or baby gear, comfortable waist best, and a water bottle pocket that can also be used for a tripod.
The camera compartment is at the bottom of the backpack, would helps with better weight distribution. Your gear is easily accesible through the side or through the front, making it easy fr you to switch lenses for that perfect shot.
While I generally do not bring laptops out in the field, the laptop compartment is of huge help when you have a baby in diapers. These laptop compartments make the perfect place to store diaper changing pads, blankets, and diapers.
There are tons of pockets in this backpack that can be used for small camera gear, such as batteries or memory cards, or baby-related gear such as pacifiers or small hiking snacks.
The biggest con with the backpack is that there is no separate carrying case for tripod. This means that if you are carrying a water bottle (which you should!), you may need to leave your tripod behind.
Related: Best hiking snacks for families
Qipi Camera Bag
The Qipi Camera Bag is the only sling I am including in this review. I really like the idea of slings, because they provide the fastest access to your camera gear!
This sling in particular has a good amount of space for camera gear, as well as smaller pockets for other essentials such as snacks and first aid kits. It also has a side pocket for water bottles or for a small tripod.
It is small enough to not look huge on a woman, and the camera insert can be removed in case you want to use the bag for other purposes. There is also a small pocket in the front strap, although I am not sure it will fit smartphones because they just seem to be getting bigger every year!
The main concern is that slings are not great for long walks. Once you load it with hiking essentials, camera gear, and tripods I am sure it can become rather heavy. It also does not have a laptop compartment. This is not an issue for exploring around a trail, but if you intend to use it as a travel bag as well then this one will not cut it.
The smaller size of this bag would probably make it better for exploring around a city when you probably would not need long telephoto lenses.
Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II
The Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II is a fairly compact camera backpack with features that make it great for a day on the trail with your kids.
I love that it has both front access as well as side access and that the waist strap is removable. Removing the waist strap would make it easier to travel around an airport.
There is a decent amount of space for camera gear and a large top compartment for hiking essentials. The padded dividers in the camera compartment can be removed if you choose to use this backpack as a strict travel backpack.
The laptop compartment is large enough for a 15″ laptop, and of course can also be used as an area to store diaper changing pad and extra diapers.
There is a roomy water bottle holder on the side to keep large water bottles. Straps at the bottom are perfect for carrying a small tripod, jackets, or a blanket.
RB-02 Tarion Camera Backpack
I love the look of this Tarion RB-02 camera backpack! It has a classic design, made with durable canvas.
It features space for laptop, top area for non-camera gear, and side pocket for water bottle. Next to the water bottle side pocket there is also a dedicated area for tripod.
This was my top choice for a long time, but ultimately I decided it would not meet my hiking needs. First of all, it does not have a waist strap. This would make the bag heavy to carry on longer hikes. Secondly, using the tripod foot blocks the water bottle pocket.
Lowepro Photo Hatchback BP 250 AW
Lowepro is one of the best known makers of camera bags, so it was always a consideration to go with this fantastic brand.
The Lowepro Hatchback BP 250 AW has many qualities, such as space for gear, back access to camera gear, waist strap, and two pockets for water bottles. The camera compartment can also be removed and used for other essentials when you are not bringing your camera with you.
Some of the cons of this bag is that there is no specific place for a tripod. The waist belt is just a strap, so probably not the most comfortable one. The camera compartment is rather small, although this might be fine depending on your needs and your gear.
Vanguard Havana 41 Backpack
This is a new addition to this article, and I find perfect for those with minimal gear.
Starting with the quality, Vanguard products have always been at the forefront of camera gear. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find such a good quality product at this price point.
I love that the camera compartment is separate from the top compartment, so that you can keep your hiking gear and baby gear nice and organized. There are two water bottle pockets, so you can easily keep a bottle on one side, and a small tripod on the other.
My favorite feature is that it is small and stylish, and does not look like a camera backpack at all. Because the camera insert is removable, you can actually use this as your everyday diaper backpack when you are simply going to park or the playground. And if you are ready to bring your camera with you, then use the camera insert and you are good to go!
The cons? The insert is small, and you will find it challenging to fit more than a mirrorless camera and extra lens. However, if you simply have a good point-and-shoot, or GoPro gear for video, then you should have plenty of space!
Related: Stuck-at-Home Productive Photography Tasks
Camera Backpacks for Hiking under $200
BPAULL Camera Backpack
The BPAULL camera backpack looks so simple, yet it has so many features going for it.
It has dedicated space for tripod in the back. The side camera access expands to get to your gear easier. It has a back compartment for laptop, large water bottle pocket, and a seemingly comfortable waist strap.
This backpack checked most of the boxes for me. Yet, I decided the camera compartment was a bit small for my needs, and I wanted to have more than one water bottle pocket.
Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW
Lowepro makes yet another appearance on this list. The Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350AW is a compact backpack with comfortable waist straps, back camera access, two water bottle pockets, and decent amount of space for other gear.
I loved that it already looks so compact and easy to carry. If it is not small enough for your frame, they have a smaller version as well: the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 250 AW.
The reason I did not go with this one is that it does not come with a laptop sleeve. This is not a big deal if you only intend to use it for hiking, and you do not plan to use this for travel as well. The other consideration is that carrying a tripod involves giving up one of the water bottle pockets.
MindShift Gear rotation180° Panorama Backpack
This is such a clever design! The Mindshift Gear Rotation camera backpack has a waist belt directly attached to the camera compartment, and you can slide it around your waist to place it right in front of you. This way, you have easy access to your camera.
There is also plenty of space in the top for food, jackets, and other essentials. While there are no water bottle pockets, it does have a side pocket to fit a 2L hydration bladder.
The reason this was not the clear winner for me, is that there is no easy way to carry a tripod. There is also no space for a laptop and the camera compartment is rather small. I also have no interest in using water bladders, as I much prefer water bottles instead.
Related: How to Take Stunning Family Travel Photos
MindShift Backlight 18 L
The Mindshift Backlight 18L backpack checks all the boxes for me. It has space for gear, two large water bottle pockets, a separate tripod section, dedicated laptop sleeve, and straps for hiking poles. The camera compartment is large and easily accesible from the back. The waist straps are wide and comfortable.
The cons are that the backpack is one of the larger ones, which is expected for the amount of gear it can carry. It comes in an even larger 26L size, which definitely would have been a bit much for my needs.
Read our Mindshift Backlight 18L Full Review Here!
Selection Criteria
When looking into purchasing a camera backpack for hiking adventures with my litttle ones, I had very specific things I was looking for.
- Ability to carry at least one water bottle, ideally two – This may seem simple, but you would be surprised to know that many camera backpacks do now have a pocket for water bottles!
- Large pockets for storage – I need to carry a lot of snacks, first aid kit, wallet, keys, jackets, sunscreen, bug spray, baby wipes, diapers, etc.
- Back access or side access to camera gear – Any backpack that required that I remove the bag to access my camera or lenses was a no-go for me. This included top-loading or front-loading backpacks. Kids are not very patient, so if it takes a long time to get to your gear it will be more difficult to do any photography at all!
- Waist belt – It literally takes a huge load off your shoulders to have a proper waist belt.
- Dedicated tripod pocket – I am now starting to carry my tripod again. This is something that I did not do before, as I explain in this article.
- Laptop sleeve – I do not carry a laptop on the field, but I plan to use this bag for airline travel as well. It is much easier to have it all in one bag to reduce baggage fees. When carrying infants, the laptop pocket makes the perfect place for a changing pad.
The bags I include in this review meet most of the criteria, but only one meets all of them.
Alternative arrangements
If you already have a hiking backpack you love, then the simpler option is to get a camera insert like this one for your gear. I did this for a while, and it works well for carrying gear. The only drawback is that you will not have quick camera access. My kids are not particularly patient, so this arrangement no longer works for us.
Another option is to have a small camera backpack or sling, and carry the rest of your hiking gear in a lumbar pack. This arrangement worked for me for a while, because I was able to carry two water bottles and snacks in the waist pack.
However, the camera backpack pushes down on the lumbar pack, making it a bit uncomfortable. Carrying the waist pack in the front did not work well as it causes lower back pain.
My picks
Investing in a hiking camera backpack is a choice that will depend on your needs as an outdoor mom and photography enthusiast.
If your gear is small, such as a good point-and-shoot or small camera body and lens, then you can get away with a budget backpack. I think the Vanguard Havana 41 should suffice in that case. I love this backpack for moms with infants, since it can easily double as your everyday diaper backpack!
My favorite mid-range backpack in this list is the Lowepro Flipside Trek. It is compact, yet able to hold a large amount of camera and hiking gear. As long as you do not need to carry a laptop during travel, then this backpack will do the trick.
The only backpack that checked all the boxes for me, as specified in the selection criteria, was the Mindshift Backlight 18L. It does mean I had to splurge and spend more than I originally intended. I have taken it on a couple of camping trips with my kids, and I am so happy I went with this bag!
Last few words
Being a mom should not mean having to give up on your passion for outdoor photography. While you may need to make adjustments, having the right gear will help you continue your hobby while adventuring out with your little ones.
I hope this list helps you narrow down your choices, and even find a solution that will work best for you!
