Are you wondering if the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L is the right camera backpack for you? With so many options out there in a range of prices, it is definitely a difficult decision to make.
In this review, I will focus on the basic backpack qualities, usability, and why I found this to be the best backpack for female (and especially moms) nature photographers.
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Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L Main Specs
The Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L is sturdy! The exterior of this backpack is made of the highest quality nylons, as well as a water-repellant coating for superior water resistance. A rain cover is also included.
The interior compartments include high quality mesh, closed-cell foam (for the separators), and nylon.
Weighing at 3.5 lbs, this backpack remains quite light despite the high quality materials used for its construction!
The outside measures 10.6” W x 18.5” H x 7.1” D, where are the inside measures 9.4” W x 16.7” H x 5.5” D. It still manages to fit a 13″ laptop, a tablet, and a ton of other gear.
More on that later.
Comfort
As a woman, one thing I was nervous about is how well this backpack was designed for the female frame. Unlike dedicated hiking backpacks, camera backpacks tend to be large, boxy, and only fit male frames comfortably.
Don’t get me wrong, this backpack is still boxy in order to accommodate camera gear storage. Yet, compared to other camera backpacks I have owned, I still found the size to better suited for a woman’s frame. At least, taking into consideration the amount of gear this backpack can carry.
Carrying Straps
The straps on the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L measure 3″ wide and 0.5″ thick. The width and padding of the straps are quite effective at evenly distributing the weight of the backpack across my shoulders.
They also come with a chest strap, which further adds to the comfort and distribution of the backpack.
The only issue I have with this camera backpack, is that as a woman I am forced to place the chest strap on the highest position. Otherwise, it cuts into my chest, making carrying the camera rather uncomfortable. To be fair, this is an issue I have found with most camera backpack, to be honest.
Having to place the chest strap in the highest position, however, brings the straps close together at the top of the backpack. This is a bit of an issue to me, because the straps dig into my neck slightly, causing some discomfort.
I am not a backpack designer, so I am unsure how this could be resolved. Perhaps having the straps about an inch farther apart at the top so they do not dig into my neck would be a step in the right direction.
Hip Belt
The hip belt measures 4″ at its widest point and extends about 10″ inches from the backpack. They are not removable and cannot be stowed away. Being able to remove the straps is useful when traveling by plane since at that point it is more convenient to have fewer straps hanging loose.
I found the hip belt to make a HUGE difference in carrying the weight of the backpack. As an average 5’5″ woman with a short torso, I found the size and position of the hip belts just right.
Not only do the hip belts sit perfectly on my hips, but it also does so without digging into my skin. This way, the hip belt effectively distributes the weight of the backpack from my shoulders to my hips, without causing any form of discomfort.
Hiking Gear Storage
There are hundreds of camera backpacks out there, yet not very many have adequate space for non-camera gear. Having space for other gear is essential for anybody heading out on the trail.
To me, it is especially important to have adequate storage space because I am usually out there with my kids. That means I need to bring extra water bottles, snacks, and safety gear for them.
One of the reasons I went for this backpack is its ability to accommodate a great amount of hiking gear for day use.
Related: Best Hiking Snacks for Families
Pockets
There are two large pockets on each side of the backpack. Each pocket can easily accommodate two water bottles, or you can use one of the pockets for a tripod. There is, however, a dedicated tripod pocket and strap in the front of the bag.
There is a smaller, flat pocket in the front of the bag. It measures roughly 11″ by 7″, which makes it large enough to fit snacks and other essentials.
The larger, main pocket in the front of the bag measures approximately 16.5″ by 9″ by 1.5″. The rest of the pocket is large and deep enough to fit other hiking essentials, such as first aid kits, maps or guides, baby wipes, as well as your wallet, keys, etc.
This is where you will find a sleeve for a 13″ laptop and a separate sleeve for a tablet. My laptop is 15″, so I did not get to test it. While I do not foresee carrying laptops or tablets on the trail, I did want a backpack with this feature since I plan to use it for airplane travel.
If you are a mother hiking and shooting with an infant in tow, the laptop sleeve is a great place for changing pads and diapers. The pocket is large enough to have a small blanket, a change of clothes, and some baby food or formula powder. Baby bottles would not fit neatly, so you will probably have to rely on the side pockets for that.
Other Features
There are no pockets in the hip belt, but there is a sturdy strap on each side. You can use that to hang a camera clip, a phone clip, a lens clip, bear spray can, or anything else you want to keep handy.
On the front of the bag, there are small straps to carry hiking poles. The backpack straps also have webbing to attach carabiners and clips to carry additional gear, such as sunglasses or compass.
The front of the backpack has small webbing. This means you can easily use thin bungee cords and attach jackets or other lightweight items.
Camera Gear storage
And now to the most important section: photo gear! After all, you are looking for a backpack that can safely carry your precious camera equipment.
Separators and Protection
The interior of the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L is spacious and stiff. That is something I both love and hate. I am not fond of stiff bags, but at the same time my gear feels well protected.
As it is standard with most camera bags, the separators can be moved and reattached to suit your needs. The separators are thin and not very padded, though, which is something you may or may not like. It allows for more space, but there is not as much cushioning for your equipment.
My equipment is small (more on that below), which means there is a bit of rattling as I hike. This is probably not an issue if your body and lenses are larger. Also, this can be remedied by properly distributing and organizing your gear.
What can you actually fit?
How much you can fit in the backpack will certainly depend on your gear.
I work with Panasonic’s Micro Fourth Thirds system because it is very important to me that camera gear is small and lightweight. Because of this, I have plenty of room in my backpack to fit almost all the camera equipment I own. Here is a summary of what goes in my backpack:
- Panasonic LUMIX G9
- Panasonic LUMIX G II Vario Lens, 100-300MM
- Panasonic H-HSA35100 F2.8 II ASPH 35-100mm
- Panasonic LUMIX 12-35mm G X VARIO II, F2.8 ASPH
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro Lens
- Pedco UltraPod Lightweight Camera Tripod
- Lumix GX7 with attached LUMIX G II Lens, 20MM, F1.7 ASPH
- Lens filters in carrying case
- Battery chargers, extra batteries, extra memory cards
- Camera cleaning supplies (dust blower, lens pen, microfiber cloth)
- Rain cover included with the backpack
If you work with full-frame systems and much larger lenses, you will need to trim down your equipment or you will need more space. The Mindshift Gear Backlight line has you covered by also having a 26L, a 36L, and even a 45L option!
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Camera Gear Access
One of the reasons I chose the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L for hiking is the back access.
With the hip belt on, flip the backpack round to the front of your body. Let the backpack “flip down” and open the back access. The backpack includes a thin elastic place behind your neck. This keeps the backpack open while you access your camera.
The large gauge zippers are heavy duty and slide easily. Bevcause of the way the back panel opens, items on the bottom of the backpack are more difficult to access. For that reason, I would recommend placing items that you will be less likely to need, or that you use with less frequency.
Because the hip belt is padded and wide, it does not dig too much into your back while bag is flipped down. However, I still use my leg to gently keep the back somewhat supported while open. I also do this because it angles the backpack in a way that I can access items on the top more easily.
Where to Buy the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L
- Fits 2 standard DSLR bodies with lenses attached and 13 standard zoom lenses or 2 Mirrorless bodies with lenses attached and 35 lenses
- Fits personal gear in the 5L front compartments, maximum lens size: 300mm f/2.8 or 150600mm f/56.3 attached to a body.
- Back-panel access to your camera gear without taking the bag off, allowing you to work out of the bag without getting your harness dirty, wet, muddy or icy
- Dedicated compartments fit up to a 13 laptop and full size tablet
- Exterior Dimensions: 10.6 W x 18.5 H x 7.1 D (27 x 47 x 18 cm), Interior Dimensions: 9.4 W x 16.7 H x 5.5 D (24 x 42.5 x 14 cm), Laptop: 8.9 W x 13.8 H x 0.8D (22.5 x 35 x 2.1 cm), Tablet: 8.7 W x 10.2 H x 0.6 D (22 x 26 x 1.5 cm), Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg), Volume: 18 Liters
My Experience as a Mom on the Trail
There are multiple reasons I went with the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L, and why it suits my needs as a nature photography enthusiast with kids on the trail.
- As part of ThinkTank, the quality of the backpack is undeniable
- The size, despite being the smallest one on the Backlight line, is perfect for my average female frame
- I can carry two water bottles, and still have space for my tripod
- There are straps for hiking poles, which sometimes I need to use when carrying kids and camera gear
- The straps on the hip belt allow me to carry my cell phone and a bear spray can
- I can carry snacks, first aid items, baby wipes, and other items in the large front pockets
- The laptop access will allow me to use this backpack for airplane travel, keeping everything in one safe bag
- If I need to carry my young daughter on my back, I can keep my backpack on the front and still access all of my equipment
There are many other options on the market. If you are starting to investigate, I summarized the best camera hiking backpacks for moms that I was considering when looking for an option that would work for me.
Related: 51 Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L can fit plenty despite its small size. It fits my gear and everything I need for a day hike with my kids. For longer hikes or larger equipment, Mindshift Backlight also comes in much larger sizes to fit your individual needs as a photographer.
I hope this review gives you a better idea of what to expect from the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L. I am very happy with the investment I made. It has made it so much easier to enjoy nature photography while hiking with my kids!
Hello Rosanna, I* replied to your youtube video on the Mindshift 18liter earlier today. I see this page – you linked to it in your reply on youtube – answers some of the questions I raised and I see that the same backpack would fit my needs after seeing your gear photo here and list of needs.
However I am not going to rush out and buy it since I will “retrofit” my Fjällräven High Coast Trial 26 by buying a Ten a BYOB 7 and some neoprene lens cylinders etc. to add and thus have a backpack that becomes a combined day hike and camera bag. The primary reason for this is my environmental concern, why buy whole new stuff when small additions and modifications can do the job? But if (when) I get a new lens and a drone I might have to get the 18liter Mindshift. Thanks for your picture of your gear in the 🎒 backpack.
* miljomupp
Hi Joseph! I completely agree with you. We are all about “making it work” with what you already have on hand, and that is what I did for a long time! I ended up having to switch because I hike with my kids. They are little and not quite patient, so I generally do not have time to put my backpack down and search for the correct lenses, etc. I need something that can give me the quickest access possible to my camera gear, and that is where this backpack comes into play for me. It also has plenty of space for the hiking gear we need. If you do decide to move on to the Backlight 18L (or any other backpack or camera gear, for that matter), I will always encourage searching for used ones on eBay, B&H, and even Amazon first! It would be best for your pocket, and the best for the environment. Best of luck, and thank you for adding to the conversation!!
Was it possible at all to fit your 15″ laptop in the sleeve??
Hello Matt! It was not, unfortunately. I now have a 13″ laptop that I use for travel and it does fit perfectly