Best Backpack for Air Travel 2021

(Last Updated On: December 15, 2022)

When you’re traveling, it’s important to make sure you have a backpack that’s going to protect your camera and other expensive equipment well. 

You may even want a backpack small enough to be able to use as a carry on, that way you can keep an eye on your most important possessions at all times.

Nobody wants to be stuck wondering if their cameras, laptops and tablets are being thrown around with the other luggage stored down below. 

It’s much nicer to have the peace of mind that those items are close to you so that they are within easy reach and you can be certain that they haven’t been stolen, broken or otherwise mistreated.

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This article is going to help you find the perfect backpack for your camera that can be used during air travel. 

These are all popular backpacks that many customers have used and adored. We’re also going to take a look at some of the important aspects to keep in mind when purchasing a camera backpack, that way you can make sure your needs are met.

It can be difficult to find the right backpack if you aren’t yet certain about what features may be important to you. 

You’ll want to really consider what you value in a camera backpack, that way you can get the right one the first time rather than having to try out multiple backpacks that don’t quite fit what you’re looking for. 

Luckily, there are plenty of bags you can look at online to help make your decision a little bit easier.

Best Backpack For Air Travel

Camera Case Evecase Digital SLR / DSLR Professional Camera Shoulder Holster Bag

The Camera Case Evecase camera bag is made of water-resistant nylon materials and is well-padded with a special foam to be able to provide wonderful shock-proof protection for anything you choose to keep inside. 

This provides a great level of protection for your equipment, both from rough movement and water. 

There is a handle on the top allows you to easily pick up and carry it. There are also adjustable shoulder straps that make carrying the bag more comfortable. 

There’s also an inner divider that helps to keep your camera steady and keep your lenses and other equipment away from one another. There are also a number of other pockets to help carry any essential goods and keep them safe and relatively easy to get to.

Pro​​​​​s

• This is a small, easy-to-carry case that allows you to carry your camera as well as any essential accessories
• It’s great for when you need something small that won’t weigh you down
• It’s made with water-resistant materials

Cons

• This bag can sometimes hand unevenly on the shoulder strap
• The pockets in the lid don’t have zippers, which can sometimes lead to objects inside falling out

Summary

The Camera Case Evecase camera bag is a smaller bag that won’t weigh you down. It’s capable of carrying your camera essentials so you’ll have the basics you need. 

This can be beneficial if you just need to take some quick pictures and don’t want to carry around a heavy backpack filled with all of your camera supplies but can also be troublesome if you need even a little more than what is capable of fitting easily into the bag. 

The Camera Case Evecase camera bag is water-resistant, which means you’ll be good to go in wet weather. 

It will be a good idea to make sure any items that have been inserted into the pockets in the lid have a snug fit, that way they don’t fall out while being carried. Overall this bag is a great option for the times you only need a few pieces of your equipment.

Ape Case, ACPRO1800, Compact backpack

The Ape Case ACPRO 1800 has an addition that a lot of other camera backpack manufacturers don’t tend to think about. The insides of the case are a Hi-Vis yellow which allows you to be able to find even your smallest pieces of equipment with ease. 

Nobody wants to go digging around for small dark objects in a large dark bag, and with this bag you won’t have to worry about struggling to find things that make their way down to the bottom. 

This bag also comes with thickly padded liners that are easy to adjust and create just the right fit for everything you need to store.

The Ape Case ACPRO 1800 is a compact backpack, which you will be able to carry easily and store just about everything you need for getting the perfect photographs.

Pros

• The yellow liner inside this backpack allows you to easily find the things you need
• This backpack has a lot of depth, providing enough space for all your equipment
• It’s built with a lot of storage cubbies that allow you to keep your equipment separated

Cons

• This is a large bag, which can be difficult to use for some people
• There is a high amount of protection in the bag, which is good for keeping your equipment safe but doesn’t allow you to get into it quickly

Summary

This is the kind of backpack you’ll want to purchase if you’re looking for a high level of protection. It won’t be easy to get things out of the bag quickly, but it will make sure your camera and other important items are safely stored until they are needed. 

This makes it great to use during air travel because you’ll feel comfortable knowing that even if your bag has been squished into an overhead compartment, your valuables will still be safe.

It’s important to keep in mind that it is a large bag, which means it’s capable of being rather heavy. The Ape Case ACPRO 1800 is very deep, allowing you to store a lot and the bright yellow allows you to find what you need even if it’s way down in the bottom of the bag.

Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera and 15.4-Inch Laptop Backpack

The Case Logic SLRC-206 camera backpack is capable of storing an SLR camera body with a lens attached, as well as other accessories you may need. It has a uniquely designed hammock system that keeps your camera off the bottom. This helps to protect your camera even more, especially if the bag is being moved around a lot. 

Related Topic: 5 hiking backpacks for Photographers

The base of the backpack is water-proof, making sure no water leaks into your bag and effects your equipment. The combination of those features adds protection that many other bags don’t have. 

Many people don’t think about the effect that setting their bag down on a hard surface can have on the equipment within, but with the Case Logic SLRC-206 camera backpack you won’t have to worry about it. 

There’s also a memory foam in the interior of the lid to help protect your things. It’s also going to be able to fit most 16” laptops, or a 17” MacBook pro.

Pros

• The memory foam in this backpack adds a higher level of protection for your good
• The inside of the backpack is easy to customize with highly protective inserts
• This bag is made of durable materials and can hold a lot of equipment

Cons

• The handle of this backpack is located in a way that disrupts the balance of weight somewhat
• It can be very heavy when filled

Related Topic: USA Gear camera bag review

Summary 

The Case Logic SLRC-206 camera backpack has a high level of protection and is able to fit your camera with the lens, which isn’t common among these bags. That spacial ability is going to make it easier to get your camera out in a pinch without having to worry about putting a lens back on. 

That makes it easy to whip out during moments when the opportunity for a picture might fade away quickly. 

Some customers have expressed concerns about the location of the handle causing the bag to not be balanced well, so it’s important to take a close look at the design and make sure it’s going to work well for you.

Ape Case, ACPRO2000, Large backpack

Like the Ape Case 1800, the Ape Case ACPRO2000 camera backpack also has a bright yellow interior that helps you locate your items easily. This particular bag also has a rain cover to help protect your equipment from damper climates. 

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This is a larger bag that is going to be great if you are a professional or have a very serious hobby and will need the time to grow. 

The Ape Case ACPRO2000 camera backpack is well-padded and made to do a great job protecting your equipment. The dividers in this case are also padded, adding that extra protection your equipment needs.

Pros

• This bag is water-resistant, keeping your equipment safe in rain
• It has heavy duty stitching and zippers
• This is a deep bag with a lot of pockets for your accessories

Cons

• Due to the added protection, this bag can be hard to get into quickly
• This bag is meant to carry a lot, which can leave it heavy and unwieldy

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Summary 

Because the Ape Case ACPRO2000 camera backpack is a large bag, it can be heavy and sometimes difficult for some customers to carry easily, but if you can then it does have a lot of space to store just about anything you’re going to need. 

It’s a highly protective bag that’s going to make sure all of your equipment is safe and is well made with seams and zippers that won’t break through regular use. 

Whether it’s from the rain or potentially being dropped by accident, this bag is made to make sure your equipment stays safe, and it will do the job well. It also aids in this endeavor by having a lot of pockets meant to keep your equipment from smashing together during movement.

Lowepro LP36214 Adventura TLZ 25 Top Loading Bag

The Lowepro LP36214 Adventura camera bag has plenty of space, which will allow you to store your DSLR camera with a lens on, that way you don’t have to worry about having to put lenses and other accessories back on your camera. It has an adjustable shoulder strap made to keep you comfortable as you carry your equipment. 

The Lowepro LP36214 Adventura camera bag also has an OverLap Zipper as well as a rain-flap lid made to protect your camera from dust or sand. You won’t have to worry about any particles getting into the crevices of your equipment.

Pros

• There are plenty of dividers in this backpack to help keep your equipment safe​​​​​
• It’s a top loading bag, which is preferable for some customers
• It’s a smaller bag, designed to be more lightweight while still carrying your necessary items

Cons

• Because it’s a smaller bag, it doesn’t fit as much as the larger styles
• Some customers have experienced seams coming apart not long after purchase

Summary

The Lowepro LP36214 Adventura camera bag has a number of dividers made to help you with organizing your equipment easily and keep it safe and secure. This is a lightweight bag, made to be able to carry the items you need without causing a hassle or strain. 

This isn’t going to let you carry a ton of equipment, but when you only need a few things it’s a light way to keep your equipment safe and in once place. 

Some customers have noted seams coming apart, so if you purchase this bag make sure to examine it carefully either prior to purchase or on arrival, that way any problems can be resolved quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s going to be up to you to decide which kind of bag is going to work the best. You may want something smaller that is easy to get into and won’t cause a strain to carry around, or you may need a larger bag that can keep your important equipment safe when you go on longer trips.

As long as the bag is small enough to function as a carry on, you’ll definitely be able to find something that works well and does a great job protecting your important items.

If you find you’re having trouble deciding what bag will work best, it may be a good idea to really think about the trips you’ll need to take your camera on and make a list of the kinds of features you’ll need. Then compare them to the backpacks in this list, or even similar backpacks to find something that will be able to meet all your requirements.

Regardless of what you need it for, you’ll be sure to find the right bag that will protect the objects you care about and keep them from being damaged. With the right camera backpack, you’ll be sure to have a safe trip and a great time taking pictures.

What To Consider

Space

It’s important to consider how much you’re typically going to need to carry. Some backpacks can run rather small and are only capable of carrying a single camera body and a couple of essentials while others can hold multiple bodies, lenses and other accessories as well as laptops and tablets.

You’ll also want to keep the size of the bag in mind if you’re going to want it as a carry on while you fly. Make sure to check airline websites to make sure any bag you’re interested in fits within the standard sizes allowed for a carry-on. As long as your bag fits within those sizes, you’ll be good to go.

Kind of Use

While the experience for the bag might be about the same on any given flight, it may differ drastically depending on the kinds of places you take your equipment. 

If it’s going to be out in the weather, you may want to focus on durability and potentially even some form of rain protection. If you’ll be staying in hotels and other more luxurious places then it may not need to be as much of a concern.

You may also want to consider whether or not you’ll want a lot of dividers for your equipment. These can keep various tools from hitting one another as the bag is moved. Nobody wants to their items get broken in this way, especially when you’re already put in the effort to look for a bag that will protect them.

Ease of Access

Another important factor to keep in mind is whether or not you’ll need to get into the bag quickly. Some bags are designed to allow you to get things out at a moment’s notice while others place a higher focus on protection. 

This allows your equipment to have the highest level of safety, but can also require a little more time and patience when removing your tools from the bag.

Some bags have a mixture of both, so it’s going to be a good idea to consider how ready you want the access to your bag to be. While traveling on a plane, it may be a good idea to opt for something with a little more protection just in case.