Filled with customizable dividers to keep your cameras and lenses safe, roller bags are rolling suitcases that provide a less straining solution to carrying your gear. Roller bags tend to be tougher than sling bags or messenger bags, with a rigid back and base and scuff protection on the outside. Some will also convert into a backpack, providing you with the best of both worlds.
While you may be tempted to buy the biggest roller bag you can possibly afford, something smaller can be a better choice, especially if that means you stay within airline carry-on limits. Exterior thickness can be a factor here, as carriers may reject a cabin bag that's more than 23cm thick. Going for something around 20cm is the smarter bet.
Ben Andrews
Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. He's also the team's man-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all manner of camera accessories – his lab is a bit like the Batcave of photography! With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys.
A solid build and generous capacity mean there’s plenty of room for your gear, and you can convert the case to a backpack when you arrive. Read more below…
Four wheels at the base give this roller bag extra maneuverability, while backpack straps and lower back padding get you ready for the hike. Read more below…
There’s no shortage of space in this light but strong design, and backpack straps and three handles give you plenty of carrying options. Read more below…
You might call this uncompromising design a hard case with some roller bag features, such is its dedication to protecting your gear. Read more below…
Best roller camera bags in 2024
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Best roller bag overall
(Image credit: Lowepro)
1. Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II
Heavy-duty, this roller bag and backpack is designed for intrepid travellers
Specifications
Exterior dimensions: 36 x 25 x 52 cm
Weight: 4.1kg
Reasons to buy
+
Huge capacity
+
Handy carrying accessories
Reasons to avoid
-
Expensive
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Pretty heavy
Roller bags are often smooth movers but can sometimes be lacking in capacity and durability. You'll have no such issues, however, with the Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II, a seriously impressive roller bag and a backpack designed for the intrepid adventurer. It can carry two DSLR or mirrorless bodies with a 200mm lens attached and five or six extra lenses, as well as additional accessories like a 15-inch laptop, flashguns, chargers, and more.
The interior can be completely molded to suit your needs thanks to the internal dividers. Unlike some roller bags where the backpack functionality is a little unwieldy or impractical, the RLX 450 AW II converts fully from one to the other, with an option waist belt and harness for extra stability.
All this tech and capacity means this is one of the heavier bags available, as well as one of the more expensive, but we'd highly rate it if you need the ultimate in peace of mind when transporting your gear in a roller bag.
Uncompromising quality and thoughtfully designed - it nails the basics
Specifications
Exterior dimensions: 53.3 x 35.6 x 20.3cm
Weight: 5.2kg
Reasons to buy
+
Stunning build
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Extremely robust
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Space for pro gear
Reasons to avoid
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Relatively heavy
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Not cheap
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Slightly thicker than advertised
The Airport International V3 screams quality wherever you look, from the zippers to the handle. The interior is arranged to accommodate a pair of pro DSLRs with grips, and most large telephoto lenses – up to 500mm or so. You can also add a 15-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet without difficulty, and fit a tripod to the side.
It fits carry-on requirements with dimensions of 53.3 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm, but we measured the external thickness to be 23cm, which some airlines may balk at. While this roller bag can’t match the unyielding rigidity of a hard case, our somewhat unscientific test of standing on it did indicate that it retains its shape well, with the high-quality padded dividers aiding integrity.
For smaller APS-C kits, this bag is a decent value-packed option
Specifications
Exterior dimensions: 54.9 x 34.6 x 21.9cm
Weight: 3.9Kg
Reasons to buy
+
Bristling with useful features
+
Very well priced
+
4-wheel manoeuvrability
Reasons to avoid
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Small inside, especially for depth
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Not as solid as some bags
Unusually among roller camera bags, the Alta Fly 55T boasts a four-wheel design for ultimate maneuverability. And the features don’t stop there. You also get backpack straps so the bag can be carried over rough terrain, and Vanguard includes generous lower back padding and a simple waist strap to further lighten the load. There are even covers for the two rear wheels to protect your back from dirt. Despite all this, weight is still a reasonable 3.9kg, and while the overall rigidity is nothing special, the gear padding is sumptuous.
However, the four-wheel setup inevitably eats into interior capacity, as the 54.9 x 34.6 x 21.9cm external dimensions shrink to a bijou 40.9 x 31.1 x 11.4cm inside. You can fix this by stepping up to the larger Alta Fly 58T, but that’s not carry-on compatible like the 55T. Alternatively, the 48T and 49T each use a conventional two-wheel design and sacrifice backpack straps to maximize internal space.
Stylish and practical, this is a great roller bag for photographers
Specifications
Exterior dimensions: 25 x 39 x 53cm
Weight: 3kg
Reasons to buy
+
Adaptable flexible shell
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Transforms into a backpack
Reasons to avoid
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Two wheels only
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Sacrifices durability for flexibility
The Manhattan Runner 50 is priced at a point where pretty much anyone could be tempted. Designed with a flexi camera shell that can adapt to suit the particulars of your gear, this rolling backpack is designed to fit a pro-level DSLR with around four lenses, including an attached 70-200 f/2.8. It'll also have space for extras like an action camera or even a small drone.
Whether you're looking to glide through airports or commute into the city, the Manfrotto Manhattan Runner 50 will make for a dependable companion, as it can roll smoothly on its two wheels or its removable insert can be converted to a backpack.
It can fit into typical airline carry-on requirements, so it makes a great choice for city breaks or short photographic trips. The camera compartment can be quickly accessed via the top of the bag, and the three handles give you three different carrying points for the ultimate in versatility.
Ultimate gear protection in a surprisingly portable package
Specifications
Exterior dimensions: 53 x 35.5 x 23cm
Weight: 4.7Kg
Reasons to buy
+
Extremely strong
+
Quite light considering its strength
+
Cabin-friendly size
Reasons to avoid
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No laptop slot
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Not the largest interior
It’s a shuddering experience: you’re about to board your plane, only to be told there’s no more room for cabin baggage and your precious camera gear will have to go in the hold, at the mercy of baggage handlers.
This needn’t be a worry if you’ve got a Tenba Air Case. Designed as a cross between a conventional roller bag and a tough hard case, the Air Case is exceptionally crush-resistant. We were able to stand on the bag and it easily retained its shape - only the Think Tank Airport International V3 bag comes close unless you step up to a hard case. The secret is a solid internal construction that encases the whole bag - not just the top, bottom, and rear panels. It’s basically a hard case dressed as a roller bag.
The Air Case range comes in many sizes: the Roadie Air Case Roller 21 is cabin-compliant at 53 x 35.5 x 23cm, and though its substantial construction restricts interior space to 45.5 x 30.5 x 15cm, it’s still a practical space for gear. There’s also an easily removable camera insert, but sadly no laptop slot.
Pelican’s entry is sized to fit within most carry-on limits, but should it need to go in the hold, this ultra-tough hard case will shrug off any abuse. Hard cases are usually far from light, but Pelican’s Air range uses a clever honeycomb construction and light plastic to reduce weight without compromising toughness.
The result is that the 1535 Air weighs less than some conventional roller bags, and that's including a full foam interior. This is easily customized to suit your gear and offers great padding, though it’s tricky to adapt to differing kit loads. Peli does offer a customizable divider set instead, albeit at extra cost.
Other drawbacks with the Air Case compared with more conventional roller bags include a handle that extends around 10cm less, meaning the case is more prone to clipping your heel as you walk. The hard utilitarian design won’t suit all occasions, and you can forget extras like laptops or tripod pockets. Sold as the Peli 1535 Air in Europe.
What are the main factors I should expect from a roller bag?
Is it flight-friendly? A bag measuring 55 x 35 x 23cm will see you through most airline check-ins – but many airlines won’t allow more than 10kg in weight. Always check your flight’s carry-on restrictions when you book.
Is it built to last? Roller bags can take a lot of abuse. Wheels should be replaceable, while reinforced outer corners and undersides add longevity.
Is the interior adaptable? Interior width is critical when packing larger lenses. Well-designed dividers can adapt to super-telephotos.
What extras should I look out for?
Look for bags that boast a laptop slot and a tripod attachment system. A roller bag with a pair of backpack straps helps with stairs or rough ground. Expandable compartments or easy-access outer pockets are also useful to have.
The Digital Camera World team are all camera enthusiasts, and between us we have tested hundreds of different camera bags over the years – and owned a fair few of them too!
For us, a good camera bag is one that keeps your photographic gear safe and secure when not in use – but also easily accessible for when you need to take pictures. The particular requirements of a bag will depend on its type – we'd expect quicker access from a messenger bag than with a backpack, but we'd expect the backpack to store more gear.
We test our bags in real-world scenarios - accessing how much kit you can fit into each, so we can give a clear idea of which type of photographer each is best for. The design and looks of a bag can be equally important to the photographer - so we ensure we take this into account in our assessments.
Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. He's also the team's man-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all manner of camera accessories – his lab is a bit like the Batcave of photography! With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys.
