Chris Burkard put these camera bags through sand, storms and jostling – and now these battle-tested bags start at under $30 in the US

The Pelican Aegis backpack covered in sand — (Image credit: Pelican)

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🇺🇸 Save up to 53%

Pelican is arguably a brand best known for its hard cases for cameras, but the company also has a series of soft-sided camera bags designed for adventure. The Pelican Aegis series is now as much as half off, steeply discounting slings, backpacks and rolling camera duffles.

The sale comes as Pelican recently sent adventure photographer Chris Burkard across sand, storms and even a powered hang glider flight to demonstrate the versatility of the Aegis series.

As mishaps like a broken-down truck shifted plans, the adventure photographer grabbed a different bag – and kept shooting.

THE DETOUR | Featuring: Chris Burkard - YouTube

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ABOVE: Watch Burkard's adventure with Aegis bags

While the Chris Burkard project is an excellent short film about overcoming challenges, what really caught my eye is that several bags in the series are steeply discounted right now, as much as 22% to 53% off in the US.

Photographer Chris Burkard in the back of a pickup truck with Pelican camera bags — (Image credit: Pelican)

While the Aegis series doesn’t use Pelican’s well-known hard-sided shells, the series still uses the brand’s compression-molded design to help absorb impact to any gear inside.

Pelican's hard cases aren't meant to be worn, but that's where the Aegis series' soft-sided design comes in with slings and backpacks designed for that purpose.

🇺🇸 Save up to 53%

Designed for easy access, the Pelican Aegis Sx3 Sling puts compact camera gear within easy reach inside the bag's customizable dividers. The bag uses weather-resistant materials to keep gear protected, while the option to wear as either a waist bag or cross-body helps keep the bag comfortable.

The Sling comes in two sizes. The Small ($28.95) is a 3L bag designed for compact cameras and small mirrorless setups, while the Large ($49.95) can fit a mirrorless along with an extra lens in the 5L interior space.

While the sling comes in several colors, only the Sand beige color is part of the discount.

The Pelican Aegis Backpack uses a compression-molded front for keeping gear protected and a padded, breathable back and shoulder straps for a more comfortable carry. Along with the shoulder straps, the bag also uses a sternum strap, grab handle, and luggage-pass-through to attach to the handle of a rolling suitcase.

The bag is made with water-resistant materials. Access to gear is from a fully unzipping back panel. The bag requires an insert to be used for camera gear, but this bundle from B&H includes both the bag and insert.

The steepest discount is for the Sand or beige color, but the black and charcoal are also discounted at $249 with a camera insert. (Don't need an insert? The bag alone starts at $99.95 for the 18L and $129.95 for the 25L).

Pelican says the Aegis Check-In Rolling duffle offers protection, but with more versatility thanks to its soft sides. The bag is a hybrid duffle that also includes a wheeled luggage system. Like the other bags in the Aegis series, the duffle is built with water-resistant materials.

Multiple colors and sizes are on sale for the hybrid duffle.

The interior of the Aegis duffle is empty – to use it with camera gear, it's compatible with the Aegis Double ModPak or the Aegis Single ModPak, which are also on sale in the Sand colorway.

🇺🇸 Save up to 53%

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