Wandrd Prvke V4 review: I took this camera backpack on a trip, and it's easily my new favorite

I’m a bit of a camera bag aficionado, so when Wandrd updated my go-to backpack, I knew I had to try it out. The Wandrd Prvke V4 is a rolltop backpack designed to mix easy access to creative gear with comfortable straps and durable materials.

I loaded the Wandrd Prvke V4 21L up with gear (and non-photo gear) and boarded a plane to Los Angeles. The photo backpack is even more comfortable than the earlier version, while making a few small yet significant tweaks.

The Wandrd Prvke V4 is my new favorite camera backpack – this is why.

Wandrd Prvke V4: Sizes

The Wandrd Prvke comes in four sizes: 15L, 21L, 31L, and 41L. For this review, I tested the 21L variant, which is about enough for 1 mirrorless and around five lenses using the small camera cube. I only tested the 231L of the V4, though I’ve used multiple sizes of the previous version.

The other sizes will have similar pockets and comfort, but varying amounts of space for gear. The smallest 15L uses a built-in camera cube rather than a removable one. The 21L and 31L are for mid-sized kits with more lenses and flashes, while the 41L is deeper for cameras with built-in vertical grips, or big telephotos with built-in tripod collars.

Except for the 15L, photographers and videographers will need to choose the bundle that comes with a camera cube in order to carry gear. The Essential Camera Cube will take up the bottom section of the bag but leave the rolltop clear for non-photo items, while the Pro Camera Cube juts into the top compartment a bit to accommodate longer telephotos (or more lenses).

Wandrd Prvke V4 review: Price

In the US, the Wandrd V4 21L costs about $234 for the bag, but $318 once you add the Essential Camera Cube, or $354 with the larger Pro cube. In the UK, it’s about £234 for the bag only, £319 with the small camera cube. In Australia, the 21L with a camera cube retails for about AU$579.

One of my biggest complaints is that accessories are all add-ons. This makes the bag customizable, yes, but it can really add to the cost. You can pick up a waist belt for the bag, along with a rainfly, accessory straps, or even an extra cube. The photography bundle includes the bag, a camera cube, and accessory straps, but does not include the waist belt or rain fly.

Wandrd Prvke V4 21L Specs

Wandrd Prvke V4 review: Design

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The Wandrd Prvke is a backpack with a main compartment that can be divided into two with a gear compartment and a separate roll-top, which is expandable depending on how tight you roll the closure. The rolltop closes with both velcro and a metal clasp.

The divider, however, tucks away for photographers who need the entire space for gear, or conversely, users who want to use the bag more as a standard backpack with a large main compartment.

The main access is through a fully unzipping back panel. Resting the zipper against your back can ease some of the concern over pick-pocketing, but it also opens completely for full access to gear. I also like this design, because if I need to sit the bag down in the dirt, I’m not mucking up the part of the bag that’s about to sit against my back.

For photographers and videographers, the Prvke’s main compartment needs to be paired with a camera cube. The small cube takes up the lower portion of the pack, while the large cube fills nearly the entire main compartment. The camera cube has a zippered cover that tucks away inside the bag, but keeps gear protected if you pull the cube out to use as a regular pack.

Above where the small camera cube sits, there’s a divider that slices the main compartment into two – this divider folds away when using the larger cube. That top section can be accessed from the rear zipper, the roll-top, or a zipper at the top. There’s also a zipper here for a roomy pocket large enough for my portable photo printer. This pocket doubles as a cover over the top compartment when using the rear access point, and it can be velcroed right to that divider.

The bag also has a side access point (with a matching zipper on the camera cube) where a camera body would sit in the main compartment. A small zippered pouch is tucked into this access door as well.

A padded laptop sleeve rests on the inside of the back panel; there are two slots here if you want to carry both a laptop and a tablet. In front of that, there are three additional pockets, which I use to store memory cards, quick-release plates, and spare batteries. One of the smaller pockets here also has a spot for an AirTag.

Outside of the main gear compartment and rolltop, there are a few more pockets to stash smaller items. A large zipper sits at the front, big enough to stash a notebook. There’s a small pocket on the side that’s the ideal size for business cards or a set of keys. And there’s also a hidden pocket so discrete I forgot it was even there – move aside the luggage trolley strap and there’s a hidden pocket meant for valuables like a passport.

Another zip that’s easy to forget exists? A small compartment on the bottom made for a rain fly (which is not included).

The side water bottle pocket has a zipper to expand, plus a strap at the top to use the same pocket for a tripod instead. Alternatively, you can also get accessory straps to latch gear to the front of the bag.

There are a few different ways to carry the bag. There are the shoulder straps that make it a backpack, which are also paired with a chest strap. Then there are the magnetic grab handles at the top, or the loop to rest the bag on the handle of a rolling suitcase.

Wandrd Prvke V4 review: Performance

I packed the Wandrd Prvke V4 on a trip to Los Angeles – and the camera backpack proved quite comfortable to wear on my trek to the city.

The straps are one of the key changes from the V3. On the V4, the straps are a little narrower, but the edge is every bit as padded as the center. The straps didn’t dig into my skin, though as with any bag, I find it a bit chaffe-y if I wear a tank top and have the straps against skin instead of clothing. The straps are well-padded, and I found the bag quite comfortable for the amount of gear that I packed inside.

The straps are nicely padded and curve to hug the torso. My only complaint on the straps is that the removable chest strap is quite difficult to get back on the bag. I overtightened mine, and one side popped off, and I couldn’t get the strap to slide back on easily. (I gave up, it’s still off.)

I tend to prefer backpacks that place the laptop in the front rather than against my back, as that makes the back panel a little too rigid. But, I didn’t find carrying a MacBook Air in the back panel to be uncomfortable. The back panel is well-padded and goes a long way in keeping the bag comfortable.

One of the reasons that the Prvke series has remained a favorite of mine are the materials that are durable and easy to wipe, yet feel a bit more upscale than a bag that’s 100 percent nylon. The Prvke is made with a mix of materials, including tarpaulin on the front and slides and ballistic nylon on the back and straps. This creates a weather-resistant but not waterproof exterior on the exposed portions of the backpack.

I was initially concerned because the V4 doesn’t have the shiny zippers that are on the V3, but Wandrd said they moved to coated DWR YKK zippers that are still weather-resistant, but easier to zip.

I emptied the bag, tucked some tissue inside, and poured a cup of water over the back. The water rolled off the back material (even though it doesn’t look like it would be water resistant), but a small amount of moisture did seep in at the zipper. When I repeated the test with the older V3, if anything, more water seeped in at the zip. I’d feel comfortable wearing the Prvke V4 in light to moderate rain, but would use an additional rain cover in heavy rain.

Wandrd Prvke V4 review: Verdict

I haven’t found a backpack to unseat the Wandrd Prvke V3 from being my go-to backpack – until the V4, that is. The straps are a bit more comfortable, the rolltop access easier, and there are simply a few design details that feel even more refined. The Wandrd Prvke V4 is my new favorite for carrying my photo gear.

My list of complaints is small. I had a hard time getting the chest strap to clip back on when I overtightened, and it popped off. The bag is weather-resistant, but needs a rain fly in heavy rain. There’s also no waist strap or rain fly included, and while the number of accessories helps the bag to feel highly customizable, it also drives up the price.

While the V4 feels more refined, there’s nothing wrong with my existing V3. One of the reasons I like the Prvke series is that it’s durable, and my V3 still looks new. Considering the expense, creatives currently using the V3 don’t really need to upgrade. Likewise, the V3 is now easier to find on sale, and if the refined straps, zippers, and subtle tweaks throughout don’t speak to you, the V3 is a bit more affordable.

Alternatives

Tenba DNA 16: at digitalcameraworld.com

The Tenba DNA 16 is a similar backpack in that there’s both a rolltop and a dedicated gear section. The Tenba bag’s gear section unzips hinge style at the front of the bag; however, rather than a large zippered opening in the back panel like the Prvke.

Summit Creative Tenzing Rolltop: at digitalcameraworld.com

The Summit Creative Tenzing Rolltop is an outdoor-focused backpack that has a rolltop design and a similar rear-entry access for the main compartment. There’s no removable camera cube, but that also means the dividers are included in the price (along with the rain cover)

Peak Design Outdoor Backpack: at digitalcameraworld.com

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack has a similar expandable top with rear-access to gear. It’s a comfortable, durable bag, though it doesn’t have quite as many small pockets for accessories, and like the Prvke, it costs more to add the camera cube and other add-ons.

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