Lowepro’s third generation of its popular ProTactic AW range is finally here with the arrival of the ProTactic BP 350 and 450 AW III backpacks. The bags are designed to be a hardwearing workhorse for photographers, videographers, and content creators transporting their camera kit in demanding urban environments. Lowepro's hardy line of bags is aimed at harsh urban environments and its military feel with hard shell design and exterior webbing for extra accessories to be bolted on would even make it suitable for even the hardiest of journalists reporting from a warzone.

The ProTactic BP 350 and 450 AW III backpacks were also launched in tandem with six new accessories which can be bolted onto either of the bag’s exterior webbing, giving extra space for your specific needs. I got hold of many of these accessories too and I’ll give you my thoughts on the whole ecosystem of the Gen-3 ProTactic range later on. Also announced were four ProTactic Lite models, though for the purposes of this review, I’ll just be covering the ProTactic BP 350 and 450 AW III.

Lowepro says it has listened to user feedback and incorporated some of the most asked-for features with the new bags. This includes improving comfort and cross-functionality, a new adaptive harness, higher webbing on the bag to make it easier to carry a large tripod, and an innovative fully-molded divider system that’s more adaptable for greater flexibility and additional exterior pockets. I got hold of the 350 AW III and put it through its paces to see if you should add it to your wishlist.

Specifications

External dimensions (WxHxD): 190x315x470mm
Internal dimensions (WxHxD): 145x275x440mm
Size options in range: 350AW III (17L) / 450AW III (28L)
Bag type: Backpack
Camera access: Rear, Top, Left and Right sides
Laptop compartment: 14" 350AW III / 16" 450 AW III
Tripod fastener: Yes
Chest / Waist straps: Yes, both
Rain-proof cover: Yes
Weight: 2.3Kg

Build & Handling

The ProTactic AW III comes in two sizes, the 17-liter 350AW III and the 28-liter 450AW III. Both are available exclusively in black – the stealthy, low-profile colorway is the only available option in this range. I got hold of the smaller 350AW III backpack for this review, though much of what I say about its build quality, materials, and performance will also be applicable to the larger 450AW III, too, as it shares much of its DNA.

The third-gen ProTactic bags are made from 85% recycled fabrics, with recycled 210D Nylon Ripstop, 600D and 900D Polyester on the outside, and recycled Velex Nylon on the inside. Though recycled, the materials feel very premium. The outside has a fantastic rugged and hardwearing textured feel to it and it has more of a hard shell frame to it than other bags like Lowpro’s Flipside series which are more of a soft shell – this makes the ProTactic III better at keeping your kit safe from knocks and dings, and also means the bag holds its shape better over time too.

Its rigidity comes with a trade-off as although it's very stiff and tough, it does mean it's a little less forgiving when you're trying to cram in kit. The bag also has a rounded design to it, meaning the middle section is the deepest, and it can be a bit of a squeeze to get bigger lenses in on the side sections where the bag tapers around and isn't quite as deep as the middle, this is perhaps less of an issue with the larger 450AW III version though.

The hard shell top lid is particularly impact-resistant and the base is well padded too, so your kit is safe if you put your bag down in a hurry. The bottom of the bag is also very flat, so when placed down on its base it stands up straight without toppling over.

The additional material used to make this bag sturdier and more rigid comes at a cost as it’s quite heavy at 2.3 kg. Compare this to the 1.7Kg of Lowepro’s softshell 400 AW III, or Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW which weighs just 1.4Kg and you can see it's considerably heavier than softer backpacks.

The top lid is a stiff and rigid part of the backpack, which is important as this is one of the key areas you can store your main camera with a lens attached for quick access by its top opening, so it keeps your camera body really safe and secure. Chunky zippers and equally beefy zip pulls make it quick and easy to access the top hatch for your camera, though you can use any of the doors on either side of the bag or open up the rear hatch for full access to the internal camera compartment.

One of the unique features of the new bags and indeed a longstanding feature of the ProTactic range is its exterior webbing which serves as attachment points to bolt-on accessories and customize the exterior to suit your specific needs. The ProTactic 350 AW III comes with a zippered pouch, one drawstring pouch for a 1L water bottle (or tripod feet), and an All Weather Cover (AWC) which also has a velcro loop to be attached to the exterior webbing – though this rain cover is quite a tight fit so it's not really possible to wrap it around your bag whilst also having loads of the modular accessories bolted on at the same time.

Also included are two Quick Straps which are a new design and now feature custom gatekeepers for a more secure attachment – these can be clipped on to the webbing to secure larger items, such as a tripod to the bag. The backpack now features webbing higher up on the bag to make it easier to secure a full-sized tripod. These were easy to set up and attach to any of the webbing points across the bag exterior and were brilliant for tethering tripod a tripod. A new gatekeeper keeps these straps secured to the webbing until you want to remove them. The length of the straps can also be easily adjusted and then locked in place with a lever.

Also on the exterior, you’ll find two elasticated soft pockets, these can also be used for water bottles or the feet of a tripod (using the Quick Straps to secure the top).

New modular add-ons include the CS Phone III, CS 120 III, CS 60 III and Bottle Pouch III. The backpack comes with a padded waist belt and one feature I love about this is that it is removable, so you can add or remove it from your bag depending on your shoot.

Sometimes I find hip belts can get in the way, whereas on longer shoots I usually end up wishing I had one to help take the load off my shoulders. I can't stress enough how much I love the ability to remove or add the hip belt as needed, as on many other bags the choice is to either have one fixed in place or not feature one at all.

Lowepro has also created a new Utility Belt III which from what I can tell the padding is the same thickness, though it's a little taller and also has a small pocket on one side which opens up to reveal a drawstring pouch. Is this upgrade really worth the £49.95 asking price? I'll let you be the judge, but it shows that this isn't the cheapest system if you start racking up lots of these modular add-ons.

The Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW III boasts more external pockets than ever before. The two-volume pockets on each side have been carried over from the ProTactic Mark II and are great stash spots for small items, one even has a keychain attachment. New additions are two elasticated water bottle pockets on either side, these are built-in to the left and right quick access doors and are a very welcome addition. They could even be used to hold the feet of a tripod if you wanted.

On the inside of the back panel you’ll find the CradleFit laptop pocket which can fit up to a 14” MacBook Pro on the 350AW III model, though if you need to fit a larger laptop the bigger 450AW III can fit laptops up to 16”. One feature that stood out was an extra zipper around the top of the laptop compartment that gives your computer an additional layer of security from water.

You’ll also see the internal camera compartment with new MaxFit dividers, though I’ll cover this in more detail in Performance. The main hatch door which is also the laptop compartment has two see-through zipper compartments for accessories. I love that these are semi-transparent as you can clearly see what is in each pocket, there’s no guesswork needed as on some camera bags you have to open the pockets to see what accessories are stored inside.

Performance

The Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW III delivered a solid performance. The “Enhanced” Dual Density ActivZone padding was comfortable and offered good breathability too, with its molded EVA back panel with perforations and a ripple pattern for airflow. Though the 350 III model I got hold of was a little on the small side so it wasn't long enough to distribute the bag over my entire back, though I'm sure this is less of an issue with the larger 450 version.

The padding feels really stiff and at first glance I thought would be uncomfortable because it's so firm, but I'm happy to report this wasn't the case. On a recent two-day trip to London, I clocked over 30 miles on foot and I'm happy to report the back padding works rather well. Do bear in mind that I was wearing a big winter coat, so it could possibly be less comfortable if you're wearing say, just a T-shirt.

The padding on the shoulder straps is substantial, though it tapers off quickly around the chest area and I do wish the straps were a little wider here for better comfort.

The SlideCam Sternum strap adds stability to the bag across your chest and is moveable up or down to get it into the right position for you, though it’s not elasticated, that said I still found it very comfortable. This also has a locking lever so you can fix the sternum strap in place and prevent it from moving accidentally.

The waist strap is nicely padded and is very comfortable. It’s also removable which is a great feature. It can also be upgraded to the ProTactic Utility Belt III which is a bit bigger and has an extra pocket, though the base strap that comes with the bag is very good so don’t feel compelled to buy this if you don’t need it.

The new ProTactic backpacks employ new MaxFit internal dividers with pressed ends for “seamless” end-to-end attachment. There’s three different types of dividers that come with the bag, each color-coded orange, light grey or dark grey and they do contour much better to awkwardly shaped items. One issue is that the padding is very hard with no give so the cushioning isn’t as good as with softer dividers. I found in testing that if you don't have your dividers extremely snug to your lenses you can hear them knocking around when you're on the move – something you wouldn't experience with softer dividers that offer more cushioning.

The ProTactic 350 AW III is tapered at the sides so the deepest part of the internal cavity is in the middle, and means you have less space to play with on the left or right sides, though you can still fit in a decent amount of kit. Unlike some other backpacks, there’s not really any internal space carved out for non-camera kit items like clothes or food.

While there are a great number of small pockets on the outside, two stretchy elastic pockets for water bottles or tripod feet, as well as two stash pockets for passports or keys, there’s a distinct lack of small pockets on the inside. With the Mark III we’ve also lost the memory card pocket that was in the lid space on the prior version, so a good memory card case will be required with the Mark III. But it's not a dealbreaker.

On the inside of the top hard lid, there's a decently sized zippered pocket, you could easily stash batteries and a memory card case here. It is a shame that Lowepro didn't line one of the pockets with an RFID blocker like we saw on the Vanguard VEO City B37, given that the Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW III is well-suited for use in urban environments, this feels like an opportunity missed.

There’s also no front pocket like you’d find on the Lowepro Flipside series, so this makes it more awkward to stash items such as lens cleaning equipment and guidebooks, for example, so you’ll need to find space inside your main camera compartment for these accessories. One option would be to bolt on one of the available expansion accessories for more space, though this could be an expensive solution.

The large zippers and zip pulls add to the overall feeling of solid durability with the exterior hard shell which does a great job of protecting the valuable contents from knocks dings and impacts. However, because the zippers are very big it does mean there are some small gaps where water, sand, and dirt could get into the inside, perhaps easier than on a bag using smaller zips. The big zips are easy to grab in a hurry and smooth to operate, though I found because they are very large zippers they can get caught on the shoulder straps when opening the rear hatch which slows you down.

This is a bit of a weak link as its security and protection are at the forefront of the ProTactic series, but means you’ll need to use the provided rain cover and tactically place the zippers at the bottom of their zip runs to reduce the risk of rain entering.

There are four access points: rear, two side doors, and top hard lid which give you plenty of ways to access your kit on the inside but it’s a compromise because each offers a very small opening where sand, dust or rain could get in. The provided rain cover is a little larger than the bag so there’s a bit of give to accommodate for any of the accessories bolted onto the webbing, though not big enough for a full-size tripod which will need to be taken off before the rain cover can be fitted.

The exterior webbing and modular system gives the ProTactic series a utilitarian and customization anyone in a military background will be familiar with as it’s similar to a bergen, granting the ability to bolt on specific pouches and accessories required for your trip.

Verdict

With the third generation of Lowepro's ProTactic series, the range has never had more features on display. Namely, with two additional stretchy exterior side pockets, extra webbing across the top lid for more mounting options, redesigned padding and new Quick Straps to tether items to your bag. I wouldn't run out to upgrade if you have the Mark II version unless you really need those new features, however, if you have the Mark I, or are coming into the range fresh then it will undoubtedly serve you very well.

Also new are several accessories that can be bolted on to give users more options for storing and stashing kit outside of the main camera compartment, plus a brand-new waist strap that can be removed. Indeed, many of these accessories are backward compatible with the older ProTactic bags so you may not need to fully upgrade if you don't feel the need.

The design is excellent and the bag is hard-wearing with its tough exterior and modular design. I marked it down on performance a little due to the internal dividers being very hard and also the large zippers getting caught on the shoulder straps when opening the rear hatch.

The ProTactic III backpacks are very expensive and the cost skyrockets further if you need lots of the extra bolt-on accessories or upgraded waist belt, though it initially comes with one zippered pouch, one drawstring pouch for a 1L water bottle (or tripod feet) and an All Weather Cover (AWC) to get your started. It is expensive and the optional accessories ramp up the cost further, but for pros working in demanding urban environments, it will be worth the investment and can provide many years of use in some of the harshest conditions that reporters and photographers work in.

Alternatives

The Flipside Backpack 400 AW III is Lowepro's third crack at the Flipside range and has big shoes to fill after the award-winning Flipside Backpack 400 AW Mark I and II.

The new iteration is the 400 AW III which we tested here, though there's the smaller 300 AW III option too. Which you go for will depend on both your capacity and budget requirements. Whichever model you choose however, both make several noteworthy departures from its predecessor, that we’ll get into over the course of this review and discuss whether you should part with your cash for one.

Lowepro has a longstanding record as a reputable and reliable manufacturer of some of the best camera backpacks, so we were eager to see if the new Flipside Backpack 400 AW III could live up to expectations and build on the high acclaim that came before it.

In terms of rivals in the same budget range you're looking at Manfrotto's PRO Light Multiloader Camera Backpack M or PRO Light Flexloader Backpack L, Vanguard's Alta Rise 48 Backpack 27, the Tenba Axis c2 LT 20L and MindShift Gear BackLight 18L Photo Daypack to give you a few options to compare on price and features. It's also such a departure from Lowepro's Flipside 400 AW II that it's in direct competition with itself as this is still available to buy and we'll get into why that might actually be a better option for many photographers in this review...

Specifications

External dimensions (WxDxH): 33 x 24 x 48 cm
Internal dimensions (WxHxD): 28 x 14 x 41 cm
Size options in range: Small, Medium
Backpack type: Backpack
Camera access: Rear and side
Laptop compartment: Up to 15"
Tripod fastener: Yes
Chest / Waist straps: Yes
Rain-proof cover: Yes, separate
Weight: 1.7kg

Build & Handling

The Flipside Backpack comes in a 400 AW III or smaller 300 AW III variations which have capacities of 20L and 17L respectively, the smaller 300 AW iteration can also only take a 13” laptop while the bigger 400 AW can fit a laptop of upto 15”.

The difference in price is $150/£169 for the 400 AW or $140/£119 for the smaller 300 AW III. Whichever size you go for you have the option of black or dark grey colorways which are both quite nondescript and help keep a low profile, though you no longer have the Mica/Pixel Camo option from the Mark II version which I always thought looked rather good. There's also now no longer a larger 500AW version.

As the black and gray colors don’t stand out they'd be great for keeping a low profile in urban environments as they don't scream photographer, or even for wedding photography where you don't want to wear anything too distracting.

Lowepro says its 3rd iteration of the Flipside Backpack has been "redesigned for the outdoors", featuring robust fabrics and a front PU coating offer "extreme durability and protection from the elements, moisture and abrasion"

The 400 AW III boasts a CradleFit™ pocket which suspends and protects a 15” laptop, there's also space for a 10" tablet.

One downside we found with the Flipside Backpack 400 AW III is that it's balanced in such a way that when placed on its base it has a tendency to fall onto its back rather than the front. This may not sound like a big deal, but it means the bag more often than not falls flat onto the rear padded part that comes into contact with your back, and if this falls and gets muddy, it will end up on your back.

The front of the backpack is ironically where the EVA molded bumpers are located and these have specifically been designed to keep the bag raised up and out of the dirt. But we found that unless you remember to place the bag on its front when you take it off then it will roll onto its back.

While there's no dedicated water bottle holder there is a soft pocket for a tripod foot to fit into underneath the tripod strap. At a push this could be used to hold a very small drink bottle and would require the tripod attachment to not be in use also. However as seen on the Mark I and II versions we'd have preferred to have a dedicated water bottle holder on the other side. The central tripod mounting point from the prior two versions has also been missed off the spec sheet this time around.

The Flipside III has a side access panel as well as the full back opening which allows you to get to your main camera and attached lens much more quickly and easily. However, I tended not to use this and would have preferred a water bottle holder on that side in its place.

The 400 AW III gets its 'Flipside' name because it's been designed for photographers to be able to use the waist straps to flip the backpack around to your front and access your bag without needing to fully take it off.

Apart from aforementioned omission of a water bottle pocket, the 400 AW III has plenty of space and pockets for your accessories. The bag is extremely spacious with big pockets and compartments for laptops, tablets, chargers and peripherals. While it does a good job at providing space for larger items, there is a bit of a lack of pockets and spaces to locate your smaller items such as memory cards, so this means you have to pack in a memory card case or organizer.

A couple of the internal dividers do have a velcro pocket designed to hold memory cards, but that's not something I'd feel comfortable using, putting all of the pressure and weight of cameras and lenses on to the cards just seems like you're asking for trouble.

It also features an internal 'GearBox' which is a soft removable pouch with a zippered front mesh, ideal for stowing filters, cables, batteries or a memory card holder and so on. It has interior dimensions of 27x11x9cm and by default is found at the top of the interior compartment, though can be repositioned using the velcro or removed entirely to free up more space for larger lenses.

Performance

The Flipside BP 400 AW III gets some welcome upgraded materials in the form of 600D polyester and 600D polyester ripstop as well as molded EVA bumpers on the front and ‘enhanced’ 10mm YKK® zippers which are considerably larger than the zippers found on the prior models and makes it a little easier and smoother to open in a hurry.

The interior material is 150D 148T polyester, though the internal dividers have been made much thinner this time around so they're harder and less malleable to fit oddly shaped bits of kit. They can be removed via the velcro attachment but essentially you need to keep them in their default position as it's pretty much the only layout that works due to their rigidity. This configuration also means that the side pocket is then used predominantly to access and swap lenses, rather than grabbing your camera with a lens attached, which is how side access panels usually work.

One advantage of the new model is its molded EVA bumpers which raise the front of the bag out of the dirt a little when taken off and planted face-down on the ground. This is likely to happen often too, as the new design makes it difficult to flip the bag around on its waist straps as it doesn’t sit completely flat like on the prior model, so gear is more likely to topple out in this setup and lens swaps are impossible as you need one hand holding the bag at all times to stop it falling down.

The Flipside Backpack 400 AW III comes with an All Weather AW Cover™ to protect your gear from rain, snow, dust and sand. While this is a welcome addition, it comes in its own carry pouch that you'll need to find space for somewhere inside of your back. This is an unwelcome change from the previous versions which had the rain cover built into the base and tucked away in the base and keeping your dirty or wet rain cover away from your camera kit. This was a better solution because it didn't take up space in your internal compartments and also kept the wet, dirty material far away from your expensive cameras and lenses.

The BP 400 AW III comes with both a sternum strap to stabilise the bag from swaying side-to-side on long walks and can be adjusted to fit different heights. It also boasts padded waist straps which help transfer the weight of the bag and its contents onto your hips rather than your shoulders so it's comfortable to wear, though for very long walks a hiking backpack would be more comfortable with their longer design and metal frame.

There’s a new grab handle on the back of the Mark III which is a welcome addition and makes it great for picking up and carting around more easily. The central tripod lashing point found on the back of previous models has been left out this time meaning your tripod can only be strapped to the side which can make the bag a bit unbalanced, it also prevents the side pocket from being used to stash a water bottle at the same time.

Verdict

Lowepro’s original Flipside 400 AW Mark I was my camera bag of choice for many years, so I was excited to if Lowepro had made one of my favourite camera bags even better. Testing the latest iteration was ultimately a disappointment as so many of the features that made the Mark I and Mark II versions great (and also award-winning) have sadly been left on the cutting room floor this time around. Perhaps this is an inevitable outcome of manufacturer’s feeling the need to release new products on a regular basis. I hope Lowepro realises this misstep and is able to rectify and add back in some of those great features in its next update. 

It would be unfair to say that all of the changes made are negative, I’ve never seen a backpack with so much storage for electrical peripherals with dedicated pockets for both a 15” laptop, or 10” tablet, as well as heaps of storage in the front pocket for spare batteries and an internal GearBox to house your most needed accessories on the inside. If you often struggle to find space for large filters, need to carry power banks or shutter release cables you will struggle to find a bag that can beat it for space.

It’s not a bad backpack by any means and the Flipside Mark III is also reasonably priced, but it was disappointing to see Lowepro unceremoniously cut out many of the features that photographers loved in the previous models. It's a Flipside bag in name only, as it shares very little of the same DNA as its previous models.

Alternatives

Our new May issue 217 of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is on sale now, with an AMAZING subscriptions offer! Get a FREE Lowepro bag worth £29.95 PLUS now all print subscribers get FREE digital editions, with digital access to over 120 back issues worth over £90! 

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Sharpen up your Canon shots with our big camera techniques guide, and learn how to take pin-sharp shots of everything from landscapes and wildlife, to people and action sports with your Canon gear. 

Canon professional landscape photographer Jack Lodge teaches PhotoPlus Apprentice Gary to take top scenic photos around the Isle of Purbeck area of Dorset

New Canon camera skills!

There are more inspiring photo projects and easy-to-follow image-editing tutorials, with free video guides! Including how we master Canon’s super-massive, super-telephoto RF 200-800mm lens to take sharp shots of faraway birds of prey.

We interview the successful wedding and portrait pro photographer Tommy Reynolds about his cool career to date. 

There’s more new Photo Stories from you, new Canon School focuses on in-camera effects, and we answer your questions in EOS SOS.

In Super Test we test eight of the best photo backpacks to carry and store your Canon kit comfortably, and safely.

And don’t forget your free Teach Yourself Black & White Photography ebook worth £10.99, download info inside.

We're the No.1 Canon magazine, written by Canon photographers, for Canon photographers, and we cater for every Canon EOS camera user. 

If you’re not a PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine subscriber already CLICK HERE to join our Canon crew and get your free Lowepro camera bag worth £29.99, plus FREE digital editions to all print subscribers!*This also makes sure your copy is delivered to your door every month. 

Every issue of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is packed with essential Canon techniques, tests, tutorials and inspiration every issue – out now at all good newsagents and supermarkets.

Thank you for choosing PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine!

Back issues and digital editions

Limited back issues of PhotoPlus print editions are available on our MagazinesDirect secure store

Alternatively, we have a number of different digital options available:

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Our new Spring issue 216 of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is on sale now, with an AMAZING subscriptions offer! Get a FREE Lowepro bag worth £29.95 PLUS now all print subscribers get FREE digital editions, with digital access to over 120 back issues worth over £90! 

Here's what's in the new No.1 Canon Magazine + FREE videos + FREE ebook...

Canon professional landscape and nature photographer Drew Buckley shares his top tips for stunning shots of spring landscapes, wildlife and close-ups of insects and flowers, in our big Outdoor Photo Skills guide. 

Our PhotoPlus Apprentice learns how to capture natural-looking family portraits indoors with the help of Canon pro photographer Catherine O’Donnell.

New Canon camera skills!

More great photo projects and image-editing tutorials, with free video guides!

Multi-talented Scott Kelby tells us the secret to his success as an author, photographer, tutor and speaker.

New Photo Stories from you, there’s more Canon School advice and your tough technical questions all answered in EOS SOS, and we put popular Canon EF and RF lenses head to head in our massive Super Test.

Don’t forget your free Canon The Complete Manual ebook worth £10.99, download info inside.

We're the No.1 Canon magazine, written by Canon photographers, for Canon photographers, and we cater for every Canon EOS camera user. 

If you’re not a PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine subscriber already CLICK HERE to join our Canon crew and get your free Lowepro camera bag worth £29.99, plus FREE digital editions to all print subscribers!*This also makes sure your copy is delivered to your door every month. 

Every issue of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is packed with essential Canon techniques, tests, tutorials and inspiration every issue – out now at all good newsagents and supermarkets.

Thank you for choosing PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine!

Back issues and digital editions

Limited back issues of PhotoPlus print editions are available on our MagazinesDirect secure store

Alternatively, we have a number of different digital options available:

• Apple app (for iPad or iPhone)

• Pocket Mags (mult-platform app, great for Android users)

• Zinio app (multi-platform app for desktop or smartphone)

• Readly (digital magazine subscription service)

• Follow us on Instagram!
• Join PhotoPlus on Facebook
• Follow PhotoPlus on X
• Subscribe to PhotoPlus at our online store

Having designed and manufactured some of the best camera backpacks and bags for half a century, the brand of Lowepro is synonymous with photography. Indeed many experienced photographers reading this are likely to own (or have owned) a Lowepro camera bag. Since Greg Lowe created the first internal frame backpack back in 1967 Lowepro backpacks have evolved to meet the needs of photographers worldwide. 

The Pro Trekker 650 AW II is a new release in the Pro Trekker range, which features the 24L 350 AW II at one end of the spectrum and the 650 AW II (with a spacious 43 L capacity) at the other. Pro Trekker backpacks are designed to meet the needs of outdoor or wildlife photographers who have a lot of gear to transport, though they are versatile enough to suit a wider range of photographers and videographers. 

This backpack review isn’t my first Lowepro rodeo - though it is the Lowepro largest backpack I’ve reviewed.  To see a review of the second largest Lowepro bag I’ve tested check out the Lowepro Photosport X 35L review.

Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II: Specifications

Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II: Design & Handling

The key difference between the Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II and other Pro Trekker backpacks in the Lowepro range is that the 650 AW II’s main storage compartment is accessed from the back instead of the front. As a result, the front of the backpack is constructed from extra panels of resistant ripstop reinforced with carbonate and TPU coatings. This means that when you’ve reached the summit and pop the backpack face down on some jagged rocks, the front will be protected while you access the contents of the backpack from the back. 

Because it’s designed for the great outdoors the front panel’s zip (which is more exposed to the elements) has a waterproof seal to protect the contents of the 16” compartment.  The main rear panel is accessed by a more rugged zip that has helpful loops that make it easier to unzip if you’re fumbling to open it with cold fingers.

Without any kit inside it, the Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II weighs in at 3.65 Kg, so when filled to capacity you’re going to need a lot of support. On our test, it weighed in at just over 10 Kilos. Fortunately, the 650 AW II is designed for comfortable heavy lifting thanks to a cushioned double-density harness system. 

For extra comfort you can adjust the harness height to suit your torso length by using an ‘ActivLift’ system.  This sounds high-tech but it's basically an adjustable hook and loop (velcro) slider that you can adjust to raise or lower the height of the shoulder harness. I put the ActivLift system through its paces in my supporting video. 

For additional carrying comfort you’ll find a padded hip support strap inside the backpack. This can be threaded through a strap at the base of the backpack and is secured in place by a hook and loop panel. 

The bulk of the backpack - all 43 liters of it - is accessed from the rear and it consists of multiple padded panels. If you like organizing your kit you’ll gain much pleasure from populating these panels with a wide range of photography paraphernalia. As every panel is held in place by a hook and loop system you can re-arrange or remove panels to store bulkier items such as a drone. 

Videographers should consider the 650 AW II as it’s large enough to store a camcorder, power supplies, and even a light stick such as the Godox LC500R Mini. The interior of the backpack’s ‘lid’ features semi-transparent zippable compartments which are perfect for storing smaller accessories such as batteries, tripod heads, etc. There’s even a dedicated memory card pouch that displays a memory card icon - a nice attention to small details in such a large backpack.

Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II: Performance

To test the Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II I filled it with as much photography gear as I could to get the weight up including a DSLR and three lenses, plus a Speedlite flash gun and a range of mobile photography accessories including a ShiftCam ProGrip. Basically, I wanted to see how heavy I could get it and ended up with 10 Kg of kit to carry. To make the test harder I headed to the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders to photograph the beautiful and historic Smailholm Tower. 

The area around the tower is a mixture of grass and rocks, with the added hazard of ankle-twisting rabbit holes to traverse. Despite the weight, I found that the chunky shoulder straps and the padded back panels made the 650 AW II comfortable to carry. I added the well-padded hip support strap for extra comfort. I adjusted the ActivLift system to make the sit backpack comfortably on my frame - see the video.

With the backpack fine-tuned to fit I found it easy to carry, despite the hazardous terrain. I trusted the backpack to keep my gear safe, especially my MacBook Air which was slotted into the 16” CradleFit laptop sleeve at the front. The 15” MacBook fitted so snuggly into the sleeve that it was a bit of a challenge to slide it out of the backpack.

As well as testing the 650 AW II I had to film my supporting review review, so I stored a collection of iPhones, tripods, and mics in the backpack. I used the Hollyland Lark M2 wireless mic kit as it does a great job of keeping the hilly location’s wind noise to a minimum. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/hollyland-lark-m2-wireless-lavalier-mic-combo-kit-review

The 650 AW II also ships with a mini Lowepro carry bag which is great for storing smaller gadgets such as mobile phones and accessories. The bag can also be strapped to the top of the main backpack. It also provides a waterproof weather wrap that fits over the entire backpack for an extra level of protection when nature turns on the taps!

Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II: Verdict

As a DSLR photographer who’s drifted towards becoming predominantly an iPhone photographer (with that format’s much smaller accessories), the Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II is far too big for my specific needs. However, I found it very comfortable to carry when fully laden and it’s certainly going to suit the requirements of outdoor or wildlife photographers who have large lenses (indeed it’ll take a pro DSLR with a 400mm lens attached.) It should also appeal to video makers who need to transport larger camcorders in comfort (along with supporting accessories including a large tripod that can be strapped to the side.)  

Alternatives

Lowepro has a well-established reputation for producing a wide range of rugged backpacks that range in size and cost and the PhotoSport X is a new arrival to this range. It’s marketed as a cross between a sporting or activity bag and a photographer’s camera bag - indeed the ‘X’ in its name refers to this cross-functionality.  

Without the additional purchase of a GearUp PRO Camera Box the PhotoSport X is more suited to carrying sporting paraphernalia in its capacious 35 L main storage area (though if you include storage from the bottom compartment you have 38L to work with). These essential GearUp Pro Boxes feature inserts that hold your DSLR or mirrorless camera (and a few accessories) safely and securely, as well as making them easier to access. Only with a GearUp Pro Box can you keep your camera kit separate from other contents in the backpack. 

We took a 35L bag out for a test though a larger 45L model is available if you need to carry more sports equipment alongside your camera gear. 

Specifications

Weight: 1.56kg
Outside Dimensions (in): 31 x 24 x 54 cm
Internal Dimensions: 30 x 22 x 52 cm
Total Volume: 38L
Primary Device: Phone and GearUp Insert
Interior material: 200D polyester (Recycled)
Exterior material: 420D Nylon (Recycled), 600D Polyester (Recycled)
Color: Green

Key Features

The backpack’s main 35L interior compartment is a large open space (with a couple of elasticated pockets on either side). The backpack has a rigid aluminum frame to help it keep its shape when crammed with kit. However, the rest of the backpack is made of nylon and polyester so any loose camera gear inside would be unprotected from bumps and bashes. 

To keep your camera kit safe (and separated from the backpack’s other contents) you need to buy the GearUp Pro box. The GearUp boxes come in various sizes. The large box that we tested features velcro-mounted inserts that will securely hold a camera body, lens, and a couple of accessories such as an external flash. 

The GearUp Pro box opens via a zip and its sturdy construction will keep your valuable camera kit organized and protected. You can use straps to secure the GearUp Pro box to the interior of the backpack so that it doesn’t fall out (though we found these straps rather fiddly to attach).  

There are also straps (or shock cord) and webbing on the backpack’s exterior so you can secure gear such as a climbing helmet, axe, and rope to the backpack. Photographers can pop a compact tripod into the pouch on the left side of the bag and secure the top of the tripod with straps (or you can pop a water bottle in the pouch if you’re going for a yomp.)

Build & Handling

As you’d expect from Lowepro the PhotoSport X bag is sturdily constructed. The Nylon and Polyester exterior helps protect your kit from wet weather (which was appreciated during our test shoot when it started to rain). 

If the rain gets more torrential you can unzip the bottom compartment and whip out a bright orange weather wrap that fits over the entire backpack. This weather wrap’s bright color complements the orange trim on the backpack’s zips and straps which is a nice design touch.  Thanks to the wrap’s bright orange hue you’ll probably be much more visible on a misty mountain top which is a welcome safety feature.  

Lowepro promotes the fact that much of the bag is made from recycled material which makes it a more sustainable product, and we should certainly applaud this approach.  

While out in the wilds you’ll be placing the backpack on a range of surfaces, from jagged rocks to sharp twigs and branches. The carbonate-coated Diamond Ripstop material on the bottom of the backpack helps protect it from damage when you set it down for a breather (or to take a snap of the view). However the bottom of the backpack isn’t particularly padded, so you won’t want to store fragile items in this lower compartment. 

To access the main interior (and a GearUp Pro box full of camera kit) you can place the backpack face down and unzip the main compartment. We found that the main carrying straps would sometimes flop over the opened backpack and get in the way when you wanted to access the bag’s contents. You can also access the main compartment using a drawstring at the top of the backpack.

Performance

When it comes to storage the PhotoSport X has plenty of space and the additional GearUp Pro box kept my Sony A7 III and Tamron 28-75mm lens kit safe and easily accessible. However, I also like to use mobile phones, mini tripods, and a host of other accessories to shoot the videos that accompany my reviews. 

There are a couple of elasticated mobile phone pouches at the top of the backpack’s main straps, but the rest of my mobile photography kit was crammed into the lower compartment at the bottom of the backpack (though I could have popped it into the two large elasticated pouches in the main interior). Either way, I felt that the backpack could have benefitted from more pouches and compartments to help organize and store smaller accessories rather than piling them in loose.

The backpack was comfortable to carry thanks to the padding at the back and on the main straps. These perforated EVA straps are covered by mesh fabric to enhance flexibility.  There is also a padded waist belt that helps spread the load of a full backpack. If you need to be more mobile (for climbing over rocky terrain for example) then you can replace the thicker waist belt and its pads with a thinner strap (which you should find in the lower storage compartment). This thinner strap also means you can use the backpack while wearing a climbing harness. The entire bag can be lifted by a couple of sturdy handles which make it easy to manoeuvre or swing up onto your back. 

We tested the backpack with a walk in the woods and it enabled me to transport my kit comfortably and safely even when clambering over fallen tree trunks.  When I placed it on the wet ground to access the kit the nylon surface did get stained with mud and moss, but the water-resistant material wiped clean and my kit stayed dry when it started to rain towards the end of my test shoot.  

Verdict

The PhotoSport X backpack is fine for general activity but we felt it wasn’t as quite as focused on the needs of the photographer as we’d like, especially if you don’t pay extra for a GearUp Pro Camera Box insert. However, if you are an adventurer who wants to photograph the view from a mountaintop with your mirrorless camera then this backpack will enable you to transport your photography kit (and additional adventuring paraphernalia) in style and comfort.  As the ‘X‘ in its name suggests the bag has a cross-functionality between photography and sporting activity, but we feel the bias leans more towards activity than it does towards photography.

Read more: find your next adventure bag with our guides to the best camera backpacks, the best camera sling bags, and the best rain covers for your camera gear.

The LowePro Adventura BP 150 III doesn’t hold a lot, it’s not especially adaptable and it’s not expensively made. And it could be just what you need.

Camera backpacks don’t have to be huge and ungainly. If you’re trekking across Antarctica you’ll want to take a lot of kit and expedition gear, but if you’re taking a weekend city break or a day out, you won’t need all that. Big backpacks are a nightmare on buses, trams and trains, and dangling straps, waist belts and carabiners will get caught on every door, luggage trolley and passer-by. That’s where a more modest backpack like the LowePro Adventura BP 150 III makes a lot of sense.

It might not be the toughest, biggest and most advanced camera backpack – quite the opposite – but it deserved to be considered one of the best camera backpacks for travellers and urban explorers, if not one of the best camera bags all round for smaller camera kits.

Specifications

Weight: 1.66kg
Total Volume: 11L
Internal Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 38cm
External Dimensions: 26 x 18 x 42cm
Camera Compartment: 22 x 12 x 20cm
Front Compartment: 21 x 1 x 17cm
Top Compartment: 24 x 12 x 15: cm
Tablet Compartment: 22 x 1 x 30 cm
Exterior Material: 1680D ballistic polyester, 600D polyester
Interior Material: 200D polyester

Key features

This is the smaller of two backpacks in the LowePro Adventura range – the other is the Adventura BP 300 III, which is only a little more expensive but holds more gear. However, the appeal of the BP 150 III tested here is its profile and its portability and practicality while travelling.

It’s designed to be light and rugged, and its made of 82% recycled materials, so it’s good both for your conscience and your back. It’s a bag of two halves with a lower camera compartment with re-configurable dividers, and a smaller upper compartment where you could stow clothing, maps, belongings or whatever – though it’s also padded, so you could put a camera here for faster access and leave more space in the lower part for more lenses, another body, a drone etc.

Lowepro says the main compartment can fit a crop-sensor mirrorless camera with lens fitted, plus 2-3 extra lenses and/or accessories. Access to the lower compartment is from the back and you reach the upper compartment from the top.

There are elasticated pockets on either side for stowing a water bottle, say, or a small travel tripod – there’s an upper restraining strap on one side. On the front is a zippered pocket which could be handy for passports, other travel documents or keys, while inside the top compartment is a slide-in pocket for a 10-inch tablet an an open elasticated pocket which could be handy for cables or power banks.

Build and handling

The Adventura BP 150 III doesn’t have a very expensive feel, but that’s fine because it’s not a very expensive bag. It does feel durable, it’s well padded and it holds its shape well, so it’s perfect for public transport, pushing under seats and generally not getting in the way

Lowepro says it’s designed for crop sensor cameras but I think that’s doing it a disservice – my Sony A7R II and bulky 24-105mm f/4 slid in just fine, along with my Zeiss 16-35mm f/4, a couple of Sigma primes and a charger. The dividers are easy to move around and nicely padded, and it didn’t take long to redesign the main compartment around my kit.

Or I might just put the A7R II/24-105mm in the top compartment and leave more space in the base for my Mavic Mini and controller.

The tripod holder is great to have, and the top strap will keep your tripod nicely anchored. Getting more than a single leg into the lower pocket could be a struggle, though, and any tripod longer than 40cm in folded length is going to stick out at the top rather. A Peak Design Travel Tripod would fit perfectly, as would a smaller Vanguard VEO, say. The Ulanzi F38 travel tripod I tried it with was probably as big as I’d care to go. With a tripod attached, the zipper for the top compartment is harder to operate unless you do it up from the other side, but that's hardly a big issue.

The capacity of the Adventura BP 150 III is limited, which means it’s never going to weigh a lot even when fully packed, so it’s easy to slide on and off and doesn’t need the extra support of a waist belt, which makes it simpler still.

Verdict

With camera backpacks it’s easy to overthink, over-spend, and over-pack, which is why the Adventura BP 150 III is so appealing. If you’re into sports and wildlife, you’ll need a bigger bag just for the lenses, but if you’re shooting travel, portraits and landscapes and you like to travel fairly light (as I do), then the Adventura BP 150 III is big enough.

Better still, it’s simple to pack, put on and take off, takes up little space on your back and isn’t festooned with belts, straps and buckles to catch on everything you squeeze past. There’s room in the world for big backpacks (and boy, do they need room), but there’s (even more) room for small, straightforward and affordable backpacks like this one.

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You don’t always need a giant backpack or a multi-pocketed shoulder bag or a wacky sling contraption. Sometimes all you want is a protective pouch to keep your camera out of harm’s way when you don’t need it and ready to access when you do.

The best camera bags will let you pack all the gear you need for a proper expedition, but if you just want to chuck a camera in a bag for an afternoon out, it's overkill. That's where the best camera holsters and pouches come in.

The Lowepro Adventura TLZ 30 III is a perfect example. Its top opening is just about right for a mid-size DSLR or mirrorless camera, and it’s deep enough for a good-size standard zoom. It even accepted my Sony A7R II/24-105mm f/4 combo, which isn’t bad, given that this is a bit of a monster lens.

The generous depth means that if you’re using something smaller, like a Lumix G9 and 12-25mm f/2.8, or a Fujifilm X-T4 body with an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens, you’re going to have a bit of spare space in the bottom, and it’s a shame Lowepro didn’t just stitch in a fold-down flap so you could stow an extra lens (or something else) in the bottom if your camera and lens didn’t quite fill it. Still, that’s a small point.

Also on the inside is a pocket with enough space for a couple of batteries (handy with older Sony A7s, believe me) or a cable or two, though probably not anything as big as a power bank.

On the inside of the lid is a fold-over flap for storing a memory card or two, but it’s pretty slim so there’s not really room for fancy card holders or cases.

On the outside is an elasticated mesh pocket, but it’s open at the top and not very big, so I’m not sure what you would actually put in that. Keys? Probably not.

That said, any extra stowage at all is welcome in a simple camera pouch, and making it more complicated would, well, make it more complicated.

The fact is, the Lowepro Adventura TLZ 30 III is just the perfect pouch for a mid-size camera and standard zoom. It offers good protection, it has a belt loop, shoulder strap or top handle to suit your preferred shooting style, and it offers quick and simple access to your camera. It has enough pockets to store a few essentials, and that’s really all it needs to do. It’s rather good in its straightforward, simple way.

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The RunAbout Pack-Away Daypack is designed for short photo excursions away from camp. Lowepro’s lightest backpack weighs just 400g and rolls up into a compact 11x3.9-inch cylinder so you can slip it inside or attach it to your main rucksack with minimal impact on the overall load. It’s a welcome alternative to making camp and then lugging around a 70L rucksack.

The interior is unsurprisingly sparse and there’s little to no padding so it can fold away as neatly as possible. While this provides little protection, the bag has been designed to house any one of Lowepro’s GearUp inserts, which feature padding and dividers to keep your expensive kit safe, just like the best camera backpacks should.

The main compartment can be accessed via a draw-string opening at the top and a back-access zip that runs almost the length of the backpack. This allowed us to easily insert our GearUp PRO XL II and line up the camera case’s top and front access flaps with the RunAbout’s two openings. 

You might question the point of a GearUp insert if it’s not foldable like the RunAbout. Well, bags like the Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack PRO AW III come with one included, so it’s simply a case of transferring the insert from one bag to another. The inserts are also available for purchase separately, but if you’re using a camera bag with no provision for a removable insert you won’t get the most out of this semi-modular system. 

Specifications

Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 50 cm/9.8 x 6.7 x 19.7 inches (approx)
Weight: 400 g/0.9 lbs
Capacity: 18L
Materials: Nylon and carbonate (84% recycled fabric)
Features: Draw-string top and zipped back openings, rolls up into a neat 11 x 3.9 inch bundle, super-light design, side pockets and pull cords 

Build and handling

The RunAbout rolls up so neatly and feels so surprisingly sturdy – despite its feather weight – it’s a useful bag in its own right. In fact, there’s no reason why it wouldn’t appeal to hikers who aren’t photographers. 

In addition to the spacious main compartment, you have a large front pouch that could easily accommodate an OS map and a couple of filters. Pockets either side of the bag can hold a small tripod and water bottle, with pull cords to hold taller objects in place or attach walking poles. Inside you’ll find a small padded pocket for valuables, which is at least big enough to fit an iPhone 14. 

The top flap is secured in place via a hook, which slips through two loops. This can be a little fiddly but although you might question why a conventional plastic buckle clip wasn’t used, it would have affected the design. This is because the hook attaches to a small hanging loop on the other side of the bag when it’s rolled up and rolling the bag up is so easy, we think the hook attachment is a fair tradeoff.

Performance

When filled to near capacity, we still found the backpack to be surprisingly sturdy. The shoulder straps aren’t padded and the adjustment straps are very thin, but the bag sits comfortably on the back. There’s even a diddy chest strap, which despite its diminutive appearance, does provide additional stability. 

Perhaps the RunAbout’s biggest boon is that it’s a pleasure to fold away. You simply roll it up from the bottom, wrap the top flap around the roll and attach it to the hanging loop (mentioned earlier) to secure everything neatly in place.

18L might not sound like much, but the lack of any dividers and padding means the RunAbout is a bit of a TARDIS and thanks to the long zipped opening, you can easily accessing items no matter where they are in the main compartment.

Verdict

Pack-away bags and padded camera gear inserts really don’t go together and Lowepro’s GearUp inserts are certainly a clever way around this predicament. However, this does mean that to get the most out of the RunAbout Pack-Away Daypack – as a camera bag – you really do need to commit to the GearUp ecosystem. But, as a general hiking backpack, we would have scored it higher. 

If you’re a photographer or hiker looking for an easy-to-stow daypack that’s genuinely easy to pack away, this little bag is a great choice.

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The Lowepro Whistler Backpack 350 AW II is designed as a split photo/daypack but the camera section is sufficiently large to hold a chunky DSLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, along with up to eight other lenses and a flashgun. Particularly well suited to winter adventures, it’s designed so that you can easily attach skis or a snowboard, a trekking pole and other mountain gear. A larger 450 AW II edition is also available.

Specifications

External dimensions (WxDxH): 29 x 24 x 53 cm
Main camera compartment (WxDxH): 26 x 15 x 39 cm
Sizes options in range: 350, 450
Backpack type: Split photo/daypack
Camera access: Front
Laptop compartment: 13-inch
Tripod fastener: Yes
Chest / Waist strap: Yes / Yes (removable)
Baggage trolley strap: Yes
Rain-proof cover: Included
Weight: 2.65kg

Key features

This backpack is deeper and taller than its Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II sibling, which is a full photo backpack. Despite the Whistler being a split photo/daypack, the main camera compartment is only a centimeter shorter but is actually 2.5cm deeper at 15cm. And if that’s still not deep enough, you can expand it a little by undoing a riser zip, similar to that featured in many suitcases. As is often the case, you can also remove the partition between photo and daypack, if you want to stow a camera with a really long lens attached.

Built for the great outdoors in all weathers, the Whistler has sturdy exterior attachment points for skis or a snowboard, which can also be used to tether the bag to a luggage trolley. A large additional compartment at the front gives plenty of space for more winter extras, like a snow shovel, or for other essentials for different season of the year.

Thanks to a waterproof divider, you can stash wet kit in the front section without worrying about leakage through to the camera compartment. The usual set of Velcro dividers enable you to tailor the main camera compartment to take wide-ranging photo and video gear or a drone outfit instead.

Performance

Access to the main camera compartment is via a full length zip that runs around the back. This has the advantages of greater security and being able to lay the bag down on its front on wet ground to grab your camera kit, rather than on the rear surface that sits against your back. Without the photo/daypack divider in place, you can also access your camera through the top zipper.

Verdict

Designed for the adventurous, this is an ideal backpack for everything from summer trekking to winter sports photography. It’s particularly tough and gives lots of options for attaching extra kit to the exterior. Indeed, with winter in mind, it’s designed so you can attach a pair of skis to the outside and pack in a snow shovel. It’s as tough as old boots but rather better looking, and rather pricey.

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Pro-grade camera bags tend to be tailored towards the specific needs of certain photographers, and the Lowepro PhotoSport PRO AW III has been meticulously designed for multi-day hikes. We tested the 55L variant, but 70L is also available. (Each has options for S-M or M-L straps too.) 

You might be surprised to learn that the dedicated space for camera gear is comparatively tiny – just eight litres in either variant – but limited camera storage isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This backpack is designed for photographers who trek for miles and sleep beneath the stars; light loads and ample room for camping equipment are essential.

The camera compartment is also available for purchase separately as the GearUp PRO XL II; a smaller L II version is available too. This removable insert pairs with the included GearUp Accessory Strap Kit to create a standalone shoulder bag that can also be clipped onto the main bag’s shoulder straps, to sit on your torso. 

The multifaceted strap kit can be used as a camera strap, or to turn the main bag’s detachable top compartment into a small messenger bag. None of these modular bags are particularly stylish or ergonomic, but they’re handy should you wish to leave camp for a short excursion without hauling around the entire pack.

Specifications

Dimensions: 41 x 36 x 70 cm/16.1 x 14.2 x 27.6 inches (approx)
Weight: 3 kg/6.6 lbs
Capacity: 55L (70L also available)
Materials: Nylon, and recycled carbonate and polyester
Waterproofing: Water repellent
Features: Removable GearUp PRO XL camera insert, accessory strap system, Lowepro's ActivLift harness and All Weather AW Cover, provision for hiking essentials

Build and handling

The PhotoSport PRO AW III looks like a proper hiking backpack, with a tall form factor, sizeable drawstring main compartment and lid. It also sports thick, padded shoulder straps and a very substantial hip belt. 

Lowepro has evidently considered how hikers pack their bags for maximum mobility. You’ll find a dedicated sleeping bag compartment at the base of the pack, the camera compartment in the middle and ample provision for hiking essentials above. 

There’s just enough space between the camera compartment and sleeping bag pouch to store a few lightweight goods, such as items of clothing or a hiking pillow. This design places the heaviest portion of the bag – the camera compartment – near the middle of the pack, for added stability and comfort.

You could of course purchase the GearUp PRO XL camera insert separately and slot it into the hiking backpack of your choice. However, a key feature of the PhotoSport PRO AW III is that it sports zip-flap access to the camera insert via the front or back of the bag (dependant on which way the insert is positioned). If you were to pack the GearUp PRO XL in the centre of just any old hiking backpack, you’d constantly have to remove handfuls of hiking gear to access the camera compartment, which just isn’t practical.

On the exterior you’ll find webbing loops for walking poles, a large front pouch – that can even house a climbing helmet – and an emergency whistle on the chest strap. Inside, there’s a pouch for a hydration bladder, a plethora of small pockets and a meaty main compartment for hiking essentials.

Performance

The camera insert is large enough for a pro-grade body, attached 70-200mm lens and two smaller optics. There’s room to slide in a few filters too, but larger filter-holder systems will likely need to be stored elsewhere. Most landscape photographers will get by, but wildlife photographers will have to be selective. That said, you could place an extra lens or body in the main compartment if you can spare the real estate.

Tripods are well-catered for, with side pockets and straps on either side and as you'd expect from a hiking backpack, the bag sits comfortably high on your back. This is helped via Lowepro's ActivLift harness, which allows you to position the shoulder straps to optimize the bag’s fit. And while the heavy-duty hip belt is necessary for heavy loads, it's a little bulky for lighter use, so it's great that the rigid inserts are removable.

Verdict

The premium price tag will deter some buyers, but if you’re serious about photography and serious about long hikes, the Lowepro PhotoSport PRO AW III is definitely worth checking out.

And while you could purchase a dedicated hiking backpack for less, the ability to access camera gear in the middle portion of the bag is a large part of what makes this Lowepro offering so attractive. 

It strikes a delicate balance between hiking comfort and camera-gear accessibility, and although the camera compartment is comparatively small, there’s a time and a place for ‘just in case’ items of kit and it’s not multi-day hikes.

Add to that, tough-feeling fabrics, a solid frame and a plethora of pouches and pockets, not to mention ample provision for tripods, and this is the bag we’ll be taking on our next hiking trip.

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Being more environmentally friendly is no longer a marketing gimmick but a serious aim for many photographic companies. We've seen Sony release its green objectives and found the most green website hosts, but what about when it comes to camera accessories – those items we buy frequently, and just as frequently replace?

titleLowepro commits to making sustainable camera bags with new green rating systembags to benefit from this new approach is the popular Lowepro ProTactic 350 AW II which will now show a green rating score. 

Lowepro makes some of the best camera backpacks, camera bags and cases so for such a big company to put an emphasis on sustainability is a big step in the right direction. The new process to make ProTactic bags uses recycled fabric, the material is dyed using a solution dying process and overall, around 80% less water is used while also significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

Starting with the ProTactic, Lowepro bags will now have a green line label sewn onto the back. The line represents a loading bar and reflects how much of the product is recycled including the fabrics, webbings, bindings, zippers, cords and meshes, plus the percentage of solution-dyed fabric used to make each bag. Will we also see the same be applied to its best roller bags for photographers?

Solution dying is better for the planet because rather than dying the finished fabric in a separate step (which would require more water), it combines the extrusion and dyeing process and is also known as dope-dyeing. According to Fashion Hometex, dope dying can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 62% and increase water conservation by 89%.

For more than 50 years, Lowepro has been making revolutionary camera bags with the adventurist photographer in mind and now it's committed to creating more sustainable products it can be proud of. Across 2022 and 2023, Lowepro will slowly be moving to use sustainable materials on even more of its products, the ProTactic range is just the start. 

For those planet-conscious photographers looking for more sustainable options, this decision from Lowepro will no doubt come as a welcome change. With the climate issues we currently face, anything an individual or company can do to help minimize carbon emissions, water use and use of single-use plastic will ultimately help reduce the speed at which the world is heating up. 

It might be one small step, but lots of small steps turn into huge movement changes. If you're looking for more ways to be an eco-friendly photographer, check out these photo printing tips and career advice for being more green. 

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Lowepro has updated its range of camera bags with four new photography backpacks expanding its PhotoSport III range, and launches two new GearUp camera boxes to boot! 

Lowepro has announced four new photography backpacks, belonging to the eco-friendly and sustainably made PhotoSport PRO range. There's also two GearUp PRO camera boxes and a brightly coloured RunAbout backpack as well. Though the latter is more of a day-bag than photo backpack.

Lowepro's sustainable PhotoSport III range has been expanded with the addition of two new PhotoSport PRO backpacks: the PhotoSport PRO 55L AW III and PhotoSport PRO 70L AW III. Both are made from 85% recycled fabric and can carry a full frame mirrorless or DSLR with a vertical grip attached and a 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto lens mounted. Lowepro tells us there is also room for two extra lenses or a portable camera drone, plus space for accessories like charging cables and memory card readers.

Both the 55L and 70L backpacks will be available with two different shoulder strap options: one for small-to-medium torsos and another for medium-to-large ones, so you can pick the one most comfortable to your body shape. Padding and foam is also said to have been strategically perforated for flexibility where you need it and have placed more padding and curves in the strap where it helps most. 

The new PhotoSport PRO bags are modular in design and come with the brand-new GearUp PRO XL II camera insert. This is also available to buy separately and there is smaller GearUp PRO X II version too which can only be purchased separately (more details and pricing below).

The GearUp PRO XL padded insert can be accessed from both front and rear zipped doors on the new PhotoSport PRO III backpacks. The modular design makes the bags more versatile as they can be loaded up with either photographic kit or camping essentials like sleeping bag, tent or trekking poles or a mixture of camping and camera equipment depending on the requirements of your shoot. 

The new PhotoSport PRO backpacks also come equipped with a fully adjustable ActivLift™ system that is said to deliver outstanding weight distribution and breathability that assures optimal comfort even with the heaviest loads on the longest of journeys.

Four new PhotoSport PRO AW III backpacks

The new PhotoSport PRO AW III backpacks come in two different sizes, 55L and 70L, and both come with two different strap options to make it more comfortable your body shape and size, taking the total of new photo backpacks to four

Both models come with the new GearUp PRO XL insert (more details below) which is modular and can hold a pro DSLR or Mirrorless body with a grip attached as well as a 70-200mm lens and up to two more optics (or alternatively a portable drone). UK and US pricing is below:

PhotoSport PRO 55L AW III (S-M) $469.99/£429.95
PhotoSport PRO 55L AW III (M-L) $469.99/£429.95
PhotoSport PRO 70L AW III (S-M) $499.99/£457.95
PhotoSport PRO 70L AW III (M-L) $499.9/9£457.95

Two new GearUp PRO II camera boxes

Two brand-new GearUp PRO camera box padded inserts have also been announced: the GearUp PRO camera box XL II which is shipped with the aforementioned PhotoSport PRO III backpacks, thoughm can also be purchased separately (see pricing below). It weighs 0.4kg and can fit a pro DSLR or mirrorless camera body with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, plus up to two extra lenses or alternatively a small drone.

There's also a slightly smaller GearUp PRO camera box L II model which weighs 0.3kg and can fit a pro DSLR or Mirrorless camera body with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens but no extra space for additional optics or a drone. This smaller version is only available to purchase separately. US and UK pricing is below:

GearUp PRO camera box L II $44.99/£41.95
GearUp PRO camera box XL II $59.99/£54.95

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Choosing the right camera bag is important – not only do you need to consider the volume, but also how well the bag can protect your gear. And this is a more important consideration when it comes to choosing a travel-friendly camera bag.

Ideally, you’d want something that’s tough and comfortable to wear as well, just like the Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II backpack. It scored a full five stars in our review and for good reason - and is one of the best camera backpacks around.

This backpack has a modular design, with several accessories that can be purchased separately, depending on your needs. But even without the additional pouches and bags, there’s plenty of room here for a 15-inch laptop, your camera body (whether DSLR or mirrorless), a few lenses and even a drone. 

It’s built from heavy-duty fabric and sturdy zips, weighing in at around 2kg when empty. That might seem like a lot, but there’s plenty of cushioning here and lots of pockets that can easily fit documents, memory cards and anything else you might need on your shoot. There’s even space to carry a medium-sized tripod.

Adding to all that is a waterproof cover that’s stashed away in a pocket on the underside of the backpack itself, so you know your gear will be safe no matter what the weather throws at you.

When it comes to accessibility, Lowepro has kept every kind of photographer in mind by offering side access on both sides of the bag as well as the usual top U-shaped zip for those who prefer rear-opening backpacks. If you think the hip belt is annoying, you can even remove it when you’re not planning on hiking with your gear. In fact, the hip belt can be used separately and fits a few more bits and bobs in its two zipped pockets and loops.

In Australia, this bag retails for around the AU$300 mark, although you can find it for about AU$250 as well. Amazon, though, is taking things further and has slashed the price down to a few cents over AU$199, making it one of the best prices we’ve seen for this excellent Lowepro backpack.

Read more
• Choosing the best camera bag
• Best messenger/shoulder bags
• Best camera backpacks
• Best camera sling bags
• Best camera holsters/pouches
• Best camera wrist straps
• Best roller bags
• Best hard cases for camera kit

Leading camera bag maker Lowepro has expanded its Photo Active line-up by launching two new toploader bags for contemporary mirrorless camera setups. 

Whether used on day hikes or for vacation travel, the new bags will afford enthusiast photographers solid protection for their gear – and two sizes are available. 

The Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 45 AW measures 19 x 40 x 24cm / 5.9 x 4.3 x 6.1in (L x W x H) and will accommodate a premium mirrorless camera with a 24-70mm lens attached (a Sony Alpha 9 with 24-70mm f/2.8, for example), plus a spare battery, one or two filters and compact accessories. 

The Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 50 AW measures 21 x 15 x 30.5cm / 6.9 x 4.9 x 8.7in (L x W x H) and can take a premium mirrorless camera attached to a 70-200mm lens (eg a Sony Alpha 9 with 70-200mm f/2.8 lens), plus a spare battery, one or two filters and small accessories. 

Lowepro Photo Active toploaders: key features

Both bags can be worn in two ways: across the body using the adjustable shoulder strap, or attached at the waist via the built-in belt loop. 

Equipment is easy to reach and quick access to it is a priority, so users can capture the shots they want without having to miss any decisive moments. 

Design features common to both bags include an interior zippered pocket, for organising small items like memory cards and batteries, and a zippered external pocket for storing the likes of a phablet (large camera phone). 

On the outside, wide padded web handles offer increased comfort while a double-slider 360 zipper facilitates easy loading and access. 

And protection from the elements is provided, too, courtesy of the included All Weather AW Cover, which will keep rain, snow, dust and sand away from your cherished camera equipment. 

New toploaders complete the Photo Active range 

The new Photo Active TLZ bags join the Lowepro Photo Active BP 200 and BP 300 backpacks to complete the Photo Active collection. 

Like the toploaders, these backpacks are the ideal choice for enthusiast photographers who require a lightweight, rugged outdoor camera pack for outdoor adventures or everyday use. 

Featuring dual side-access and the clever QuickShelf divider system, the Photo Active BP 200 and BP 300 will keep camera and video gear protected and accessible. 

Photo Active TLZ toploader specifications:

The Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 45 AW has a two-litre capacity and is on sale now, priced at £44.95/$49.95. 

The Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 50 AW has a four-litre capacity and is available now, with a retail price of £54.95/$59.95. 

Read more:

The best camera bags you can buy

The best camera backpacks you can buy

The best messenger bags for photographers

Best camera holster, pouch and toploader bags

Are you often using a camera backpack that isn’t suited to the shoot? When buying a camera bag it’s tempting to go for one that fits all of your photography gear, but that usually means a big, heavy backpack that’s overkill. Cue the ProTactic BP 350 AW II (£209.95/$217.75), a modular system from Lowepro that can take a DSLR, lenses and even a drone as standard, and offers clip-on accessories for all kinds of other gear.

Choosing the best camera bag isn't easy, and if you need more long-distance comfort and capacity than you can get from even the best shoulder bags, sling bags or messenger bags, then a camera backpack is the obvious choice.

Features

Made from ballistic nylon, the ProTactic BP 350 AW II measures 300 x 180 x 470mm, which puts it in the category of carry-on luggage on airlines. Since no photographer would ever check-in photography equipment, that’s important, and while you can get the same protection and more from a roller bag, a backpack will prove a lot more convenient and portable when you get to the other end.

Also important is a hard case on the front of the ProTacTic that creates a safe area for storing a drone (specifically the DJI Mavic 2 Pro or Zoom or DJI Osmo+). However, its Velcro dividers can be rearranged to house lenses and camera bodies, and its lid has a section perfect for sunglasses, and even a fold-over SD card pouch.

The ProTactic BP 350 AW II is good for storing a DSLR with 24-70mm f/2.8 lens attached, a drone, a GoPro, a 360° camera, and a medium-sized tripod. During our tests we primarily used the bottom section to store a Canon 6D DSLR sporting a 24-70mm lens, but easily managed to store another lens nearby. We left the top section free for food, clothes and a guidebook, but could have easily put another camera up there. We also attached a large tripod with no problems.

Inside the main back-opening lid there’s a couple of zipped, transparent pockets ideal for documents, SD cards, and anything else that needs to stay safe and dry. Behind them is a zipped area (240 x 18 x 345mm) for a 13-inch laptop.

Quality and usability

With tough, heavy duty fabric and zips, the ProTactic BP 350 AW II has a solid but not too bulky a design that’s not as heavy as we feared (it weighs 2.12kg when empty).

However, its stylistic genius is that it’s modular. A lot of accessories are available for this backpack, and most of them rely on the novel design of the front of the backpack, where six lines of tough fabric loops (five on each line), allow all kinds of accessories to be attached via double Velcro fixers.

As standard you get a tripod system that uses ProTactic Quick Straps (£11.95/$11.95 if you need more than one set) that attach to those loops, together with a small pouch that can be placed anywhere on the front or side of the bag, to give one leg of a tripod a toe-hold. It’s very secure when the straps are tightened. You also get a small drawstring bag that’s good for a water bottle, and a useful zip-up bag. Extra paid-for accessories, which are all a little more luxurious, include a neoprene ProTactic Bottle Pouch that’s big enough for a flask (£24.95/$24.95), a Utility Bag 100 AW (£34.95/$39.95), and a ProTactic Phone Case (£24.95/$24/95). The latter sits at collarbone height on the shoulder straps, so is best used on the (removable) hip-belt.

A pull-out waterproof cover unfurls from a pocket on the undercarriage of the ProTactic BP 350 AW II. It fits snugly, but has a bit of elastic give on each side, so can easily cover a few accessories.

The padded straps (which sport various loops and tags) proved comfortable when worn around the ruins of Pompeii, Italy for five hours. They’re easy to adjust as well, while the tough foam-backed back panel provided enough padding. It also contains a loop for attaching the ProTactic BP 350 AW II to the telescopic handle of some carry-on luggage. However, perhaps most importantly, it has a chest strap that significantly reduces the load on your neck and back. Such straps are rarely used by most photographers carrying heavy equipment, massively to their detriment.

Accessibility and capacity

Some people like shoulder-slung bags with side access so they can remove their camera without taking their backpack off. Personally, those kind of bags have never really worked for me. As someone who usually takes landscapes and astrophotography, I prefer a rear-opening backpack that can be put on the floor for lens-changing etc. However, Lowepro has decided to design this bag for every kind of photographer, so it has side-access on both sides, as well as a top access zip and the U-shaped back opening that completely opens the bag to the elements.

Our only criticism is that when the bag is full of gear and there’s a laptop is in situ, the back panel does tend to protrude slightly. It was a bit of a squeeze, though the zips are tough enough to cope, and the end result is very slim. That’s partly because two small zipped pockets at the top of both sides are for storing extra batteries and SD card wallets.

Although we removed the hip-belt since our trip didn’t involve a hike, it’s actually pretty useful. As well as two zipped pockets, one side has more loops, so you could easily attach a smartphone holder or even a water bottle holder.

Verdict

Yes, it’s a bit of a specialised purchase, and the sheer number of accessories might make it seem like an investment rather than simply a bag. The ProTactic BP 350 AW II can be endlessly customised, which is not something you can say about most camera backpacks. In fact, we’ve not laid eyes on a camera backpack quite as versatile. Are the accessories crucial? Actually, they’re not. Used on its own the core ProTactic BP 350 AW II proves a tough yet slimline, and a highly travel-friendly bag ideal for taking in an airline cabin as carry-on luggage. You can even remove the Velcro-fixed dividers and create a daypack for work or an overnight trip.

Read more:

• The best camera backpacks you can buy today
• The best camera bags and cases in 2019: shoulder bags, backpacks and more
• The best travel cameras you can get right now

The Photography Show is an ideal place to pick up a new camera bag and get a great, show-exclusive deal. And this deal might be the best of all: take out a subscription to one of our great photography magazines and get a free Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW backpack, worth £100!

This is an exclusive offer for those attending The Photography Show 2019 from 16-19 March at the NEC, Birmingham. Simply come along to Stand F21 and sign up for a subscription to one of our photography titles, including Digital Camera, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo and Digital Photographer.  

Subscriptions at the show cost from £45 for a year – and you will even be able to take your bag and your first magazine away on the day.

Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW

The Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW Photo Sling Pack is a fantastic, practical camera bag that has clearly been designed by actual photographers. The 'seatbelt' strap enables you to swing the bag around your shoulder for quick access to the smartly positioned compartments. 

It's discreet and compact, yet big enough to accommodate a DSLR. The main space provides space for a camera with lens plus a pair of accessories, such as an extra lens and flashgun. 

There are plenty of pouches for extra memory, business cards, batteries, your smartphone, a packed lunch… and there's an integrated, quick-access weatherproof cover for when the elements turn against you. 

Head along to The Photography Show from 16-19 March and visit us at Stand F21 to get your free bag and a subscription to one of the world's best-selling photography magazines!

Read more:

The Photography Show 2019: What you need to know - and how to get tickets

Download your free 48-page Photography Show 2019 preview

The Photography Show 2019: 10 must-do things

We’re only a short hop, skip and jump away from Photokina 2018 which means new photography kit aplenty. And that is exactly what Lowepro has to offer, with a brand-new range of Lowepro ProTactic backpacks and other goodies. 

In all, Lowepro has unleashed 10 products for photographers to stick their kit into - ranging from all-encompassing backpacks to smaller but equally useful Quick Straps. 

If you're looking for the best camera backpack, the Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II and ProTactic BP 450 AW II bags are standout. Both bags can fit two DSLRs, with lenses attached, up to eight lenses, laptop and other accessories. 

The main differentiation between the two is that 350 AW II has room for 1-2 standard DSLRs, one with 24-70mm f/2.8 lens attached and a 13-inch laptop, while the 450 AW II ups the ante to 1-2 Pro DSLRs, one with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached and a 15-inch laptop. 

To make sure your kit doesn't get damaged, LowePro has added a composite shell for impact protection, provides a raincoat for your gear (in the form of the  All Weather AW Cover) and has created a cradle for your laptop to safeguard it from knocks.

Lens protection

Sliding down the size scale, there’s ProTactic Lens Exchange 100 AW (Fits a standard and ultra-wide zoom lens) and ProTactic Lens Exchange 200 AW (Fits Osmo, speedlights or shotgun microphone) lens cases available. 

If a utility bag is your, er, bag then the ProTactic Utility Bag 100 AW and ProTactic Utility Bag 200 AW are for you.

Lowepro has also revealed brand-new bottle pouches, utility belts, a phone pouch and some quick straps.

Price wise, the range begins at £11.95 for the quick straps, up to £259.95 for 450 BP II bag. For more details, visit Lowepro.com.

• The best camera bags and cases in 2018