Stylish and Unique Camera Bags in 2021
Have you ever want to have a camera bag that wouldn’t look like “The camera back from the 90s” but rather have the style to it? So you can have practical and style at the same time? Then this article is for you.
My name is Vadim Sherbakov www.vadimsherbakov.com and I am an architectural and cityscape photographer. I often wander the streets of cities and therefore a stylish and practical backpack is quite important for me. Yes, I like stylish things, I wouldn’t deny the fact that sometimes if the product is less practical, but have a great design I can compromise.
Recently I was on a search for a new backpack that could replace my old trusty, but heavy Compagnon backpack. I started to feel my back is not happy with a 2.1kg empty backpack, so I thought to exchange it for a lighter one. Long story short … I still searching :), but during my search, I found some quite stylish and unique brands, and I want to share my findings with you.
This article is not a review or tests of camera bags, I wrote few introductory words about the brand and let you visit and decide for yourself. I figure everyone has a different things that important to them in backpacks. But if you like stylish things and looking to expand your search beyond a few well known brands, this is for you.
Some brands mention here have just one nice model, other a full range of stylish items. Some offer more than backpacks, like messenger bags, duffel bags, slings, and so on, so you will have plenty of options to go.
I have no association with any of the companies, nor do they pay me in any way to advertise them, however I would not deny I would be more than happy to receive some of the items my list :)
So, let start…
Well known brands
We start with a few well-known brands that usually came up in a search when you type “stylish camera backpacks”
Oh yes, that one. WANDRD is one of the most stylish backpacks in my opinion. It offers a good range of different backpacks, slings, accessories, and other innovative stuff. Worth checking out at the begging of the search.
Peak Design is another very famous name that came up first in a search for stylish bags. As well as WANDRD it is a successful Kickstarter company with a range of backpacks, duffle bags, everyday bags, pouches, and accessories to much. Also, they do tripods.
Vinta is another interesting company from New York with a unique design. They offer one type of backpack with different colors, a few accessories, and even … futuristic-looking travel mask :)
Established 2012 Langly products are inspired by the lives of the freelance photographers, that's what they wrote on their site. They offer a good range of camera backpacks in different styles, straps, accessories, and a few lovely goods.
Well-known European company producing many products including some fine and stylish camera backpacks, drone cases and so on.
Less known brands
Now when we covered the usual suspects, let's move to lesser know companies.
Let’s start with a company that I know (I use their bag for a few years now). A German company dedicated to camera bag making with some really solid products from backpacks, messenger bags, pouches, straps, and accessories.
Interesting hardshell design backpacks, outdoor and travel camera bags, messenger bags, and cases. Not all of them are super stylish so you have to look around.
Boundary supply features stylish backpacks with a modular system and a cool design.
A super cool backpacks company located in Taipei City, with unique design and materials. Offering backpacks, sling/shoulder bags, and belt pouches
Tarion as well as Evease has a range of hardshell backpacks but also does a different style of design that is wary in concepts.
The story on a website stated that NYA-EVO brings a new breed of adventure backpack to the camera equipment market. They only have one style of backpack with different volumes, and it's worth exploring.
Camera bags designed with photographers from photographers. Couple of backpacks with a different colors , slings and even crossbody bag.
Ona is more of stylish classical travel products. So go check them out if you into that type of design.
Company with a big range of cool designed items, unfortunately only 3 products in camera category with one backpack and one sling, but who knows could be your ideal camera backpack.
Yet another cool brand with only 2 items for photographers. Nonetheless, they are very stylish.
A Scandinavian brand that makes clever travel gear and offers a couple of cool backpacks.
HOUSE OF FLYNN
This one offers different types of designs and not all are stylish in my opinion, but some are really cool. Worth checking out.
This one offers different types of designs and not all are stylish in my opinion, but some are really cool. Worth checking out.
2 Versions of cool camera backpacks The Jumper and The Runner with lots of colors to choose from.
This company offers a couple of interesting backpacks and messenger bag.
Miggö offers some unique and stylish backpacks and messenger bags as well as some single strap bags. Unfortunately, I could not find a single unified website for that company, so you have to google it, but I believe it really worth it.
This well-known drone accessory company produced 2 quite stylish backpacks especially ONEGO that received a Reddot winner 2021 award.
Quite unique if it comes to camera backpacks. Hardshell military-looking backpacks if you into this kind of design.
One trick pony
Companies that offer only one item, but this item is cool.
One stylish backpack from RVCA brand.
This backpack also has a companion as a pro camera insert, so if you are not satisfied with the initial layout you could try the pro version.
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Interesting looking big backpack for traveling
Interesting minimalistic-looking camera backpack.
Minimalistic, secury and innovative backpack form XDDesign brand.
I own this one and it’s quite an interesting back that features two sides on top of each other that opens separately with its own vertical inserts. Not for everyone, but looks cool.
The only camera backpack they offering, but it’s quite stylish.
BIG BRANDS
So how about the world of big famous camera accessory brands? They do tend to go with a traditional or classical design, but from time to time do produce some very interesting collections. Here just some of them.
A big camera’s related accessory company from Japan producing everything from tripods, binoculars, accessories, monopods, heads, etc to bags themselves. You have to look around, but some of the models are quite stylish, IMHO
Street range, Manhattan, Windsor, and National Geographic Walkabout those backpacks from this all-so-famous company is to look for. Stylish and practical.
However this company is very traditional in terms of backpacks design some of the items are quite non-traditional and even stylish, but you have to search hard.
Gitzo a famous tripod maker also offers one backpack but it looks quite cool especially with a greenish color.
Urban series and Dyota series are the ones to look for in that very famous company that otherwise producing quite traditional and robust products.
Nice selection of not-so-traditional backpacks, worth investigating
KICKSTARTERS
So, last but not least here some cool ideas and concepts from kickstarters campaigns.
Interesting concept and stylish design from Bevis Gear company.
Some interesting concepts and stylish bags. Also, check the link to the main website, I think they have a new concept as well
Modular backpack and bags with nice design
Another modular system and great-looking bags.
So, I hope this article will give you some ideas and inspirations and help to choose your new “the one and only camera bag”. Good luck!
Please let me know in the comments if you know all of the brands or there is something new, if I missed something or if this article helps you in any way. Thanks.
