With these TSA friendly Camera bags you’ll be able to keep your gear with you on the plane.
One of the big worries that we have as photographers is letting our gear out of our sight; even for the smallest amount of time. Our camera bags can hold thousands of Dollars worth of camera bodies, lenses, and accessories so it is always preferable to keep it with you as much as possible. Fortunately there are a ton of great camera bags on the market that can hold a good amount of gear, while also coming in under the maximum dimensions for carry on baggage as set by the TSA (22 x 14 x 9). Here’s a look at some of our favorite airline, and TSA friendly camera bags.
The camera bags we have selected below are all perfect for travelling photographers. These camera bags are designed to help you get through the airport in a hurry, and they are small enough to be carry-on luggage. There are bags here that are great for day travelers, and for those who need to carry more gear and accessories. These camera bags are also very affordable, solidly constructed, will protect your gear on even the bumpiest of journey’s, and they’re all weather proof which is good just in case you travel on a bright sunny day, but end up in a storm battered city. Check out the camera bags that are TSA and travel friendly below.
Tenba DNA 15 Backpack
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Weather sealing
- Roll top design lets you accommodate a lot of clothing, gear, etc.
- Can become very compact
- Straps that go around your chest and waist
- Survives the snow
- Stores away well in an airplane’s travel compartments overhead
Cons
- Sometimes the zippers can be finicky
Check out our full review
Buy now ($198): Amazon
Oliday Journeyman
Pros
- Comfortable
- Adequate padding
- Very smart way of separating gear
- Weather proofing
Cons
- When you put a laptop in it, the bottom can be difficult to get to.
- I didn’t think the pockets on the sides and front were that secure. But in the long term, I’ve been proven wrong.
- It should let you put a tripod on the bottom or top of the bag, not the side.
Check out our full review
Buy now ($155): Amazon
Pro Tip: If your travels take you to foreign lands keep in mind that you will need to take the plug adapter for your battery charger along with you. Most camera manufacturers supply these in the box with your camera. However, if you’re like me you have probably misplaced that adapter, and that can cause some issue. Fortunately you can buy inexpensive travel adapters that can work in any country. This little gem will work in 150 countries, has four USB ports, and is incredibly affordable. Put one in your camera bag before you start your globe trotting.
WANDRD HEXAD Access Duffel
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Probably the most comfortable backpack straps I’ve ever used
- Weatherproof construction keeps your clothes and gear dry during inclement weather
- Easily tucks into overhead compartments (or under seats if you’ve got the leg room) for photographers who fly often
- Highly customizable, especially when configured with WANDRD’s own camera cubes
- The clam shell design of the duffel allows the top and bottom halves to lay flat when opened, making packing less of a chore
Cons
- Price may be too high for some (the duffel alone is US $259, and the medium camera cubes run US $49 a pop)
- The zipper joining the two halves of the duffel together was pretty hard to zip up around the corners when the duffel isn’t fully packed
- Can get really heavy and unwieldy if you pack the duffel to the brim
- WANDRD’s divider system genuinely need a revamp to improve their stability
Check out our full review
Buy now ($259): Amazon
Portage Supply Mariner Messenger Bag
Pros
- Weather proof
- Canvas and leather
- It’s beautiful
- Heavy duty
- Pockets exactly where I need them
- The laptop sleeve is closer to the front and so it keeps the balance of the bag when placed down on the ground
- The strap that makes it function like a suitcase is wonderful and removable
- This is the most comfortable strap that I’ve ever used on a messenger bag
Cons
- I wish that it had side pockets that were a bit more expandable.
- Someone is bound to want to put more into this bag
Check out our full review
Buy now ($109): Amazon
Pro Tip: If you want to travel light, but still want to have a way to backup your images while on the go, a Wi-Fi enabled SSD is the way to go. Not all camera bags can house a laptop, but these Western Digital SSD’s are small enough to fit anywhere. You can insert your SD card right into the drive and all images on the card will be backed up without the need of a computer. The drive is shock resistant, the battery can last 10 hours on a single charge, and you can even transfer files wirelessly. It’s the perfect storage solution for travelling photographers.
Portage Supply Kenora Backpack (4th Generation)
Pros
- Rugged and well built
- Nothing feels cheap
- Weather sealed
- Quick access on the side
- When putting a tripod on the side, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to throw your back off; that’s a first for me.
- Lots and lots of pockets
- Really affordable
Cons
- You really need to take your time to figure out the interior configuration.
- The strap adjusters sort of just sit there and stay long. I wish there was a way to make them compact and out of the way
Check out our full review
Buy now ($159): Amazon
Billingham Rucksack 35
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Layers of protection
- Good looks
- Comfortable
- Balance in the design
- Weather proof
Cons
- Removable divider system when needed
- The smallest little hook strap
- I wish the adjustment straps tucked into themselves instead of flailing about
Check out our full review
Buy now ($399): Amazon
Pro Tip: These little beauties are our lifeblood. Without SD cards we simply cannot operate (unless you shoot film of course). It’s always a wise idea to carry more SD cards on your travels than you really need, and the reason for this is because they can, and will fail on you. If this has not happened to you yet it will. It’s not a a matter of if, but when. SD cards are cheap enough now that you can stock up and keep many extras in your camera bags. Even if you don’t use them, the piece of mind just knowing you are covered makes it worthwhile to carry extras with you.
Vinta S Series Backpack Camera Bag
Pros
- Low profile
- Nice looking
- Super comfortable. Essentially it’s the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever worn. Heck, I’d lay back and sleep in this thing!
- Dividers give the contents lots of cushioning.
- Best as either a camera bag or a travel bag, not both in one.
Cons
- Dividers are a bit tough to work with.
- Absolutely no quick access
- Very little room for extra stuff like a water bottle, etc
Check out our full review
Buy now ($258.90): Amazon
WANDRD PRVKE 21 Backpack
Pros
- Can be used as a backpack or tote
- Has a dedicated pocket for your passport
- Small enough to fit under plane seats
- Well weather proofed
- Very comfortable to carry thanks to ample padding
- Can be configured to carry camera gear and clothes
Cons
- Interior dividers could stand to be a bit thicker
- Not the best looking bag
Check out our full review
Buy now ($263.99): Amazon