Are you a travel photographer constantly on the lookout for the ideal camera bag? I feel you. Before embarking on our global adventure, I went through countless bags, searching for the perfect solution to carry my mirrorless cameras, lenses, and gear comfortably and securely. After much research and trial and error, I finally found the best mirrorless camera bag for travel - the Peak Design Everyday Sling.
What to Look for in a Camera Bag for Travel
When choosing a camera bag for travel, there are a few key factors to consider. First, comfort is essential. Mirrorless cameras offer the advantage of being compact and lightweight, so your camera bag should be the same. It should be low-profile and ensure ease of movement during long travel days and adventurous excursions.
Hiking in Peru with my camera bag
Size is another crucial aspect. The bag should be spacious enough to accommodate all your gear but compact enough to fit under an airplane seat, minimizing the risk of checking in expensive equipment. As a photographer who travels with two mirrorless cameras, three lenses, and other camera gear, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L is the perfect fit for my needs.
Just enough gear for photos like this!
Safety is paramount when it comes to protecting your camera gear. The camera bag should feature discreet zippers to prevent easy access by pickpockets and sturdy straps that are difficult to cut. While adequate padding and dividers are crucial for protecting your gear, the bag should strike a balance between protection and functionality, ensuring it remains lightweight and comfortable to carry.
The Peak Design Everyday Sling: Your Ideal Travel Companion
After searching high and low, I finally found the perfect match for my travel needs in the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L. This camera sling bag ticks all the boxes and more. Let me walk you through its outstanding features.
Comfort: A Bag Designed for Active Travelers
The Everyday Sling is incredibly comfortable to carry, even for extended periods. Its lightweight and compact design, coupled with the ability to hold its shape regardless of the amount of camera gear inside, make it a dream for active travelers. The adjustable strap contours to your body, allowing the bag to securely hug you, whether you're walking, cycling, or running. No more bouncing camera gear with every step!
Size: Compact and Deceptively Spacious
The 10L version of the Everyday Sling is the perfect size for my needs. It strikes a balance between compactness and spaciousness, accommodating all my gear effortlessly. Even with the telephoto lens and teleconverter attached to the camera body, everything fits snugly. The adjustable straps provide additional room and flexibility, while the bag's ability to compress to a small package when empty is a game-changer.
Peak Design Everyday Sling - The Best Mirrorless Camera Bag for Travel
The bag's design takes into account airline guidelines, ensuring it always fits under an airplane seat. It conveniently features pockets to store accessories like SD cards, batteries, and travel essentials such as your passport or phone, without encroaching on the main compartment for cameras and lenses.
Safety: Protecting Your Gear in Style
The Peak Design Everyday Sling strikes the perfect balance between security and style. With its discreet appearance, it doesn't scream "camera bag" to potential thieves. The looped zippers add an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized access to your gear. When traveling in pickpocket-prone areas, I further secure the bag by adding a padlock to the zippers. The strong strap provides an additional level of safety, making it difficult for thieves to snatch the bag quickly.
In terms of gear protection, the bag offers sufficient padding and dividers to cushion your equipment against bumps and falls. Peak Design's flex-fold dividers keep your cameras and lenses separate, ensuring they don't collide inside the bag and allowing for easy organization. As a bonus, the bag is waterproof, providing peace of mind during unexpected rain showers. For extended downpours, I recommend using a waterproof pack cover for added protection.
Travelling in Ecuador with my Peak Design Everyday Sling
Camera Backpack or Sling Bag for Travel?
While some photographers prefer camera backpacks for travel, I find that a sling bag offers more convenience and accessibility for my camera. The compact size of the Everyday Sling allows me to carry two camera bodies and three lenses without the need for extra space. Additionally, the sling bag doubles as a makeshift ledge to hold and protect my camera while changing lenses, a feature that backpacks lack. If you have more or larger gear, a dedicated backpack might be the better option for you.
While I haven't personally tested many dedicated carrying backpacks, the Peak Design backpack and the LowePro backpack mentioned in the original article receive rave reviews, particularly for hiking and outdoor activities.
Other Helpful Accessories for Travel
In addition to the Peak Design Everyday Sling, I recommend a few other camera accessories from Peak Design to enhance your travel photography experience.
I use the SlideLite strap to carry my camera securely. Its strength allows it to hold the camera even with the telephoto lens and converter attached. The thick strap makes it difficult for thieves to cut, offering peace of mind during your travels. Another indispensable accessory is the Capture Clip, which I highly recommend, especially for hiking. This ingenious system allows you to clip your camera to any strap or belt, providing easy access and security. It's a game-changer to have your camera on your pack's strap instead of hanging around your neck while hiking.
The Peak Design Capture Clip - very handy for hiking and travel!
The Perfect Mirrorless Camera Bag for Travel: Peak Design Everyday Sling
Based on my needs and experiences, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L is undeniably the best mirrorless camera bag for travel. While it may be slightly pricier than other options on the market, its impeccable design and functionality make it worth every penny. When it comes to protecting your valuable camera gear and ensuring convenience during your travels, investing in a reliable and durable camera bag is essential.
So, are you convinced? Share your favorite camera bag for travel in the comments below! And if you want to see more photos and read about our trip around the world, check out our 7-month update here.
