Vanguard VEO Active 42M Trekking Backpack

The Vanguard VEO Active 42M Trekking Backpack might make you think of long walks in the countryside but it's also at home in the city or on short walks around woodland closer to home. It's comfortable, camera gear is well protected and there are some clever additions such as a built-in USB-A port, space for a water wallet, a spare accessory pouch and a camera kit compartment that can be removed for times you just want a backpack. 

Cullmann Bristol DayPack 600+

The Cullmann Bristol DayPack 600+ feels well made, and the shoulder straps and back are very well padded with mesh. The kit compartment isn't removable but is well-padded on both the walls and dividers. On the rear of the main compartment flap, there are small velcro pockets for memory cards, which are very handy. The bag is quite large and square, maximising the amount you can carry, yet despite this, it sits well on the back and is comfy to wear. We really like the addition of the buckles. It would be nice to see a removable camera compartment, but otherwise, the bag is extremely well-equipped for the price and size.

Vanguard Alta Sky 68

The Vanguard Alta Sky 68 backpack will be the ultimate rucksack for a select group of photographers who need to pack as much kit as possible into a bag. It's well made, looks great and offers all of the protection and carrying solutions a photographer could ever need but for some, it will simply offer too much space. However, if you need your 800mm lens and camera quickly to hand in your backpack along with a selection of other lenses, accessories and a tripod, the Vanguard Alta Sky 68 could be for you. 

Crumpler Triple A Camera Half

The Triple A Camera Half Backpack is so named because the bottom half of the bag is used to store kit - it can hold a DSLR body, plus 2-3 lenses and small accessories such as battery packs. The top half of the bag leaves plenty of space for your personal items while the removable camera tray is a great feature, letting you keep kit all together and safe even if you need to use the bag for other things. When worn the bag is comfy, despite the slightly strange shape but as with all the crumpler bags we've looked at, it has a modern and sleek outer.  

Vanguard VEO Adaptor R48 GY

The Vanguard VEO Adaptor R48 BK Backpack ticks all of the boxes on the list of 'must have' items for a modern-day camera bag and if you remove all of the dividers, it makes a great day bag, too. Plus, the included USB interface port for on-the-go charging of kit and smartphones is an added bonus we didn't know would be useful until Vanguard showed us it is.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20l

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L has lots of innovative features that make life easier for photographers, such as the improved Maglatch system enabling quick and easy access to the top of the bag, and the dual zips on the side pockets which can also be interconnected for security. Everything feels really well made and you can tell that the design has been thought through - this is version 2 of the Everyday backpack, created with feedback from users of the original bag. This is an excellent backpack that could be the only one you ever need to invest in - it's versatile, inconspicuous yet trendy and offers a lifetime warranty. 

Vanguard VEO T 45M

The Vanguard VEO T 45M is a large, well-equipped camera bag which offers plenty of space for both your kit and personal effects. We especially like the versatility of the outside of the bag, allowing you to attach additional carrying options for tripods and monopods. The bag is very comfy and well-padded and will serve you well on long trips.

Tenba Skyline 13

This backpack is very ergonomically designed, with easy access to your personal items through the top, and a secure yet simple-to-reach camera compartment which can be accessed by totally removing the bag from your body, or sliding it around to your front using one shoulder strap. The bag is comfortable, and the shoulder straps are easily adjusted to suit your body shape. The rear is well-padded with breathable mesh. A more robust shoulder strap, perhaps with a phone holder or small zipped pocket installed might have been nice, however considering the bag's positioning in the market as a simple camera bag with no frills, the straps are ample. 

Crumpler Triple A Camera Sling

The Triple A camera sling backpack is designed to be worn across the body and the strap can be clipped to either side of the bag depending on which way you'd prefer to wear it. The bag can hold 2 DSLR bodies with lenses attached and a couple of extra lenses, or half of the space could be used for personal items. The front of the bag features a vertical zipped pocket, ideal for documents or a hard drive. 

The Triple A Camera Sling Backpack is really comfy thanks to the super padded camera strap, and the system of sliding it around to access your kit works well. Our only slight concern is with the bottom zip - if you're wearing the bag and someone unzipped this, your gear would fall straight out. The bag is well-padded and sports a simple and modern design, meaning you could use it for other things as well if you can cope with the odd zip placements!

Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Sling Bag

The Pro Light camera sling bag FastTrack-8 from Manfrotto surprised us as, actually, it's a design that really does work. It could quite easily have been a product that's over-engineered and gimmicky but it's far from that, offering security, space and comfort for photographers who travel a lot or enjoy photo walks. Plus, it's built incredibly well, looks smart and isn't overly expensive when compared with competitor bags that don't have the 2-in-1 design built in. 

If you're looking for a camera sling that's compact, lightweight, easy to access and secure, the Pro Light camera sling bag FastTrack-8 is ideal then when you add the built-in camera strap into the mix, the Pro Light camera sling bag FastTrack-8 turns into a product that's doubly useful. 

Billingham Hadley Small Pro

If you don't think Billingham camera bags are beautiful things then you're probably in the minority as the craftsmanship is superb. The attention to detail on everything from the stitching to the handles is excellent which means the overall finish is very impressive. The Billingham Hadley Small Pro camera bag looks exactly how you'd expect a premium camera bag to look. For street photographers or those who travel frequently with 1 DSLR/lens or a compact system camera and a couple of small lenses, the Billingham Hadley Small Pro would be an ideal day bag that's practical as well as aesthetically appealing. 

Cullmann Bristol Maxima 322+

This is a smart and sleek bag which won't look amiss as a general day-to-day bag as well as a photo kit bag. The walls are well-padded, and it's easy to position the dividers to accommodate your kit. The fact that a rain cover is included is a nice touch and the bag is just as comfortable worn over one shoulder as it is across the body thanks to the adjustable strap and shoulder pad. Accessing the bag can be a little fiddly, especially with cold fingers however the metal clips do mean that your kit is secure when you're out and about. The rear zipped pocket is handy for things that you need quick access to, such as a slim wallet or travel documents. With its waterproof flap and stylish looks, it's a great option for your gear in an urban environment where you don't want it to stick out as a camera bag.

Crumpler Triple A Camera Cube S

The bag feels comfy when worn - it's really light and with a camera inside, the back padding is a nice touch. The adjustable camera strap means that you can easily wear the bag on one shoulder or across the body. 

The U-shaped flap opens away from you as you're wearing it for security, plus this allows you to easily see and access the mesh pockets. The camera compartment is well padded and features a soft, non-scratch material. The bag is the ideal size for carrying one camera and lens, plus the shape means it could also be stowed into a larger rucksack for travel if necessary. It's a basic, yet effective design with some nice additional features on the inside like the zipped mesh pocket on the flap. The movable divider in the camera compartment is a nice touch allowing for different camera setups. 

Tenba Skyline 13 Shoulder Bag

The Tenba Skyline 13 Shoulder Bag is comfortable to wear and can be worn across the body or over one shoulder. The shoulder pad is grippy and flexible, making it easy to adjust to your body shape. The double-zipper top lid makes it easy to access kit no matter which way round you wear the bag. The bag weighs 1kg empty, which is good for its size. The bag feels very well-padded and is of good construction. The inner teal colour really makes it pop. The main compartment is completely customisable, with all 5 dividers being completely removable, allowing you to fit them around your gear. 

Tenba Skyline 13 Messenger

The Tenba Skyline 13 Messenger bag can hold a mirrorless or DSLR camera with 3-5 extra lenses up to 70-200mm f/2.8, or a compact drone kit. It can also hold up to a 13-inch laptop. It has a traditional messenger-style opening, with a large velcro flap. When opened there are side protectors, to help stop water ingress. The flap also has a zip on the top to allow quick retrieval of items. The padding is really good and we especially like the WhisperHook velcro on the front - making it really easy to open the bag quietly in situations where velcro might be distracting. The zip on top of the main compartment offers a quicker way to reach your essential kit on the go, although some might see this as more of a security risk. The bag is well-designed and comfortable to wear thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap and grippy rubber shoulder pad. The luggage strap is also a nice added touch. 

Vanguard VEO 34M Shoulder Bag

The Vanguard VEO GO 34M is a well-equipped shoulder bag, offering you comfort, quality and security. If you're after a relatively compact bag that can hold a tripod without having to mount it on the outside of the bag then you've hit the jackpot. It is a little limiting in terms of space for personal items, however, the adapters can be moved to accommodate for this if you don't want to carry a tripod. The quick access zip on the top makes it great for grabbing your camera when an opportunity arises as well as keeping your kit secure when it's not in use. There is a relatively high asking price for the bag, but the build quality is good.

Think Tank Spectral 15 Shoulder Bag

The Think Tank Spectral 15 looks and feels like a luxury camera bag for a reasonable price. Not only this, but it's extremely well made, innovative and doesn't shout 'camera bag' to look at. It is on the heavier side for a bag of this type so if that's a dealbreaker, it may not be the right bag for you. But the shoulder strap is really comfy and the ability to add tripod holding straps should you need to is a bonus that makes this versatile bag a strong contender. We are happy to highly recommend the bag.

Cullmann Stockholm Maxima 235+

Overall, the Cullmann Stockholm Maxima 235+ is a very stylish, minimalist, well-designed bag that's made from top-quality materials and looks really inconspicuous. It's just large enough for your camera and a standard zoom lens, as well as your personal effects. If you don't want to change lenses and want to travel light, this bag will be ideal for you. It's designed really well and the ability to alter the strap to your needs so that the bag fits you well is another great feature.

Hawkesmill Marlborough Satchel

This bag is proudly British and made from 180z superdry waterproof canvas with vegetable-tanned leather trim and Nickel metalwork. It can hold a 15-inch Macbook, a pro DSLR with a lens attached, and either a 70-200mm lens or two shorter lenses/ accessories stacked on top of each other with a divider. We like how the bag has poppers to secure inserts, and is really versatile, including a small accessory storer that can be removed. It has a fantastic luxury finish and we think the nickel trims are a real winner. The buckles are surprisingly quick to open thanks to their ergonomic and smooth design. This is a really lovely bag and the bright Nickel finishes really make it stand out from the crowd. 

Pompidoo Amsterdam

The Pompidoo Amsterdam is a bag designed primarily for male photographers but can be used by men and women alike. Starting out as a manufacturer of camera bags for women that look like handbags, Pompidoo has branched out to create a luxury bag that's convenient for men too. The Amsterdam is unique in its uprightness, being a 'portrait' rather than a 'landscape' bag. It can fit 1-2 DSLRs with 2-3 lenses or accessories as well as a tablet or small laptop and there's room for a phone, wallet and other personal items. We love the style and uniqueness of this bag.

Gillis Trafalgar Satchel

The Gillis Trafalgar satchel is made from Buffalo hide which is REACH accredited, which means no unnecessary dangerous chemicals were used in the leather-making process. It has a different smell to bovine leather bags, it's more subtle but fresh. The bag has a really lovely soft feel. We simply love this bag. It has a texture that's just not found with cow leather products and by removing the camera tray, you can easily use the bag as a satchel for around town. It's inconspicuous and doesn't look like a camera bag. 

Vanguard VEO Select 59T Roller Case

The Vanguard VEO Select 59T Roller Case is the go-to roller case for a photographer who's travelling with lots of kit and wants to keep it safe in carry-on luggage rather than putting it in the plane hold. There's room for loads of kit with dividers that can be removed/reconfigured to suit and it's easy to transport either as a rolling case or you can wear it as a backpack in busy locations where a trolly-style case might make it difficult to navigate your journey. Perfect for business or leisure trips, the VEO Select 59T Roller Case comes 'Highly Recommended' from ePHOTOzine.

Vanguard VEO Select 42T Roller Case

The Vanguard VEO Select 42T is a stylish roller trolley that's compact yet has plenty of room for all of the kit you could possibly need for a trip away or when you're heading to an event you're planning on taking photographs at. It's easy to transport, protects gear well and you can remove the interior divider compartment to turn it into an everyday bag for travel without your cameras and lenses. 

Tenba Roadie Air Case Roller 21

The Tenba Roadie Air Case Roller 21 is a super sturdy roller and despite the high price tag, represents good value for money in terms of the features you get. A super sturdy case with superior gear protections and security locks which weighs less than a hard shell case but has the same protection, it is a great all round performer that runs smoothly. 

If the high weight of the case is an issue then you can look for lighter options but you'll be compromising the safety of your gear. This is a bag that can withstand being stood on, kicked, sat on and dropped (we tried all of these!), so we're confident that it could survive being shipped in the cargo hold if necessary. If the case is in your budget, then it will prove a reliable companion and we are happy to recommend it. 

Tenba Skyline 9 Top Load

The Tenba Skyline 9 Top Load has space for a DSLR camera with a lens of up to 6 inches mounted on it. There's also space for smaller accessories like batteries and memory cards, thanks to a velcro divider which can be adjusted as necessary. There's a single compartment, which features a zipped lid. To the rear, there are loops allowing you to attach the bag to a belt or luggage strap. On each side is an elasticated mesh pocket for further small accessories or personal items. Above each of these is a metal loop to which you attach the shoulder strap. The strap features two spring-loaded clips. To the front, there's a metal Tenba buckle held in place by a tasteful vertical strip. On top, there's a robust and padded carry handle. On the inside of the main compartment flap, there's also a further mesh compartment.

Crumpler Triple A Camera Toploader 150

The Crumple Triple A Camera Toploader 150 is a simple camera bag that can hold a DSLR with a lens attached. The Toploader 150 has a u-shaped zip opening around the top that gives access to the main camera compartment. There's a small removable padded divider at the bottom giving support to the camera handle. On the underside of the lid, there's an elasticated mesh pocket, ideal for a memory card. On either side of the bag, you'll find elasticated external mesh pockets above which are the strap fastenings. The strap is held on by velcro and can be removed.  To the rear are belt loopholes and a carry handle. The bag is a little clashy in the red colour choice, as it features a dark teal inner material. Colours aside, we like the grippy zip and elasticated mesh side pockets for additional storage. The ability to wear the bag on a belt or attach it to a bag is also a nice touch as is the ability to remove the strap. All it's missing is a small shoulder pad. 

Crumpler Triple A Camera Pouch 100

The Triple A Camera Pouch 100 is the smallest camera case in the Triple A range and it can fit a small compact camera. There's a bigger brother which is the Triple A Camera Pouch 200, that can fit a slightly larger advanced compact. The pouch is easy to access and your camera will feel well-protected thanks to the padding in the walls. The 400D waterproof outer fabric also gives reassurance should you be caught in the rain.