I’m on a quest to find the perfect camera bag and have tried loads. How close to the mark does this travel backpack, with its many pockets, reach?
There are many different travel bags aimed at photographers on the market. I’ve used numerous models, and it’s rare that I find one that is bad. It does happen, though, and recently I was sent a bag from a promotional company representing another relatively well-known brand. That bag had a couple of major design flaws. I didn’t review it, and they took the issues on board and are addressing them.
Major problems with high-end bags are rare. They are secure and protect your valuable equipment. The Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack is no exception. It’s as good a bag as any I have used in this price bracket. However, I have yet to find a perfect bag. So, amongst all the stiff competition, is there anything that would make this one stand out over the rest?
A Description of the Bag
As one would expect at this price point, the Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack is water-resistant. It has front and dual-side openings with twin shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and plenty of YKK water-resistant zips that secure lots of pockets.
The Bag’s Exterior
Its back, sides, and top are made of a heavy-duty, smooth, vinyl-type material. Meanwhile, the bottom, back, and straps are equally strong but have a woven, water-resistant finish. The back and the straps have thick, ergonomic padding, while the bottom has a thinner wadding to protect the contents from impact.
The front of the bag—the panel facing away from you when you wear it—has two large compartments accessed by weatherproof zips. On the left is one large pocket that is more than big enough to hold my tablet, while the one on the right is partitioned into four smaller pockets.
Behind these is a long zip that allows the bag to expand.
Further back are two more side openings accessing the main compartment. Outside the right-hand opening is a quarter-length expanding pocket and strap suitable for attaching a small tripod or water bottle. Mirroring that on the left is a fully enclosed water bottle pocket.
On the top of the bag is yet another discreet zipped pocket, and inside you can find a clip for securing keys.
The padded rear of the bag is joined in the middle by Velcro and opens outwards, enabling the shoulder straps to be stored away. There’s also provision for the bag to slide over the pull handle of a suitcase. Three strong carrying handles are on the outside, too: top, bottom, and side.
Hidden behind the padding is a pocket for a passport or emergency cash.
Finally, on the bottom is yet another zipped pocket suitable for a rain cover and webbing loops for attaching carrying straps.
The zipper pullers are a unique design. They are large and easy to hold. Most of them have a click-and-twist mechanism that allows them to be joined to another zipper, thus preventing people from easily unzipping the bag. They could also be locked together with a padlock. Other zippers hide away in sleeves, again making them difficult for a thief to access.
There’s no waist strap included, but one is available separately. There is a sternum strap that slides up and down on a rail.
The Bag’s Interior
Accessed from the front or the sides, the main compartment is designed to take cubes. The lining is mainly light gray, which makes it easier to see the contents. There are two small Velcro-sealed pockets on the sides, while the mesh pockets (two small ones on the sides and two large ones inside the lid) are black. Another zip separates the front liner with those pockets from the lid, and they fold out to reveal another space large enough to hold a 15” laptop.
Also inside, a small, well-disguised pocket is designed to hold a tracker.
Numerous webbing loops and Velcro flaps are designed to hold packing cubes.
Build Quality
The bag is made of good-quality, strong materials. The stitching is neat with no loose threads or missed stitches.
Running the bag under a shower for thirty seconds, it remained dry inside. Wandrd doesn’t claim this is a waterproof bag, but water-resistant. It’s not a bag I would take canoeing, but I would be happy using it in prolonged heavy rain, although I would probably still use a rain cover with it.
In Use
Is the Bag Comfortable?
I find with bags that one which is comfortable for me may be uncomfortable for someone else. Although it sits well on my back, I found the top sides of the shoulder straps touched against my neck. They didn’t press hard, but I could feel it. However, I’m slightly larger than average. When my wife, who is much smaller than me, wore the bag, she didn’t experience this.
However, wearing just a shirt under the bag, both of us could feel the bottom carrying handle pushing into our backs. When wearing a thick coat, this wasn’t a problem.
Otherwise, the shoulder straps and back padding are comfortable.
Practicality
This 35 L bag is designed well for travelers and street photographers. It’s too small for a wildlife photographer, who would probably want the larger bag; Wandrd makes a 45 L version too. The bag is only just long enough to accommodate my OM System 150-400mm lens, but not with the camera attached or the lens hood in its operating position.
The two side openings are a good feature, allowing you to access your kit quickly.
There are so many pockets. I had to edit this article a few times because I repeatedly found new ones I hadn’t spotted before. Anyone using this bag must be organized to remember what they have stored where. Nevertheless, there are plenty of places to stash different bits of gear. The hidden passport and AirTag pockets are neat ideas.
The zipper pullers are large and easy to grab when wearing gloves. Being able to lock the double zips together so they can’t be opened unintentionally is a good feature. I found that feature a little fiddly and needed to remove my gloves to operate it. Note: the female puller must face the right way around to attach it to the male.
Between those hidden pockets and the zippers, I judge this to be a relatively secure bag for traveling.
The expansion section changes the bag’s capacity from 30 L to 35 L.
Sustainability and Ethics
Wandrd says this on their website:
WANDRD acknowledges the environmental impact of our products and strives to enhance sustainability practices. We prioritize partnerships with like-minded suppliers and constantly expand our knowledge of environmental effects. Our factory partner ensures ethical treatment and fosters excellent working conditions. WANDRD’s dedication aims to create a positive impact on people and the planet.
Although that statement looks good, the fact that Wandrd’s partners are certified by Bluesign or Oeko-Tex does not substantiate all its environmental credentials or display its CO2 footprint. Aiming to have a positive impact on people and the planet is not a statement of current practice or a real target. This is commonplace for most, though not all, manufacturers.
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved Next Time
What I Liked
- Great quality construction.
- Lots of storage options.
- Weatherproof.
- Fairly low-key and not obviously a camera bag.
- Good security features.
- The light gray interior makes it easy to see inside.
- The three ways to access the main compartment make it easy to use.
- Lots and lots of pockets.
- Claims good working ethics for its manufacturing staff.
What Could Be Improved Next Time
- The wide shoulder straps fixed to the bag at the top could have a more flexible design for larger people.
- The bottom carrying handle should not protrude beyond the padding so it touches one’s back.
- Substantiated data about the environmental impact and real targets published and met.
In Conclusion
This is a good travel camera bag. If taking it on a bus, train, or plane journey, strapping it on the back of a motorbike, or stashing gear under the bunk of a sailing boat, you won’t go far wrong. It has a balance between access and security, and it is reasonably weatherproof.
However, it’s not perfect. But, then again, I have yet to find a bag that is. I have tested some that don’t match this by a long way and others that have their small flaws. In this case, the bag was slightly let down in one area: comfort, due to two design flaws. I found the permanent attachment of the thick strap to the back of the bag too close together, so it rubbed on my neck, and I was constantly aware of the bottom grab handle pushing into my back.
Oh yes, and if you like a bag to have pockets, this is the one for you.
The Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack 35L is available from B&H for $299 in Black and Wasatch Green colorways. The larger 45L litre version costs $329
