I've skimmed through Amazon, looked at bags at some local stores here in Toronto, and even looked at modular tactical bags. But, I have yet to find something that clicks with me as the "right" thing.

I'm currently exploring with an old MEC Pod Sling Pack, which looks like this:


You Ready? by Rusty Canadian, on Flickr

I started using it for explores before I bought my D3400, and I continue to use it because all its upsides still far outweigh the major downside of no padding.

These are the reasons I love and continue to use this bag:

• Its compact size and low profile; I can climb and crawl with ease,
• Water bottle slot,
  
• Loops and straps to hang it somewhere, or slip stuff to,
  
• It holds my camera + 50-200mm lens + other must-haves.
  

The last point is important to me. This is the core of what I pack for explores:



...If I need, I can even fit the contents of my pockets (wallet, keys, knife, phone) plus some smaller things in addition as needed.

All this is to ask, what bags do people with DSLRs use for exploring? Are you able to fit extra stuff plus your camera gear in your bags? Based on your experiences with bags, what would you recommend based on what I would be looking for in a bag?

I'm looking for a bag that's camera-friendly and has space for additional camera gear (extra lens, tripod strap) plus gear (water bottle slot a big bonus). It doesn't have to be single strap, but a reasonable-sized profile on my back is a must (I'm small too).

I use a bag I bought on B&H a year or two ago. It fit's all of my gear but it's kinda small. I'm 13 and it's small on me. It fits lots of stuff-two bodies (camera, not human), 4 lenses, a small drone, and any accessories you want depending on how you pack-but it's just a small bag. It covers maybe 2/3 of my tiny back but extrudes like a foot and a half. This makes climbing/crawling impossible. They make it in a bigger version so that would fit better. If you're going on a long trip where you need a lot of stuff then this would be good. The price is probably the main reason why I bought it.

I have the 45 but I suggest the 65: https://www.bhphot...dslr_backpack.html

And in case you were wondering how small the small one is, here's a rare photo of me wearing it from a while ago.

There's another thread about this somewhere but I'll leave the same comment here anyways...

Make your own. I have plans drawn up, just need materials.

I have a small Kata sling bag that's amazing. Best part is, it's difficult for someone to figure out how to open it, so it's relatively safe in crowded areas. Kata isn't a popular name, and the bag is designed in a way that it's not immediately obvious that it's a camera bad. I can pack a Canon 5D with a grip, plus 3 lenses and filters. It's small, but holds a lot.

Here's a new model of the one I have.
http://www.kata-ba...sling-backpack.htm

Posted by Furious D I have a small Kata sling bag that's amazing. Best part is, it's difficult for someone to figure out how to open it, so it's relatively safe in crowded areas. Kata isn't a popular name, and the bag is designed in a way that it's not immediately obvious that it's a camera bad. I can pack a Canon 5D with a grip, plus 3 lenses and filters. It's small, but holds a lot. Here's a new model of the one I have. http://www.kata-ba...sling-backpack.htm

Before Kata got bought out 10 years ago they had the best cam chest sling.
No longer make it
Looks like ballistic armor and was really useful.
I'm still hording an unused one and use the other one to this day to carry stuff after 11 years.

For explores, I use a Lowepro format 160. In it, I'm able to cram my Canon Rebel T4i, a couple lenses, a few batteries and SD cards, my P100 respirator, my GoPro, pepper spray, a small Maglite, and sometimes, a water bottle. It's a little too small for my liking though.

I just leave the drone in the car in it's case as I hate carrying it around.

At home, I have a Canon Gadget Bag 1EG. I'm able to fit all of my lenses, accessories, and a couple of point and shoots in it. This is way too big to haul around, but I highly recommend it. For the GoPro, I use a Pelican Case.

I'm looking for a good backpack for urbexing as the bag is a bit annoying.

Post by ryanpics I use a bag I bought on B&H a year or two ago.

That one you linked protrudes from the back more than I'd ideally prefer. But in skimming the site, this one piqued my interest: https://www.bhphot...ack_gray_blue.html

Post by YotaMan20 Make your own. I have plans drawn up, just need materials.

The idea of buying a pack and modifying it to my liking has certainly crossed my mind. I've definitely seen a tactical bag or two that would be good bases to build on.

Post by jc0507 For explores, I use a Lowepro format 160. In it, I'm able to cram my Canon Rebel T4i, a couple lenses, a few batteries and SD cards, my P100 respirator, my GoPro, pepper spray, a small Maglite, and sometimes, a water bottle. It's a little too small for my liking though. I just leave the drone in the car in it's case as I hate carrying it around.

Swap out some of those items, and that's basically what I carry with me in my current bag. I have a Maglite XL50 which I carry in a belt holster most of the time.
In my current situation, having a car to leave things in is not a luxury that I have, which is why I need a bag with a tripod clip, and some additional space so I don't have to make compromises on necessities such as my little first aid kit (It's been used twice now, I don't like leaving it at home anymore).

Posted by Fleeting The idea of buying a pack and modifying it to my liking has certainly crossed my mind. I've definitely seen a tactical bag or two that would be good bases to build on.

The trick is to get good quality thread. You don't want a seam breaking down while exploring!


Something like this is worth carrying, even if you don't swap cards often.

I have one of these:
https://www.amazon...4&keywords=lowepro

but I don't do a lot of hard core exploring so there may be a much better solution.

Just bumping the thread to announce that I made a bag purchase!

After seeing another camera owner with a shoulder tactical bag, and how much in addition to the camera it could hold, that idea stuck with me more and more.

I compiled a list of various shoulder tactical/molle bags I could find. I tried one out at a store and very quickly, I was sold.

This is the bag I purchased: https://www.ncstar...onders-utility-bag

The straps can be adjusted to be shoulder, sling, or backpack. I plan to add a water bottle holster, and a means to clip on a tripod. So far, I have added padding to the bottom, and a divider for a lens.

I use a military surplus musette bag for a stealth camera case. You don't always want to announce what you're carrying depending on the area you are in. They're all over ebay and probably in your local surplus store, if you have any around. I have a modular insert that pads my old Rebel and lenses, as well as other small odds and ends that I like to carry on outings. Try
https://www.amazon...ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1
Which will fit inside
https://www.ebay.c...g:MFwAAOSw1iVb0XMJ
You can probably find both cheaper with more searching, but the combo has worked for me.
Unscrupulous folks looking for a mark will zero in on the guy with an obvious camera case. Carrying a ratty surplus day bag? Probably not so much. Of course, all bets are off when you sling a tripod over your shoulder, so ymmv.

I have two bags but I mostly use the LowePro Fastback, I think that was the name of it. It’s small and lightweight and just an all around great bag.

It's funny that I just found this thread because I was thinking of starting one similar. I really like my current backpack because it's fairly small but large enough to hold my gear plus a few other random things (and lots of pockets). I like the modular set up that you can customize depending on what you need.

I've been so pleased with it, I'm thinking about just buying it again or maybe investing in the newer version. The biggest disadvantage is that it's not cheap (about $160.00 US for the new one). That said, it has been my experience you get what you pay for.

It's well made, comfortable to wear, and it will take quite a beating. It's even survived more than one incident involving barbed wire. The "pro" version is even waterproof, apparently. It will also hold a tripod, which is important for me.