Tags - Active-Traveller

Best Cross Body Bags for Travel

2024-05-21T13:50:25+00:00

Wherever you roam, having the right bag along for the ride will make all the difference - check out our list of the very best cross body bags for travel.

Best Travel Backpacks: Ten of the best to buy now

2023-05-02T14:32:54+00:00

These are the best travel backpacks you can buy this season, at a range of pricepoints and styles, that'll suit the most casual and dedicated traveller alike. From a trekking holiday in the Alps to a city break, these are the backpacks you'll want on your back.

Luggage Locks and How to Choose Them

2024-07-15T12:42:04+00:00

Whether you’re setting out on a short city break, a lengthy backpacking tour or a family holiday, keeping your belongings as safe as possible is pretty essential. The obvious choice is to use a travel luggage lock to secure the pairs of zips together on your suitcase or bag, but which to choose, and why? Stay tuned for our rundown of the best luggage locks and locking straps for luggage available today.

Shimoda Carry-On Roller V2 Review: Rolling luggage with a twist

2024-09-23T10:30:54+00:00

Shimoda are rapidly rising to the top of the list as luggage makers for adventure photographers. We’ve reviewed their rucksacks before and rated them extremely highly, so were curious to see if they could transfer their attention to detail and rugged construction to something a little more focussed on comfortable travel.

Best Daypacks for Hiking: Daysacks for every outdoor adventure

2023-05-30T14:50:16+00:00

Choosing the best daypack for you is a complex decision, and there's a confusing amount of rucksack and backpack crossover to deal with into the bargain. Let us explain.

Best Hiking Backpacks 2023

2021-03-17T12:18:00+00:00

Our pick of the best hiking backpacks, essential tools for everything from hiking up mountains to rambling over rolling countryside, serious walking expeditions to overnight camping trips.

Osprey Talon 22 Backpack

2023-02-09T13:13:02+00:00

The Talon 22 appears to be the gold standard in osprey hiking backpacks. It's a perennial bestseller in Osprey’s range, get your hands on it and you'll immediately see why.

Shimoda Action X30 backpack

2022-10-12T12:56:58+00:00

For travel and adventure photography, comfortably carrying a load is everything - we put the Shimoda Action X30 to the test.

Berghaus Remote Hike 25 Backpack

2022-08-26T13:54:50+00:00

We put Berghaus' brand new Remote Hike 25 backpack to the test on a series of challenging day hikes, find out what we thought in our in-depth review.

Manfrotto Pro Light Backloader Camera Backpack

2022-08-22T13:31:51+00:00

This is one of Manfrotto's more compact camera backpacks but still sits in their 'Pro' series. Although compact in size it swallows a surprising amount of gear.

Inside the bag, you get Manfrotto's industry-leading M-Guard protection system featuring high-density EVA foam dividers. As with most decent camera bags, the dividers are adjustable to your needs. Plenty of dividers are included to achieve whatever setup works for you. In essence, this pack can fit everything you need in it for a pro shoot, with space for up to three full-frame mirrorless cameras plus multiple lenses.

What we feel elevates this pack though, is the fantastic design of the additional compartments around the bag. Under the main lid, you'll find three mesh pockets plus a laptop sleeve that fits large photo editing laptops. Within the front zip pocket, there are another three stretch mesh pockets, plus a large dump compartment for extra gear. There's a stretch pocket on each side of the bag perfect for water bottles or indeed tripods which are secured with adjustable straps. A zipped pocket at the top of the Pro Light Backloader offers quick access, although we found this a bit fiddly in use and a bit tight to get your camera out of without scratching it on the zip.

Externally, the bag is made from a thick and super durable ripstop fabric. The YKK zips are of excellent quality and all run smoothly without any snags. And there are additional features that make the Pro Light Backloader travel worthy, like the suitcase mounting strap and security zips. The three main zips feature metal cords which can be locked shut with the included padlock providing an excellent visual deterrent from thieves.

Carrying the Pro Light Backloader is a joy even fully loaded. The shoulder straps are fairly heavily cushioned and there's a good bit of cushioning on the back panel too, with a deep air ventilation channel down the middle. A handy sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps in place but there is no hip belt at the waist to provide additional stability.

Overall this is a fantastic, travel-friendly camera and drone backpack. It's compact, lightweight, and comfortable to use. The space inside is absolutely adequate for most types of pro-level gear, and the build quality is second to none.