Petite women size? Any comfortable travel camera backpack?

Most comfortable and properly sized travel backpack for petite women is the Osprey Fairview 40 or 55 . It has the right torso height sizing for waist/hip load distribution, but its for hiking/travel; no camera functionality. Workaround is to stuff it with camera inserts, but not as easy to access the camera in/out.

Tried out several bags types from Lowepro, Manfrotto, Mindshift, Peak Design, ThinkTank, F-Stop, & Wandrd.

Either the straps are painful/uncomfortable to wear like the peak design everyday or it is isn't sized correctly for petite women dimensions; often only 1 size to pick from.

Any comfortable travel camera backpack out there I missed checking out?

Does it have to be a backpack?

I don't know about petite women, but I know I like to carry my camera in a messenger bag, and take as little stuff as I think I can get away with.

I'm not bothered with inserts because they won't fit in my side-carrying bag anyway. I like the bag because it is safe (under my arm) and so easily accessed (even when walking).

It is a concious decision not to take too much stuff with me. I love stuff, I really do. But having it all means I'm changing lenses and playing with tripods or filters, instead of making photographs.

Does this help?

techie takes pics said:

Does it have to be a backpack?

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Yes

techie takes pics said:

I don't know about petite women, but I know I like to carry my camera in a messenger bag, and take as little stuff as I think I can get away with.

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Purpose of a backpack is for times when you want to carry a heavy load for travel/hiking etc. Messenger bags are great for short trips & minimal stuff.

techie takes pics said:

I'm not bothered with inserts because they won't fit in my side-carrying bag anyway. I like the bag because it is safe (under my arm) and so easily accessed (even when walking).

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Insert is a workaround to retrofit bags that aren't designed specifically for camera gear. About the only option now.

techie takes pics said:

It is a concious decision not to take too much stuff with me. I love stuff, I really do. But having it all means I'm changing lenses and playing with tripods or filters, instead of making photographs.

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That is what I strive for usually, but not always possible.

You say you're a petite woman but we don't really know what that means.

For reference, I'm 5'3" 136 lbs with a 38" chest and 30" waist. I have a wingspan of 5'8". I have a lowepro photo hatchback BP 150 AWII that fits me perfectly. Not a lot of room for camera gear though. I also have a lowepro flipside trek BP 350 AW. Much more room for gear and it still fits comfortably.

ISO 1 Million said:

You say you're a petite woman but we don't really know what that means.

For reference, I'm 5'3" 136 lbs with a 38" chest and 30" waist. I have a wingspan of 5'8". I have a lowepro photo hatchback BP 150 AWII that fits me perfectly. Not a lot of room for camera gear though. I also have a lowepro flipside trek BP 350 AW. Much more room for gear and it still fits comfortably.

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4'9", 95lbs, 26" waist, 31" chest

For perspective, imagine as 10-12yr old size.

c0nfund0 said:

ISO 1 Million said:

You say you're a petite woman but we don't really know what that means.

For reference, I'm 5'3" 136 lbs with a 38" chest and 30" waist. I have a wingspan of 5'8". I have a lowepro photo hatchback BP 150 AWII that fits me perfectly. Not a lot of room for camera gear though. I also have a lowepro flipside trek BP 350 AW. Much more room for gear and it still fits comfortably.

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4'9", 95lbs, 26" waist, 31" chest

For perspective, imagine as 10-12yr old size.

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Oh wow! You weren't kidding when you said you are petite. I recommend the lowepro photo hatchback BP 150 AWII. It's a very compact backpack that should fit you well. It also opens up from the back preventing thieves from stealing your gear when you're walking around.

The only downside is that the camera compartment is rather small. I don't think a FF DSLR will fit in there even with a pancake lens. I'm able to fit my A7riii with a 16-35mm f4 and a 55mm in there though.

Hope this helps.

i am 5’4”, 130lbs and use the Peak Designs Everyday 20. I know there was something about it you didn’t like, but did you use it with the waist straps and ‘across the chest’ cinch? Those straps help distribute the load more evenly and keep the pack close to your body for good balance. I realize you are considerably smaller, but I can’t imagine carrying something larger for long periods of time. Good luck and let us know what you find.

PoetDoc said:

i am 5’4”, 130lbs and use the Peak Designs Everyday 20. I know there was something about it you didn’t like, but did you use it with the waist straps and ‘across the chest’ cinch? Those straps help distribute the load more evenly and keep the pack close to your body for good balance. I realize you are considerably smaller, but I can’t imagine carrying something larger for long periods of time. Good luck and let us know what you find.

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If you read user comments & reviews people say the everyday 30L is uncomfortable, but to a petite person a 20L will feel like a 30L. The problem is the straps are made of dense ridge foam which doesn't conform well to the shoulder of some people. The sternum and waist strap does help the load, but doesn't really make it any more comfortable.

Contact Deanne Fitzmaurice at Thinktank Photo about your needs.

Ellis Vener said:

Contact Deanne Fitzmaurice at Thinktank Photo about your needs.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
And follow me on instagram @therealellisv

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Contacted and these are her suggestions

StreetWalker v2.0 - 16.5" torso length
https://www.thinktankphoto.com//collections/streetwalker-series/products/streetwalker-v2

FirstLight 20L - 17" torso length + hipbelt harness
https://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/firstlight-20l

I'm 5'3, 140 pounds, and I have used this backpack and found it very comfortable. The version I have has a camelbak water reservoir, which I like for carrying water. It's an old model and may not be available, but I imagine Lowepro has similar bags. The straps are thin but comfortable.

Lowepro Flipside Sport 15L AW

The Tahoe was the most comfortable for me, mostly based on the straps. You've probably noticed that any backpack showing three columns of gear are going to be too big, so these are all narrower / two column type bags.


I also liked this one when I looked at it in the store, even though it's a sling instead of a backpack. I may just get this one if it's still around.
Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW
A couple of youtube reviews:

These had thicker straps that I found uncomfortable at the armpits.
Lowepro Slingshot Edge 150 AW
Lowepro Fastback BP 250 AW

Finally found something that fits properly & comfortable for the short, small, & petite.

Osprey Kode 32 or Kamber 32 (newer model replacing the Kode) in S/M or M/L sizes. But, there is also a women specific version Kresta 32!

It is designed for outdoor skiing/hiking, but it has rear panel access that work well for carrying camera gear with some inserts of your choice. Many people use TrekPak or F-Stop ICU or Tenba/Pacsafe. Basically functions like all the other camera specific backpack which let you access from the rear while supported by the waist strap.

The big plus is Osprey has been in the backpack field for a while, quality stuff, know their ergonomics, proven design and their strap harness support system is very comfortable. Most camera bag is protection first and comfort/ergo as an afterthought.

dachshund7 said:

dachshund7 wrote:
Lowepro Fastback BP 250 AW

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I have this bag, great for short duration, but sucks wearing it for long periods.

I have done some research on those back opening ski packs. If you have not ordered the Osprey yet, here is something to consider.

On Osprey Kamber/Kresta packs, the zipper for back opening runs on top of the/encircling the shoulder straps. So if you do not put down the bag somewhere and just hold a strap with one hand to open the zipper then everything will fall out. I am not explaining it well, but you will understand when you see the images.

Similar ski packs with the zipper running inside the straps are mammut nirvana pro or evoc patrol series.

Another option could be REI Ruckpack 28 or 40 travel backpacks. They are not like Osprey fairpoint and has a side opening from where you can access camera inserts. Also check out female specific version of Osprey stratos packs. They have similar side openings.

Rajeshb said:

I have done some research on those back opening ski packs. If you have not ordered the Osprey yet, here is something to consider.

On Osprey Kamber/Kresta packs, the zipper for back opening runs on top of the/encircling the shoulder straps. So if you do not put down the bag somewhere and just hold a strap with one hand to open the zipper then everything will fall out. I am not explaining it well, but you will understand when you see the images.

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Not sure what you are trying to describe, but I would put the entire bag down or use the waist strap like this?

Rajeshb said:

Similar ski packs with the zipper running inside the straps are mammut nirvana pro or evoc patrol series.

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Do they have petite women sizes?

Rajeshb said:

Another option could be REI Ruckpack 28 or 40 travel backpacks. They are not like Osprey fairpoint and has a side opening from where you can access camera inserts. Also check out female specific version of Osprey stratos packs. They have similar side openings.

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REI ruckpack doesn't have well supported waist strap, just some webbing. I'd be better off sticking with the Osprey fairview XS/S because I know it fits well & comfortable, just doesn't have rear access.

c0nfund0 said:

Finally found something that fits properly & comfortable for the short, small, & petite.

Osprey Kode 32 or Kamber 32 (newer model replacing the Kode) in S/M or M/L sizes. But, there is also a women specific version Kresta 32!

It is designed for outdoor skiing/hiking, but it has rear panel access that work well for carrying camera gear with some inserts of your choice. Many people use TrekPak or F-Stop ICU or Tenba/Pacsafe. Basically functions like all the other camera specific backpack which let you access from the rear while supported by the waist strap.

The big plus is Osprey has been in the backpack field for a while, quality stuff, know their ergonomics, proven design and their strap harness support system is very comfortable. Most camera bag is protection first and comfort/ergo as an afterthought.

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Thank you for the Osprey recommendation! Those bags have so many good features. The extreme weather in my area is desert, so the Sirrus or Tempest would be good choices with the mesh airflow system. (Although it was fun to think about being in snow!)

I wanted to follow up after my trip to REI. I haven’t bought a backpack in so long that I had no clue about proper fit. I picked an Osprey model from what I saw online. At REI I put it on and went over to the mirror. Hmm... the top of the pack was several inches away from my shoulders. Well, it didn’t really fit me. A sales person helped me and we went through all of the womens-specific packs and settled on a Gregory Jade 28 in medium. She also gave a brief demo on how to pack and put them on, then stuffed the pack with some weight so I could see how it felt.

The point isn’t that the Gregory bag is better, but that it fit me properly. You all may know this already, but there’s a process to fitting these bags. I’m so glad I have an REI nearby because their sales staff is excellent. (And now I see there’s plenty of info on YouTube about all of this.)

Yup fit is very important especially for women as there tend to be fewer options available. Even after fitting you won't exactly know how you like it until actually hiking with a load for hours.

Another thing to note is REI doesn't always have all their packs available. Osprey Fairview backpack fits me best, but it was such a hot item none of the 3 REI store in my areas has it in stock to even try out. Had to backorder online, buy they will take exchange returns in-store.

I have a bias towards Osprey since I own several of their backpacks and love their life time no question asked warranty repair. They fixed one of my packs when I tore it on a trip to Japan free.

Im a little late to this post, but I too, am a petite woman (5’1, 105lbs), and have been arduously searching for the perfect camera/hiking/travel backpack, and after 3 years, I may have just found it!! To be fair, I just ordered it today, so I dont have any hands on info for you yet (will happily add that when I get it), but it checks the boxes on paper! Its the Brevite Rolltop camera backpack.


For me, (without giving you my very lengthy, and picky description of my perfect bag) It has to be a bag big enough to carry my camera equipment, plus person items, like water bottle, jacket, snacks, etc. but not something bigger than I was. I also hate the heavy, stiff, bulky construction all camera backpacks seem to have. I also wanted my camera to be easily accessible from a side pocket. What ive been using is a regular backpack from Timbuk2, that has a lined laptop pocket, accessible from a side zipper. Its been ok, but not ideal.

This bag by Brevite looks pliable and light, like a regular backpack, and is water resistant. It has lots of pockets and compartments, and a side access for your camera that leads to a lift out customizable camera section. It also has some cool features like a lens cap holder on the strap, and TWO possible places to carry your tripod. Its a 20L bag, so my only concern is it might be bigger than Id like, but I feel the lightweight pliable nature of the bag might make up for its size (or so Im hoping). Its a rolltop back too, so you may be able to roll it down to a bit smaller size. Oh! And its also not as crazy expensive as Ive seen any bag with the description “Camera” on it. $140 without insert, $185 with. Hey, if it turns out to be THE perfect bag, its worth it.

Like I said, I only just saw/ordered it today, but would more than happy to give you an update, with a pick of how it fits my small frame, if you like.

A problem I have faced with backpacks and camera bags in general is that the smaller the bag the less likely the manufacturer has bothered to provide good should straps that are padded or to provide a real weight supporting waist band.

Two exceptions are the Gura Gear 26L that has been discontinued and the Kiboko 22L which has been re-released by Tamrac.

A separate problem is that for air travel I need a bag that is a maximum of 9 inches and preferably 8 inches in depth so it fits in any overhead bin on a plane. The Tamrac backpacks are noticeably deficient in this regard.

I recommend buying from a place like B&H where it is easy to do returns if an item disappoints as it is often a trial and error process and camera stores stopped carrying bags a decade ago.