The key to choosing a suitable camera bag for street photography can be neatly summed up in the familiar phrase “travel light.”
Needless to say, the same goes for travel photography. In both of these leisurely pursuits, you don’t want to be weighed down by excessive loads of gear while you’re wandering but still have something to snugly carry it in – and instant access to whatever you require the moment you need it, along with protection from the elements and other unscripted shocks along the way.
Read What to Look for When Choosing A Camera Bag
We’ve rounded up five of our favourite camera bags for street and travel photography. They’re as practical as they are stylish, and any one of them would make great company on your next solo excursion into the streets, at home or abroad.
Peak Design Everyday Sling 3L – Ash
San Francisco-based Peak Design takes great pride not only in the quality of its products but also in the company’s socially conscious approach to manufacturing.
First launched in 2016, their Everyday Sling bag was recently overhauled based on feedback from loyal customers, resulting in a lighter, more streamlined design. Marketed as “the ideal minimalist one-camera bag,” it’s easy to see why the Everyday Sling remains a perennial favourite.
Compact but with enough room for a single camera body and lens plus a few accessories, it can also be worn comfortably as a hip bag out in the field and during your commute.
Features
- 0.45kg weight
- Nylon/canvas material
- FlexFold internal divider
- Weatherproof exterior shell
- Two large and four small internal stretchy pockets
- Two external carry straps
The Cotton Carrier HYKER Slingbag is an excellent – but not necessarily obvious – choice for street photography, especially for photographers who prioritize fast camera access, gear security and comfort over a traditional, minimalist aesthetic.
Its hallmark is an ability to keep a camera secure while allowing for rapid one-handed shooting, ensuring you never miss a fleeting street moment. The HYKER locks the camera securely against your torso, providing stability while walking or navigating crowded city streets.
Keep in mind, however, that it forgoes the discreet or stealthy look favoured by some street photographers, because the camera is mounted externally and is highly visible.
The 12L capacity makes room for additional lenses, personal items or a tablet, and includes a removable padded insert for organized storage. Constructed from water-repellent N400d nylon with YKK zippers, it keeps gear safe in unpredictable weather.
Features
- DSLR/lens insert bag compatibility
- 27x38x16.5cm dimensions
- Twist & Lock mount on the shoulder strap
- 12L capacity
- Water-resistant N400D nylon material construction
- YKK zippers and UTX buckles
Manfrotto Advanced2 Camera Messenger M
This is another versatile option for street photography. Offering quick access to gear, it’s best suited to shooters who like to carry a mirrorless or DSLR camera with multiple lenses or small accessories.
It’s designed to look like a standard messenger bag, which helps you blend in, and can comfortably hold a camera with up to three lenses plus a 14-inch laptop.
The top zipper lets you grab your camera instantly without opening the main flap, crucial for those candid street moments.
It also comes with a stabilizer strap, making it comfortable to carry for extended walking sessions, and the internal tripod bungee cords are best suited to securing items like small compact tripods.
It features a coated, water-repellent fabric and includes a rain protector that comes in handy for unpredictable city weather.
Features
- Holds a DLSR with a 70-200 lens, plus two lenses
- 39×19.5x28cm exterior dimensions
- 36x13x26cm interior dimensions
- 1kg weight
Tenba
New York City-based Tenba is known for one thing and one thing only: innovative well-crafted soft-sided camera bags for the most discerning photographers. It’s no coincidence – and no wonder – that three of its products round out our list of top sellers.
Tenba Messenger DNA 11 Graphite
The Messenger DNA 11 was designed to withstand the rigours that New York City bike messengers typically face, but with an interior that’s thoughtfully optimized to protect even the most delicate cameras, lenses and gear.
With a pedigree like that, you know that this has got to be good. A tapered front flap provides superb weatherproof coverage, and the patented Quick Access zipper lets you swiftly and securely swap out cameras and lenses without even opening the front flap. Nylon construction keeps the whole thing nice and lightweight.
- 33x24x19cm exterior
- 30x23x18cm interior
- 1.1kg weight
Tenba DNA 16 Slim Messenger Bag – Black
Designed for everything from urban exploration to adventure travel, this supple but sturdy messenger bag can hold a mirrorless or DSLR camera with up to six lenses (including an attached telephoto zoom up to 200mm) as well as a flash and additional accessories.
Thanks to its seam-sealed waterproof base, you can safely place the bag on a wet surface, worry-free, even for extended lengths of time.
- 40x30x14cm exterior
- 37x29x10cm interior
- 1kg weight