Backpacking With Camera Gear

ByEmily Schrick

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As an outdoor photographer who loves hiking and backpacking to places far away from the parking lot, I often grapple with how much camera gear I should bring. The photographer in me screams to bring everything, and the thru-hiking backpacker reminds me that I often don’t use all the camera gear when I go out on excursions.

Below I am dumping my full list of camera items that could potentially come along with me on a backpacking trip, and what comes along with me 90% of the time. I’ll also discuss my favorite camera carrying methods while hiking and what beginners should consider when buying camera gear for the outdoors for the first time.

How To Choose Your Gear

I try to get down to the essence of a trip. For example, if astrophotography is important, the weather looks clear, and I have a vision of what an astrophotography creation could look like (including using the planning tools with the PhotoPills app) I will definitely bring my wide angle f 1.8 lens and a tripod.

On the flip-side, however, on my thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, I ended up sending my camera gear back home at the first trail town and sticking with my iPhone for the remainder of the 485 mile trail. This was because the rainstorms were unpredictable (camera weather protection), and I had a finite amount of time to complete the trail. Making miles was more important than taking great photographs, in this instance.

For nearly all of my backpacking trips I prioritize bringing my full frame mirrorless camera and a zoom lens, in addition to my phone camera. Depending on the length of trip and the priorities, I may bring my tripod, filters, and extra batteries.

What If I Don’t Have Camera Gear Yet?

If you’re reading this and are wondering what camera gear to buy for bringing on your backpacking trips, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions and be honest with your priorities!

If you love astrophotography and want to prioritize star photos, you want a full frame camera and a fast (f 2 or lower) lens. You’ll also want to go with a full frame camera if you intend on doing large prints of your photographs.

If you are not interested in night sky or printing, you really don’t need a full frame camera. You may need to consider a dual-slot camera though, which are usually only on full frame cameras, if you are nervous about memory card corruption and you’re going on once-in-a-lifetime trips.

I think interchangeable lenses are a non-negotiable if you are wanting to up your photography game from a phone camera, but they’re definitely not necessary if you’re a beginner.

For a lens, I would look at fixed aperture for higher quality and a medium-length zoom. Like a 24-70 or 24-105, especially if you want to limit changing lenses while outside. But if you love wide angle shots, the 16-35 might be more up your alley.

My #1 Beginner Outdoor Camera Pick
My Recommended full frame camera for backpacking

Methods for Carrying Your Camera Gear

Let’s face it. Backpacking is… dirty! We’re outside and exposed to the elements! There’s mud, snow, hard rocks, rain, dust, pollen… you name it, it’s out there! And camera gear can be super expensive. And something we don’t really want to get dirty and have the chance to break due to exposure to the elements.

I’ve been there. In Patagonia, my camera fell over while on the tripod due to extremely high winds, and my lens dented and the internal mechanism basically broke. That was a fun $500 bill to pay!

If you want to take professional grade photos out in the backcountry, you’re going to be exposing your gear to damage. It’s just something that you have to come to terms with. Let’s review the top three carrying methods I’ve tried with my full frame camera.

1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Camera Pod

The Hyperlite Camera Pod is a slightly padded, pared down camera case that fits your camera with lens attached. It has multiple backpack attachment methods and comes in two sizes.

The regular size is best for mirrorless and point and shoot cameras, and the large is best for full frame cameras with longer lenses. I use a Sony a7Riii with the 24-105 f/4 G lens and it fits great in the large pod with the lens hood on.

The pod does a really good job protecting your camera from precipitation. I was impressed in Patagonia when I was soaked – my camera stayed dry inside the pod. But, it wasn’t immune to humidity from my body heat, and I did have a foggy lens sometimes and needed it to air out.

It also does a good job of protecting the camera while scrambling, bushwhacking, and just setting your backpack down on the ground. But, it can lead to some false security. Nothing will fully protect your camera from the bumps and bruises it can pick up in the wild, especially if you are also scrambling, or doing any creek crossings, or if you fall down.

My main con is that I found the pod a little cumbersome for my short torso and frame and boobs – it takes up a lot of room on my chest! I also realized that I can’t see my feet when I look down while wearing it, which makes me uneasy to wear it on a technically challenging trail. This probably is not a problem for boobless people. It also gets a little hot on the chest.

I did a little DIY and got some cordage to lengthen the pod so it can hang a little lower on my chest, and it fits much better, and I can see my feet better, but it moves and sways more.

Some people might find that the pod fits better on their backpack hipbelt, but I was never able to figure out a good way to attach it and still have a usable hipbelt pocket. I tried once to attach it there and didn’t like the banging of the pod against my leg while hiking, so gave up on that attachment method and have stuck to the chest ever since.

Hyperlite camera pod (large size) in action.

2. Peak Design Capture Clip

The Peak Design Capture Clip is probably the most mainstream camera carrying method with outdoor photographers, and it’s the system I use when I’m not expecting bad weather.

The Capture Clip can attach to any strap-style item, like a backpack shoulder strap or hipbelt, and comes with low profile and long screws to help attach it to really padded backpacking pack straps.

Like the HMG pod, I prefer using the Capture Clip on my shoulder strap vs. hip belt – it just feels better overall. More specifically, I attach it to the piece of webbing on top of my shoulder strap to prevent ruining the padding of my strap, and because the padding is super thick. Attaching it here also reduces the likelihood of the clip rubbing on my arm or chest.

The clip is super convenient for being able to access your camera quickly and get the shot. I also like that it’s not directly on my chest. This makes it easier for taking my pack on and off.

The main con of the clip is weather protection. There is none. You’d have to pair it with Peak Design’s rain cover, but I find the cover to be a little cumbersome, clunky to use, and defeats the purpose of having the speed of the clip. Also, when you take your pack off, you need to be very careful when placing it down if the camera is attached to the clip.

The clip also creates a lopsided weight distribution. I have had shoulders and my neck tighten up on the side of the pack I’m wearing the camera on before, and on certain packs I just can’t find the right spot for the clip and my body.

It’s also pretty annoying to move the clip if you change packs often, though I do recommend removing the clip when you’re not using it on a backpacking pack. I permanently squished shoulder pack padding once by leaving the clip on the pack.

Sony camera on the Peak Design clip

3. Fanny Pack

A fanny pack is actually my favorite way to carry my camera gear. I just haven’t found one that is the right size for my camera and lens combination. I tried a 2.5L fanny pack from Chicken Tramper Gear, but the combo is just a little too big. I think a 3-3.5 L fanny pack would be necessary.

I like that it sits right on my hip, like my hipbelt does. The weight distribution is much more even. It has a lower profile than the HMG Pod and I can see my feet even when wearing it. It also allows me to keep my shoulder straps free for holding my phone and Garmin inReach, and there’s no worry about arm chafing.

I also like that it stays on my body if I take my pack off. Sometimes if I get to a viewpoint for a break, I leave my pack and wander around a bit. It’s nice to just have the camera on me already and not have to hold it or remove it from the pack. It’s a tiny thing, but I like it. It also allows me to use packs with a running-vest style shoulder harness.

Plus, it’s so much less awkward taking the camera out of the fanny pack at your waist level than lifting up at your chest level.

Cons to the fanny pack are it has less weather protection and padding than the pod, and fanny pack waist straps are not super comfortable. It’s usually a 1-inch thick band of webbing supporting a full frame camera of 3+ lbs. Not great!

Drone Storage

I have not yet brought my drone backpacking with me because I mainly backpack in federally designated wilderness, where drones are prohibited. If I did bring it though, I would put my drone and controller inside of a waterproof roll-top dry sack and wrap it inside of my sleeping quilt or puffy jacket inside of my pack’s waterproof pack liner.

Accessories Storage

For storing the accessories like my cleaning kit and any extra filters, I use a roll-top dry sack, which can also fit my small extra lens, and I wrap that up in my puffy jacket or quilt inside my waterproof liner in the backpack.

Tripods have to be carried in the side exterior pocket of the backpack.

The Outdoor Photographer’s Pack List

Here’s a list of everything I bring with me. Everything is compiled in the embedded link below for easy browsing and shopping, if you’re interested!

Camera & Lenses

Camera Carrying Solutions

Camera Accessories

Sony a7riii, Peak Design Leash on the Peak Design carbon tripod in Torres del Paine.

Camera Cleaning Supplies

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Lens brush
  • Air blower
  • Lens wipes
  • Sensor cleaning swabs

Which Items Do I Bring 90% of the Time?

  • Sony Alpha a7Riii Mirrorless Camera
  • Sony FE 24-105 mm f/4 G Lens
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • Peak Design Capture 3.0 Clip
  • Polar Pro Circular Polarizer Filter
  • Peak Design Everyday Case (iPhone)
  • Peak Design Mobile Tripod (iPhone)
  • Sony 128 GB SF-M Series Tough UHS-II Memory Cards
  • Lens wipes

Shop My Top Camera Gear Picks

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Emily is an avid outdoorswoman who has trekked 5,000+ miles in the backcountry, including a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. She's added international hiking to her resume in countries like Chile, Argentina, Peru, Canada, France, Iceland, Montenegro, and more! She's on a quest to visit all USA National Parks (23/63 so far) Her passions include outdoor adventure photography and helping others get outside in amazing places around the world. Her writing and photography has been featured in Trails Magazine, Gossamergear.com, and the Pacific Crest Trail Association. When she's not outside hiking or writing about it, she's probably snuggled on the couch with her three labradors listening to Taylor Swift and drinking Philz coffee.

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2 Comments

  1. Great overview, really helped clarify what essentials to bring along. Quick question, though—between choosing the full frame mirrorless and the crop sensor, considering weight and space, do you find there’s a noticeable difference in quality for typical landscape shots on this kind of trip? Also, do you have a go-to method for protecting your gear from unpredictable weather like you mentioned on the Colorado Trail? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Anselm,
      In regard to full frame vs. crop sensor, it depends on a few things. If you want to shoot astrophotography, print larger then 8×10, want to crop in on your images in post-production, or use full frame lenses, go full frame. If none of those things matter to you, crop sensor is fine and will save you weight and space. For the best weather protection for a camera, I would use the Hyperlite Camera Pod.

      Reply