I didn’t know how hard it was to find a reliable backpack for both travelling and photography, until I needed one. Thankfully, after a friendly suggestion I came across WANDRD’s PRVKE backpack. Yes, I know that’s a lot of acronyms. The company’s name is WANDRD, and the backpack is PRVKE.
Anyways, a while back I started investing in new lenses for my DSLR, then a new camera—and at the same time quickly outgrew my old camera storage packs.
To buy something new, I needed it to withstand my reality, which involves not only photography, but also travelling and hiking.
Until finding WANDRD’s products, most of my options were side pouches, or backpacks with really mixed reviews. From a sustainability standpoint, I wasn’t willing to invest in something that couldn’t uphold my lifestyle and its inherent demands.
The PRVKE backpack by WANDRD was a hidden gem, and I’m so glad I came across it. It’s everything in one, comfortable, loads of storage and safely holds my camera gear. And, most importantly it’s the perfect travel and hiking companion.
I’ve broken this article up into a few different sections touching on why this pack checks all the boxes. This includes what the backpack’s about, what it holds, why it’s perfect for hiking and travelling and accessibility.
The WANDRD PRVKE Backpack: What’s it About?
WANDRD’s PRVKE backpack is a do-all for the adventurer. It’s not just for photographers, or those who carry camera equipment around. But, it is a big reason why the backpack is so great. As I’ve found, it’s not easy to come across a backpack that can do everything, and reliable enough to carry camera equipment.
It’s crazy to say, but WANDRD’s PRVKE backpack is the best for photography, travelling, hiking, and everyday life. The PRVKE comes with a few different options, both a 21 litre and 31 litre as the backpack only, then two photography bundles for each. There’s the normal, and the pro photography bundles.
Both are differentiated by how much they carry. The pro bundle comes with a Pro Camera Cube, instead of the regular bundle that has the regular Camera Cube. The pro bundle carries slightly more than the other.
If you just need storage for your camera and not a bag with it, WNDRD sells its camera cubes as stand alone products: WANDRD Accessories and Camera Cubes
Both photography bundles also come with accessory straps, a hip belt and a rainfly, in addition to the backpack and Camera Cube. The Camera Cube itself is a minimalist, non-bulky cozy (and safe) home for you camera gear. It’s an optional add-on for all PRVKE backpack sizes and colours.
What Does it Hold?
If you need more camera equipment storage, go crazy and get the pro bundle. To see exactly what it can fit in each bag and camera cube, head on over to WANDRD’s website.
I have the 31 litre, PRVKE photography bundle and it holds all I need. While travelling, it holds my camera equipment full-time.
Camera equipment it holds includes:
- DSLR camera body
- Two small lenses
- One medium lens
- One large lens
- Extra batteries and charger
- Small drone with all its extra batteries and remote
Non-camera equipment:
- MacBook Pro and charger
- Extra cables and adapters
- Hard drive
- And... there's still extra space!
Although this isn't on the forefront of everyone's mind, it's also the perfect flying companion.
If purchasing the backpack with a photography bundle, there's also additional space in the upper section of the pack for clothing or anything else. The backpack rolls up for extra storage in this section.
Taking PRVKE Hiking and Outdoors
Probably my favourite part about the PRVKE is that it's not just a bag for photography equipment. It's a high quality backpack made to go anywhere and everywhere. Especially when it comes to hiking and the outdoors.
Travelling and living in a van, I needed a backpack which is compact and able to play multiple roles. PRVKE does exactly this, it's the perfect carry-on for flying, and the perfect hiking backpack too.
Or, if I'm doing an overnight or multiple hiking trip and need a bigger backpack, I can take out the Camera Cube to use it separately. Using the cube in my larger backpack means my camera equipment is still safe. And when I'm ready, I can velcro-strap the cube right back into PRVKE when it's time.
With heavy camera equipment, the backpack is comfortable and weather-proof to withstand the elements. This is why PRVKE is made with waterproof materials and weather-resistant zippers. Or if it's really rainy, I use the rainfly for extra protection. I also find where the camera equipment sits is a comfortable position for my back, the straps and the entire backpack. Same goes for the tripod on the side. If it's not feeling comfortable there on a hike, then used the included straps to hook it somewhere else such as on the bottom.
Photography-wise, the backpack comes with an easy access for a camera body (with lens attached), so you don't have to sit the pack down to pull out gear. Alternatively, the accessory straps can be used to access the backpack standing up as well. Which is good for changing lenses. This makes photographing while hiking or just outdoors so much easier.
Travelling with WANDRD's PRVKE
There's no better backpack than one that can do it all. When it comes to WANDRD's PRVKE, that's exactly why I love it. I've never flown with it (um, thanks COVID) but, when I do I know it's the prefect carry-on for flying. Because let's face it, there's no way your expensive camera gear should go in carry on luggage that isn't suited for holding said expensive gear.
That's right, there's no need to sacrifice space or travel with extra gear such as a specific camera bag. The PRVKE will carry everything and more, especially my 32L size! There's also now a 41L size to hold even more camera equipment or general luggage.
As I mentioned before, I also travel full time in my van and live in a compact space. My PRVKE backpack is the best spot to hold gear while I'm on the go. I also think, for a backpack it's nice aesthetic and goes with all different outfits—particularly important whilst travelling.
Another reason it's good for travelling is the waterproof cover, or as I like to call it: my backpack's jacket. This is great for travelling in places with unpredictable weather. Especially on long days when it's not possible to quickly return to an accommodation.
The PRVKE's Accessibility
The final thing about the PRVKE is its accessibility throughout the bag. Not only are there pockets all throughout the bag for items of all sizes, but it also has multiple access points to grab said items.
The camera cube for example, has an easy access on the side of the bag. Or, zip open the entire backpack to access everything. Inside the large opening, the camera cube also has a separate zipper to close. This way, if you want to grab a laptop from the sleeve, the camera gear won't move around.
Same goes for the upper section of the backpack. It's accessible from the main zippers, or the roll-open top. When it's closed, there's a clip and velcro to keep it closed and to retain the weatherproof abilities.
Finally, there's a thin and long pocket along the front for a magazine or papers, and another few small pockets, including one especially for passports (the right size, and not accessible while wearing the backpack). Another pocket for keys and another lined with fleece for electronics.
Personally, I love a fleece-lined pocket on rainy days. If my phone gets a bit wet, the fleece in the pocket will soak up the wet and keep it dry.
All of these accessibility reasons are why the PRVKE backpack is smartly made and easy to use. It also holds so much, making it the perfect backpack for travelling, hiking or general use, all while holding photography gear.
Non-Photography Related Use
Fear not, non-photographers WANDRD's PRVKE is for everyone and every use. When I don't need to carry around my camera gear, I take out the camera cube and it as an everyday backpack. This means bringing around all those best qualities parts of the backpack without the actual need for the camera-specific needs.
What I specifically love about the backpack is that it doesn't open like a traditional backpack. This is so helpful when carrying my laptop around, because I feel that there's more separation between the storage area and the padding for the backpack.
The PRVKE is built like a hiking backpack, and that is so important for everyday use because it's stable and comfortable to wear for long periods. That goes for if you're carrying heavy groceries or camera gear, both on a trail or in the city. This means my laptop can be with me all day and there's no sacrifice for comfort just to know my backpack's safe. I also feel comfortable to do a quick grocery shopping quick and hold everything in my backpack instead of carrying heavy bags around.
So to finish up this post about why the PRVKE backpack is the best for everything (including photography, everyday life, travelling and the outdoors) I need to talk about my last and favourite part. This is of course, the lifetime warranty that comes with all WANDRD product and makes the PVRKE backpack extra high-quality. Check out the next and final section to learn more about this.
WANDRD's Lifetime Warranty
I will never get behind and feel confident about spending a ton of money on a product when I don't know that it will last. Whether or not a company gives a warranty factors into that confidence. WANDRD's lifetime warranty gives me all the feels when it comes an amazing backpack that I'm proud to wear.
WANDRD's website has a full description on its lifetime warranty, but the main focus is that no matter what they will replace or fix their products if they don't live up to standard. This doesn't mean you should throw the backpack down a river to see how it fairs. But, if so many years down the line something is tearing or the fabric is giving way, then contact the company and they have your back (both literally with the backpack and the warranty!).
This lifetime warranty is another reason I love to get behind this backpack, because it makes it more sustainable. Even if the company doesn't state how ethical or sustainable the products are, or how they're made, sustainability is also the longevity of a product. No matter the money you spend on something, if a backpack isn't going to last for what you need it for then what's the point? And that goes for products that are ethically-made or not.
This is my last focus on why I love WANDRD's PRVKE backpack so much. If you haven't had time yet, check out the website to see more about this backpack and so many more quality products.
Travelling might not be the easiest now, but stock up on sustainable travel gear to be prepared for when borders and lockdown ends! And check out the most comfortable and sustainable footwear: Allbirds.
