Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack - Medium, Medium (17"-18.5" Torso Length)

Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack (Medium fit) — an ultralight camera-and-trail pack sized for a 17-18.5" torso

The gist: The medium-torso fit of Alex Strohl's 45L backpacking-meets-camera-bag pack — built to carry a full camera kit without the extra weight of a dedicated camera bag.

• Sized for a mid-length torso: this listing is cut for a 17"-18.5" torso length, so check your measurement before ordering — the fit determines how the load actually rides on your hips and shoulders.
• Genuinely ultralight: the pack weighs about 1kg (~2.2 lbs) empty, well under the 2-3kg most 45L backpacking packs run.
• Quick-access camera compartment: a lower-lumbar camera pocket with a zippered back panel fits a full-frame body (Canon 5D-class) plus up to 4 lenses, reachable without taking the pack off.
• Trail-grade materials: waterproof Cordura ripstop nylon with taped seams, an ergonomic waist belt, adjustable sternum straps, and a removable internal frame; the drawstring top closure adds roughly 10L when packed full.

Field Mag's review of the pack calls it "an exciting development in a world where most camera bags are extremely boring and technical, and where most backpacking bags are overbuilt" — the exact gap this pack is built to fill.

Best for: travelers with a shorter-to-average torso who hike or backpack and want a full camera kit along without hauling a separate camera bag. Skip it if: your torso runs past 18.5" — size up to the large fit instead, or the straps won't sit right. Runs ~$99-199 depending on sale pricing — check the current price before buying.