Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack - Medium, Large (18"+ Torso Length)

Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack — an ultralight camera bag built for backpacking, not studio work

The gist: A 45L backpack, designed with Alex Strohl, that swaps a dedicated camera bag's bulk for backpacking-grade lightness — built for travelers who hike, camp, and shoot on the same trip.

• Genuinely ultralight: the empty pack weighs about 1kg (~2.2 lbs), noticeably lighter than most 45L backpacking packs, which typically run 2-3kg.
• Camera storage without camera-bag bulk: a compact camera compartment sits in the lower lumbar area with a zippered back panel for quick access, sized to fit a full-frame body (Canon 5D-class) plus up to 4 lenses.
• Built for the trail: waterproof Cordura ripstop nylon with taped seams, load-lifting shoulder straps, an ergonomic waist belt, adjustable sternum straps, and a removable internal frame.
• Expandable capacity: a drawstring top closure adds roughly 10L of storage when packed full, useful for multi-day trips where gear needs shift day to day.

Field Mag's review calls it "an exciting development in a world where most camera bags are extremely boring and technical, and where most backpacking bags are overbuilt" — praising how it splits the difference between the two categories.

Best for: travelers who hike or backpack and want to carry a full camera kit without a dedicated, heavy camera bag. Skip it if: you need a bag built primarily for gear protection over long-haul flights — this is a trail pack first, camera bag second. Runs ~$99-199 depending on sale pricing — check the current price before buying.