Backpacking With Camera Gear: An Easy Guide (2024)

Backpacking with camera gear presents a multitude of problems for those who haven’t done it before. When you’re on a low-budget and staying in hostels, keeping your gear safe and secure can be a real challenge. 

Here you are – holding on to every last cent to extend your trip. Yet, you might also have a camera, laptop, SSD’s and perhaps a drone too! That’s not to mention all of the charging equipment that accompanies it. 

Thankfully, I have visited over 30 countries backpacking with camera gear. Through trial and error, I have established a system that keeps my gear safe and secure. But most importantly, it allows me to keep taking amazing photos and shoot gorgeous footage on the road. 

Here is my in-depth guide to backpacking with camera gear:

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The Challenges Of Backpacking With Camera Gear

Travelling on a low-budget can be challenging enough, and that’s without the camera gear! In my experience, there are 3 main challenges to deal with whilst backpacking with camera gear:

Security, re-charging and bags. 

Below I will detail exactly how I tackle these four challenges. I do this all with a Sony A7III + Lens, 16-inch MacBook Pro and 3 SSDs.

Security

Travelling safe is the most important thing when backpacking with camera gear. The last thing you want is to have your gear stolen. There are two areas where you have to keep your gear secure, in the hostel and out of it. AKA – all of the time. 

Inside The Hostel:

At home, you have the luxury of not having to keep your gear locked up. Hiding it is not necessary and for the most part, you can leave your stuff out in the open! In a hostel, that is simply not the case. Here is what you can do to have you gear on lockdown:

• Use the available lockers
  • In the case your dorm room doesn’t actually have lockers, you should use a combination of these options. Lock up the bag itself with numbered padlocks & shove it far under your bed. Most thieves are opportunists and they won’t bother if it is difficult. 
• Don’t flash your gear
  • Sometimes it can be unavoidable. But if possible, unload your gear into the locker when there is no one looking and definitely don’t head out into the common room with the full set-up. I always transfer my photos and footage in my room so I don’t bring my camera out where everyone can see it. 
• Curtains
  • When I can, I book hostels with curtains so I can have the peace of mind that no one knows what gear I have. I can comfortably charge my gear and edit with a curtained bed. 

Outside The Hostel:

“Attenzione, pickpocket!”. By now, most of us have heard the stories of unsuspecting tourists becoming victim to pickpocketing in popular countries like Spain, Italy & France. That alone can be enough to put someone off a trip, let alone a trip with camera gear!

Obviously, there are lots of places where this doesn’t happen. That being said, when i’m backpacking with camera gear – I always act like i’m in a place where it’s common. Here are my tips:

• Neck straps
  • Back home in Australia, I don’t normally use a neck strap. Personally, it can be annoying. However, when i’m backpacking with my camera gear I always use a neck strap. It means it’s harder to snatch it off me and i’m less inclined to set it down for a couple of seconds. 2 seconds is all a thief needs!
• Lock the zippers of your backpack!
  • If it’s not around my neck and in my backpack, I lock my zippers together. It makes it a lot harder for people to steal gear if it’s locked. They will have to resort to cutting your bag open which is a lot harder to pull off without you knowing.
• Avoid sketchy areas and respect local customs
  • My first time in Marrakech, Morocco wasn’t great and I found it hard to have my camera out. It drew unwanted attention to me and some locals didn’t like it. If it feels like this to you, leave your gear at the hostel. I had a situation where I got robbed, thankfully they didn’t take my camera despite it being in my hand. 

Charging Your Equipment

This has got to be the most frustrating thing about backpacking with camera gear. You can’t get away with plugging in your camera & laptop in your bedroom and leaving it.

Here is how I go about charging my gear:

• Portable charger
  • This is easily my best investment and has saved my arse multiple times. It means you can charge your gear literally anywhere. Even in your locker. From time to time, you will be stuck in a dorm bed with no plug in sight. My portable charger can charge my camera and laptop 2 times over. I almost never have to have it out on my bed.
• Stay at your bed
  • The most inconvenient way I do it. It means I have to stay there and watch my gear. “A watched pot never boils” they say. And it’s so true. When I can, I opt for option one so I can do other things.

Baggage & Transporting Gear

When backpacking with camera gear, bags can make your life easier or harder. Thus, you need to choose carefully. 

Personally, I travel around with a BlackWolf 65L Cedar Breaks travel backpack. Although I think a 55L one would suit me a bit better, the thing I love most about it is the fact it comes with a day pack. This is where I put my gear. 

It fits my camera, laptop, headphones and all of my charging gear. In addition to this, I have my passports and important documents here too.

When I get to my hostel, I unload my gear into the locker and I can use it as my regular daypack. 

Final Thoughts

It was a massive learning curve figuring out how to go backpacking with camera gear. I’m seeing all of these new places and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to capture the best moments. 

I hope that this helped you at least a little bit. Safe travels!

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