Review: Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L Backpack - a superb large rucksack for the dedicated photographer

The Lowepro Photosport 70L Backpack is an excellent large rucksack with some great features to carry lots of specialist camera equipment as well as your hiking and even camping gear! Read on to learn more about my review...

Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L Backpack review

As a passionate photographer, one of the most critical aspects of my equipment is a reliable and comfortable camera backpack. Regular readers of this blog will know I often head off on long hikes and wild camps - where I need to carry a lot of stuff, including a tent & my sleeping kit. This often means I'll need a large rucksack with a capacity of around 70 litres, which tends to be my sweat spot for my gear. There are plenty of large rucksack options out there for wild campers, however not many at all cater for the specific needs of a photographer. That's where Lowepro come in and their range of rucksacks are always feature packed for the photographer, but I was very keen to get my hands on the large Lowepro 70L Photosport and put it through its paces, to see if it could handle my gear for wild camps. Read on to discover my review of this rucksack.

The Lowepro Photosport 70L is an excellent bag for photographers needing to carry a lot of gear for multi-day hikes.

Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L Backpack overview

The Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack is designed for professional photographers who need a large rucksack for multi-day hikes and adventures, that is comfortable, lightweight and has lots of configurations to meet the specific needs of a photographer carrying a DSLR with lenses. With a capacity of 70L you are able to fit in your camera equipment (camera and lenses), and multi-day hiking essentials such as a tent, sleeping bag and other gear.

One of the most useful features of the Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack is the included 'GearUp Pro XL' camera bag where you can fit in a Pro DSLR or Mirroless Body with a 70-200mm lens attached plus and extra 2 lenses and kit. This camera bag is useful intself (and can be used by itself) - but fits perfectly, and securely into the bottom of the Photosport 70L backpack.

You have multi-access into the bottom section of the rucksack to get to your 'GearUp pro XL' camera bag - very handy to avoid constantly emptying your bag from the top to get to the bottom! The camera bag itself will carry a DSLR or Mirrorless body with lens attached and also a couple more lenses and kit. Very useful indeed!

Pros and cons of the Photosport Pro AW III 70L backpack

I like to keep my reviews brief and to the point to enable quick decision making, and find the simple Pros' & Cons format works well. Below are the pros and cons in my humble opinion of the Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack

Pros

The Lowepro Photosport 70 litre backpack has a very large, spacious and extremely versatile design, which weighs a decent 3.2kg on its own
The Photosport 70L backpack offers an impressive 70 litre storage capacity, providing ample space for both specialist camera gear and other multi-day hiking gear and equipment such as a tent & sleeping bag.
The main compartment is customizable with padded dividers, allowing you to organize and protect your gear efficiently. Additionally, the top-loading design ensures quick and easy access to your equipment, with the addition of bottom access to the front & rear. The separate rear compartment can accommodate a 3L hydration reservoir, perfect for long hikes.
Access to the dedicated 'GearUp PRO XL' camera insert bag is via the front or the back at the bottom of the rucksack and users can set this up whichever way they please. The insert itself is a dedicated accessory with its own strap system, allowing multiple carrying configurations, in which you can pack a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with sense attached and 2 extra lenses
The backpack's ergonomic design and adjustable shoulder, chest, and waist straps ensure a comfortable fit for extended periods. The innovative ActivZone harness system distributes weight evenly, reducing strain on your back and shoulders. The padded back panel and ventilation channels also enhance airflow, preventing discomfort during hot and humid conditions.
Constructed from high-quality, 86% recycled materials, the Photosport 70L backpack is built to withstand rugged outdoor environments. The reinforced nylon exterior and robust YKK zippers provide excellent durability, protecting your gear from impacts and ensuring long-lasting performance. Additionally, the backpack features an integrated All Weather AW Cover, shielding your equipment from rain, snow, dust, and other elements.
The backpack's well-thought-out organization system allows for efficient storage and quick access to your equipment. The dedicated camera compartment features a rear-entry zipper, allowing you to retrieve your gear without having to remove the backpack completely. The numerous pockets and compartments, both inside and outside the bag, offer convenient storage for accessories, personal items, and small essentials.

The Lowepro Photosport 70L is a perfect rucksack to carry my wild camping gear as well as photo equipment

The Lowepro Photosport 70L is well-padded and comfortable wear with weight distributed evenly.

The shoulder straps can be configured (lowered or raised) to fit your back in the most comfortable way possible

The front access to the bottom of the rucksack is a very useful feature, and lets you get to the 'GearUp ' camera bag quickly and easily

The rear access is also very useful and it's hear you can also fit a hydration reservoir.

The outer pocket also come sin very handy for packing a jacket or other item which you need to get to quickly. You can also attach and ice axe with the dedicated fixings.

The Lowepro Photosport 70L lets you pack in plenty of gear and there are some useful pockets to keep certain gear separate

Photographers will love this configuration to enable you to have your camera right to hand. The camera straps come supplied with the bag

Cons of the Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L backpack

Due to its large capacity, the Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack can be quite bulky, especially when fully loaded. While this may not be a major concern for photographers who need to carry lots of gear, it may pose challenges for those seeking a more lightweight option for shorter trips or urban photography.
Although the backpack offers a padded sleeve to accommodate a small laptop or tablet, the compartment is not large enough for larger-sized devices. If you frequently carry a larger laptop or require additional storage for your electronics, you may need to consider alternative options or carry a separate laptop bag.
The Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack is pricey (in saying that it's carrying lots of pricey camera equipment so is a worthwhile investment)

Conclusion:

The Lowepro Photosport 70L backpack is a fantastic, feature packed choice for adventurous photographers seeking a spacious, durable, and comfortable camera backpack. With its generous storage capacity, clever organization features, and reliable weather resistance, it excels in outdoor settings. While the backpack's cost, bulkiness and limited laptop storage may be minor drawbacks for some users, the overall performance and functionality make it a superb companion for photographers who prioritize convenience and protection on their multi-day expeditions. If you need to carry your expensive camera equipment and lots of other gear, then the Lowepro Photosport 70L is one of the best other investments you can make.

Find out more & buy the Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L:

The Lowepro Photosport Pro AW III 70L retails at £457.95 on the Lowepro website, but you may be able to pick it up for around £320 elsewhere after a quick google!

You can find out more on the Lowepro Photosport 70L on the Lowepro website: https://www.lowepro.com/uk-en/photosport-backpack-pro-70l

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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