What’s in My Camera Bag for Air Travel (2025)

Overthinking My Travel Bag Choice

Getting lost in gear is something I think many of us have done.
When I was deciding which backpack to take on my trip to Cooperstown, New York, I thought I had my pick locked in.

Until I didn’t.

I was recently sent the Think Tank Darklight 14L camera backpack for review, and while it’s a fantastic compact camera bag, it fell just short of what I needed for this trip with my dad to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Why My Camera Backpack Didn’t Make the Cut

For this trip, I wanted more than just camera space.
I needed one bag that could handle:

My camera and lenses
Travel essentials for the plane
Tech gear, chargers, and accessories
Space for souvenirs around town
A tablet for reading comics in-flight (currently reading Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow — highly recommend!)

The 14L Think Tank was too small.
My larger camera backpack works for road trips or flights when I don’t mind carrying a second daily bag, but walking around town with it felt bulky and unnecessary.

After about two weeks of what I can only call “analysis paralysis,” I finally made my choice.

The Bag That Worked: Bagsmart Faro 29L Travel Backpack

I ended up taking the Bagsmart Faro 29L Travel Backpack in black.
This was originally sent to me as a review sample, but it checked all the boxes:

Spacious main compartment
Multiple outer pockets and hidden stash pocket
Laptop/tablet sleeve (fits up to 15.6 inches)
Lightweight, waterproof 300D Oxford poly fabric
Sternum strap for heavier loads
Holds up to a 40oz water bottle
Separate shoe pouch

It’s comfortable enough for all-day wear and versatile enough for air travel and walking around a small town.

Adding the Camera Protection: Neewer Waterproof Camera Cube

Since the Bagsmart isn’t a dedicated camera bag, I used the Neewer waterproof camera cube for my gear.

This cube is padded, has a handle and shoulder strap, and fits perfectly inside the main compartment.
It also meant I could pull it out and leave it in the rental car when I didn’t need the full setup.

Best part?
It still left room for my Peak Design Tech Pouch and other essentials on top.

My Camera Gear Loadout

For this trip, I went with one camera body and three lenses:

Camera:

Canon R50 mirrorless with EF-to-mirrorless adapter

Lenses:

Canon 100-400mm (wildlife lens)
Canon 50mm f/1.8 (nifty fifty)
Canon 18-35mm kit lens

Accessories:

Camera battery charger
GoPro + mounts (spoiler: never used it)
Cleaning kit
Peak Design Camera Strap

Peak Design Tech Pouch – The Ultimate Organizer

Everything else went into my Peak Design Tech Pouch.
It’s a bit larger than I normally need, but it was perfect for keeping all my accessories in one spot.

Standout Features:

Retails for $59.95, available in nine colors
2-liter capacity
Made from 100% recycled, weatherproof 400D nylon
Abrasion-resistant thread and high-density foam for structure
Two tether points for attaching Peak Design anchors (convert to sling bag)
Bottom straps for easier opening — grip, unzip, and it spreads wide
Flexible dividers and zip pockets for custom organization

What I Packed Inside:

Apple USB-C charging block
SanDisk SSD
Various cables & lapel mic
Field Notes journal
GoPro batteries
Anker USB hub
Anker 633 MagSafe charger (10,000 mAh with kickstand)

There’s also an external pocket with a passthrough so I can keep my bigger Anker charging block plugged in while charging my phone inside.

Final Thoughts

I never ended up using the GoPro, but like they say: better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Sometimes, the best gear choice is the one that gives you flexibility—not just capacity.

If you’re looking for a versatile travel setup that works for both camera gear and everyday carry, the Bagsmart + Neewer cube combo might be worth considering.

💬 What’s your favorite camera backpack or creative travel gear solution?
Drop it in the comments below or email me through the contact page — I’m always looking for inspiration for my next trip.

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