Over the years of working as a professional adventure travel photographer, I’ve used and tested dozens of lightweight travel tripods in the field.

While, for a long time, these lightweight tripods didn’t offer the stability required to fulfill the needs of heavier, professional mirrorless camera systems– things have changed recently thanks to better construction materials and unique innovations in design.

One such innovation is the unique 3-in-1, three-pillar central column tripod offered by HEIPI’s impressive Kickstarter and Indigogo project. So, when they offered me the opportunity to review this budget tripod for my mirrorless camera setup, I was admittedly a little excited.

Full transparency: HEIPI sent me this tripod free of charge for review. However, as always, all opinions are my own, and I personally test all of my gear thoroughly before making any recommendations.

About the HEIPI 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

HEIPI's tripod is a lightweight, carbon fiber travel tripod that on the surface, looks similar to the very popular Peak Design Travel Tripod. However, after closer inspection, you'll notice that this tripod incorporates some very unique and innovative features, and is very much a brand-new design.

Tripod Features

• 3-in-1 System - integrated a main tripod, a removable sub tripod, and a removable ball head
• Unique three-pillar central column - the sub tripod extends out to serve as a three-pillar column, increasing stability
• Sturdy 50mm low-profile ball head - high quality, pro-grade ball head with panoramic pan (click or mute) and accommodates arca-swiss plates & portrait shooting
• Unique leg locking levers - strong and quick-release clips for carbon fiber leg extensions
• Adjustable leg angle adjustments
• Rubber & spiked feet

Many of the features, including the pro-quality ball head, carbon fiber construction, and large weight capacity definitely aren't typical of budget mirrorless camera tripods and are typically features you'd need to pay a premium price for.

Others, like the removable sub-tripod and the three-pillar center column are the first of its kind in photography tripods like this.

The HEIPI Travel Tripod Specs

• Maximum Load: 25 kg (55 lb)
• Maximum Height: 150 cm (59.44")
• Folded Height: 44.4 cm (17.48")
• Weight: 3-in-1: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) |
• Main tripod weight with head: 1.2 kg (2.65 lb)
• Price: $399 ($319 for early backers)

The specs supplied are directly from the manufacturer and at first glance, are very impressive and certainly not typical of tripods in this price range.

The maximum load is extremely impressive, and in all honestly, I wasn't able to test it to this capacity. However, I did set this tripod up with my Canon R5 mirrorless camera & heavy 100-500mm RF telephoto lens (roughly 2.1 kg, or 4.6 lb load), and it did feel very solid, at least with the center column collapsed to the base.

The maximum height of this tripod reaches just over 1.5 meters, or 5 feet, which is typically more than adequate for most landscape photographers shopping for tripods in this price range.

In terms of portability, its folded height is just a little longer than my current favorite travel tripod, the Manfrotto BeFree Carbon GT. However, in real-world scenarios, what's more important is the overall packability. Similarly to the Peak Design Travel Tripod, HEIPI have managed to trim down the fat, making the packed diameter just 69 mm (2.7 in), which overall, makes it much easier to stow in a backpack.

What to Look for When Buying a Budget Tripod for Mirrorless Cameras

Before I get into the HEIPI camera tripod review, here are what I believe to be the most crucial features when shopping for a budget tripod for mirrorless cameras.

• Portability - weight & packability are important to many hobby and professional landscape shooters who need to carry their compact tripod for extended distances.
• Stability - refers to how still the tripod can hold the camera & minimize shake, how easy & smooth the tripod head handles heavy loads, and the overall strength of the tripod legs
• Versatility - refers to unique features, flexibility to incorporate different angles & camera orientations, minimum & maximum height, and overall ease-of-use
• Durability - the overall build quality and expected performance of the tripod over time

In my review below, I'll cover all four of these points to help you decide if this is the best lightweight tripod for you.

Want More Photography Gear Guides?

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Review of the HEIPI Tripod using a Professional Mirrorless Camera System

I've been using this tripod now for three weeks on a couple of different shoots. While this isn't a lot of time to really get a grip on the long-term performance of the tripod, it's given me a good understanding of what I can expect out of it.

Below is my honest opinion about how the HEIPI stacks up against the other premium and budget tripods I've used in the past. The photos are all from the most recent shoot at a forest waterfall in Australia.

Portability

The HEIPI camera comes with an included water-resistant carry case, which at first impression, has a premium feel to it. While I don't usually use these, it was an added bonus that I wasn't expecting out of a budget-friendly tripod.

The first time that I took it out of the case I was very impressed. The design is extremely compact and reminded me of the popular option from Peak Design, one of the most portable and lightweight travel tripods– although with a price tag that doubles HEIPI's.

Due to how compact this tripod is, it feels just as heavy in the hand as other carbon fiber tripods like the Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbo– although it technically is lighter by a few hundred grams. However, as I mentioned above, when it cuts this close, counting grams isn't really a good measure of portability. In terms of overall packed size, the HEIPI is much slimmer than the Manfrotto, but slightly longer than the Peak Design.

In terms of overall portability, the HEIPI is very lightweight and compact when folded down, and certainly holds up in this regard against some of the premium tripods for mirrorless cameras.

Furthermore, once we got on-site, the quick-release flip locks felt very solid and opened up quickly. This allowed for full extension of the carbon fiber legs in around 10-15 seconds, which felt intuitive and made the overall experience of setting the tripod up a breeze.

The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

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Stability

Of course, one of the most crucial elements of a tripod is how well it holds our mirrorless cameras and limits any movement during long exposures.

Testing the Ball-Head Mount

I was thrilled to see that the HEIPI ball head accommodates Arca-swiss-style plates, which is a common industry standard and compatible with the Peak Design Capture Clip, an accessory I use every day on outdoor shoots.

The lock is quite unique, using a dual-safety system that requires a twist and lock toggle to ensure a secure mount and stable connection to DSLR and mirrorless bodies.

Testing the Stability at Full Extension

In order to get a good grasp of the overall stability, I extended the legs and 3-pillar center columns to their absolute maximum height of 1.5 meters. This process is accomplished by loosening the center column ring and sliding the sub-tripod up.

This is something that I usually don't do on lightweight travel tripods like this, since there is usually some level of shake and vibration.

This process is quite easy. However, the first time I did this I loosened the ring completely and pulled the sub tripod completely out, dropping the ring. This is quite easy to do, but avoidable thanks to a warning sign at the end serving as a good indicator of where to stop.

After moving the tripod around and shooting the waterfall at a few different angles, I was incredibly surprised, this is a seriously sturdy tripod for its weight. This is largely thanks to the innovative three-pillar center column, which I'm definitely a big fan of. The HEIPI also has rubber feet and sturdy leg locks, making the overall stability very impressive, even at maximum extension.

However, in all honesty, when doing long-exposure work, I would still prefer to lower this tripod's center column to at least half when shooting with heavy mirrorless camera setups like the Canon R5 and RF 15-35mm f2.8L– or especially with heavier telephoto lenses.

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Versatility

Below I tested the performance of the tripod for different use cases to determine the overall versatility.

Ball Head

The 50mm low-profile ball head is quite impressive for a relatively budget-friendly tripod. The fluid head is easy to loosen and fasten thanks to a small lever on the side. Overall, there is very little to complain about and the ball head functions smoothly and holds heavy cameras well.

Furthermore, the small knob on the side enables photographers to pan easily. This is also great for small adjustments and for video work. There is an audible click every 10 degrees which I wouldn't really use personally, but it feels quite nice to use. This can also be muted for smooth panning shots.

Another feature I was thankful to see is the ability to position the camera in a portrait orientation, which I use very often on landscape shoots.

Tripod Performance at Different Leg Angles

The carbon fiber legs have three different angles, allowing photographers to spread the load over a larger distance and achieve greater stability. I tested each position and each felt good.

However, I did notice that when I had the legs sprawled out to the widest position, I was unable to use the counterweight hook as it would pull the legs outward.

Testing the Sub Tripod

Sliding the center column out completely enables photographers to use the sub tripod as a separate, smaller tripod with the ball head attached. This is great as it eliminates the need to carry small tripods like the Joby Gorillapod.

The sub tripod is very lightweight and surprisingly sturdy. Similarly to the main tripod, it features the ability to adjust leg angles at three various degrees.

At first, I thought that this was a feature I wouldn't use much, but ended up using it quite a bit due to how easy it is to attach and detach.

Reverse Mode

While the maximum height is important, sometimes photographers just need that super low perspective. While this can be accomplished with the sub tripod, sliding the columns upside down enabled me to get the camera even lower.

This is a unique feature that I wasn't expecting out of an affordable tripod like the HEIPI.

Below are some photos of the tripod setup in reversed position. I found it fun to use this position to capture some unique perspectives, and of course, flipping the image in post.

Other Unique Features

The overall versatility of the HEIPI carbon fiber tripod was quite surprising, offering loads of features and options that would even surprise professional photographers.

Below are some more unique features.

• Hidden spiked feet - screwing off the rubber feet reveals a metal spike, providing greater stability on sand, ice, and snow.
• Counterweight hook - useful to add additional support to the tripod by hanging a small camera or accessory bag underneath the central column
• Phone mount - there is a phone mount that pulls out of the main arca-swiss attachment plate. Personally, I wouldn't use this but I'm sure it's a unique feature that would attract many.

Durability

Durability is tough to review after using the tripod for only three weeks. However, the overall carbon fiber material and built quality definitely makes this product feel like a high-quality tripod comparable to many other's I've used.

Carbon fiber is a very lightweight, rigid, and strong material, and not typically a material found on options for a tight budget.

Verdict: Is the HEIPI the Best Budget Mirrorless Camera Tripod?

As you can tell from the review, I'm very impressed with the HEIPI travel tripod. While it's not the cheapest tripod for mirrorless cameras, it is a much better choice than other options at this price range, especially when compared to the offerings from more established brands, which usually are trimmed-down aluminum tripods.

Overall, the unique features and ability to store a small, removable tripod within a very compact form factor make this very convenient to carry around and use for outdoor and landscape photography. Furthermore, the stability is very impressive and feels more rigid than my expensive $1000+ tripods at full extension, which is quite mind-blowing.

I have absolutely no trouble recommending the HEIPI and I'll continue using it in my photography kit. Will it hold up? Who knows– I'll continue to test it and update this article over time.

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• The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel

The post HEIPI Tripod Review – Is this the Best Budget Tripod for Mirrorless Cameras? appeared first on We Seek Travel.

As a full-time location-independent travel photographer and content creator, I’m always struggling to find the best external solution for storing and working with my photo and video files on the go.

That’s why, when SanDisk announced their revolutionary Pro-Blade system that allows for convenient SSD workflows and the ability to carry several terabytes of storage without excess bulk– I couldn’t wait to try it out.

But, for video editors and traveling content creators, is this the best solid-state drive system?

In this review, I offer an unbiased, independent review of what it’s been like working with the Pro-Blade Transport and SSD Mags to help you make that decision for yourself.

About the Sandisk Pro-Blade System

The SanDisk Professional Pro-Blade system is an NVMe-based solid-state drive system utilizing modular “Mags”– the actual SSDs, and a portable, single-mag reader called the TRANSPORT.

This allows for what SanDisk calls “Hot-Swap” capabilities, allowing video editors and content creators to easily swap between projects in their workflow or to transfer files easily to other people for collaboration or delivery.

Buy The Sandisk Pro-Blade System

The SanDisk Pro-Blade TRANSPORT is now available for sale on Amazon with storage configurations of up to 4TB per Mag.

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Features

Let’s take a look at the Mags. This is essentially a Western Digital M.2 NVMe SSD inside a durable & very portable enclosure.

Features include:

• A durable aluminum enclosure weighing just 1.5 oz (45 g)
• A thick internal thermal pad
• An external proprietary connector intended for repeated insertion cycles (unlike the regular M.2 interface)
• Storage options of 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB
• Size: 4.32 x 0.3 x 1.1 inches (110 x 0.6 x 27.9 mm)

The Mag looks and feels similar to an old-school pen drive, which, to me is a good thing! These SSD enclosures are among the smallest I’ve seen, which is an excellent SSD option for video editors and content creators needing separate external drives for several different projects.

Now, the TRANSPORT reader:

• Proprietary SSD Mag reader (will only work with SanDisk Pro-Blade Mags – weighing 7.36 oz (208 g)
• USB Type-C Port utilizing USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 for USB 20Gb/s
• Size: 5.13 x 2.81 x 0.63 inches (130.4 x 71.5 x 16 mm)

The reader is a lot larger than the Mag itself and is also slightly larger than some of the other SSD drives I’ve compared. The reported USB-C speeds will also require suitable compatibility on your device connected to the drive (more on this later).

External SSD for Video Editing – What to Look For

Choosing the best SSD for video editing will require a different set of criteria than for SSDs for photography.

First and foremost, professional video editors will want to squeeze the fastest read speeds out of their solid state drives as possible in order to edit 4K or 8K footage on programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or DaVinci Resolve. That’s why in this SanDisk Pro-Blade review, I’ve tested and compared specifically sequential speeds (s speed) of these drives against other popular options.

Portability and durability are also two things I’ve looked at which will be extremely important factors when choosing a pro SSD for video.

Of course, capacity options are also a crucial element when choosing the best external SSD, and I’ll specifically compare how good the Pro-Blade Hot-Swap feature is at increasing your ability to store and work with several terabytes of video content.

Travel Video Editing With the Sandisk Pro-Blade SSD – A Review

I’ve been using the Pro-Blade TRANSPORT system with two 2 TB version Mags to finish a recent project for a client in the travel and tourism space.

I’m working with DCI 4K, 10-bit C-Log video clips of up to 100 fps from my Canon R5, and DCI 4k 10-bit D-Log files up to 60 fps from my DJI Mavic 3 drone. For this SSD video editing review, I’m editing right off the SSD, using Final Cut Pro on a Macbook Pro 2021 M1 Pro with high specs to ensure high optimization to test the true workflow speeds of these external hard disk drives– not bottlenecked by the device or software.

Below, I’ll also run some benchmarking tests of these solid-state drives as well using the Blackmagic Disk Speed tool.

The #1 Photography Accessory

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Speed Tests

Straight out of the packaging, I ran some preliminary speed tests to compare data transfer rates, read speed, and write speed against other professional external SSDs.

Unfortunately, while the Pro-Blade advertises 20Gb/s speeds, this is only possible if your device offers native USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 support. As a result, even the Thunderbolt 4 port (capable of up to 40Gb/s bidirectional bandwidth) on my high-end Macbook Pro does not support this version of USB 3.2, offering only one lane of data flow through these cables and devices.

In fact, currently, no Apple laptops or most PC computers offer this compatibility.

The result is that the true read and write speeds you will experience with the Pro-Blade SSD is USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds of 10GB/s.

However, when compared to other top-performing external SSDs, the Pro-Blade tops the list, coming in on par with the SanDisk Extreme Pro in my tests and having faster transfer speeds than that reported of the Samsung T series or Samsung 970 Evo Plus.

Blackmagic’s tool indicates that these speeds are good enough to edit 12K DCI 24 Apple ProRes 422 HQ footage.

As far as external drives go, the Pro-Blade system is a very fast drive. To kick off my workflow tests, I copied 184.92 GBs worth of large files (raw footage) from my Mac’s internal SSD (capable of much faster speeds).

The result was that it took just over 3 minutes and 18 seconds, very impressive real-world numbers.

Video Editing Tests Off the SSD

With such a fast read and write speed, editing videos on the Pro-Blade SSD was a breeze. Admittedly, I’m not editing with 8K RAW or 12K video files, but I wouldn’t recommend doing this with any external drive yet either.

Performance-wise, the workflow handled just as it would if I was editing files straight from my Mac’s internal drive. I didn’t use proxies and was editing the timeline with several transitions and color grades added.

In all, if you are looking for a fast SSD for video editing, the Pro-Blade will be a great choice for most people working with up to at least 4K 10-bit files.

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Testing the Hot-Swap Feature

While this is one of the fastest SSD drives for video editing, perhaps what makes this storage device system so attractive for content creators is its modular, Hot-Swap feature.

There are a number of instances that I found this useful:

• Collaboration – easily collaborate and share projects with other creators
• Working across projects – having the ability to travel with several TB of storage and swap between projects without carrying separate drives and cables
• Traveling with a lot of storage – investing in the Pro-Blade system is great if you are a video creator traveling with tonnes of storage and want to reduce bulk

The system works just as intended, and the small finger handle on the Mags really makes it easy to pull them out. At first I thought this would be a little gimmicky but the system is very intuitive and a pleasure to use.

Capacity

As video editors and content creators, we need a lot of storage- especially those of us who carry all of our equipment and footage with us on the road. I’ve been testing two drives with 2 TB of storage space each, which is enough for smaller projects.

SanDisk offers a maximum storage capacity of 4 TB. While this isn’t groundbreaking, with some competitors like OWC offering up to 8 TB external SSD storage, it’s the small form factor and easy hot-swap system that makes this attractive.

For example, some professionals shooting with more complex professional systems may be recording up to 1 TB of footage per day! After a 10-day project, that’s over 10 TB of content, and you certainly don’t want to carry several expensive and bulky SSD drives if you’re on the road.

Therefore this SSD system really revolutionizes how we look at carrying capacity.

What About Secure Cloud Storage?

Portable external drives are great for moving large files quickly. But, what about fast and secure cloud storage?

I’ve taken advantage of pCloud’s lifetime deal to secure 5 terabytes of cloud storage for life and it’s been my go-to cloud solution for over 3 years!

Get The Lifetime Deal

Portability & Durability

Of course, being an SSD system with no moving parts makes any SSD a much better storage solution than traditional hard drives (HDD drives).

As we’ve discovered, the SanDisk Pro-Blade offers maximum performance as an external SSD for video editing. We also know that the unique form factor is very portable, especially if you’re carrying several Mags (there would be little reason to buy into this system if you don’t plan to use many drives).

But, how durable are the Mags and TRANSPORT readers?

While I didn’t crush it or submerge it in water, both certainly feel very rugged and durable.

But don’t take my word for it.

SanDisk promises that the tiny SSD Mags can withstand a 3-meter drop and 4,000 pounds of crush force. The TRANSPORT doesn’t come with a lot more information regarding its durability, but feels solid and looks to be constructed with a very high degree of quality.

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Conclusion: Is the Sandisk Pro-Blade The Best SSD for Video Editing?

So, after reading this SanDisk Pro-Blade SSD review, is it the best SSD for video editing and on-the-go content creators?

The answer is that it depends.

For professionals working on several large-scale projects either independently or as part of a team, the Pro-Blade system is extremely beneficial as it allows for more storage capacity and more flexible collaboration opportunities. The speeds of the SanDisk Pro-Blade also place it among the best external hard drives – especially if you have a device with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 support.

However, for beginner content creators who don’t need tonnes of storage and are only looking to perhaps purchase one drive, it doesn’t make much sense. In saying that, if you plan on scaling your projects, buying into this system can be a good option to save money in the long term.

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• The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel

The post SanDisk Pro-Blade Review – Is This The Best SSD for Video Editing? appeared first on We Seek Travel.

A quick gear guide summing up three types of Mavic 3 filters you’ll want to add to your aerial photography kit.

The DJI Mavic 3 is by far the best portable drone ever made. While quite a step up in terms of investment, professional photographers and videographers are always blown away by the image quality and overall performance of this drone.

However, one thing I’ve come to learn is that to get the best performance out of my drone, I’d need some purpose-built filters to replace the standard UV filter like the one on the Mavic 3.

That’s why, in this quick gear guide, I’ll give you the roundup of the top three types of drone filters for the Mavic 3.

Whether you’re looking to take precise control of the amount of light to narrow down the frame rate or bring out rich, true colors from your aerial photography, these filters will have you covered.

Why Trust My Photography Gear Guides?

My name is Olly Gaspar. I’ve worked as a professional travel photographer for the past four years, creating inspiring content for national tourism boards, hotels, and some of the world’s top travel and adventure brands.

Read my Guide to Camera Gear for Travel

Why Use ND Filters For Drone Photography?

The most common use of ND filters is to reduce the intensity of light, allowing drone videographers to use the correct shutter speed to conform with the 180-degree rule. This rule states that in order to create buttery smooth video, the shutter speed should be set to double the frame rate.

Of course, on a bright, sunny day, dialing in the correct exposure while shooting at 1/50 or 1/100 (25fps or 50fps) would be almost impossible, even at the narrowest aperture setting.

Snapping on the correct ND filter for the ambient light situation onto your Mavic camera will allow you to control the exposure and still have flexibility with your aperture setting.

Alternatively, a second use-case for an ND filter would be to block out a lot more light, giving drone photographer’s the flexibility to bring up the exposure time and create motion blur in their still images. While this has technically been possible on previous drones, none have been as stable as the Mavic 3 and long-exposure photography was usually a miss more than a hit for most of the time. However, thanks to the Mavic’s 3 improved stability, long exposure photography of up to 2-3 seconds usually results in great images!

ND strengths explained: the ND number refers to how strong the darkening effect is, correlated to f-stops. Say we want to reduce 1 stop of light, we want to halve (1/2) the amount of light reaching the sensor. In order to do this, we will use an ND2 filter. Conversely, if we want to reduce the amount of light by two halves, or stops, (1/4 the amount of light), we will use an ND4 filter. Again, on a very bright day, we might want to halve the amount of light six times (1/64), so we would use an ND64 filter.

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The Best ND Filter Set for the Mavic 3

I’ve used many filter brands over the years, including brands like NiSi filters, PGYTECH filters, and Tiffen. However, none offer such a high quality of optical glass as PolarPro Filters.

1. PolarPro VND Filter Set

PolarPro is my go-to brand for all my drone filters and I’ve been using their high-quality, optical glass filters for the past two years almost exclusively.

This brand is well-known for creating some of the best variable ND filters on the market. And, their VND 2-Pack is one of the best neutral-density filters for the Mavic 3.

This pack comes with 2-5 and 6-9 stop filter variations, allowing for precise control of light in the majority of conditions. Variable NDs work by twisting the ring to increase or decrease the darkening effect. This is useful since you will be able to get a more precise lighting setting without carrying around a dozen filters.

Furthermore, I’m a big fan of the reliable fit of their lightweight aluminum AirFrame 4.0 clip-on design, which is sure to stay on the camera lens no matter the flying conditions.

Buy from PolarPro

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2. PolarPro Vivid Collection

The majority of my photo and video work involves flying over water, snow, or other bright, reflective surfaces. While I’ve gone into detail a little more regarding the use of Mavic 3 filters for polarizing light, I’ll skip ahead a little and introduce my absolute favorite drone filters.

If you ask me what the most essential drone filters are, I’ll tell you it’s these NDPL filters. This combines high-quality Germanpolarizing glass with ND8, ND16, and ND32 neutral density options. The result is a single set of three filters that’ll have you covered for all the various shots you’re looking to capture.

Buy from PolarPro

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3. DJI ND Filters

If you purchased the DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo, you’ll already have the awesome set of ND filters including ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 variants.

These DJI ND filters for the Mavic 3 are among the most popular, since they are affordable and of decent quality. If you didn’t bag the fly more combo, then you can also purchase these from DJI or Amazon.

Furthermore, DJI also sell an ND64/128/256/512 filter set for very harsh lighting conditions or for some serious slow-shutter photography.

While these standard ND filters will likely do the job, it’s hard to compare them to the high-end glass you’ll get with PolarPro filters.

Buy from DJI

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The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I’ve used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack’s shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

Buy on Amazon

2. Polarizer Filters (CPL Filters)

If there’s a single filter that I’d recommend for aerial photographers, it’s a CPL filter.

CPL filters, or circular polarizer filters, work in the same way that your polarized sunglasses do. Essentially, these filters, when oriented properly will filter out the glare, while still allowing plenty of light through the camera lens.

This is essential if you are shooting over water or harsh, reflective surfaces like roads or snow. Furthermore, reducing the shiny reflections naturally increases the vibrance and saturation of real colors, resulting in a beautiful image.

Filter tip: due to the way that polarizing filters work, you need to manually twist the CPL filter to ensure proper polarization depending on the sun’s angle. As a result, I don’t recommend regular PL filters without the option of dialing in the polarization effect.

The Best CPL Filter Kit for the Mavic 3

If you’re after bang-for-buck, then I highly recommend PolarPro’s Vivid Collection ND filter kit, which combines light-reducing ND filters with polarized glass.

However, below I’ll list some more top-of-the-range Mavic 3 CPL filters to give you some variety.

1. PolarPro CPL Filter

Unfortunately, PolarPro’s Vivid Collection doesn’t come with a CPL filter without any ND light reduction.

There are many use cases for a regular CPL filter for still drone photography. For example, imagine shooting stills of a fast-moving speed boat powering through the waves, or a snowboarder launching off a snowy ramp. In these situations, you want to maximize frame rate, while reducing glare.
The PolarPro CPL filter does just that, and is the filter that I use on my camera almost every day if I’m shooting stills or recording aerial video while trying to preserve low-light details.

This filter is very high-quality and built from the same glass and frame materials as their highly-acclaimed vivid collection.

Buy from PolarPro

Buy on Amazon

2. Freewell CPL Filter

Freewell are well-known for making affordable, yet decent-quality drone filters. I’ve used Freewell filters on my previous Mavic 2 Pro and they performed quite well. However, while I’m yet to try the Freewell CPL filter for the Mavic 3, reviews seem to fit the bill from the previous generation.

For around $25, you can bag a decent CPL filter which does a great job at reducing glare and boosting contrast. However, just like the stock DJI ND filters, don’t expect cinema-grade glass on these cheaper Mavic 3 filters.

Buy on Amazon

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Related: Finding the Best Camera Bag for Travel

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3. FX Filters For Unique Drone Shots

Other than a light-reducing ND filter kit and a CPL filter, there’s little else you really NEED to start creating amazing, professional aerial photographs and cinematic video with your drone.

However, advanced users, or those working in film production might be interested in FX filters. FX in the cinematography world essentially means effects, and when it comes to filters, usually work by adding some kind of cool, unique, or quirky look to the footage.

While I don’t use FX filters too much for my adventure travel and landscape content, I have listed some awesome filters below that might catch your eye.

Common Special Effects Filters for the DJI Mavic 3

1. Morphic Filters

Morphic looks are a very new concept in aerial filters. These work by adding long, cinematic-looking streaks and flares that really give a unique look almost impossible to replicate in post-production.

The only options I’ve been able to find are made by PolarPro, who sell a BlueMorphic and GoldMorphic for cold, or warm light streak looks.

2. Mist Filters

Looking to enhance your footage with that dreamy, cinematic look you often see on the silver screen? Mist filters work by giving your aerial shot a soft, atmospheric vibe.

Depending on the manufacturer, these FX filters come in various strengths, or densities. The best options are from PolarPro, Freewell, and NiSi, and sometimes even come integrated with neutral density coatings as well.

More Photography Gear Guides

I hope this quick guide to choosing the best Mavic 3 filters will help you lift your aerial photography and videography game!

Take a pick below for more useful camera and photography gear guides!

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The post 3 Types of Mavic 3 Filters You Need for Your DJI Drone appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Clean drinking water is our most precious resource. It’s something that we often take for granted when we freely pour purified water directly from our home country’s faucets. But, it’s not until we travel abroad or head out for a backcountry hiking trip that we realize just how important it is to have a sustainable and safe water filtration bottle.

It took me a while to realize this.

After the first year of full-time travel, I really was desperate for an easy and sustainable water purification solution. I couldn’t justify adding any more single-use disposable plastic bottles to landfill or popping any more foul-tasting water purification tablets.

Luckily, this is about the same time that new filtration technology and innovative, travel-inspired water purification bottles with built-in filters started emerging in hostel common rooms and trekking lodges.

Initially convinced that this was some kind of magic, I was shocked. These bottle purifiers could turn dirty and unsafe water into safe, and great-tasting clean water– devoid of heavy metals and harmful parasites!

And, so my search for the best water filter bottle for travel began.

Fast-forward four years later and I'm still living full-time on the road. I've tried just about every travel water filter on the market, from ultralight gravity filter systems to membrane ultrafiltration straws. After a lot of trial and error, I'm convinced that the best solution for travelers is to buy a reusable water filtration bottle.

That's why, in this gear guide, I'll summarize the best filtered water bottles to help you travel and hike freely, without worrying about the environmental and health impacts of drinking water.

Quick Answer: Here Are the Best Travel Water Bottle Filters

I get it, who wants to read an entire essay about the best water purifier bottles?

That's why I'm giving you the quick answers right here, with links to buy the bottles from Amazon, REI, or directly from the manufacturer.

The absolute best travel water filter bottle is the Grayl GeoPress
An all-in-one travel water bottle filter and water purifyer using an innovative and ridiculously easy-to-use press system. Turns any dirty or suspicious water into clean, great-tasting drinking water so we can focus on the adventure. This is the only water bottle filter that allows us to actually transport clean water, but more on this below.

I've personally used this bottle for a few years on a daily basis. I've used it to filter tap water in India and questionable water sources in Colombia. I even use it to press out any chemical or metal tastes from safe tap water in countries like Australia and the United States.

But, you didn't come here just to hear about one filter bottle. So, here are 9 more travel water filter bottles to consider:

1. Grayl UltraPress - the newer, lighter Grayl. Great for hiking or when you need an ultralight purifier bottle.
2. Epic Nalgene Ultimate Travel OG - good straw-style water bottle filter for lovers of Nalgene
3. Lifestraw Go - convenient for everyday use
4. Surivimate - budget straw filter bottle
5. LARQ Purevis- insulated UV-C light filtration bottle
6. Nalgene Bottle with Steripen Ultra - unique solution combining a versatile UV filter with a regular Nalgene
7. Seychelle Advanced - unique bottle filter removes radioactive contaminants
8. Katadyn BeFree - very lightweight and compactable filter bottle
9. CrazyCap Pro - popular UV filter lid compatible with a wide range of plastic bottles

Below I'll give a thorough rundown of each bottle, outlining the pros, cons, and ranking important features to help you make an informed decision to purchase the best water filter bottle for your travels and adventures.

But First, Why Should Travelers Invest in the Best Water Filter Bottle In the First Place?

Still not convinced that a water bottle-style filter is the best option for travel? Let me help with that.

Alternatively, skip directly to the review of each bottle below.

1. A Filter Will Keep you Safe from Harmful Bacteria & Parasites

Access to safe drinking water anywhere is likely already your biggest motivation for buying a filter bottle.

However, did you know that most of the bottles in this roundup remove 99.99% of harmful contaminants, even from dirty, stagnant water sources including lake water and even muddy puddles?

Most importantly, the best water bottle filter should filter bacteria such E. coli, which is the cause of Traveler's Diarrhea, more commonly known as Delhi belly, Bali belly, Montezuma's revenge, or the Aztec two-step. Whatever you want to call it, the Rangoon runs is serious business– and the leading cause of illness in travelers overseas.

2. Using a Filter Bottle While Traveling Reduces Plastic Waste

Secondly, the impact of one traveler simply swapping to a reusable water bottle rather than buying two 1.25L plastic water bottles each day is remarkable. Consider a 3-month backpacking trip in South East Asia. That's over 180 plastic bottles either ending up in landfill or more likely, burnt up into our atmosphere.

3. Even an Expensive Travel Filter Bottle Will Save You Money

Yes, a high-quality water bottle filter might seem like a considerable investment for just a bottle.

But, consider the cost of the above example. Those plastic bottles might seem cheap, but the cost adds up. When we total the cost of the single-use bottles with the inevitable use of water purification tablets on hikes, the yearly cost is in the several hundreds of dollars.

A good, reliable travel filter bottle will save you money!

4. Bottle Filters are By Far the Most Convenient and Easy-to-Use

Yes, but why not just buy a gravity filter system, simple straw filter, or squeeze filtration system for travel?

Because chances are that you simply will give up on these systems because they are too inconvenient.

A travel-ready filter bottle is simple, easy to use, clean, and doesn't feel like a chore.

Don't Miss These 2023 Gift Ideas for Travelers

There's still time! Read my detailed guide to the best travel gift ideas in 2023 for the best inspiration!

36 Best Travel Gifts

Detailed Breakdown: The 10 Best Water Bottle Filters for Travel & The Outdoors

So, here it is, the long breakdown of the best water bottle filters for travel and hiking.

I've rated each of these bottles based on:

• Ease of use - convenience for everyday use
• Quality of clean water - taste and range of protection
• Flow rate - how quickly the bottle turns bad water into safe water (measured in liters per minute)
• Durability & material - what the product is made from, and how long it will hold up
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement - filter lifespan in gallons & liters, and how much a replacement costs

For a further breakdown of these criteria, skip to the bottom of this article.

Otherwise, let's get into the review!

1. The Best Bottle Filter For Travel: The Grayl GeoPress

• Ease of use: 5/5 - Very Easy
• Quality of clean water: 5/5 - Excellent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 5 liters/minute (8 seconds per 24oz)
• Durability & material: 5/5 - BPA-FREE polypropylene #5, food-grade silicone, TPE, and ABS food-grade plastic to withstand drops of 10ft+ onto concrete (full of water)
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 250 liters | $29.95

You already know that the Grayl GeoPress is the world's best water bottle filter for travel, hiking, and everyday use. It's the only bottle on the market that can purify dirty water and store it inside the same system with a best-in-class outstanding flow rate.

The GeoPress works by filling dirty water into the outer "case", and pressing the inner filter bottle into it, effectively creating fresh, clean drinking water from any water source, without any risk of cross-contamination.

This makes the GeoPress extremely versatile. It allows travelers to filter 24 oz of water in just 8 seconds, which is great for cooking in the backcountry and sharing water with others by letting them fill their own bottles with the purified water.

The quality of water and range of protection is also best in its class, effectively removing:

• 99.99% of viruses
• 99.9999% of bacteria
• 99.9% of protozoa
• All particulates including microplastics, sediment, and silt
• Chemicals including chlorine, benzene, chloroform
• Heavy metals including lead, arsenic, chromium

This level of filtration effectively makes the Grayl system also a water purifying bottle, since it is able to filter out bacteria, protozoan cysts, and heavy metals– plus waterborne virus as well. Protection from virus is paramount for any traveler making their way to continents like Asia, Africa, and Central/South America, where a purifier bottle is essential.

The Grayl states that the cartridge lasts roughly 350 presses. However, by filtering mostly clean water without particulates, I've managed to get away with using at least double this amount. Filter cartridges are also very easy to find around the world in outdoor stores, and Grayl even has a recycling program for these.

I've used this bottle for several years and have very few gripes with it. The weight and size are the only downsides I can think of for weight-critical hikers. However, if this is a priority, the issue is solved by opting for the UltraPress option instead.

Buy from GRAYL

Buy at REI

Buy on Amazon

2. The best LIghtweight Water Bottle Filter: Grayl UltraPress

• Ease of use: 5/5 - Very Easy
• Quality of clean water: 5/5 - Excellent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 3 liters/minute (10 seconds per 16.9oz)
• Durability & material: 5/5 - BPA-FREE polypropylene #5, food-grade silicone, TPE, and ABS food-grade plastic to withstand drops of 10ft+ onto concrete (full of water)
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 150 liters | $24.95

The runner-up place for the world's best water bottle filter for travel is the Grayl UltraPress. This is a new addition from The Grayl, coming in a 16.9 oz (500 mL) bottle as opposed to the 24 oz (710 mL) GeoPress. The smaller size bottle means that is much lighter, at only 12.5 oz (354 grams), and fits much better in a backpack drink bottle holder.

Additionally, the UltraPress provides the same safe water protection (removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, heavy metals) as the original GeoPress. Due to the lighter weight and better packability, I've decided to swap out my original GeoPress and use the UltraPress instead for everyday use and travel.

For longer hikes where I need more water, I use it to filter and fill my 3L water bladder in my camera backpack.

Bottom line: If weight and packability are a priority when choosing the best travel water bottle filter, pick the UltraPress. Alternatively, if you prefer a larger capacity and longer filter duration, go for the GeoPress.

Buy from GRAYL

Buy at REI

Buy on Amazon

3. Epic Nalgene Ultimate Travel OG

• Ease of use: 4/5 - Easy
• Quality of clean water: 5/5 - Excellent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: information not available - reported more restricted flow than Lifestraw Go
• Durability & material: 5/5 - BPA BPS free Tritan plastic
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 380 liters | $30

The next best filter water bottle after the Grayl systems is made by Epic Water Filters in collaboration with Nalgene.

The Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate is a straw-style filter inserted into a durable wide-mouth Nalgene Tritan bottle. This makes it a lightweight and very durable water bottle filter that is an excellent choice for hiking and outdoor use.

The filtration system creates potable water from dirty water using its "Outdoor Adventure Filter", which gets rid of:

• 99.95% of viruses
• 99.9999% of bacteria
• All particulates including microplastics, sediment, and silt
• Most chemicals including chlorine (96.8%), fluoride (68%), nitrate (88.2%), and sulfate (91.8%)
• Heavy metals including lead, arsenic, copper, etc (88.4%-99.5% depending on the metal)

For a full list check out the performance data tests.

While the filter quality isn't quite as good as the one from Grayl, they do last for nearly twice as long as the UltraPress (I still think that Grayl is being too conservative). Additionally, the water quality is extremely good and tastes great, even when drinking from dirty water sources.

A potential downside to this system is that finding replacement filters can be tricky, especially while traveling abroad. Also, after using straw filters for a while, I've quickly come to dislike them since they are effectively useless for filtering water for cooking or sharing.

Buy from Epic Water Filters

Buy on Amazon

4. Lifestraw GO Bottle Filter

• Ease of use: 4/5 - Easy
• Quality of clean water: 4/5 - Great Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 1.2 liters/minute
• Durability & material: 3/5 - BPA-FREE food-grade plastic
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 4000 liters | $24.95

LifeStraw (Vestergaard) is a company that's been around since 2005 and is credited for inventing the filter straw during its work to eradicate the Guinea worm in developing nations.

The LifeStraw Go bottle is one of the most popular water filter bottles for travel as it's lightweight, affordable, and filters up to 4,000 liters before needing a replacement filter.

The LifeStraw works by inserting its patented straw filter inside the bottle, which when sucked, forces water through hollow fibers of 0.2 microns in size, meaning bacteria & parasites cannot pass, and only clean water gets through.

The microfilter effectively removes:

• 99.999999% of bacteria
• 99.999% of parasites/amoebas/cysts
• 99.999% of microplastics

In my experience, LifeStraw products have always kept me safe, but the resulting taste of the water is nowhere near as clean as what you will get with press filters like the Grayl. Again, these systems do not create clean water for storage, forcing travelers to carry dirty water, and only filtering it just before it hits the mouth.

However, if an affordable, long-lasting filter bottle that will likely do the job of filtering water for immediate drinking is what you're looking for, then this is a great option. Just keep in mind that the LifeStraw is not a purifying bottle and will not remove any waterborne viruses.

Buy on Amazon

5. SurviMate Bottle Filter

• Ease of use: 4/5 - Easy
• Quality of clean water: 3/5 - Decent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 0.55 liters/minute
• Durability & material: 3/5 - BPA-free, food-grade Tritan Copolyester
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 1500 liters | $18.99

I've included the next outdoor and travel water bottle filter in this roundup because it is currently one of the most popular filter bottles on Amazon, with thousands of 5-star reviews.

I'm going to be honest, I've never used this filter. So, all I can do is provide you with the specifications and a summary of reviews.

At first glance, the SurviMate Filtered Bottle seems like a cheaper copy of the better-tested LifeStraw Go Bottle. This bottle claims to use medical-grade PP cotton, antibacterial beads, medical-grade hollow fiber UF membranes, and a coconut shell-activated carbon filter to remove 99.99% of E. Coli, with not much more information available regarding heavy metals, viruses, or parasites (we can assume it does not filter these).

Again, the reviews of this filter are phenomenal, which must account for something. However, I am skeptical about its public reports, which come from independent Chinese labs (even then, from a questionable source). Furthermore, while I haven't seen a single review claiming that the filter resulted in illness, Amazon users have commented that the initial plastic odor and taste are quite bad.

In conclusion, this is a cheap water bottle filter that it seems tens of thousands of people are happy with. I personally would invest in a more reputable brand. But, if the price is the absolute top priority for you, it might be worth digging into.

View on Amazon

6. LARQ PureVis

• Ease of use: 5/5 - Very Easy
• Quality of clean water: 3/5 - Decent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 1.5 liters/minute - 20 seconds for 17oz bottle
• Durability & material: 4/5 - polished stainless steel
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: N/A - replacement cap $69.95

LARQ became famous when it made headlines for asking the highest valuation in history on the popular TV show 'Shark Tank'. Today, LARQ produces one of the world's top UV-C bottles, the LARQ PureVis.

This unique UV-C light works by damaging 99% of bacteria, viruses, and mold inside the bottle, effectively making it "self-cleaning" and "purifying". It takes roughly 20 seconds to purify the water inside the 17 oz bottle, by bouncing the UV-C light around inside from its rechargeable lid.

This is an innovative water filtering solution that makes it one of the simplest and easy-to-use water bottle filters for travel. However, after testing out a LARQ bottle from a questionable water source (even filtering the water for 3-minutes on the adventure mode), I realized that while the water might be safe to drink, it tastes awful.

The reason is that this filter does not remove particulates, heavy metals, or silt that you will be sure to find in tap water across the developing world. As a result, the LARQ UV-C is a great filter for everyday use when filtering already clean drinking water, but I would not recommend it for outdoor use or as a travel bottle in countries with poor water quality.

Buy From LARQ

Buy on Amazon

7. Nalgene Bottle With Steripen Ultra

• Ease of use: 2/5 - A bit annoying
• Quality of clean water: 3/5 - Decent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 0.75 liters/minute
• Durability & material: 5/5 - BPA-free, food-grade Tritan Copolyester |
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 50 liters per charge (8000L lifespan) | $269.95

The SteriPen is a popular UV-C light filter that is gaining popularity with the outdoor crowd. While quite expensive, the pen is tiny, and claims to filter up to 50 liters of water on a single charge!

Combining the SteriPen with the (so far) indestructible Nalgene 1.0L wide brim bottle is a popular option when filtering clean stream water in the outdoors. That's because this DIY water filtration solution is the lightest system on the list and does a good job of removing nearly all bacteria, viruses, and common pesky parasites like giardia (however, it won't remove the parasite's eggs, including tapeworms).

Again, as with all UV-C filters, you will have the issue of particulates and silt. It also involves a few extra steps, so this isn't the most convenient for everyday use. With that said, this system is more tailored toward hikers looking for that peace of mind when drinking fresh stream water and serves this purpose well.

Buy Nalgen From REI

Buy SteriPen on Amazon

8. Seychelle Advanced

• Ease of use: 4/5 - Easy
• Quality of clean water: 4/5 - Great Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: unknown - more resistance than LifeStraw Go
• Durability & material: 4/5 - EPA approved low-density #4 plastic
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 378 liters | $28.95

Next up is another very popular water bottle filter, especially with the survival and prepper crowd.

The Seychelle Advanced Flip Top Bottle is an American-made filter system with very reputable filter testing reports. Similar to the LifeStraw Go, the Seychelle water bottle filters use a straw filter to purify water on demand. What makes the Advanced filter stand out is its ability to filter radiological contaminants– yep, you head that right!

Additionally, this system clears out 99.99% of

1. Odors
2. Cloudiness and silt
3. Chlorine and other toxic chemicals
4. Heavy metals
5. Bacteria
6. Viruses
7. Parasites

Furthermore, this bottle is very affordable and can be used with a convenient pump to filter larger amounts of water for storage, sharing, and outdoor cooking. The biggest gripe that I have with this system is that it is almost impossible to find a replacement filter when traveling. If this wasn't the case, I'd strongly consider it the number-one best water filter bottle for travel.

Buy on Amazon

9. Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Squeeze Bottle Filter

• Ease of use: 5/5 - Very Easy
• Quality of clean water: 4/5 - Great Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 2 liters/minute
• Durability & material: 3/5 - Hydrapak SoftFlaskTM made of TPU, 100% PVC, and BPA free
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: 1000 liters | $49.95 (replace entire bottle)

The BeFree by Katadyn is one of the most popular water bottle filters for backpacking and long-distance hiking. This largely comes down to its ease of use, packability, and ultra-lightweight design. At just 2.3 ounces, this empty flask and filter system rolls up into your backpack or pocket!

This system filters up to 2 liters per minute by squeezing a collapsable flask full of dirty water through the filter mouthpiece. This filter is very small but works extremely well considering the 0.1-micron hollow fiber microfilter eliminates protozoa (99.99%) and bacteria (99.9999%) from 1,000 liters of water before needing a replacement.

Additionally, the ability to "squeeze" water through the filter means that hikers and backpackers can fill up their water reservoirs, a much better solution than an on-demand filter straw. However, just like the LifeStraw and other stray-style filters, you will be carrying dirty water until you squeeze it into your mouth or another bottle.

While I would recommend this as the number one water bottle filter for ultralight hikers and backpackers, having a collapsable bottle for everyday use when traveling isn't very practical. Furthermore, the Katadyn BeFree does not filter out viruses, which means your water will not get 100% safe water from this filter in the majority of countries outside North America, Europe, and Oceana.

Buy at REI

Buy on Amazon

10. CrazyCap Pro

• Ease of use: 5/5 - Very Easy
• Quality of clean water: 3/5 - Decent Protection & Taste
• Flow rate: 0.5 liters/minute - 60 seconds for 17 oz
• Durability & material: 4/5 - Triple-vacuum insulated stainless steel
• Filter lifespan & cost of replacement: N/A | N/A

The final water bottle filter on this list is another UV-C bottle offering similar performance to the LARQ PureVis bottle at a cheaper price point. Again, the CrazyCap Pro bottle comes with all the drawbacks and caveats you'll get with any UV light filter bottle. But, it could be a better pick for those who don't need to filter extremely dirty water.

The bottle is also very well-designed and provides triple stainless steel insulation to keep your water cold for up to 12 hours. A unique feature of the CrazyCap is that in addition to the standard bottle, the cap is designed to fit on most cola-sized plastic bottles.

Buy on Amazon

What Makes a Great Reusable Travel Water Filter

As promised, here's a quick breakdown of what you should consider when choosing the best water filter bottle for travel, outdoor, or everyday use.

1. Ease of Use

When it comes down to it, the reason why the world uses over 1 million single-use plastic bottles every single minute is convenience. When choosing a water filter bottle, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions.

1. How will I use it? Day to day, for special trips, or for backcountry use?
2. How likely am I to commit to filtering my water through this bottle?
3. Where am I planning to use the bottle?

A water filtration bottle offers the most convenient way to filter pure water since it doesn't require a complex setup to do so.

2. Quality of Clean Filtered Water (Taste & range of Protection)

Of course, the quality of clean, filtered water should be a top priority. Consider purchasing a bottle based on its produced water taste, and odor. Many bottles will filter out gross chemicals like chlorine dioxide and heavy metals, which is great for filtering water already deemed "safe".

While taste is important, quality should also be considered based on your range of protection. Typically, press filter systems like the Grayl will deliver better safe water than quick-sip straw systems since they will filter out viruses as well as bacteria and protozoa cysts.

At a minimum, travelers will want adequate protection from:

Bacteria & Protozoa

Bacteria is a broad term that describes unicellular microorganisms. When filtering questionable water sources for drinking, the bacteria that we are concerned about are those that cause disease and other issues. The main examples of harmful bacteria commonly found in water include:

• Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) - causes travelers diarrhea when consumed
• Campylobacter Jejuni - Causes infections with symptoms of cramping, diarrhea, fever and pain
• Hepatitis A - yes, this is a bacteria that causes severe issues like jaundice, fever, chronic fatigue up to 28 days after exposure
• Salmonella - not just from eating raw chicken. Salmonella is a common pathogen which will cause you severe feveres, headaches, diarrhea, and pain
• Cryptosporidium - a protozoan acting in a very similar way to parasites. This causes severe and very painful diarrhea and commonly occurs in even very clean-looking drinking water.

Luckily, nearly all water filter bottle systems in this roundup will protect travelers from the majority of bacteria and protozoa.

Parasites

If you've ever been infected with a common parasite like Giardia, you'll know that his is one of the worst experiences your bowels could ever endure. Luckily, parasites are usually larger than bacteria, and a filter with a very small micron filter will usually remove these.

Viruses

Viruses are one of the most difficult things to filter out of water. Water bottles that are capable of removing harmful global waterborne viruses are called water purifiers.

This aspect is where the Grayl is the best water filter bottle for travelers visiting one of the around 100 countries in the world where this can be a problem. In my opinion, bottles like the LifeStraw Go or the Katadyn BeFree are only useful in countries without this risk.

3. Filter Flow Rate or Time to Clean Water

Another reason why some people stop using their water filter is that it just takes too long to filter water. This specification is called flow rate, measured in liters per minute.

A reusable water bottle doesn't require the filtration of gallons of water at a time, but slow flow rates can get annoying.

This is where on-demand straw-style filters like the LifeStraw are convenient since there is little to no waiting time. However, these straws do take some time and effort to suck the water through and don't provide a lot of water at a time.

UV-C light filters like the LARQ are designed to break down and kill bacteria and viruses inside the bottle, and generally take the most time, but the least effort to do so, since everything happens inside the bottle at the press of a button.

On the other hand, press and squeeze systems like the bottles from Grayl and Katadyn, require slightly more initial effort to get clean water. However, provide the ability to prepare large quantities of safe water at a time.

4. Filter Bottle Material & Durability

Travelers know that investing in products with poor durability is not a good idea. This is due to the simple fact that things get banged up on the move. Whether you're chucking your filter bottle in a backpack, dropping it off a hostel bunk, or throwing it in the back seat of your van, chances are it'll suffer some scuffs and bruises along the way.

When grading a water filter bottle for its durability, it's best to consider the material of both the bottle and filter. Hard, durable plastics on bottles like Nalgene and Grayl's are much more durable than soft plastics and even stainless steel. Soft plastics have a tendency to warp, while stainless bottles often are left with dings and cracks.

5. Filter Longevity & Ease/Cost of Replacement Filters

Even the best water filter bottle will need a replacement filter after a while. Initially, people tend to pay the most attention to the volume lifecycles. While this is important in gauging how much water you can expect to filter between replacements, what I believe is more important for travelers is the ease and cost of the replacement.

For example, in this roundup, you'll find several filters which claim to purify thousands of liters of water. However, it's a good idea to consider where or how you will attain a replacement, especially if you are planning to travel for an extended period.

More Travel Gear Guides & Adventure Inspiration

And, that's a wrap on this detailed gear guide to finding the best water bottle filter for travel, hiking, adventure, and everyday use!

Whether you're planning a backpacking trip through South America, or a quick business trip to Japan, purchasing a quality water filtration bottle will benefit both you and our environment.

Before you head off to purchase your new water bottle, check out some of my other useful gear guides below.

• 3 Best Trekking Travel Insurance Policies for High Altitude Hiking & Expeditions
• Digital Nomad Jobs - 2023 Guide to Making Money Online While Traveling
• Digital Nomad Packing List - 15 Practical Things Everyone Needs in 2023
• Finding the Best Camera Backpack for Hiking, Travel & Adventure in 2023
• Finding the Best SSD for Photography (External Solid-State Hard Drives)
• Finding the Best Travel Organizer for Electronics & Accessories in 2023
• SafetyWing vs. World Nomads Insurance for Digital Nomads
• Three Passes Packing List - What You Need For The Three Passes & EBC Trek
• Three Passes Trek Itinerary & Independent Trekking Guide (2023)
• Travel Packing List for India: What You Need to Bring On a Trip to India

The post Finding the Best Water Filter Bottle For Travel, Hiking, & Backpacking appeared first on We Seek Travel.

A gear-roundup guide to finding the best camera backpack for hiking, travel, and adventure.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or you’ve just made your first investment in a new mirrorless camera system, protecting your expensive camera gear is likely going to be one of your top gear priorities.

After living on the road for the past four years working as a full-time professional adventure travel photographer, finding the perfect backpack capable of protecting my photography gear from the airport to the hiking trail has always been a struggle.

Even as an amateur photographer, before this was my job, I went through several photography backpacks. While many did the job of keeping my photo gear safe, I always experienced issues with poor durability, uncomfortable bag fits, and most importantly, poor access to equipment– often resulting in missed shots.

That’s why recently, I set off in search of the best camera backpack for hiking, travel, and adventure. I personally trialed and compared dozens of backpacks from top photography equipment brands, and spent hours reading reviews and speaking to colleagues for recommendations.

So, to help out my fellow photographers who spend more time shooting mountains than studio portraits, I’ve culminated my research into this photography equipment guide. Here, I’ll break down the best travel camera backpacks designed for outdoor use, either on the trail or on an expedition, so you don’t have to.

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer: Here are the Best Camera Backpacks for Hiking & Travel
• Breakdown: The 11 Best Travel & Hiking Backpacks for Photography
  • 1. Best Overall: F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond Pack
  • The Verdict
  • 2. Peak Design Travel Backpack
  • 3. Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II
  • 4. Thule Covert Camera Backpack
  • Top Features
  • What’s Lacking
  • 5. Bagsmart Camera Backpack
  • 6. Burton F-Stop 28L
  • 7. LowePro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW
  • 8. WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag (M/L)
  • 9. Atlas Packs Adventure Pack
  • 10. Nomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L
  • 11. Shimoda Action X30
  • Bonus: Use Your Hiking Backpack With the LowePro GearUP Creator Box
• Anatomy of a Great Photography Backpack for Hiking & Travel
  • 1. Durability & Weatherproof Materials
  • 2. Accessibility & Organization Features
  • 3. Modular Design
  • 4. Carry-on Capability (Bag Weight & Size)
  • 5. Gear Fit & Comfort
• More Photography Equipment Guides

Quick Answer: Here are the Best Camera Backpacks for Hiking & Travel

Not in the mood to read through the pros and cons for all of the best camera backpacks?

Here is the quick answer.

The best camera backpack overall for travel and landscape photographers serious about their craft and their gear is the new F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond 50L backpack. Read on for an honest breakdown of why I use this camera backpack every day.

10 more great photo backpacks include:

• Peak Design Travel Backpack
• Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II
• Thule Covert Camera Backpack
• Bagsmart Camera Backpack
• Burton F-Stop 28L
• LowePro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW
• WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag
• Atlas Packs Adventure Pack
• Nomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L
• Shimoda Action X30

Below I'll go into more detail about each pack, giving reasons for why I would recommend them for hiking and adventure shoots.

Breakdown: The 11 Best Travel & Hiking Backpacks for Photography

Next, here is a detailed breakdown of the best camera bags for hiking, travel, and adventure.

Below I've listed 11 camera backpacks and included specifications, pros, cons, and some reasoning for why I've included them in this roundup.

1. Best Overall: F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond Pack

• Pack volume: 50 liters
• Weight: 4.2 lb | 1.9 kg
• Size: 24.5 x 13.7 x 11.1 in | 62.3 x 34.8 x 24.4 cm

Pros:

1. Amazing weatherproof build quality
2. Top-of-the-line modular camera insert system (ICUs)
3. Most comfortable photography backpack for long hikes and treks

Cons:

1. New version still lacks water bottle pockets
2. More expensive than other camera bags
3. Fewer included compression straps than the original Tilopa

Right off the bat, you already know that I consider the new F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond 50L adventure backpack to be the best camera bag on the market.

F-Stop Gear is known for top-of-the-range camera storage systems for harsh backcountry adventurers. Their line of camera bags features removable camera inserts, or ICUs, allowing for a completely modular storage solution for your gear.

The original Tilopa is an adventure camera backpack that I have personally used and severely abused in the past. With only a few minor opportunities for improvement, the new DuraDiamond version includes some subtle yet appreciated upgrades that really make this the best hiking camera pack on the market.

Top Features

Here are a few stand-out qualities that make this pack so great. For owners of the original Tilopa, I've highlighted the new features.

• Proprietary DuraDiamond material is insanely durable, lightweight and includes excellent water repelling coating (new feature)
• Intuitive easy access integrated pocket zippers enabling "pockets within pockets" for flexible organization (new feature)
• Very comfortable, wide, and thick algae-based shoulder straps (new feature)
• Aluminum buckles and adjustment hardware (new feature)
• Welded water-resistant zippers (new feature)
• Wide back panel access to all gear, including a padded 16-inch laptop compartment(new feature)
• 50L storage capacity is perfect for DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras including long telephotos, drones, tripods, and accessories, with plenty of pockets and enough room for personal items & hiking essentials
• Solid aluminum frame and solid waist straps for comfort when carrying gear-heavy setups on multi-day treks

What's Lacking?

Truthfully, there really is little to gripe about with this camera backpack. However, the F-stop has again chosen not to include a water bottle holder on the side of the pack, which I liked on their older LOKA bag. This does seem like a downside at first. However, this decision was intentional in order to create more versatile side pockets, which are already a huge improvement over the original Tilopa. Furthermore, there is an integrated water bladder pocket with convenient hose routing, which is a better way to carry water anyway.

Additionally, for those who use water bottle filters, it's easy to clip one on easily using a carabiner and a Gatekeeper strap.

The second initial downside is that the integrated side-compression straps have been removed on the DuraDiamond version.

The result is a more refined stock backpack. However, I find these compression straps essential to make the backpack smaller for use as an in-flight carry-on bag. This is quickly resolved by using F-stop's Gatekeeper Straps mounted onto the integrated strapping points.

While photographers will have to pay extra for these straps, the fact that they are removable could actually be viewed as an improvement as it provides more flexibility in external pack configuration. Either way, I keep two on the side for extra compression potential at all times.

The Verdict

The Tilopa from F-Stop's Mountain Series is my number one pick for the best camera backpack for both travel and hiking, including long trips in the backcountry and professional photographers working on demanding expeditions.

Keep in mind that the F-Stop Tilopa is quite a substantial investment and is by far not the cheapest camera backpack on the market. However, with an included 20-year warranty, this is the camera backpack that you buy once and use for life.

Buy at F-Stop

Buy on Amazon

The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

Buy on Amazon

2. Peak Design Travel Backpack

• Pack volume: 30 liters
• Weight: 3.9 lb | 1.8 kg
• Size: 19.1 x 13. x 10.6 in | 48.5 x 33 x 27 cm

Pros:

1. Excellent versatility with side-access zippers
2. Compatible compartments and straps turns the bag from a 45L gear hauler into a 35L day bag
3. Durable and weatherproof outer material

Cons:

1. Not as comfortable for long treks as other hiking backpacks
2. Minimalist design limits organization
3. Hard to justify the weight with limited pockets and attachments

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is another excellent and versatile camera backpack from Peak Design, the maker of one of my all-time favorite photography accessories, the Peak Design Capture Clip, as well as one of the best lightweight travel tripods on the market.

I regularly use many of Peak Design's innovating products and have personally tested out their highly acclaimed Travel Backpack (45L), as well as their more popular Everyday Backpack. Of the two, the Travel Backpack is more suitable for hiking, with a large main compartment and straps comfortable enough to carry heavy gear on any day hike.

Top Features

Top features of Peak Design's Travel Backpack include:

• International carry-on approved size
• Stowable shoulder & waist straps great for airline travel
• Large main compartment with tear access, dual side access, and top access
• Comfortable enough to take on day hikes and versatile enough for city shoots
• 45L is a good size to store plenty of camera equipment including a DSLR camera, drone, large lenses, and even a 16-inch Macbook Pro
• Solid bottom liner and weatherproof, recycled 400D nylon canvas
• Removable camera units for modular storage

What's Lacking?

While Peak Design's offering is an excellent, all-round travel photography backpack, there are a few things that might not make it the best camera backpack for hiking long distances or over several days.

Firstly, Peak Design has done a good job of making this camera backpack as versatile as possible for travel. However, this has resulted in some not-so-comfortable traps that can really dig in when carrying big loads. Honestly, I would have liked to see more attention paid to the shoulder and waist straps for added comfort rather than the ability to stow them.

Furthermore, while the Travel Backpack undeniably looks great, it does lack some organizational features present on other backpacks. This includes a lack of many pockets or organizational zippers inside the backpack. The bag is also quite heavy considering there are not many attachment points or pockets.

Also, this backpack is one of the most expensive in this gear roundup, which might discourage some people from purchasing it. However, Peak Design offers a lifetime warranty, making your investment a safe one.

The Verdict

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is one of the best and most versatile camera packs on the market. This is a premium backpack that photographers can use to carry their gear in a wide range of cases, from day hikes to overnight trips or week-long vacations.

However, the lack of a solid frame and rather thin straps would discourage professional photographers looking for a premium hiking backpack to carry their camera equipment in tough alpine or backcountry conditions.

Buy at Peak Design

Buy on Amazon

3. Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II

• Pack volume: 25 liters
• Weight: 6.3 lb | 2.8 kg
• Size: 20.4 x 14.2 x 8.7 in | 52 x 36 x 22 cm

Pros:

1. Rugged turret-loading hard-top for optimal protection of fragile gear
2. Dual-side access, rear access, and top access zippers
3. Plenty of attachment points using LowePro's SlipLock loops allows a modular exterior configuration

Cons:

1. Quite a stiff mount can be uncomfortable on multi-day treks
2. Non-welded zippers will leak in water (need to use a rain cover even in light drizzles)
3. Velcro dividers are a little flimsy and dislodge from side-access opening

LowePro is one of the world's top photography brands, offering a wide range of high-quality storage solutions for everything from heavy gripped DSLR camera rigs to lightweight electronics organizers for hard drives and accessories.

Their most popular backpack is the LowePro Protactic BP 450 AW II. You'll see this bag advertised everywhere, with many great photographers using it as their go-to camera backpack for hiking and travel photography.

Top Features

This is a top-of-the-line backpack made from a serious photography equipment manufacturer. Some of the things I love about LowePro's Protactic backpack include:

• Great hard top with turret access
• Four convenient access points (sides, back, and top) enables photographers to access their gear quickly
• Comes with a rain cover
• Zippable camera compartment capable of housing up to 15-inch laptops
• Nice organizational features with zippers inside the backpack
• Compatible with many accessories and add-ons using LowePro's SlipLock mounts
• Minimal design doesn't stand out too much at airports

What's Lacking?

I used the original version of this pack for quite some time and while I did harbor some gripes with it, it seems that LowePro really has addressed most of this in their new version.

However, one thing in particular that I wish they would have addressed is the thin shoulder straps and waistband. I have tested this new backpack with a full-load of gear and I couldn't imagine hiking any more than a few days with it on.

Furthermore, the pack is very heavy considering LowePro only offers 25L of internal storage at over 2.8 kg for the base backpack. As a comparison, the F-Stop Tilopa at a similar pricepoint offers double the storage at a lower base weight (roughly equally weighted after adding the ICU).

Lastly, I wish that LowePro would upgrade the velcro dividers that come with this backpack. While they do offer some unique solutions including dividers with pockets for lens filters, they all seem to come unstuck easily and just feel flimsy after a few weeks of use.

The Verdict

If you're looking for a great, all-around camera backpack that you can take on short trips or use to transport your equipment between jobs, then the ProTactic BP 450 AW II from LowePro is an excellent option. However, the thin straps and low-quality velcro inserts are disappointing to see in such an expensive bag.

Buy on Amazon

Related: Finding the Best Portable SSD for Photography & Videography

4. Thule Covert Camera Backpack

• Pack volume: 32 liters
• Weight: 4.71 lb | 2.1 kg
• Size: 20.5 x 14.2 x 9.1 in | 52.1 x 36.1 x 23.1 cm

Pros:

1. Convenient roll-up top for expandable storage and quick-access
2. Thin form factor makes it a great camera backpack for carry-on
3. Removable and modular camera insert can be used as a sling bag on its own

Cons:

1. Limited storage for camera equipment
2. Very thin straps might be uncomfortable on long hikes
3. Bag becomes very stiff when placing a full-sized laptop in the back laptop compartment

Swedish company Thule makes excellent, high-quality electronics and photography bags. Their premiere backpack is the everyday Thule Covert 32L, which includes a unique, removable camera insert that doubles as a small sling bag.

Top Features

In my opinion, the Thule Covert is one of the most beautiful-looking backpacks. Apart from the aesthetics, there are some practical features that have landed this bag a spot on this list:

• Innovative, removable camera insert can be taken out and used as a sling bag
• Roll-up top for extra storage for personal items
• Plenty of pockets with quick access pockets on the sides
• Adjustable and transformable from a convenient hiking day bag or camera backpack
• Laptop storage on the back panel up to 16" MacBook Pro
• Expandable side pocket for storing tripod or large water bottle
• Magnetic front pocket zips
• Zip-up inner divider to separate personal and photography items
• Overall great accessory storage compartments throughout the bag

What's Lacking

There are many things to love about this backpack. However, similarly to LowePro's Protactic and Peak Design's offerings, the Thule Covert's thin straps just don't cut it when it comes to long-distance hiking.

Additionally, while the removable camera storage unit is an innovative and well-thought-out feature, the small size means you can't store more than a DSLR camera and lens with maybe some small accessories. For professional photographers, this is nowhere near enough storage space.

The Verdict

After speaking to other professional photographers, not many had even heard about the Thule Covert. This surprised me since it really is a great backpack, but I have to be honest when I say that I haven't seen it in the wild too much either.

Regardless, its innovative storage solution, attractive design, and abundance of organizational features make this a great pick for many travel photographers.

In fact, I believe this is a better option than the Peak Design Travel and even the LowePro Protactic for most travelers, especially those carrying a minimal gear setup. However, pros and serious backcountry photographers with multiple lenses might want to give this one a swipe.

Buy on Amazon

5. Bagsmart Camera Backpack

• Pack volume: 20 Liters
• Weight: 3.5 lb | 1.6 kg
• Size: 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.5 in | 39.9 x 30 x 19.1 cm

Pros:

1. Very affordable backpack with great reviews
2. Stylish and functional design with several pockets and separated zones for clothes and camera gear
3. Carry-on compatible size

Cons:

1. Laptop compartment zipper doesn't close with bulkier 15.6" laptops
2. Durability is questionable
3. No waist strap

The BagSmart DSLR Camera Backpack is by far one of the most popular camera backpacks on Amazon. That's because you can pick up this stylish backpack, featuring a 15-inch laptop compartment, customizable velcro camera storage unit, and several accessory pockets for less than $50 delivered.

Top Features

Photographers looking for the most affordable camera storage solution for their short hikes will love this pack. Here are a few standout features.

• 15-inch laptop compartment
• Well-built backpack with thousands of 5-star reviews for under $50
• Quick access side pockets and expandable top pocket for personal items and clothing
• Thicker back padding than some of the premium camera backpacks with decently thick shoulder straps
• Water bottle holder for tripod or bottle
• Comes in several colors

What's Lacking

Professional photographers looking for the absolute best travel camera backpack or one for the outdoors will certainly miss things like welded zippers and seams, a waist strap, and customizable attachment points.

Furthermore, while this bag has held up on the Amazon review test, BagSmart is still not a premium brand and therefore quality and replacements are questionable.

The Verdict

Right off the bat, you can't expect this backpack to serve as a professional bag capable of transporting your gear for hundreds of miles in the backcountry. However, that's not what BagSmart has set out to create.

While this bag lacks premium features it's still a great hiking camera backpack for beginner photographers and hobbyists– or those who spent all their money on the newest mirrorless lenses.

Buy on Amazon

6. Burton F-Stop 28L

• Pack volume: 28 liters
• Weight: 5.1 lb | 2.3 kg
• Size: 26 x 12 x 7 in | 65 x 30.5 x 19 cm

Pros:

1. Targetted as a professional hiking backpack for photographers with build-quality to match
2. Comfortable, thick, and adjustable shoulder straps for hiking and trekking
3. Plenty of pockets for accessories, tripods, and more

Cons:

1. A little bulky for a 28L pack
2. No removable camera storage pockets
3. No dedicated laptop sleeve pocket

The Burton F-Stop 28L backpack is a feature-rich camera bag with enough side pockets, extra compartments, and attachment points to satisfy most professional needs. It's made by Burton, one of the world's best outdoor brands for snowsports. So, you know it'll hold up in tough conditions.

Top Features

Unfortunately, this bag is often hard to get your hands on. However, if you do, here are some top features you'll get with this backpack.

• Designed by professional snowboard photographers Dean Blotto Gray and Jesse Dawson
• Backcountry-grade "bomb-proof" design and 500D nylon Cordura ripstop material
• Lots of pockets
• Main compartment includes enough space for 2x DSLR camera bodies, large telephoto lenses, and collapsable drone like the Mavic Pro 3
• Included compression straps for a tight pack when carrying the bag on long hikes
• Adjustable and ergonomic sternum strap, thick, comfortable shoulder straps, and load-balance waist harness with a padded hip belt
• Includes snowboard carry mount

What's Lacking

Right off the bat, the one thing that I wish this backpack had was a dedicated laptop sleeve. This should be standard in any adventure backpack for modern photographers. Furthermore, this bag is slightly heavy and long, resulting in a comfortable carry but will likely limit your carry-on capabilities at the airport.

The Verdict

This is one of my top picks for the best hiking camera backpack for professionals, especially those working in snowsports industries or in mountain conditions. This backpack is great if you need a bag simply for the outdoors. But, if you're looking for an all-around backpack to use for travel, the lack of a dedicated laptop sleeve might be a deal breaker for you.

Buy on Amazon

7. LowePro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW

• Pack volume: 40 liters
• Weight: 3.7 lb | 1.7 kg
• Size: 54 x 31 x 24 cm

Pros:

1. Convenient front access pocket
2. Comfortable chest straps and waist harness
3. Good balance of camera compartment storage and personal adventure items

Cons:

1. No laptop sleeve compartment (only 10-inch tablet)
2. Small back access compartment
3. Not made from weatherproof material (needs rain cover)

While LowePro's Protactic is a great backpack, its straps and fit are not exactly ideal for long hikes and outdoor photography shoots. That's why LowePro released the Flipside Trek BP 450 AW, an excellent 40-liter camera backpack designed for hiking and outdoor photography.

Top Features

Things that I love about this backpack include:

• Unique, convenient front access zipper
• Solid design and zipper layout allows photographers to access their gear by hanging the bag in front of them using the waist straps
• Fits dual camera bodies and extra lenses, with enough space for personal items and adventure equipment
• Adjustable chest straps and padded shoulder straps comfortable for long trips
• Plenty of zippers and included water bottle/tripod holder
• Strapping points and compression straps built-in

What's Lacking

Similarly to Burton's F-stop backpack, the LowePro Flipside Trek also lacks a dedicated laptop compartment. I think this is a huge design flaw that limits the bag as it renders it useless for traveling photographers– often the guys and girls who work in outdoor conditions.

Furthermore, another flaw in the Flipside Trek is that it is slightly long, with limited adjustment positions for those under 5' 7".

The Verdict

Photographers who only need a backpack for hiking will love this pack. It offers everything you're looking for in a stylish and feature-rich design. It's also made by one of the world's best camera backpack manufacturers.

However, again, the deal breaker for me is the lack of a laptop compartment. F-Stop's Tilopa is a much better option or traveling photographers and digital nomads who need rugged protection for their kit and remote office gear.

Buy on Amazon

8. WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag (M/L)

• Pack volume: 50 liters
• Weight: 5 lb | 2.3 kg
• Size: 26 x 13.8 x 9.5 in | 66 x 35 x 24.1 cm

Pros:

1. Very comfortable backpack designed for trekking with 6 points of mount adjustments
2. Excellent breathable foam material on the back piece
3. Modular camera cube inserts

Cons:

1. Lacks a water bottle holder but expandable side pockets will fit one
2. High-visibility color option for alpinists and mountaineering
3. Not as many internal organization pockets as the F-Stop Tilopa

Next up on this roundup of the best camera backpacks for hiking and adventure is the WANDRD FERNWEH backpacking bag. In terms of features, this is the closest competitor to my top pick, the F-Stop Tilopa 50L.

Top Features

This bag is one of my favorites on the market. After the wild success of the WANDRD PRVKE, they have finally made a backpack more suitable for outdoor photographers. Top features include:

• Intuitive "bucket" is a removable separator in the main compartment
• Dedicated water bladder in the front
• Looks absolutely amazing
• Excellent side pocket for storing drink bottles or tripods, with main camera cube side-access on the other side
• Amazingly comfortable mount with great adjustment features
• Waterproof Tarpaulin and 1680D Ballistic Nylon construction is bomb-proof

What's Lacking

In all honesty, there's very little lacking when it comes to features on this bag. As is the case with the Tilopa, I would have liked to see a water bottle holder on the side, but WANDRD instead put a large and more versatile expandable pocket there that essentially does the same job.

While this bag looks fantastic, there are only two color options, which might not be great for alpine professionals looking for a high-visibility backpack.

The Verdict

The WANDRD FERNWEH is an amazing backpack that is very comfortable. In terms of features, it's almost identical to the F-Stop Tilopa, while offering additional side-access capability.

Comparing the two backpacks fully loaded, I still prefer the Tilopa as it is more comfortable, but it's a close game. The FERNWEH is a top-of-the-line backpack for hiking photographers and while I've only tried it on briefly, I have been told that the durability is superb.

Buy at WANDRD

9. Atlas Packs Adventure Pack

• Pack volume: 60 liters
• Weight: 6lb+ | 2.8 kg
• Size: 23 x 11.3 x 9 in | 58.5 x 28. x 23 cm

Pros:

1. Compressable and adjustable depending on load
2. Very comfortable trekking-minded mount with custom hip belt and sized to your torso
3. Intuitive origami internal design makes it easy to modify the camera storage capacity

Cons:

1. Heaviest backpack in this roundup even without the frame hip-belt or dividers
2. No side access compartment to camera gear
3. No welded zippers or removable camera compartment

Coming in next is the AtlasPacks Adventure Pack, a great backpack for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, or backcountry adventures. This is a relatively new brand but has really stirred up the market with its custom-fit design.

Top Features

New brands need to innovate to stand out. That's exactly what AtlasPacks has done by adding these features:

• Customizable torso size and hip belt when purchasing
• Unique Origami folding internal pocket to adjust internal camera storage size
• Water bottle pocket on the side
• Adjustable sternum strap
• New version has added MOLLE attachments on the lid
• Traditional trekking backpack opening lid with compression straps
• Fits up to a 17" Laptop
• 60L maximum capacity and compressible to 35L

What's Lacking

While I'm yet to personally test this one on an expedition or long hike, I'm a huge fan of this backpack after testing it in-store and loading it with gear. One thing I don't like right off the bat is the weight. While the backpack looks light, it is by far the heaviest on this list.

Furthermore, there is no side-access compartment, which limits photographers from quickly swapping gear without taking the backpack off.

Furthermore, for an adventure-minded backpack, I'd like to see companies include weather-proof material and welded zippers right off the bat, especially when we are paying $500 for a bag.

The Verdict

The Atlas Adventure Backpack is a great backpack for hiking photographers. If fit and comfort are a priority, backpacks don't come as comfortable as this customizable fit. I'd say that this bag is definitely up there with the WANDRD FERNWEH and new F-Stop Tilopa as the three best camera backpacks for hiking and adventure.

Choosing between the three will likely come down to price and availability.

10. Nomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L

• Pack volume: 35L - 42L
• Weight: 5.75 lb | 2.6 kg
• Size: 22 x 13.5 x 9 in | 55.9 x 34.3 x 22.9 cm

Pros:

1. Nice, firm, and durable velcro dividers make for versatile sectioning
2. Solid and very durable outer material
3. Back opens up completely for quick-full access

Cons:

1. Very heavy for low storage capacity
2. Not possible to only access the camera compartment without exposing the entire interior
3. Thin straps comfortable for long hikes

As a long-term traveler, I have a soft spot for Nomatic products. They make high-quality, versatile storage solutions that really last a lifetime. In their newest collaboration with Peter McKinnon, they've taken their travel expertise into the world of photography.

Top Features

Most photographers and videographers have tuned into one of Peter's videos at least once. His gear expertise is unquestionable. So, you'd expect a collaboration with one of the world's best travel bag brands to result in some great features like:

• Expandable storage turns this 35L backpack into a 42L one
• Durable and waterproof material
• Plenty of organizational pockets in a minimal design
• Side tripod or drink bottle pocket
• Back panel completely opens up (can be a negative also)
• Very attractive design with hard, durable, and innovative velcro dividers

What's Lacking?

Firstly, the product I tried on didn't have an attached waist strap. I was told that it does include one, but couldn't find this option online either. Secondly, the straps are quite thin, and if you load this backpack up completely, you will struggle wearing it for hours on the trail.

Lastly, access to the primary compartment requires the Nomatic McKinnon's back panel to open up completely. This exposes all of your other gear to the elements and increases the risk of dropping or losing something.

The Verdict

This is arguably one of the best camera backpacks for travel available on the market today. However, Nomatic promotes this backpack for adventures, and I believe there are several design aspects that limit this backpack for serious outdoor use.

Buy At Nomatic

Buy on Amazon

11. Shimoda Action X30

• Pack volume: 30 liters (expandable to 37L)
• Weight: 3.7 lb | 1.7 kg
• Size: 19.7 x 11.8 x 6.3 | 50 x 30 x 16 cm

Pros:

1. Comfortable and great for fast day hikes
2. Durable and rain-resistant material with welded zippers
3. Roll-top expands the backpack's internal storage

Cons:

1. No water bottle pocket
2. Side pockets are small
3. Top shoulder straps can dig in when fully loaded

Last up on this roundup is the Shimoda Action X30. Shimoda is a brand dedicated to creating long-lasting and top-performing mountain photography backpacks for professionals. The X30 series is one of their best-selling backpacks, and a top pick for the best lightweight hiking backpacks for photography.

Top Features

There's a lot to love about Shimoda's backpacks. Here's a quick summary:

• Welded seams, zippers, and waterproof outer material is excellent for rough-weather jobs
• Compressable with intuitive compression straps and roll-top
• Side-access pockets for quick camera access
• Plenty of extra pockets for accessories and miscellaneous items
• Lightweight and comfortable for short hikes or on long trips with ultralight equipment

What's Lacking

Honestly, there really isn't much lacking in this backpack besides its size. At 37L fully expanded, this bag is slightly too small for long-distance or multi-day hikes.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the roll-up top. While I can see the benefits, I have seen this backpack look very top-heavy when storing extra gear, water, or bulky items in the top compartment.

The Verdict

At almost half the price of F-Stop backpacks, Shimoda Designs does a great job of matching them in terms of quality and features. If you're looking for a smaller backpack, the X30 is one of the top bags on the market for photographers who need their gear protected in harsh conditions.

Buy at Shimoda

Buy on Amazon

Bonus: Use Your Hiking Backpack With the LowePro GearUP Creator Box

While there are so many great purpose-built hiking camera bags, wouldn't it be great if you could just use your comfortable hiking or trekking backpack instead? Well, this is possible, thanks to Lowepro's line of Creator Boxes.

These soft-padded camera storage boxes are similar to other padded inserts like the ICUs from F-Stop but offer additional functionality including front zippers, internal zip compartments, and convenient "Quick Door" access.

These additional storage features make the Creator Box a good option for not only storing cameras and lenses, but also essential accessories like filters, shotgun microphones, and SD cards.

Additionally, the fully-opening zipper is great, since you can use them with a top-opening trekking bag to access your gear quickly either from within the backpack or as a quick method of transporting your camera gear.

Anatomy of a Great Photography Backpack for Hiking & Travel

This list of the top 11 best camera backpacks for hiking and travel should have you covered for a wide range of photography and outdoor application.

However, if you're still not convinced, here are some important things you'll want to consider when purchasing photography backpacks.

1. Durability & Weatherproof Materials

When it comes to bringing thousands of dollars worth of photography equipment to the outdoors, the number one job of your backpack is to protect your gear. Look for things like:

• Included weather cover
• Durable, waterproof materials (with waterproof coatings)
• Welded zippers (bags often leak through closed zippers)
• Heavy-duty, ripstop fabrics (especially on the bottom)

2. Accessibility & Organization Features

The second most important thing that I look for in a great camera backpack for hiking is accessibility and organization. Ask yourself what kind of gear you will want to stow, and how you'd like to access it.

Some great features that stand out in a great camera bag for hiking are:

• Included tripod holder or mount
• Quick-access pocket for batteries, SD cards, or head-lamp
• Internal zippers and compartments for additional organization of small items
• Plenty of pockets
• Side-access pockets to access gear without putting the bag down
• Laptop storage (for before and after outdoor shoots)

3. Modular Design

F-Stop was the first company to revolutionize how we store our camera gear in the outdoors. In fact, their innovative ICUs are now what most photographers call modular camera equipment storage compartments, even when made by other brands.

Photographers looking for a great backpack that's going to allow for a versatile range of gear carried will want a modular layout like this.

4. Carry-on Capability (Bag Weight & Size)

Travel photographers always dread the check-in desk at the airport. That's because we know that if we catch an attendant on a bad day, they might force us to stow our heavy camera gear in check-in luggage. If you've ever watched baggage handlers working, you'll know why I'll rather refuse the flight than let this happen.

To minimize the risk, consider the weight and size of the camera backpack, especially if you're planning to travel a lot with your gear.

5. Gear Fit & Comfort

Perhaps unique to hiking camera backpacks, a comfortable mount with thick, adjustable straps and a load-carrying waist belt is a top priority.

Think about it, you wouldn't use shoulder bags on an alpine expedition. And, that's because backpacks are the best for weight distribution.

It's often a good choice to try on your backpack in-store. But, remember to add your gear, or significant weight to it before making a decision.

More Photography Equipment Guides

And that's a wrap for this detailed gear guide helping you find the best camera backpack for hiking, adventure, and travel.

While you're here, take a pick from the below list for more honest and hands-on camera gear guides tailored for the outdoors. If you're looking to upgrade your equipment, I recommend starting with my guide to photography gear for travel.

• A Guide to Camera Gear for Travel: 2023 Travel Photography Gear Guide
• Digital Nomad Packing List - 15 Practical Things Everyone Needs in 2023
• Finding the Best SSD for Photography (External Solid-State Hard Drives)
• Finding the Best Shotgun Microphone For Video Content Creators in 2023
• Finding the Best Travel Organizer for Electronics & Accessories in 2023
• Finding the Best Water Filter Bottle For Travel, Hiking, & Backpacking
• How to Start a Travel Blog In 7 Easy Steps (2023 Beginner's Guide)
• SanDisk Pro-Blade Review - Is This The Best SSD for Video Editing?
• The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel

The post Finding the Best Camera Backpack for Hiking, Travel & Adventure in 2023 appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Quick Answer: Here are the Best External SSDs for Photography

Chasing delivery deadlines? After personally testing over 10 of the most recommended solid-state drives on the market, here are the 4 best SSDs for photographers.

Fastest portable SSD: Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2

Highest capacity SSD: OWC Envoy Pro EX (up to 8.0TB)

Most Durable SSD: LaCie Rugged SSD

Most portable SSD: Kingston XS2000

Read on for a complete breakdown, including each drive's specifications and thorough reasonings for why I have selected these 4 portable hard drives for photographers.

Speed: Fastest SSD For Blazing Photo Imports, Editing, & Exports

When portable SSDs first entered the market, one of the most noticeable advantages was considerably faster transfer speeds than what was capable on traditional hard drives

But how does this speed increase translate to real-life benefits for photographers?

When choosing the fastest drive for photography purposes, there are two specifications that you will need to consider (both measured in megabytes per second (MB/s).

• Read speeds - how long it takes to open, edit, or move an image or video from your SSD.
• Write speeds - how long it takes to move images or videos onto your SSD.

Most of the portable SSDs on the market today have a read/write speed of at least 500MB/s, which is more than fast enough for storing a Lightroom library or for the temporary storage of a client's photos.

However, if you're importing a lot of files, doing some video editing, or previewing high-resolution RAW images on your mobile devices, the faster the SSD drive, the smoother the process will be.

When comparing disk speeds, photographers should know the difference between sequential read & random read (s read & r read, or s write & r write). When comparing data transfer speeds in this SSD roundup, I have prioritized sequential read and write as this is how the device reads and writes large files from the drive– for example importing RAW files from your SD Card. On the other hand, random write and read speeds refer to small files scattered throughout the storage device and is more applicable to boot drives storing things like your System OS.

Benchmarking: SSD Drive Speeds

Below are the average write and read speeds after benchmarking all four SSDs using Blackmagic's Disk Speed tool on the highest stress settings. All drives were newly formatted using APFS (Apple File System) on the same USB C port using the supplied cable.

SSD	Avg. Write Speed	Avg. Read Speed
Sandisk Extreme Pro V2	981 MB/s	917 MB/s
OWC Envoy Pro EX	920 MB/s	880 MB/s
LaCie Rugged SSD	791 MB/s	785 MB/s
Kingston XS2000	855 MB/s	901 MB/s

Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD (V2)

Pros:

1. - Fastest external SSD
2. Rugged construction
3. Impressive 5-year warranty

Cons:

1. Larger form factor than other portable SSDs on the market

Is speed your number one priority when searching for an external SSD for photography? I benchmarked over 10 different portable SSDs using BlackMagic's Disk Speed tool on macOS. And, in terms of objective speed results, the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD (PRO V2) is the fastest SSD of the lot at constant 980+ MB/s write and 870+MB/s read speeds on my Macbook Pro M1 Pro 2021.

This is Sandisks' flagship portable SSD drive. This premium SSD drive features an IP55-rated durable body housing a blazing fast NVMe drive capable of 2000MB/s read and write speeds (if your computer has USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support). While a little larger than some of the other drives on the market, including the cheaper SanDisk Extreme line, its thin form factor still makes it very portable.

In real-world tests over the past few weeks, I have found that significant imports move extremely quickly. Furthermore, when connected to my 2021 Macbook Pro M1 Pro's USB Type-c, editing large 4K video projects directly off of this drive is as smooth as any internal SSD in a desktop computer.

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Alternative: New SanDisk Pro-Blade System

I've recently reviewed the new SanDisk Pro-Blade external SSD system which changes the way photographers and video content creators work with external drives.

Read the Review

Related: A Guide to Camera Gear for Travel

Capacity: Best High-Capacity SSD For Large Photography Libraries

Just a few years ago, portable SSDs lagged significantly behind HDDs when it came to maximum storage capacity. However, solid-state technology has improved dramatically in the past few years, with portable SSD drives now offering up to 8.0TB and even 16.0TB of pocketable storage space.

This revolutionizes the workflow for photographers and videographers on the go. We can now store our entire Lightroom library and even work on large projects with up to 12k RAW video files– directly from a portable drive hooked up to our laptops with a USB Type-C cable.

Although a high-capacity external solid state drive is usually quite expensive, these options can be much cheaper than paying for large capacity internal drives on a Macbook or other laptops.

SSD Capacity Options

Below are the available storage sizes for each drive reviewed.

SSD	Storage Capacity
Sandisk Extreme PRO V2	1TB, 2TB, 4TB
OWC Envoy Pro EX	240GB, 480GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
LaCie Rugged SSD	500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Kingston XS2000	500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

OWC Envoy Pro Ex External NVMe M.2 SSD

Pros:

1. Huge capacities
2. Great speeds
3. Rugged (IP67 rating) yet sleek design

Cons:

1. Large drives are still more expensive than HDDs

If it's high capacity storage you're after, you cannot beat the OWC Envoy Pro EX. OWC is a very reputable American electronics manufacturer that's been around since the late 1980s. While OWC specializes in products for mac systems, their Envoy Pro EX external thunderbolt drive is compatible with any device sporting USB 3.1 Gen 1, Thunderbolt 3, or USB 3.1 Gen 2 technology.

This portable SSD is an intuitive solution for photographers, since the Envoy Pro EX is simply a high-quality, durable USB-C enclosure, with an NVMe M.2 SSD inside. The cases allow for complete customization, and users can even install their own M.2 drives as long as it is a 2280 form factor.

However, OWC also sells high-capacity M.2 drives already installed, with storage sizes of up to 8.0TB and speeds of up to 980MB/s. These speeds held up in my speed benchmarking tests.

I now personally use the OWC Envoy Pro EX as a high-capacity and high-speed storage solution for my Lightroom library, allowing me to save tonnes of space on my Macbook Pro.

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The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

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Durability: Best Rugged SSD for Landscape & Outdoor Photography

We've all been there before. A corrupted hard drive is one of the most stressful experiences a photographer or videographer can endure.

Thankfully, the lack of moving parts in SSDs makes for a much more durable storage solution than a traditional hard disk drive. While still not completely impervious to failure, SSDs can withstand much more abuse than their spinning disk counterparts.

However, not all SSDs are created equal. Some photographers, including myself, take ruggedness and durability seriously when trying to narrow down the best SSD drives.

Some durability factors you'll want to consider in an SSD are:

• IP Rating (Ingress Protection) - defines how well your drive seals out solids (dust) and liquids (water resistance).
• Build quality - is the drive built with high-quality materials that won't break under pressure?
• Ruggedness - is the drive built with a protective rubber case?

So, when making a decision, consider where you will be using the drive, whether it will be stowed in your camera backpack on long shoots in the outdoors, or whether you will be carrying it day-to-day.

SSD	IP Rating
Sandisk Extreme PRO V2	IP55
OWC Envoy Pro EX	IP67
LaCie Rugged SSD	IP67
Kingston XS2000	IP55

LaCie Rugged SSD

Pros:

1. Most rugged SSD for photographers and videographers on the move
2. A trusted brand dedicated to building rugged storage solutions
3. IP67 waterproof rating & 3-meter drop/two-tonne car crush resistance

Cons:

1. Rubber casing makes it slightly bulkier than other SSDs

If you work in the photography space, then you'll likely be aware of LaCie drives. I've been using LaCie's rugged line of external HDDs for years. So, when they released a smaller, more durable solid state drive, I was eager to test it out.

The LaCie Rugged SSD is by far the most durable SSD for photography. Although I'm reluctant to test their claim, LaCie states that these drives will withstand 3-meter drops and two-tonne car crush resistance! On top of that, LaCie also offers a 5-year Rescue Data Recovery service, which I'm yet to try out but has received a good wrap online.

Inside this impressive casing is a Seagate FireCuda NVMe SSD utilizing USB 3.1 Gen 2 throughput at claimed 1,050 MB/s maximum speeds.

I use LaCie's drives to store and deliver projects to clients since I know that the data will be safe.

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Related: Best Lightweight Tripods for Travel, Backpacking, & Hiking

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Portability: Lightest & Most Portable External SSD

SSDs by their very nature are compact storage solutions that are hardly noticed in a laptop bag or camera backpack.

However, photographers know that gear quickly adds up in both weight and size. So, from CF Express card readers to tripods, shaving a few grams off our gear where we can goes a long way, especially for travel photographers and those always on the go.

Comparison: Size & Weight

Below is a table comparing the size and weights of each SSD in their 1TB option.

External SSD	Size (dimensions)	Weight
Sandisk Extreme Pro V2	4.3 x 2.3 x 0.4 in. (110.3 x 57.3 x 10.2mm)	3 oz (85g)
OWC Envoy Pro EX	4.5 x 2.6 x 0.4 in. (115.0 x 65.0 x 9.0mm)	5.2 oz (148g)
LaCie Rugged SSD	3.9 x 2.6 x 0.7 in (97.8 x 64.8 x 17.0 mm)	3.5 oz (99g)
Kingston XS2000	2.7 x 2.3 x 0.5 in (69.5 x 32.5 x 13.5 mm)	1 oz (28.9g)

Kingston XS2000

Pros:

1. Very compact and lightweight form factor
2. Great speeds
3. Comes with a rubber protective casing

Cons:

1. No hardware-based encryption option

So far in this roundup of the best SSDs for photography, we've seen excellent portable drives for a range of applications. However, none of these drives are as small, lightweight, or compact as the Kingston XS2000.

At not much larger than a traditional thumb drive, Kingston is able to deliver storage of up to 2.0TB! These portable SSDs weigh less than 29 grams (around 1 ounce) and are practically unnoticeable, even when in your pocket. The included silicone casing also adds a layer of drop protection that feels and looks great.

The speeds on this drive are also very impressive, with a maximum write speed of 2,000MB/s (again, only with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support). During my speed tests, the sequential write and reads constantly held up above 800-900 MB/s, even with the highest stress settings.

This is now my go-to drive when out on expeditions or when I need to offload or backup files without adding to my pack weight.

So, What Makes a Great External SSD for Photographers?

I hope that this shortlist has helped you narrow down the search for the best external hard drive for photography and videography purposes. These four drives are the very best external SSD options on the market today and honestly, it's hard to go wrong with any of them.

However, for the nit-picky types, here are some other features besides speed, capacity, durability, and portability that I covered in this article:

• Hardware encryption: Many drives including the Sandisk Extreme Pro and LaCie Rugged support 256-bit AES hardware encryption with their optional software
• Password protection: An additional layer of encryption security is offered with LaCie's Rugged SECURE and Sandisk Extreme Pro (V2)
• USB-C Gen Support: Ensure to check your device's USB support when deciding on an SSD based on speed. Most of the external SSD drives on the market offer USB-C ports on USB 3.1 Gen 2, which maxes out at 10Gbps bandwidth (1000MB/s). Drives claiming 2000MB/s usually operate on USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is rarely supported by laptops and PCs. This is the case even for Mac users running the latest MacBooks, which skip this generation altogether in favor of Thunderbolt 3 and 4.
• Warranty: Top-notch external SSDs are not cheap. Many photographers will want to protect their investments with a reliable and long-lasting warranty. The LaCie, Kingston, and Sandisk drives are covered by 5-year limited warranties, while OWC offers 3 years of peace of mind on their SSD.

What About Secure Cloud Storage?

Portable external drives are great for moving large files quickly. But, another solution you'll want to consider is fast and secure cloud storage.

I've taken advantage of pCloud's lifetime deal to secure 5 terabytes of cloud storage for life and have been using their remote storage solution for the past three years!

Get The Lifetime Deal

Conclusion: Which SSD Is the Best?

And, that's a wrap for this useful gear guide summing up the best external SSDs for photography and videography.

Unfortunately, if you've skipped to the conclusion for a quick answer, you won't find one. That's because all of the four external hard drives in this roundup have a particular standout feature or use case.

As a professional photographer, I personally use and can vouch for all of these portable SSDs, and choosing the right one for your needs will depend on your preference for speed, capacity, durability, or portability.

• A Guide to Camera Gear for Travel: 2023 Travel Photography Gear Guide
• Converting our Van into an Off-Grid Van-Life Home - Complete Build and Resource Guide
• Digital Nomad Jobs - 2023 Guide to Making Money Online While Traveling
• Digital Nomad Packing List - 15 Practical Things Everyone Needs in 2023
• Finding the Best Camera Backpack for Hiking, Travel & Adventure in 2023
• Finding the Best Shotgun Microphone For Video Content Creators in 2023
• Finding the Best Travel Organizer for Electronics & Accessories in 2023
• HEIPI Tripod Review - Is this the Best Budget Tripod for Mirrorless Cameras?
• How to Start a Travel Blog In 7 Easy Steps (2023 Beginner's Guide)
• SanDisk Pro-Blade Review - Is This The Best SSD for Video Editing?
• The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel

The post Finding the Best SSD for Photography (External Solid-State Hard Drives) appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Rounding up your list of the best Croatia cruises for an epic time sailing on the Dalmatian Coast? Find out why I believe that Sail Croatia should be on the top of your list.

From idyllic coastlines edged by magnificent sea caves and crystalline waters – to historic old cities lined with cobblestone streets and rustic bars– there are a thousand reasons why cruising Croatia’s coast is the best way to experience a European summer!

However, with so many Croatian cruise options to choose from, how do you narrow it down to choose the best one?

That’s where I can help. I recently embarked on a 7-day Dubrovnik to Split cruise with Sail Croatia. This had been on my bucket list for a while, and I was stoked to tick it off.

In this guide, I’ll give you 8 reasons why I think Sail Croatia provides the best Croatia cruises in the Adriatic Sea!

About Sail Croatia

Founded in 2005 by two passionate travelers, Sail Croatia is one of the longest-running cruise companies in the country!

They operate small ship cruises between popular destinations like Dubrovnik and the town of Split, as well as beautiful islands like Hvar, Mljet, Vis, and many more.

While traditionally catering to the young party crowd, Sail Croatia now has a wide range of small cruise options appealing to every demographic, including luxury boats for couples and families, and small ship adventure cruises.

My Sail Croatia Experience

As with most passionate travelers hooked on adventure, exploring the vivid Dalmatian Coast of Croatia has been on my bucket list for several years.

However, due to the vast amount of islands and distance to cover, traditional backpacker island hopping just didn’t seem practical. That’s why I decided to jump on board Sail Croatia’s 7-Day Explorer Cruise.

I wasn’t too interested in partying, so I booked the Explorer option to spend more time exploring all of the medieval towns, vibrant islands, and epic beaches! If this seems like your kind of Croatia cruising experience, then I highly recommend this option.

Tip: If you’d prefer a party cruise, opt for the “Navigator” option (more on this later).

This covered all of the popular destinations, as well as some less-visited islands and secluded coves on the way from Dubrovnik to Split.

Throughout this article, I link to separate blog posts that I’ve written, which cover some of the destinations and unique experiences on this epic journey.

Why Sail Croatia Is the Best Croatia Cruise

So, now for the reason that you’re here! Let’s dive into 8 reasons why I believe Sail Croatia offers the best Croatia cruises on the Adriatic Coast!

1. The Ships – Small Ship Cruises

I don’t know about you, but huge cruise liners aren’t my thing. Being hoarded into a moving city with thousands of other tourists isn’t really my idea of adventure.

However, small cruise ships offer the exact opposite experience. Travelers can get to know everyone on the ship, and you’re treated like a guest, not a number!

Sail Croatia also has some of the best small cruise boats in the region (with some new vessels). My experience was on the Kleopatra, a spacious, modern, and beautifully finished vessel complete with a huge sun deck and hot tub, a huge dining galley, large rooms with lower and upper deck cabins, and comfortable sitting areas for those days at sea.

2. The Croatia Cruise Options

I touched on this briefly before. But another reason why Sail Croatia offers the best way to experience the Adriatic Coast is that there are so many cruise options to choose from.

Boat options and cruise itineraries include:

• Navigator – party boat (18-39)
• Explorer – adventure focused
• Elegance – luxury cruise with more luxury boats
• Cycle – explore all of the ports of call on guided bicycle tours
• Hike – explore the popular islands on foot and climb the spectacular mountain ranges

As you can see, it’s hard to beat this variety. The explorer cruise was perfect for our travel style. It gave us plenty of time to explore all of the beautiful islands and coastal towns but still gave us the flexibility to have a drink in the old town bars and clubs.

3. The Destinations

Sail Croatia has been at this for a long time. Their sailing itineraries are well-selected to cover the best that the Dalmatian Coast has to offer.

Islands and Ports of call on our cruise included:

• Dubrovnik – an idyllic coastal town famous for its role as Kings Landing in the Game of Thrones franchise
• Mljet Island (Mljet National Park) – the greenest island with amazing saltwater lakes
• Korčula – a beautiful old town with fields of vineyards and olive groves
• Hvar Island – one of the most popular islands with UNESCO World Heritage site
• Vis Island – a remote island with a rich history, crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, and great wine tasting
• Split – beautiful port city famous for medieval ramparts and the Roman era Diocletian Palace

This was an excellent cruise itinerary and offered plenty of time to explore each destination. Furthermore, along the way, each cruise offers daily swim stops in beautiful bays, secluded beaches, and remote, uninhabited Dalmatian Islands.

4. The Flexibility

Worried that there won’t be a cruise option for you on your selected dates? Don’t worry, Sail Croatia has weekly Adriatic cruises for each itinerary and option running all through the summer months.

5. The Staff

Another great thing about this cruise company is that they hire locals for all of their staff. As a result, Sail Croatia is well-regarded in the country for employing hundreds of local people.

The staff onboard our Croatia cruise were very friendly, and professional, and added a local touch to our Dalmatian sailing experience. The food was also excellent, each meal was delicious local cuisine from the Balkans.

Our tour guide Vania spoke excellent fluent English and made the experience such a great time. When booking your cruise, check which boat she’s working on for a great time.

6. Optional Activities

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, then you’ll know that I’m not one for sitting around and lazing my time away. That’s why I was stoked to find out that there were plenty of optional adventure activities on offer.

Some of the experiences I chose on the Croatia cruise include:

• Krka National Park (from Split)
• Omiš Zip Lining (from Split)
• Wine Tasting (Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar)
• Game of Thrones Walking Tour (Dubrovnik)
• Buggy Safari (Island of Korčula)
• Military Tour (Vis Island)

Not to mention, our guide Vania took us on a local walking tour in each coastal town, pointing out all of the local attractions, historical monuments, and places to check out.

7. The Value

Of course, when it comes to booking a holiday or vacation trip in Europe, price is one of the most important factors.

Luckily, Sail Croatia is one of the most affordable Croatia cruises. I recommend checking their website for seasonal discounts to get a great deal. In terms of value for money, the Explorer Cruise stood out the most to me.

8. Sail Croatia Is Committed to Sustainable Tourism

Investing your hard-earned money into a vacation shouldn’t be a juggle between value and social and environmental sustainability.

Sail Croatia is well-known in Europe as being at the forefront of sustainable tourism. They run a program called Green Sail, which is a hands-on network of partners and members promoting sustainable tourism and education in coastal regions.

I love seeing companies that give back to the oceans that they rely so heavily upon.

More Croatia Cruising & Travel Inspiration

Are you ready to set sail on one of the most unforgettable cruises in the Adriatic Sea?

I hope that my experience onboard the Sail Croatia trip has convinced you that this is one of the best Croatia cruises!

While you’re here planning your adventures in Croatia, check out some of my other popular travel guides below. I’m sure you’ll find some unique travel inspiration for the trip of a lifetime!

• 45 Awesome Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2023
• Cetina River Spring (Eye of the Earth) – Croatia
• Mljet National Park (Mljet Island Croatia) – 10 Things to Do & See in 2023
• Mount Srd Hike in Dubrovnik (Fort Imperial Viewpoint)
• Stiniva Beach – Complete Guide (Vis Island, Croatia)

The post 8 Reasons Why Sail Croatia Are the Best Croatia Cruises appeared first on We Seek Travel.

An up-to-date guide to narrow down the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, hiking & travel.

Landscape photographers know that in order to get the best shot in dark or harsh conditions, we’re going to need a decent tripod.

As a full-time traveling outdoor and adventure photographer, finding a middle ground between function and weight for my gear is always a constant battle.

For a long time, I avoided tripods altogether, which often left me unable to do my best work out in the elements. I always thought that when I’m backpacking and out on long hikes, I just couldn’t add a heavy tripod to my stacked gear bag.

But recently, things have changed. Thanks to innovative design and material advancements, travel tripods are no longer a gimmick and now actually hold up in the field– even for professional photographers.

But, the problem of finding quality lightweight tripods in a sea of marketing buzzwords remains.

That’s why I’m here to help.

After a lot of research, and trialing tripods in the outdoors, I’ve formulated this guide to finding the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, hiking & travel!

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer: Here are the Best Lightweight Tripods
• Best Lightweight Tripods for Backpacking, Travel, & Hiking
  • 1. Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod
  • 2. Joby Gorillapod 5K
  • 3. Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber)
  • 4. Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A
  • 5. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 +AirHead Pro Lever Kit
  • 6. Joby RangePod Smart
  • 7. Manfrotto PIXI EVO
  • 8. Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Tripod
  • 9. HEIPI Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
• Anatomy of a Lightweight Backpacking Tripod
  • 1. Ball Head
  • 2. Center Column
  • 3. Canopy
  • 4. Leg Sections & locks
  • 4. Feet
• What Makes A Great Backpacking & Travel Tripod?
  • Lightweight Material: Carbon Fiber Tripod or Aluminum?
  • Maximum Height, & Minimum Height & Folded Height
  • Load Capacity & Maximum Load
  • A Compact Design
  • A Solid Ball Head
  • Ease of Use
  • Extra Features
• Conclusion: Which Lightweight Backpacking Tripod is the Best?

Quick Answer: Here are the Best Lightweight Tripods

All-round best lightweight tripod for backpacking: Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber

Most ultralight professional travel tripod: Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler

Best compact hiking tripod: Joby Gorillapod 5K

Most supportive backpacking tripod for heavy rigs: 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0

New 3-in-1 Carbon Fiber Tripod: HEIPI Travel Tripod

Best Lightweight Tripods for Backpacking, Travel, & Hiking

You came to this guide to discover the best travel tripods and lightweight stability solutions for landscape photography and the outdoors.

Below I'm going to give you just that!

I've included eight of the best ultralight tripod solutions for backpacking and hiking, including full-size tripods, compact design options, budget options, and full-sized travel tripods for professionals. So, whether you're backpacking Ireland, trekking in the Himalayas, or island hopping in the Philippines, the below list will have you covered.

However, if you're interested in how I've come up with this list, you can also find a detailed section below outlining the anatomy of lightweight tripods, and what to look for when choosing the best tripod for you.

1. Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod

• Maximum Load: 12 kg (26.5 lb)
• Maximum Height: 162 cm (63.8")
• Folded Height: 42.9 cm (16.9")
• Weight: 1.54 kg (3.4 lb)

Pros:

1. -Best-in-class load-to-weight ratio
2. Excellent build quality
3. Smooth ball head
4. Sturdy center column
5. Great price for the quality & function

Cons:

1. Heavier than other tripods in this roundup
2. Larger folded weight
3. Manfrotto quick-release plate is not compatible with Peak Design Capture

Okay, this is going to be a big of a spoiler.

But, this IS in my opinion, the overall best lightweight tripod for backpacking and travel. It's the tripod I'm currently using, and it's strapped to my bag on most long hikes, especially for sunrise and sunset missions and in windy conditions.

Manfrotto tripods have long been amongst the best tripods in the game. They are built in Italy and have excellent build quality.

Manfrotto offers a wide range of light tripods in their BeFree range (including the popular Manfrotto BeFree Advanced). However, the best weight-to-load capacity ratio is the Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod. This tripod can support large DSLR cameras and Mirrorless rigs with a decent lens as well. I use this daily with my Canon R5 and it supports my heavy Canon RF 100-500L very well when the central column is all the way down on the canopy.

The tripod head on this thing is great and the quick twist-release leg locks make it very easy to set up and take down. The carbon fiber material is also very light but incredibly durable.

However, one caveat I have with this particular tripod is that Manfrotto uses a quick-release plate that is not compatible with Arca-swiss style mounts.

To solve this problem, Peak Design sells a dual plate that is compatible with this tripod and the Peak Design Capture Clip.

Best for: professional photographers who looking for the best weight-to-load ratio

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There's still time! Read my detailed guide to the best travel gift ideas in 2023 for the best inspiration!

36 Best Travel Gifts

2. Joby Gorillapod 5K

• Maximum Load: 4.98 kg (11 lb)
• Maximum Height: 37 cm (14.57")
• Folded Height: 38.5 cm (15.16")
• Weight: 0.482 kg (17 oz)

Pros:

1. Super light and packable
2. Holds full-size DSLRs
3. Decent ball head for a hobby tripod
4. Unique design and approach to lightweight tripods for hiking

Cons:

1. Often unpractical in real-life shoots
2. Very low maximum height
3. Can be fiddly to set up

The Joby Gorillapod has long been the most popular alternative to full-sized tripods. This innovative and compact size is incredibly versatile, and is great for everybody from creative landscape photographers to professional vloggers.

The Gorillapod 5K is the largest and beefiest offering from Joby and it can support a very impressive 4.98 kg (11 lbs). This is quite impressive considering it only weighs 482 g (17 oz). This means it can support full-sized DSLRs like the Canon 1DX III or the Canon R3.

The ball head on this thing isn't great, but it definitely does the job for an unconventional tripod solution. While it can be a bit fiddly to set up sometimes, you can get quiet creative with the Gorillapod. For example, you can mount it on tree branches, poles, fences, and pretty much anywhere with a solid frame.

However, photographers shooting in a valley or on a mountain will be severely limited in terms of practicality and maximum height. Furthermore, while weight is a definite plus here, the Joby Gorillapod 5K still folds down to a similar size of a full-sized lightweight backpacking tripod. The price is also fairly expensive for what you get.

Best for: vloggers and beginner travel photographers who need to bring down their weight as much as possible

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Related: Finding the Best Portable SSD for Photography

3. Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber)

• Maximum Load: 9 kg (19.84 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 153 cm (60.24")
• Folded Height: 39 cm (15.35")
• Weight: 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs)

Pros:

1. Fresh, unique ball head design
2. Decent load to weight ratio
3. Very packable
4. Aesthetic design
5. Included smartphone holder

Cons:

1. Unable to rotate the ball head without extending the center column
2. Hex-head base plate requires a separate tool to attach to the camera.
3. Much pricier than other lightweight backpacking tripods with similar specs

When the Peak Design Travel Tripod first came onto the scene, it was almost impossible to get one. The hype was real! But, did all this hype live up to the promise of innovating the lightweight travel tripod industry?

In some ways, yes. It's hard to argue with the fact that this tripod design is very aesthetically pleasing. The weight-to-maximum load ratio is also quite competitive. Additional features like innovative ball-head design has also been very popular.

It's obvious that this tripod is catered to the travel market. It's packable, light, and even has a phone-holder feature. Peak Design is also one of the best photography accessory companies, and I use their products every single day.

However, there are some rather strange issues with the Peak Design Travel Tripod. Firstly, for some reason, you cannot rotate the ball head without first extending the central column. This is very frustrating as most professional photographers with larger rigs will want to keep that central column all the way down for maximum stability, especially in windy conditions.

Another caveat is the hexhead screw on the plate. Most companies these days offer a folding tab to quickly change plates without a tool. However, this isn't really a deal breaker, as you can often get away with just using the same arca-swiss compatible plates with most tripods and accessories these days.

In my opinion, I wouldn't bother with the aluminum version. For the same price, you can get the Manfrotto BeFree GT, which offers way more bang for your buck at the same weight. The carbon fiber version is a strong contender for the best lightweight tripod for backpacking, but the price might put some people off.

Best for: travel photographers who want a light, packable solution and can sacrifice on load capacity

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4. Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A

• Maximum Load: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 165 cm (64.96")
• Folded Height: 46 cm (18.11")
• Weight: 1.95 kg (4.3 lbs)

Pros:

1. Cheap and great value for a travel tripod that can hold 10 kg
2. Impressive maximum height
3. Can be converted into a monopod
4. Quick action twist locks are great

Cons:

1. Heaviest tripod on this list
2. Low maximum load for its weight
3. Least packable on this list
4. Aluminum alloy material
5. Requires a separate ball head purchase

Best for: hobby or beginner photographers and backpackers on a budget

The Benro GoPlus Travel tripod offers great bang-for-buck for backpacking photographers who can sacrifice a little on weight. This tripod borrows similar leg designs from Gitzo products but builds them from heavier aluminum alloy material.

As a result, this is the heaviest tripod on the list, but still comes under the 2 kg threshold. This might be fine for many, especially when you find out it can support 10 kg (22.02 lbs), and do so well. Furthermore, the Benro GoPlus Travel offers other unique features like being able to be converted into a fully-functioning monopod.

The unique central column and canopy system offers further flexibility by being able to tilt out from the center. The main use case for this would be to act as a manual slider for time-lapse photography.

In the end, the Benro GoPlus Travel offers a decent tripod with great features at a fair price. Although it is heavy and the least packable on this list, it can support a full-frame DSLR or Mirrorless camera. However, keep in mind you'll often need to purchase a separate ball head unless you can find a package deal.

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The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

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5. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 +AirHead Pro Lever Kit

• Maximum Load: 30 kg (66.14 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 147 cm (57.87")
• Folded Height: 35 cm (13.78")
• Weight: 1.85 kg (4.09 lbs)

Pros:

1. Insane maximum load!
2. Very packable
3. Three shooting angles
4. Tonnes of flexibility in the center column
5. Well-placed bubble level
   

Cons:

1. Poor maximum height for the weight
2. Some might not like the aesthetics
3. Customers report they lose the feet

3 Legged Thing make some of the best lightweight travel tripods for professional photographers. If we're going to round down to the best, the 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 would take the cake. Pair this with the Airhead Pro Lever Kit, and you've got yourself a beast hiking tripod.

What really stands out with this carbon fiber travel tripod is that it can support 30 kg (66.14 lbs), which really blows the other options out of the water. However, it's important to note that this maximum load can only be achieved using the 23° leg position. With this narrow leg position, the center of gravity is more critical, and I wouldn't want to place 30 kg of camera gear like that.

However, most outdoor and nature photographers won't have 30 kg of gear to begin with. At the end of the day, these legs are strong, and you can trust it to support heavy camera and lens setups.

This lightweight tripod can also achieve near ground level shots at just 5 inches above the ground if you splay the legs wide at 80° and remove the central column. And, combine that with a maximum height of 147 cm (57.87"), photographers get quite an impressive range, even if the maximum height is a little lacking.

Besides the price (and potentially the wild color schemes), there's little to dislike about this lightweight tripod and ball head setup. Although, I have heard from some photographers that they've lost the rubber feet.

Best for: outdoor photographers with big rigs

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Related: Finding the Best Camera Backpack for Hiking

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6. Joby RangePod Smart

• Maximum Load: 8 kg (17.64 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 160 cm (63")
• Folded Height: 42.5 cm (16.73")
• Weight: 1.69 kg (3.73 lbs)

Pros:

1. Very budget friendly
2. Impressive maximum height
3. Great for vlogging
4. Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate

Cons:

1. Heavy aluminum design
2. Low maximum load
3. Not for professional photographers

Another decent budget choice is the Joby Rangepod Smart. Although this tripod is made from heavier aluminum alloy, it still comes in at a decent weight. This tripod is a popular choice for vloggers and influencers, especially those who film or shoot content on light compact cameras or phones.

With this tripod, you get standard features like a decent ball head, arca-swiss compatible quick release plate, quick release twist lock leg segements, and a ballast hook. The design is very similar to the Manfrotto BeFree range, which many will love. The maximum height is also one of the most impressive on this list. In total, these features are great for those on a budget who don't need to support heavy cameras and can handle the extra weight.

However, the benefits really end there, especially for those with a higher skill level or for professional use cases. This tripod isn't very packable for only being able to support 8 kg. Its bulky size and heavy aluminum alloy material typically rules the Joby Rangepod out for professional photographers.

Best for: vloggers, influencers, and budget travelers and backpackers

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Related: 15 Essential Items for a Digital Nomad Packing List

7. Manfrotto PIXI EVO

• Maximum Load: 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 20 cm (7.87")
• Folded Height: 20.5 cm (8.07")
• Weight: 0.267 kg (9.42 oz)

Pros:

1. Incredibly light
2. Can hold mirrorless cameras
3. Very packable
4. Surprisingly stable ball head

Cons:

1. Very low maximum height
2. No flexible shooting situations like the Gorillapod

This is what a truly lightweight travel tripod looks like! Minimalists and photographers who typically only shoot with a tripod when recording time-lapses or the occasional slow-shutter shot will love this approach.

No, this isn't a full-sized tripod by any means. But, it is the most compact design of any lightweight tripod for backpacking or hiking. At just over 20 cm and under 250 g, most hikers will not notice this in their backpack. Being built by Manfrotto, you can also expect great quality for such a tiny accessory.

Surprisingly, this lightweight and compact tripod solution can hold a full-frame mirrorless camera and kit lens like the Canon R5 and 24-105 F4 comfortably. Of course, you'll be very limited in terms of shooting angles, but if you want a no-frills approach, the Manfrotto PIXI EVO is an affordable and very packable solution.

Best for: cheap & lightweight tripod solution for ultimate minimalists

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8. Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Tripod

• Maximum Load: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
• Maximum Height: 153 cm (60.24")
• Folded Height: 42.5 cm (16.73")
• Weight: 1.06 kg (2.4 lbs)

Pros:

1. Super lightweight
2. Beautiful design
3. Great ball head, sturdy center column

Cons:

1. EXPENSIVE
2. Not as packable as other tripods
3. Average maximum height

The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler is another great option in this ultimate list of the best lightweight tripod solutions.

This tripod is seriously sexy. Gitzo tripods are known to be some of the most aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-use, and functional tripods on the market. The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler weighs in at just 1.06 kg (2.4 lbs), which is insane, considering it can hold 10 kg (22.05 lbs).

The minimal design is also a pleasure to use. You won't find a thousand other functions like the Peak Design Travel Tripod or travel tripods from 3 Legged Thing. But, that's exactly why many professional photographers turn to Gitzo. Simplicity is key here, and it gets the job done.

Of course, the light weight in the central column and the leg sections mean photographers miss out on a little extra stability and load capacity that the Manfrotto BeFree GT offers. The design is also not as packable as other travel tripods with a similar maximum load.

Best for: professional photographers who need the lightest travel tripod possible

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Related: Best Travel Photography Equipment

9. HEIPI Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

• Maximum Load: 25 kg (55 lb)
• Maximum Height: 151 cm (59.44")
• Folded Height: 44.4 cm (17.48")
• Weight: 3-in-1: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) |
• Main tripod weight with head: 1.2 kg (2.65 lb)

Pros:

1. Very lightweight
2. Impressive maximum weight thanks to an innovative 3-pillar central column
3. Compact design
4. Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate

Cons:

1. Average maximum height

The HEIPI Carbon Fiber Travel tripod is an interesting and unique Indiegogo project. This tripod is the most unique on this list, offering what they call a 3-in-1 travel tripod. It packs in a small removal sub tripod into the central column, which in itself, is a good little tripod for hiking.

While the maximum load claims are a bit outlandish, I have found that the new three-column design does offer significant rigidity gains over single-column tripods, even when used with heavy telephoto lenses.

In terms of weight and portability, this option also comes close to topping the list!

This is a budget-friendly option for mirrorless camera shooters that provides incredible flexibility in a tiny form factor.

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Related:

Finding the Best Shotgun Microphone for Video Creators

Anatomy of a Lightweight Backpacking Tripod

The truth is that for many photographers, lightweight tripod is going to be the first tripod purchase. That's because they're often the most practical to use, the easiest to carry around, and the cheapest to purchase.

If this sounds like you, you'll benefit from this next section, where I quickly talk about the features and components that you'll find in most great backpacking tripods. Below you'll also find a very well-designed infographic from Camera Jabber.

1. Ball Head

A ball head is one of the most important features on a tripod. This allows you to twist and rotate the camera in any position without moving the leg sections.

2. Center Column

The center column, or central column, is the fourth (or fifth) vertical leg supporting the camera. It sits inside the canopy and can usually slide up and down. Usually, professional photographers want to keep this central column all the way down so that the ball head rests on the canopy. This provides the most stability but sacrifices height.

3. Canopy

The canopy is the central point of gravity for the tripod. This is where all the legs and columns stem from. Usually, the canopy has switches and lever locks to fold and unfold the legs in various angles.

4. Leg Sections & locks

The leg sections are the extensions that support the tripod. These are kept in place with leg locks, which can come in lever or twist lock form. In my experience, twist locks are the easiest to use. However, this is ultimately up to personal preference.

4. Feet

The tripod feet are fairly self-explanatory. These are usually screw-in rubber mounts to ensure the tripod doesn't slide on slippery surfaces and remains stable on uneven surfaces. Some travel and backpacking tripods come with the option of rubber and spike feet. The latter is useful if shooting on soft terrain or ice.

What Makes A Great Backpacking & Travel Tripod?

So, how have I come up with this list in the search to find the best backpacking tripod?

There are several features and key things to look for. However, keep in mind that these criteria will vary depending on what kind of photographer you are. Furthermore, the camera and lens setup will also determine the best lightweight travel tripod for you, since everybody has different weight and stability requirements.

I've done my best to provide a holistic overview that should cater to everyone rocking rigs from mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras, to small compact cameras and even smartphones.

Regardless, below is what I look for in a great tripod, and it should be applicable to you as well, no matter the gear.

Lightweight Material: Carbon Fiber Tripod or Aluminum?

This is pretty straightforward, a lightweight tripod should be made from lightweight material. The two most common are carbon fiber tripods and aluminum alloy tripods.

Aluminum tripods provide excellent strength while keeping the weight down to a practical level. However, they are usually significantly heavier than carbon fiber tripods. As a result, these are often cheaper.

Carbon fiber is currently the lightest material that still provides excellent strength and durability. This is the material you will find on most premium backpacking and hiking tripods. As a result, you'll often pay a significantly higher price for carbon fiber.

Maximum Height, & Minimum Height & Folded Height

Maximum height refers to the tallest height the tripod can get your camera. A tall maximum height provides the greatest flexibility and shooting angle options. However, keep in mind that this is typically achieved by raising the central column to its maximum height. This greatly reduces stability, especially with heavy cameras.

Minimum height refers to the lowest point the tripod can position the camera. Similarly to the maximum height, a low minimum height gives more flexibility with shooting at ground level. This is typically achieved by angling the leg segments at its widest setting and reducing the central column to its base at the canopy. Additionally, some tripods allow you to remove and even flip it so that the camera hangs underneath the tripod to shoot at ground level. This is useful for creative landscape photography shots.

Folded height is the total height when the tripod is compacted for travel. The smaller the folded height, the less room it takes up in your bag, and the better the packability.

Ideally, a great ultralight tripod for backpacking or travel will have a decent maximum height at the canopy, with a low minimum height and small folded height.

Load Capacity & Maximum Load

Again, this is fairly self-explanatory. Lightweight tripods typically can't support large film rigs. However, since mirrorless cameras are becoming lighter and smaller, professionals can finally find excellent supportive tripods that don't weigh down their packs.

A higher load capacity, or maximum load, means more weight the tripod can support. This is also a good indication of how stable and sturdy the tripod will be in windy conditions.

When choosing the best lightweight tripod, consider the weight of your camera and lens.

A Compact Design

When you're hiking or backpacking, many people choose to strap their tripod to the outside of their bags. But, if you're a full-time traveler like me, the folded height and overall packability is much more important.

Keeping the tripod in a bag or in checked in baggage shouldn't mean sacrificing other personal items. Again, it's all about finding a balance between packability, weight, and performance.

A Solid Ball Head

A great ball head is the crux of an excellent tripod. A ball head should be easy to move, smooth, and rock hard when fastened. You also shouldn't need to tighten the hell out of the knob to get it to sit fast.

Ease of Use

At the end of the day, a tripod is a tool that helps you capture great images. These days, there seem to be more gear fans than actual photographers. These guys often get bogged down in specifications and forget about the real-life use cases of a lightweight backpacking tripod.

My advice if you're starting off with outdoor photography is to look for suggestions from people who actually shoot. For us, the most important thing is the ease of use and practicality. A tripod should be easy to set up, stable, simple, and most of all, fuss-free.

Extra features are great, but if they get in the way of capturing great photos, then they're more of a hindrance than a feature.

Extra Features

Other than the basics, there are also some additional features that will make or break a purchasing decision for many beginner and professional photographers.

Below are some of the most common extra features found on lightweight travel tripods.

• Bubble level - a simple level that indicates level tripod positioning. A little redundant on mirrorless & DSLR cameras with an in-built digital level.
• Ballast hook - this is an often overlooked feature that can be very useful. A ballast hook allows you to hang a weight or ballast (i.e a backpack) underneath the tripod on the central column. This increases stability and the risk of the tripod falling over in windy conditions.
• Quick release plate - every good tripod will have this feature. However, the compatibility will vary. Generally, the best is the arca-swiss style as they are the most compatible with other products.
• Monopod leg - I'm not a big fan of monopods considering my Canon R5 and RF IS lens has 8 stops of image stabilization. However, many people love the feature of being able to take out a leg segment or the central column to transform your lightweight tripod into a monopod.

Conclusion: Which Lightweight Backpacking Tripod is the Best?

That concludes this ultimate guide to selecting the perfect lightweight backpacking tripod. If you scrolled through the article for my suggestion, then you would have missed my recommendation already.

In my opinion, the best overall lightweight tripod for hiking, travel and the outdoors is the Manfrotto BeFree GT (carbon fiber). This is the tripod I currently use on all long-distance treks and jobs out in the field. It offers the best weight-to-load ratio, is very simple to deploy and use, and best of all, doesn't cost $1000+.

The post The Best Lightweight Tripod for Backpacking, Hiking & Travel appeared first on We Seek Travel.

I’m sure you’d agree with me when I say that the USA is the number one road trip destination on earth. From visiting amazing National Parks to witnessing natural wonders like the Grand Canyon firsthand, it’s no wonder why!

After converting and living in my own van in Australia, I was itching for a short-stint van life opportunity in the USA.

So, I did some research. I compared all the best options and finally landed on the perfect van for my own epic road trip through Southwest USA.

To save you the same trouble, I’ve now compiled this resource to help other aspiring van lifers plan your own adventures. I’ve included a list of what to look for in road trip vans, outlined the best camper van rental companies, and included tips to make the most of your travels to see this amazing country.

Hiring Road Trip Vans in the USA

So, are you planning that Great American road trip of a lifetime? Is this your first time embarking on a road trip or renting a van?

You're not alone. The van life movement is exploding globally, and hiring a camper van is one of the absolute best ways to hit the road and have the time of your life with family and friends.

Again, this resource is mostly dedicated to those who are van life curious, or simply want an amazing, one-off campervan road trip experience without buying or building their own rig.

Therefore, most of the tips in this article involve the in's and out's of camper van rentals. Here are some quick things you'll want to know before we get any further.

• There are lots of travel van rentals to choose from in the USA
• You can drive anything that is Class B certified with a regular driver's license.
• Most good camper van rentals are set up as road trip vans, with everything you need to cook, clean, live, and adventure out of!
• These vans are much easier to drive than huge RV rigs. This gives you more flexibility of where you can actually go.
• There are some limitations on where you can take the vehicle (dirt roads etc)

What to Look For in a Camper Van Rental

Depending on your budget and expected comfort level, there are lots of variations on what you might be looking for in a van for your road trip.

However, there are some things that most vans should all have as a basic requirement.

The Quick Answer

Short on time and just want the quick answer? After reviewing several rental campers in the USA, the best of the bunch is Travellers Autobarn.

These vans feature everything you need for a road trip and come in cheaper than many other alternatives.

See the Vans from TA

Must-Have Inclusions For Road Trips

When planning your trip and looking for the perfect van, make sure it includes the following. It'll make your experience a much more enjoyable one!

1. Adequate Storage Space

Storage is by far one of the most important aspects of choosing a van. Trust me, you're just not going to enjoy your road trip if you're living, cooking, and sleeping in a pile of your own clothes and gear.

Every van should have storage compartments for the essentials including;

• All of your clothes (think bulky jackets)
• Food (pantry space)
• Dirty clothes items like hiking boots, sneakers, wet jackets
• Cooking items (pots, pans, cutlery, kitchen utensils, etc)
• Backpacks, day-trip bags, suitcases

2. A Fridge

If you're going to be living out of a van, you'll need a fridge.

Don't worry, this is something that's a standard inclusion in most vans for hire. A small, 20 gallon 12V fridge is more than adequate for life on the road.

3. A Comfortable Bed

Okay, you probably won't find camper vans with orthopedic mattresses. But that doesn't mean you want to be sleeping on cardboard either.

If you're going to enjoy your adventures on the road, look for vans with good reviews on comfort.

There are several bed-layout designs that work well in a van. Depending on the size, you could find fixed beds with under-bed storage, or fold-down double beds (best for smaller vans), that convert into a table and living space during the day.

4. Adequate Electrical System

These days, a battery setup and van electrical system that's capable of charing your devices is really not too much to ask for. If you're considering renting a van without a separate house battery, forget it. You don't want to have to pay for a campsite every night just to charge your phone.

These van electrical systems can vary greatly, from huge inverter setups that run induction cooktops, to basic, 100 amp hour batteries with 12V and USB connections.

As a basic starting point, you'll want;

• USB outlets
• 12V lights inside. These should run off the battery and work off-grid
• Enough power to run the fridge

5. Two Water Tanks

What, why two tanks?

You're going to want one water tank for fresh water and one for gray water. Let me explain the difference.

You'll use a freshwater tank to store and access clean water for drinking, cooking and washing dishes. The size isn't too important, as you'll almost always find freshwater taps and clean drinking water in the United States.

A gray water, or sullage tank, is where the dirty water from your dishes runs into. Avoid choosing vans for a road trip without a gray water tank, as you might have issues in National Parks and State Parks if you simply dump your dirty water on the ground.

The gray water tank should have a dump valve underneath the van. It's safe and environmentally friendly to dump this water down the drain or at dump sites once you're back in a town (it's just food with water and a bit of soap in it). Just don't dump it in National Forests.

6. Cooking Appliances (ideally inside)

You don't want to have to eat at Denny's or McDonalds every day. Cooking your own food on a road trip should be easy and part of the experience.

All good camper vans should have cooking appliances to allow you to do this. If you're on a budget, a small butane camping stove might be adequate.

However, for the best experience, try to pick a van with a built-in gas stove. Speaking from experience, being able to cook inside comfortably when it's bucketing down rain is a lifesaver!

For safety's sake, the gas cylinder should be located in its own compartment. Furthermore, you'll want to make sure you can turn the valve to off when you're driving.

A microwave is also very handy when on the road. However, keep in mind that most rental campers require you to hook up to the grid (at a campsite) to run the microwave.

Tip: Make sure your van comes with all the kitchen utensils, cutlery, and appliances you need.

7. A Reliable Engine

This goes without saying. While most good camper van rental companies will offer roadside assistance if you break down, the truth is that you're just not going to get that time back.

If you choose the cheapest, oldest van, the chances of an issue occuring are much higher.

But, that doesn't mean you can't find a budget road trip van that is also reliable. Read reviews, check the mileage, and make sure the company doesn't charge you for breakdowns that are their fault.

Tip: Diesel vans are the cheapest to run in the USA, get the best mileage per tank, and are the most reliable.

8. AC & Heating in the Driver's Seat

Okay, every car should have heating and AC these days. However, you'd be surprised just how many rental vans have issues with this basic feature.

When you pick up your van, you'll want to check that this is working. There's nothing worse than driving 400 miles through Utah in summer without AC!

9. Space For the Crew

From going on a solo road trip to packing in the whole family, this last essential is a no-brainer.

Make sure there is a bed and seat for everyone tagging along! That might mean picking larger RVs if you're bringing more than three people.

10. Camp Chairs & Other Outdoor Basics

Camper van road trips are all about experiencing the outdoors! Most good rental companies will include camp chairs and a small portable camp table for your picnics and downtime in the outdoors.

11. Roof Hatch or Vent

If you're traveling around the USA in a van, you'll want a decent roof vent. Most good camper vans come with a vent that opens up and has a fan attached to it. This is excellent for ventilation while cooking and sleeping in hot weather.

The "Optionals"

The above eight features should be standard in any camper van rental, especially for a long road trip.

You might not think you'll need some of them, but if you're going to be spending more than a week living out of the van, my advice is to treat the above as a must-have checklist.

Now, what about things that aren't really necessary, but can make the road trip experience more enjoyable?

1. A Toilet Or Port-a-potty

The truth is, having a toilet in a camper van is usually an unnecessary (not so luxurious) luxury.

While it is nice to be able to do your business without stepping out of the van, most people simply don't want to squeeze out a number two in front of their sleeping wife or kids. But, if you're planning to rent a larger van for the whole family, picking one with a separate bathroom, can be quite handy.

With that said, if you're traveling in the USA, there's no shortage of gas stations or public toilets where you can do your business. That's why I'd say that a toilet is usually not a must-have.

2. A Hot Shower System

You'll be hard-pressed to find a camper van rental in the USA that includes an inbuilt hot shower. Truthfully, this is something you probably don't need if you're going on a short road trip.

Many campsites and campgrounds in the USA have showers. If you're hard-pressed for one, you can also shower at gas stations and truck stops like Flying J's.

Alternatively, many great rental companies include a solar shower. Or, you could just buy one cheaply and bring it with you. These are great when camped up for the day and cost less than $20!

Some companies offer this for an additional charge, but it's often cheaper just to buy your own.

3. Other Bells & Whistles

While van life looks glamorous on Instagram, morning espressos and central heating is not what road trips are about.

Okay, a few creature comforts go a long way if you're living in a van. But, if you're driving around the country on a road trip with family or friends, there's really no need to go overboard.

Some of the bells and whistles, that you might see, but probably don't need include;

• Oven - a nice touch but hard to find in a rental van
• In-van AC - you won't be able to run this unless you're hooked up to the grid anyway
• TV & antenna - if you really need your fix, just download Netflix movies on your phone or iPad
• Internet boosters - this is a bit over the top and a bit of a gimmick in my experience

Ask yourself. Do you want to do this trip to get out of your comfort zone and experience the simplicity of life in the outdoors? If it's a yes, you don't need the fifth-wheeler with an attached ensuite and king bed.

What About Solar Panels on a Road Trip Van?

Solar panels aren't usually going to make or break the deal when looking for a van to rent. Of course, they're going to be a nice bonus as you'll be able to stay out of paid campgrounds and be more self-sufficient.

Solar power gives you the flexibility of being able to keep your fridge running, even if you're out in the middle of nowhere! This can also save you money as you don't need to pay to hook up to the grid.

But, in saying that, many vans are set up so that the electrical system inside the van charges while you drive. If your van doesn't include solar panels or a solar power setup, it's best to ask if the house battery charges while you drive.

Deciding on the Perfect Road Trip Camper For You

So you know what to look for, and what you might not really need.

Now's the time to decide, what kind of camper van do I need for my road trip?

A common mistake is to simply base your rental decision simply on your budget. What I mean is that even if you have an unlimited budget, do you really want a massive van with all the features? This will be hard to maneuver (especially for first-timers), and you won't be able to get down some unsealed roads in the National Parks.

Instead, ask yourself these questions when wondering what type of van is right for you;

1. How long is the road trip?
2. Where do I actually want to go?
3. Which season & time of year will I be going?
4. How many people are coming?
5. What kind of road trip am I doing? Am I going from city to city, or spending a bunch of time in the outdoors & small towns?
6. What kind of extra gear am I bringing? Do I need bike racks or rooftop storage?

The above questions, combined with your budget, should help you out on your mission to narrow down the perfect road trip vans for your trip.

Best USA Road Trip Van Rentals

To make the decisions even easier for you, I've narrowed down the top three road trip camper van rentals below.

My Favorite: Travellers Autobarn

Travellers Autobarn has long been the perfect choice for camper rentals in Australia and New Zealand.

Their designs and layouts have proven to be very successful in these harsh environments and have now made a move to the USA (currently West Coast). This is great news for people searching for the perfect camper, because (spoiler alert), Travellers Autobarn offers the most bang for your buck on this list.

Travellers Autobarn USA offer several road trip vans to hire. But, if you're going to pick one, I'd definitely recommend the Kuga, which are the best vans they make.

This hightop Chevrolet Express accommodates 2-3 people and features;

• Full indoor kitchen (gas cooker, microwave, sink)
• Clean, modern interior
• Plenty of storage space
• Folding, double bed design
• 12V Fridge (Dometic)
• Solar panels and great electrical system (USB, 12V outlets, shore power with 120V outlets)
• Freshwater & gray water tanks

I've lived in budget camper vans in New Zealand, as well as my own fully-kitted out Ford Transit van home in Australia.

Verdict: After driving around the Western United States in a Travellers Autobarn van, I was pleasantly surprised at just how comfortable and practical the Kuga is for the size. They fit in all spaces in all the parking lots I've visited, which is a huge thing for campers! In my opinion, Travellers Autobarn offers the best vans for road-tripping in the USA.

Rental Locations

Currently Travellers Autobarn have pickup and drop-off locations in Las Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, with additional locations like Denver and Seattle coming soon.

Outdoorsy (Rental Platform)

Outdoorsy is an alternative option for renting camper vans in the USA. Instead of a traditional rental model, think of Outdoorsy as the van life AirBnB.

The perks of renting on Outdoorsy is that you can sometimes find great deals on awesome, luxury road trip vans, larger RVs, and niche van life setups. Also, since you're hiring from van owners, not a company, there is more flexibility in terms of pickup locations. You can even have the van delivered to you (for an additional cost)!

If you like the sound of Outdoorsy, some of the best vans to look for are:

• Mercedes-benz Sprinter Van (Sprinter Cargo Van)
• Ford Transits (or the smaller, Ford Transit Connect)
• Dodge Ram Promaster

However, keep in mind that you most likely will often need to drop the van off at the same location you picked it up in. This makes longer road trips a bit more tricky.

Also, there are additional charges, fees, and insurance that are required when renting from private parties.

Verdict: Outdoorsy is a great platform, especially if you're looking for a niche van. However, there are some pitfalls, like availability, pricing, and insurance.

Escape Campervan Rentals

The third and final road trip rental van company is Escape Campervans. You most likely would have seen these vans around, since they're notoriously hard to miss!

Escape camper van rentals offer four vehicle options, and are mostly catering for the budget crowd. Their vans are typically smaller (and shorter), than Travellers Autobarn vans, but often feature rooftop tents.

Their Big Sur vans are their best rig and feature:

• Small kitchen (gas cooker, kitchen sink)
• Rear bucket seats
• Plenty of storage space & drawers
• Plenty of windows
• 12V Fridge (Dometic)
• Basic electrical system (12V outlets, USB ports)
• 5 Gallon Freshwater tank

Escape offer decent budget options. Their vans are clean and offer a no-frills, simplistic approach to van life road trips.

Verdict: In my opinion, one of the most crucial parts of renting a campervan is space. Unfortunately, Outdoorsy don't offer hightop campervans like Travellers Autobarn at a similar price point. Therefore, if you're looking to rent a camper in the regions Travellers Autobarn offer pickups, I'd choose them over Escape.

Rental Locations

You'll find Escape Campervan rental locations across the USA, including the East Coast, Pacific Northwest and some Canadian locations;

• Calgary, AB
• Chicago, IL
• Denver, CO
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Orlando, FL
• Phoenix, AZ
• Portland, OR
• Salt Lake City, UT
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Vancouver, BC

More Camper Rental Options

The above three should have most people covered and spoilt for choice. But, to make this the most comprehensive guide, I've included more options below.

• Native Campervans
• Vintage Surfari Wagons
• Peace Vans

More Tips & Things to Know

Before you depart, here are some last essential tips.

• You need a credit card on file for all camper van rentals in the USA
• Careful of insurance add-ons and plan for this extra charge
• Of course, stick to the speed limit
• Prepare for toll roads
• If you are flexible, there are much better deals in the low season (winter)

About the National Parks Pass

It's no secret that renting a van and going on a road trip is the best way to see North America's amazing National Parks.

As a little tip before you hit the road, make sure to pick up an America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This only costs $80 per vehicle, and will definitely save you money if you're planning to visit three or more parks.

Ready For Full Time Van Life? - Converting Your Own Van

I've given you the low down on road trip vans for rent. But, if you're ready to step it up a notch and convert your very own van for full-time van life, check out my comprehensive van conversion guide.

This is the most detailed, free guide to converting a camper van you'll find online. While it features my build in Australia, the truth is you can apply this resource to any van (not just Ford Transits), anywhere in the world.

Road Trip Inspiration: Read More

I hope that this guide to road trip vans in the USA has helped you pick the perfect camper van rental for your next road trip through the USA.

While you're still here, make sure to check out some of my other articles. You'll find loads of up-to-date inspiration for your trip, as well as some detailed guides to help you make the most of it.

• 10 Best Grand Canyon Views - Don't Miss These South Rim Viewpoints
• Digital Nomad Packing List - 15 Practical Things Everyone Needs in 2023
• Lower Emerald Pool Trail - Awesome Pools & Waterfall in Zion National Park
• NASA Space Center in Houston TX: Tips For Cheap Nasa Houston Tickets in 2023

The post Best Road Trip Vans: How to Pick Camper Van Rentals in the USA appeared first on We Seek Travel.

A detailed guide to help you pick camera gear for travel. Includes tips on choosing travel camera equipment, with options for varying budgets and photography styles.

I’ve been working as a professional travel photographer for the past 4 years. During this time, I’ve shot for national tourism boards and world-leading photography brands like Manfrotto and LowePro.

But, it’s been a long road to get to where I am today. I’ve been traveling and taking photos as a hobby since 2015, funding my way around the world by working online jobs, while obsessively sharpening my skills through constant practice on the road.

While practice is more important than gear, choosing the right camera kit is undeniably the most important first step for beginners.

So, to help you kickstart your journey, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to choosing the best travel photography gear. Whether it’s your dream to become a pro travel photographer, or perhaps you just want to find a good camera for your next vacation, this guide will cover all budgets and photography styles.

Table of Contents

• TLDR: The Ultimate 2023 Beginner Travel Photography Kit
• Designing a Photography Kit For Travel
  • Buying Photography Equipment For Travel: Considerations
• Camera Gear For Travel: Travel Photography Gear List
  • 1. The Best Cameras for Travel
  • 2. Best Lenses for Travel Photography
  • 3. Best Drone For Aerial Travel Photography
  • 4. Choosing an Action/360 Camera For Travel
  • 5. Essential Camera Accessories For Travel
  • 6. Camera Tripod For Travel
• Technical Camera Terms You’ll Need to Learn
• Wrapping Up

TLDR: The Ultimate 2023 Beginner Travel Photography Kit

Want the quick answer? Here are my top recommendations for a beast beginner travel photography kit in 2023.

• Camera: Sony ZV-E10
• Lenses: 16-70mm F4 & 10-18mm f/4
• Action Camera: Insta360 One X3
• Drone: Mavic Mini 3 Pro
• Accessories: Capture Clip, polarizing filter, 128GB SD Card

Designing a Photography Kit For Travel

One of the most common and obvious questions you hear from people first starting out with travel photography is "what is the best camera for travel?" This is a good question because the camera is the foundation of your travel photography kit.

Hence, everything you choose to buy from lenses to accessories will need to be compatible with the camera that you choose.

As you might expect, with the boom of smaller mirrorless and even micro four-thirds cameras, there are just so many options on the market these days.

To narrow down the search, I've selected a few that I believe are the best cameras for travel photography in 2023. Again, I've also included various options to suit different needs and budgets. If you continue reading, I've also included recommendations for the best lenses and accessories to craft your perfect travel photography kit around the camera of your choice.

Buying Photography Equipment For Travel: Considerations

Here's what you want to look for when selecting gear for your travel kit. At the bottom of this post, I've also included a guide covering technical terms for those with no experience with photography.

• Keep it Minimal
  One of the most important things to consider is that in most cases, you want minimalist travel photography gear. The last thing you want to do is to be lugging around unnecessary, bulky (and expensive) camera equipment on the road. This is usually why most travel photographers use zoom lenses to cover a wide range of focal lengths, rather than dozens of prime lenses.

• Prioritise weight and size
  This one is a no-brainer. Stick to smaller and lighter camera systems like mirrorless, micro four-thirds, or point-and-shoot bodies. This typically rules out huge DSLRs like the Canon 1DXII. In most cases, these systems are overkill for travel photography.

• Consider the brand
  The camera brand is important. I've shot on Canon and Sony systems but have always preferred the images produced by Canon. Everyone has their personal preference– but it's a good idea to do your research first in terms of lens offerings.

• Future-proof your gear
  In 2023, the majority of camera manufacturers have stepped away from DSLR to focus on mirrorless technology, which is superior in almost every way.

The camera systems I'm recommending are "future proof" and relevant in 2023, meaning that while you won't need to replace your gear any time soon if you would like to a few years down the line, the process will be easier and cheaper.

I use Adobe Lightroom (Creative Cloud) to edit all of my photos. Use my link to get a free Photographer trial to Lightroom and Photoshop.

Camera Gear For Travel: Travel Photography Gear List

Here's a useful travel photography gear list with recommendations. A comprehensive kit includes:

1. Camera
2. Lenses
3. Drone
4. Action Camera/360 Camera
5. Essential Accessories

Remember you don't need to have all of these items to take great photos. You might decide that a simple GoPro or Insta360 camera is enough for your travel photography kit. However, I've included everything that I use every day to cover all the bases of a great travel photography gear list.

The #1 Photography Accessory

Enter the Peak Design Capture Clip. I've used this for years to quickly clip my camera to my backpack's shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable way to carry a camera and will save your neck a ton of strain.

Buy at Peak Design

Buy on Amazon

1. The Best Cameras for Travel

Best beginner camera: Sony ZV-E10

What I use: Canon R5

Camera	Type	Price
GoPro Hero 11	Action	$
Panasonic Lumix TZ220	Compact	$
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV	Micro Four Thirds	$$
Sony SV-E10	Mirrorless (APS-C Crop Sensor)	$$
Sony A7IV	Mirrorless (Full Frame)	$$$
Canon R5	Mirrorless (Full Frame)	$$$$

Panasonic Lumix TZ220

The Panasonic Lumix TZ220 is Panasonic's flagship compact camera and is nicknamed the company's Ultimate Travel Companion. While it is technically a little more expensive than the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, the in-built 15x zoom means that you won't need to spend anything more on lenses.

Pros:

• 15x Zoom Leica Lens in-built
• 1-inch Mos Censor in a tiny form-factor
• Very lightweight at 340 grams (0.75 lb)
• Built-in 5-axis image stabilizer
• Decent image quality

Cons:

• No tilt screen
• Can't use different lenses
• Small design makes controls harder to use
• Softer images at telephoto-end

Best for: The Lumix TZ220 is probably the best compact camera out there for travel. This one is best for people who don't want to spend a fortune on buying different lenses and would like to keep their travel photography gear as lightweight and discrete as possible.

Buy on Amazon

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a 20-megapixel micro four-thirds camera with 5-axis in-built image stabilization and includes a great range of high-quality compact lenses.

This is the entry-level camera in Olympus' micro four-thirds range of compact DSLR-style cameras. However, I believe that it's best option in this price range with all the features you'll want in a low-budget interchangeable-lens camera for travel.

Pros:

• Great camera form factor for travel
• Great in-built stabilization
• Flip-display
• 4K 30p video
• USB Charging (don't need to carry additional chargers)
• Wifi + Bluetooth
• Decent battery life
• Loads of great lenses to choose from

Cons:

• Contrast-detect AF system isn't as good as Dual-pixel or hybrid
• No mic/headphone input
• Slow 5fps max shutter

Best for: Olympus is a great entry-level camera for travel photography serving as a perfect platform to learn and grow as a photographer.

Buy on Amazon

Sony ZV-E10

The Sony ZV-E10 is an interchangeable lens camera aimed at the vlogging market. However, it is also my recommended camera of choice for travelers starting off with photography, as well as and photography-enthusiasts looking to upgrade their gear to a purposed-travel kit.

While many of the features, including impressive "4D autofocus", 4K HDR recording (at full width of the sensor), and a convenient flip screen are great for creating video, this travel-friendly camera also packs in some great photography specs.

Pros:

• Awesome autofocus
• Good balance of excellent image quality and size
• In-built image stabilization
• Great battery life
• USB Charging
• 4K video recording
• Fast 11fps burst speeds
• Tilting screen
• Headphone and mic sockets

Cons:

• Quite expensive for a crop-sensor camera
• Buttons and controls are a little cramped
• No UHS-II card capability
• Serious photographers might prefer full-frame

Best for: The Sony ZV-E10 is one of the best options, ticking nearly all the boxes for excellent travel photography gear. The images and video this thing produces are incredible considering just how compact this mirrorless body is. This is a great camera for beginners and enthusiasts serious about travel photography.

The only downfalls are that due to the small size, it is a little more difficult to use the buttons and controls than compared to some of the larger, pro models below.

Buy on Amazon

Sony Alpha A7IV

These last two camera bodies see us step up into the pro-level travel photography gear. The Sony A7IV is a big step up from the super popular A7III, which I used to recommend in this constantly-updated article for several years.

This updated model is easily one of the best-performing full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market and more than capable as an excellent full-frame camera for travel.

Pros:

• Great full-frame image quality
• 94% autofocus coverage with great performance
• In-body image stabilization
• Many excellent lenses to pair with
• Dual SD card slots
• Oversampled 4k 60p video recording capability
• Great size for a full-frame camera
• Best bang-for-buck camera on the market

Cons:

• Weather sealing is not as good as competitors
• Need a fast card for video performance
• Slow max shooting speeds

Best for: The Sony A7IV came in very close to taking the top spot for the best camera for travel photography. While it's a little pricey, you Sony certainly offers great value for money through excellent performance and great features that make it the perfect camera for pros or those really serious about travel photography.

Buy on Amazon

Canon EOS R5

The Canon EOR R5 is the holy grail of small form factor, full-frame mirrorless cameras. I've been a Canon DSLR loyalist for years, shooting on bodies like the Canon 6D and the Canon 5D Mark IV but this camera finally gave me enough reasons to swap to mirrorless.

This camera has incredible features and insane specs, but be prepared to fork out a bit of cash for it.

Pros:

• 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• 8K 30p and 4K 120fps video recording
• Insane auto-focus and tracking capability
• 20 FPS burst mode
• Completely silent shutter mode (great for wildlife)
• Tilt and swivel screen
• Great Canon build quality and weather sealing
• In-body stabilization
• New Canon RF lenses are incredible (EF-mount adapter available)

Cons:

• Expensive
• CF Express cards are expensive (required to shoot in 8k)
• RF Lenses are expensive
• Shorter battery life than competitors
• Slightly bulkier than Sony A7RIV

Best for: The Canon EOR R5 is best for professional photographers who make a living with their gear. This camera will give you the best image quality and more than enough features for all travel photography needs. However, this is by far the most expensive camera and is very overkill for beginners or hobbyists.

Buy on Amazon

Related: 15 Essential Items for a Digital Nomad Packing List

2. Best Lenses for Travel Photography

The next step in choosing your travel photography gear list is a lens or two to match your camera of choice. The truth is, there are way too many options to list and review for every camera body out there.

However, for travel photography especially, it's best to go for zoom lenses over primes. This will give you a more flexible focal range without doubling up or needing a whole bag of lenses for different shoot types.

To achieve good coverage of lenses for all shoots, consider purchasing:

• A good walk-around lens - a versatile lens for portraits, shots of people, landscapes, food, buildings, landscapes, etc.
• A wide-angle lens or ultra-wide - for landscapes, astrophotography, and architecture
• A telephoto lens - for wildlife and unique perspectives in landscapes (think blown up mountain backdrops)

A Walk-Around Lens (Kit Lens)

A walk-around or general kit lens is a versatile lens that photographers use for a wide range of subjects and shoots. The focal range will depend on the sensor size of your camera, but usually covers the fairly wide to near-telephoto focal range.

This is typically the type of lens that travel photographers use most. However, this varies depending on the style of photography you like. For example, I tend to shoot a lot more landscapes so I actually end up using my wide-angle lens more often.

Best option for the Sony ZV-E10: Sony 16-70mm f/4

What I use: Canon RF 24-105 f4L USM IS for the Canon R5 (cheaper and lighter than the better 24-70mm f2.8L)

Camera	Lens	Check Price
Panasonic Lumix TZ220	N/A	N/A
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV	Olympus 12-45mm f/4	Amazon
Sony ZV-E10	Sony 16-70mm f/4	Amazon
Sony A7IV	Sony FE 24-105mm F4	Amazon
Canon R5	Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L	Amazon

Wide Angle Lens

For my style of travel photography, a wide or ultra-wide lens is the most fun and captivating focal range to use. Wides and ultra-wides fit an entire scene into the frame, which is great for landscape vistas, action shots, night photography, and busy streets.

Below I've listed the best wide angle lenses for travel photography for each camera. Note that again, all but one are zoom lenses, allowing them to be more versatile. The Rokinon for the Olympus is a prime, but a great one that shouldn't be passed up if this is the camera you go for.

Best option for the Sony ZV-E10: Sony 10-18mm f/4

What I use: Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM

Camera	Lens	Check Price
Panasonic Lumix TZ220	N/A	N/A
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV	Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS	Amazon
Sony ZV-E10	Sony 10-18mm f/4	Amazon
Sony A7IV	Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM	Amazon
Canon R5	Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM	Amazon

Optional: A Telephoto Lens

Telephotos aren't a necessary lens focal length for many travel photographers. Due to their large size and limited use cases, many seem to pass them up to save room in their travel photography gear bags.

However, I've recently started shooting with a super-telephoto by Canon and I absolutely love the unique shots that I'm able to get with it. For landscapes, you can get incredible blown-up backgrounds of mountains, city skylines, or even the moon or setting sun. I also love using a telephoto for wildlife photography, allowing beautiful, up-close photos without needing to get too close to the subject.

Best option for the Sony ZV-E10: Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS

What I use: Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM

Camera	Lens	Check Price
Panasonic Lumix TZ220	N/A	N/A
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV	Olympus 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3	Amazon
Sony ZV-E10	Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6	Amazon
Sony A7IV	Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6	Amazon
Canon R5	Canon RF 100-500mm f4.507.1L	Amazon

Related: Finding the Best Portable SSD for Photography

3. Best Drone For Aerial Travel Photography

Drones have absolutely changed the game! I consider them one of the most useful bits of travel camera gear in my kit. More often than not, my favorite shot from a particular shoot will end up being captured from my drone. The unique perspectives are just too good to pass up.

Below are the best drones for travel photography.

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

The DJI Mavic 3 is currently the best travel drone you can buy. While it is a little bulkier and a bit more dated than some of the newer, smaller drones by DJI, it still offers the best image quality, range, and features like variable aperture and 5.1k 60p/4k 120p video recording.

Related:

3 Types of Filters You Need for Your DJI Drone

DJI Mavic Air 2S

The DJI Mavic Air 2S takes an excellent camera and turns it into a tiny drone. This thing is smaller than the Mavic Pro 3 and offers similar specs and image quality. The Mavic Air 2S is more than enough drone for most people's travel photography gear list and is cheaper than the Mavic Pro 3.

However, what it does lack is a variable aperture, which will be enough to turn many of the pros away.

DJI Mini 3 Pro

For amateur or enthusiast photographers looking to get into aerial photography on their travels, the DJI Mini 3 is going to be the drone for you. This thing is tiny and weighs less than 250 grams (8.5 oz). Additionally, it folds down to the size of a coke can, which is perfect for travel.

Unlike previous versions of the Mini range, the Mavic Mini 3 actually packs in a great camera! You'll get great 4K/60fps video and 48 MP stills!

4. Choosing an Action/360 Camera For Travel

Another great piece of camera gear for travel is an action camera. For some, you could easily skip this. For others, you might choose to replace your entire kit with a single, tiny, high-performing camera.

Personally, I'm a big fan of action cameras like GoPros. Similarly to drones, they've changed the game in travel and adventure photography. They allow photographers to get insane perspectives and capture quite good images and video with a camera that fits in your pocket.

Recently, the industry is changing once again. With the introduction of high-quality 360 cameras, many like myself will end up replacing their traditional GoPros with 360 cameras since they do it all, with the ability to create awesome, 360 images and video.

Below I'll include the best action cameras for travel for you to consider.

GoPro Hero 11

The GoPro hero range is the most-sold camera in history. And, the Hero 11 is the best yet. Its tiny size, waterproof construction, and excellent image quality with features like a front LCD screen, 5.3K 60p recording, insane hypersmooth image stabilization, and 27MP sensor make most really rethink whether it can replace a traditional camera altogether.

Insta360 One X3

I recently traded in my GoPro for the Insta360 One X3. This new camera is one of the funnest pieces of equipment I've used in years. 360 video and photo is really starting to take off, and I've even used this tiny camera to make professional 360 room tours for hotels!

Thanks to the single lens mode, the Insta360 One X3 is a great action camera as well. It can now record 4K 30p. Additionally, in 360 mode, it records a 360-degree view at all times, allowing you to trim and crop video to turn it into immersive perspectives even in traditional formats.

The Insta360 also has powerful 360 image capabilities at a whopping 72 megapixels!

GoPro Hero Max

The GoPro Hero Max is GoPro's answer to the 360 camera. While I believe they've made too many sacrifices in their attempts to create an "all-in-one" action cam, it's still one of the best action and 360 cameras on the market.

5. Essential Camera Accessories For Travel

By now, you'll probably have quite the shopping list or Amazon cart. But I'm sorry to break it to you, it doesn't end there. When it comes to crafting a perfect travel camera gear list, you can't go past some of these accessories.

Again, as I mentioned at the start of this article, the goal is always to keep things as minimalist as possible. There are loads of nifty accessories on the market but the hardest part for travelers is sifting through what you actually need. For example, if you're also looking to create travel videos, with your camera equipment, you'll want to consider getting a good shotgun microphone and even a gimbal. But, if you stick to taking photos, your kit will be lighter.

Below I've listed travel camera gear essentials that I couldn't live or work without.

Lens Filters

Lens filters are arguably the most-used photography accessory. Usually, these screw onto the front element of the lens so you'll need to buy filters to fit your lenses. Below are the most commonly-used filter types and why you should use them for travel photography.

• UV-filters: UV filters reduce UV light rays slightly but are better used to protect your lenses. They are fairly cheap so if you drop or scract your camera, you can just replace a filter rather than your expensive lens.

Find UV-filters for your lens on Amazon

• ND-filters: Neutral Density filters reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor. The good ones achieve this without affecting the image. This is useful for videographers to maintain the desired shutter speed for their frame rate and for landscape travel photographers taking long-exposure photos.

Find ND-filters for your lens on Amazon

• CPL filters: Circular Polarizing filters reduce glare and increase saturation. If you've ever worn polarized sunglasses, you already know what I'm talking about. I often use CPL filters when shooting over water or if I want to make lush forest greens pop.

Find CP-filters for your lens on Amazon

---

Peak Design Camera Clip

A camera clip is my personal favorite travel camera accessory. These clips are made by Peak Design and allow you to easily clip your camera on and off your backpack or belt. This is a game-changer for long hikes and outdoor shoots and I honestly couldn't live without it.

Camera Backpack

Of course, you're going to need a camera backpack to store all of your gear.

Recommending the best camera backpack for travel is a difficult task as there are just so many variables to consider. Generally, backpacks are better for travel than sling bags or big pelican cases. That's because are easy to transport, more comfortable and more secure, and discrete for traveling.

Below are my recommendations for camera backpacks based on what I've used and reviews from photographers.

My camera backpack: F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond

F-stop makes some of the best outdoor camera backpacks in the world. They're tailored for outdoor conditions and are comfortable for long hikes.

The Tilopa has great features with loads of pockets and a huge back-access pocket for all of your gear. The great thing about F-stop backpacks is their modular ICU systems. This means you can change up your backpack depending on whether you need lots of camera gear or more space for clothes and other things.

What makes the F-Stop Tilopa my favorite travel camera backpack is that I can store my gear, as well as many other things I use day-to-day when living on the road.

Great All-Round Camera Backpack For Travel: WANDRD PRVKE

The PRVKE by WANDRD is a very popular backpack for travel photographers with excellent features. What's great about this bag is that it doesn't look like a camera backpack, but still has the accessibility of one.

The PRVKE comes in three sizes; 21L, 31L, and 41L. I've personally tried one on and consider it pretty darn comfortable. However, it's just not as comfortable as the Tilopa, especially if you spend a lot of time hiking.

I'd say that the PRVKE is the best camera backpack for most travelers, especially for cities and transit.

6. Camera Tripod For Travel

Okay, tripods aren't always necessary for travel photography. However, if you want to step up your landscape photography game, capture time-lapses, or record stable video footage, a great place to start is to invest in a lightweight travel tripod.

At the moment, I'm using the Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber tripod. This thing can support 12 kg and weighs less than 1.5 kg.

I've written another comprehensive post on the best lightweight tripods for hiking, backpacking, and travel, that will help you choose the best tripod for your needs.

Technical Camera Terms You'll Need to Learn

Understandably, when starting off with photography, there are a lot of technical terms that are utterly confusing. If you're struggling to choose camera gear for travel because you don't understand what the specs mean, let me help you out with a simple glossary.

• Aperture or f-stop
  One of the primary settings in-camera. Aperture is the opening through which light passes through the lens to the sensor. A lower "f-stop" means a larger opening, allowing more light and a shallower depth of field. Lenses with a lower maximum f-stops are considerably more expensive.
• Burst rate
  Burst rate refers to a camera's maximum number of consecutive photographs that it can shoot before the buffer is full.
• Crop sensor (crop factor)
  A crop sensor is smaller than the standard 35 mm sensor size (full-frame). Crop sensors capture less light since it is taking in less information in a scene. This means that you will need to purchase lenses that accommodate the sensor size of the "crop factor" of your camera.
• Dynamic range
  Dynamic range refers to the ratio between the maximum and minimum measurable light intensities. A camera with a higher dynamic range captures more information and allows for more control when editing.
• Exposure
  Exposure refers to the amount of light captured by the camera's sensor. A common mistake is to severely "underexpose" images (too dark), or "overexpose" them (too bright). Exposure is controlled by the camera's three primary settings, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
• Focal length
  The focal length refers to the distance (in millimeters) between the lens and the sensor. A longer focal length results in a closer (tighter) image, while short focal lengths are used to capture wide scenes.
• ISO
  ISO is an important setting for digital cameras. The ISO setting determines the camera sensor's sensitivity to light. For example, a low ISO of 100 is good for bright scenes in daylight, while an ISO of 6400 is very sensitive to light and should be used in dark scenes. However, higher ISO sensitivity results in more grain added to the image. Generally speaking, expensive, full-frame cameras allow for a much more acceptable range of ISO to be used without adding too much artificial grain.
• IS or OS
  IS or OS means image stabilization or optical stabilization. This is a feature in modern cameras and lenses, allowing for smoother video and the ability to shoot hand-held with slower shutter speeds without introducing motion blur.
• Prime vs Zoom
  This is important when choosing photography equipment for travel. Prime lenses have a fixed (single) focal range, while zoom lenses allow for a range of focal lengths to be used. I recommend choosing good zoom lenses for travel as they are more versatile.
• Quality (image quality)
  Quality or image quality is a very broad term. When comparing cameras and lenses to purchase, image quality is usually used to determine factors such as dynamic range, exposure, aberrations, information loss, etc.
• Resolution
  Resolution refers to the megapixels captured by a sensor (dimension). The higher the maximum resolution or megapixels, the more detail photographers get from their images. However, these days you will only notice a difference between cameras with the highest maximum resolution when blowing up the images for large prints.
• Shutter speed
  Shutter speed is the time in seconds (or fractions of a second) that the sensor is exposed to light in order to capture the image.

Check out Wix's great guide for a full list of terms.

Wrapping Up

And that wraps up my comprehensive guide to camera gear for travel. I hope that i's helped you out on your mission to design the ultimate travel photography kit.

My goal is to keep this gear list as relevant and updated as possible to ensure that this always remains a trustworthy resource for my readers. While you're here, make sure to check out my travel guides for your next travel destination, or head over to my prints page to see my fine art available for sale.

The post A Guide to Camera Gear for Travel: 2023 Travel Photography Gear Guide appeared first on We Seek Travel.

What’s not to love about Cairns? For adventure travelers, Cairns ticks all the boxes for a world-class tropical travel destination. From the islands to the rainforest, there are endless opportunities for adventure.

However, there’s one highlight that drags more people to Cairns than any other— the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef.

While you can visit the reef from other destinations like Port Douglas or The Whitsundays, in my opinion, Cairns is going to be the best bet. In this guide, I’ll make the search for the best Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns easier for you by giving you an honest review. I’ll also help you out by giving you some tips on how to get a good local deal and how to make the most of this epic experience.

What is the Best Great Barrier Reef Tour From Cairns?

As you might expect there are a multitude of tour companies and boats offering Great Barrier reef tours in Cairns. There are so many in fact, that there is an entire boat terminal dedicated to vessels headed for the GBR: The Reef Fleet Terminal.

However, if you speak to any Cairns local, they'll recommend Down Under Cruise and Dive as the best Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns, and with good reason. While I'll go into these further on in the review section of this post, here are a few reasons why they're renowned as the best.

• Still a Cairns local family company: keep it local - don't give your money to wealthy off-shore companies
• The Evolution is by far the most impressive boat offering of reef dive and snorkel trips
• Reviewed as having the highest level of safety
• One of the fastest boats so you can spend more time on the Great Barrier Reef
• More free inclusions like tea, coffee, snacks, lunch and even wine

Book Your Tour Now

Klook.com

How to Get the Best Deal on a Great Barrier Reef Tour From Cairns

When I book tours, activities, or experiences, I always use a booking app or website such as Klook. Klook selectively partners with only the best and most ethical tour providers, with hundreds of activities across Australia.

The good part about booking with an app or website like Klook is that you can easily compare reviews on experiences and activities across the board. Furthermore, you'll always get the best deal since they always offer the cheapest deals, which often work out to be even cheaper than going directly to the terminal.

Visiting the Reef With Down Under Cruise & Dive - A Review

With that out of the way, let's dive into what I believe is the best Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns. I'll try to keep this as unbiased as possible, but it is overwhelmingly positive. I personally went on this trip and there was very little I could fault about it.

In fact, many share this outlook, with the reef trip being rewarded #5 best day cruise in the world and the #4 best travel experience in Australia by Tripadvisor.

About the Business

The trip is pretty epic, but what really sold me on this particular Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour was the fact that they are one of the only businesses that are still locally owned and operated. With the commercialization of the reef came big overseas investment, which unfortunately bought out most of the smaller boats and companies operating in Cairns.

Rest assured, the business is still locally owned and operated by a Cairns family. They also employ Cairns locals so you know your dollar is going straight back into the local economy.

The Reef Boat - The Evolution

Alright, perhaps the best reason to book a Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns with Down Under Cruise & Dive is their boat, The Evolution.

If you've been to the Cairns marina, you'll have undoubtedly already spotted her. The truth is, you can't really call it a boat - she's more of a luxury super yacht. The Evolution is a custom-built, three-level luxury catamaran complete with multiple decks and air-conditioned saloons, a restaurant, a bar and full scuba diving capabilities.

If you're one to not really mind what the boat will be like, then let me assure you that it's one of the most important factors when choosing between the best Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns.

This catamaran is super fast and stable, which means you'll be spending more time out on the reef than bopping around in transit. In total, it only takes about 1.5 hours to get to the outer Great Barrier Reef on the Evolution. You'll also have a more comfortable experience and less chance of getting seasick!

What is Included on the Down Under Cruise and Dive Reef Tour?

The trip I've recommended as the best GBR dive and snorkel trip is a full-day trip. We visited two reef destinations, which ultimately depend on the weather conditions and how busy it is on that particular day.

To summarise, here are the full inclusions that I got to enjoy on this epic experience from Cairns:

• Free coffee, tea, and snacks upon boarding
• Private safety briefings that don't make you feel like you're cattle
• Introductory or certified scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef (depending on your experience)
• All snorkel and dive gear included, as well as a stinger suit
• Full lunch spread
• A visit to two dive locations
• Free wine on the cruise back

Honestly, I couldn't really expect more from a reef tour for this price. However, you do only get one dive in the base price. If you'd like more dives, you have to pay a bit extra. In saying that, I've never been on a dive trip anywhere on earth where you can get three dives for this price, so it's fairly reasonable to only include one in the base package.

Book Your Tour Now

To Snorkel or Dive on the Great Barrier Reef?

The trip with Down Under is a dive & snorkel trip. Since the Great Barrier Reef is a fairly shallow and calm dive location, they offer introductory dives with PADI even if you have never scuba-dived before. You'll need to do a briefing and safety introduction to scuba, which is conducted on the way out to the reef.

Of course, if you'd prefer not to dive, you can snorkel instead. As I mentioned, most reef locations are quite shallow, which means that you'll still get to experience the reef fully by snorkelling.

I only did one dive on my trip, and since I held a Dive Master certification, Haylea and I were able to explore the reef by ourselves. The rest of the time we spent free diving and snorkeling around the reef. While the diving was better, I definitely didn't feel like I missed out by freediving for the rest of the trip.

Related: Great Barrier Reef Flight From Cairns – What to Expect & Where to Book

A Typical Reef Itinerary - My Experience on The Great Barrier Reef Tour

To illustrate what you might expect on the best Great Barrier Reef Tour in Cairns, here's an outline of my experience.

7:15 AM - Check-in

After checking in at the Reef Fleet Terminal near the Cairns Marina, we boarded the Evolution at approximately 7:30. Upon boarding, we were taken to the upstairs air-conditioned saloon to fill out scuba diving paperwork and to be briefed on the safety of the vessel and the upcoming dives.

Shortly after, we headed down to the restaurant where we enjoyed a coffee and scones as we steamed ahead for the fist reef location: Saxons reef.

Featured in: The 10 Best Cairns Tours & Experiences

9:00 AM - First Dive (Or Snorkel)

Since we had dive-guiding experience the Dive Master gave us the option of following a guide or exploring ourselves. If I've never dived at a location before, I'd typically follow a guide since they usually have a fairly good idea of where to find the coolest stuff down there.

However, Saxons Reef is a fairly straightforward dive as you follow a wall of reef. To date, the dive at Saxons Reef was the most impressive that I'd experienced on the Great Barrier Reef so far. Visibility was over 20 metres and we spotted white tips, huge Maori Wrasse, incredible fern corals and an array of other colourful schooling fish.

After being blown away by the dive conditions, we enjoyed a feast on the deck overlooking the incredible coral waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

11:30 AM - Lunch on the Boat

After scoffing down lunch, we were pretty keen to get back into the water to enjoy the pristine conditions. This time, we just brought our snorkels and fins and floated over the shallower parts of the reef, which were thankfully still really vibrant and full of life.

1:30 PM - Next Reef Location

The second dive location for our reef trip was North Hastings Reef. Hastings is one of the largest and most popular coral reef locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Typically, there'd be dozens of boats moored up along it's edge, but you know, Covid. I certainly wasn't complaining and contemplated just how lucky we are to be able to experience this incredible coral ecosystem to ourselves.

3:30 PM - Leave the Reef & Back to Cairns at 5:00 PM

The rest of the day was spent in the water and on the deck of the Evolution. Once it was time to return back to Cairns, we were offered a glass of ice-cool wine as we sailed back into harbour.

We disembarked the Evolution at approximately 4:45 PM which meant we had time for a sunset drink at the marina!

Did you know? The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living organism to have ever existed. This coral ecosystem spans nearly 350 000 square kilometres up the coast of Queensland. It's also under threat from being lost for good. For ways you can help, read this article, or donate to the Great Barrier Reef Organisation.

Things to Know When Planning a Great Barrier Reef Tour From Cairns

I've spent a fair bit of time in Cairns over the past couple of years. While I'm not quite a local yet, I've been able to pick up some handy tips to help you make the most of your trip.

Booking A Great Barrier Reef Tour

If you book the trip using Klook, you'll receive a digital pass on the app and sent to your email. You don't need to print a PDF copy, just bring your phone. All check-in instructions will be included.

Checking In at the Reef Terminal & Where to Park in Cairns

Check in to this and any of the best Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns is at the Reef Terminal next to the Marina. The email says to be there 15 minutes prior to check-in time. For parking, there is a dedicated car park right near the terminal which costs $18 per day.

You'll need to book at least until 5-oclock. However, if you are going on the reef boat trip on a Sunday, you can snag a free parking spot at any of the middle island car parks in town. Otherwise, they're only free parking for three hours on other days.

What to Bring to the Great Barrier Reef

Pretty much everything you'll need is included on this reef trip. I'd only recommend bringing:

• Camera / go pro
• Own mask / snorkel (if you don't want to use the provided ones)
• Reef Safe Sunscreen
• Dive certification card (if you're with PADI they can just look you up)
• A wetsuit if you get cold, but you typically won't need one (usually $10 extra)

All food, water, stinger protection and dive/snorkel equipment is included on board.

More Things to do in Cairns

That concludes this detailed review for the Best Great Barrier Reef Tour in Cairns. If you have any questions about the trip, or if you want to share your experience, don't be afraid to reach out in the comments below.

Otherwise, if you're planning more epic Cairns adventures, check out some of my other travel guides and blogs like this list of Epic Things to do in Cairns, or the comprehensive list of Cairns' best waterfalls and hiking trails!

• 38 Best Hikes in Cairns & Tropical North QLD
• 5 Things to Know BEFORE Booking Cairns Scenic Flights on the Great Barrier Reef
• Cairns Beaches: 11 Best Beaches in Cairns & The Tropical North
• Cannabullen Falls Hike - Complete Waterfall Guide
• Cardwell Spa Pools, Queensland - Complete Guide
• Etty Bay Cassowaries - Where and How to Spot Wild Cassowaries near Cairns in 2023
• Mena Creek Falls & Paronella Park - Complete Guide
• Packing List for Cairns: Essential List of What to Pack for Cairns & Why
• Wallaman Falls, Queensland - Guide to Visiting the Tallest Waterfall in Australia 2023
• West Mulgrave Falls - FNQ's Best-Kept Secret - Cairns Hiking Guide

The post How to Book a Great Barrier Reef Tour From Cairns in 2023 (WIth Best Deals) appeared first on We Seek Travel.

At a Glance

Before we get into the full Zoner Photo Studio X review, here are a few pros and cons for you to consider.

Update 2021: Zoner has just been awarded best imaging software expert at TIPA World Awards.

Zoner Photo Studio X Review

Here is a breakdown of some of the most important features that I personally look for in an image processing suite. Throughout the review, you’ll find some images that I’ve processed only using Zoner Photo Studio X.

User Interface

My first impression of Zoner Photo Studio’s user interface was that it was very similar to the industry standard. In my opinion, this is a good thing as it makes transitioning over from other programs much easier.

At first glance, you’ll notice that there are three primary columns. The left is used for organizing your gallery and files either from your computer or various cloud platforms. The middle column will either include a gallery thumbnail view or a large live image view depending on the active module. Finally, the right column is the primary working column, where editors can make edits or change metadata.

As expected, there are a few primary working modules including

• Manager;
• Develop;
• Editor;
• Create

Typically, I only use image processing software for touching up my photographs and for organizing my gallery. Therefore, I spend most of my time in the Manager and Develop modules, which are similar to Lightroom.

Editor module has layer-editing capabilities similar to Adobe Photoshop, which is nice since you won’t have to swap between programs to make quick layer edits. Finally, the Create module is used for making custom designs such as calendars and collages, etc. To be honest, I can’t see myself using this module. However, I understand that it might be attractive to some readers.

Personally, I like the clean and easy-to-use layout and design. I especially like the ability to add metadata to images like Titles, descriptions and even tags straight from the Manage section. Batch operations like EXIF editing and bulk renaming was also a surprisingly useful addition to my workflow.

Editing Tools

Let’s be honest, you’re going to purchase a Photo editing suite for one primary reason; Editing. That’s why in this Zoner Photo Studio X review, I’ve covered this section the most comprehensively.

Develop

The primary module for photographers is the Develop module. This is where you’ll make the bulk of your changes to your photographs. In Zoner Photo Studio X, you’ll find all of the basic developing options including exposure, white balance, and color shifting. For beginners who just want their photos to look better, this is probably all that you’ll need to start off.

More advanced features include a wide range of tone and color curves, noise handling, brushes, radial filters, graduated filters and most other features that you might expect of a professional image processing suite.

Overall, I found that developing images on Zoner Photo Studio X to be very straight forward when coming from Lightroom. Adjusting exposure, adding filters and touching up colors was a breeze. The only thing that I felt was missing split toning. It was possible to adjust colors in highlights and shadows. However, it was a bit more complicated than I felt it needed to be. In saying that, I have heard that Zoner might be working on adding color curves, which would be a warm welcome for those who are used to video processing suites!

Big Plus: Zoner lets you edit photos straight from Google Drive without any lengthy import windows. This is awesome for quick touch ups!

Layer Editing

Digital content creators will rejoice at the ability to make layer adjustments without having to swap between programs. The Editor module is something that I’ve felt was missing from Lightroom for a long time.

Surprisingly, Zoner supports some pretty advanced layer editing features for White Balance, Exposure, Levels, Curves, and Color. You can also work with layer masks and effects as well as having the ability to merge, paste, duplicate, and even rename layers. Upon diving further into Zoner’s layering capabilities, you’ll even find that you can apply several tens of filters to any given layer. 

Overall, I was impressed with Zoner’s layer editing capabilities. Since it’s an all-in-one package, I was expecting layer editing to be limited. However, I found that the system was well-rounded, and had everything that I would need as a photographer. 

Device Support and System Requirements

In a nutshell, Zoner Photo Studio X is relatively lightweight and well optimized. This means that it will work on most modern PCs. Below are the minimum system requirements:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7* / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (64 bits)
Processor: Intel or AMD with SSE2 support
Memory: 2 GB RAM
HDD: 300 MB free disk space
Resolution: 1280 × 800 or higher

Taken from https://www.zoner.com/en/system-requirements

As you can see, these requirements are very basic. However, for best performance, Zoner recommends at least 4 GB of RAM, a quad-core processor and GPU memory of at least 2 GB.

So far, you can probably tell that I was pleasantly surprised with Zoner Photo Studio X. Nevertheless, the biggest let down for me was the lack of support for Mac OS. Since many professional photographers use Macbooks and Macs for their creative work, it’s a disappointment to see the lack of native support.

In saying that, I was able to get Zoner to run relatively easily using Apple Boot Camp. All in all, this isn’t that much of an inconvenience if you’re a Mac user with a dedicated Windows 10 Boot, but an inconvenience nonetheless. Of course, for Windows users, this is irrelevant.

Should I Buy Zoner’s Photo Studio?

After being married to Lightroom for so many years I was inevitably a little hesitant to make the switch. However, after installing Zoner Photo Studio X and processing photos for my recent blogs in Thailand, I was pleasantly surprised.

After comprehensively testing the program for myself and writing this Zoner Photo Studio X review, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is an excellent suite for both beginner photographers and professionals.

In my opinion, the biggest reason for choosing this program over the competitors is the price, online gallery, layer editing support, and the very intuitive cataloging system. Of course, the lack of native Mac OS support will dissuade many Mac users, which is probably my only pet peeve.

So, should you buy it? Well, you can test it out for free for a month when you download it from their website. And, If you have a Windows computer and want to save money while still getting professional-level photo-processing features, then I’d definitely recommend it. If you’d rather try before you buy, then you can also download the free version, which has fewer feature restrictions than typical free alternatives.

Have you had the chance to try this photo editing software? Did you enjoy this Zoner Photo Studio X review? Let me know in the comments below.

Advertisement / Endorsement Disclosure: We Seek Travel was paid for writing and publishing this review. Regardless, I aim to only provide honest and truthful information about my personal experience with this product.

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