If you shoot anything but a pocket camera in the streets you will need a bag. Here is a selection of the 10 best street photography bags you can get to shoot light and fast in the streets.
Since there are so many street photography bags out there, I asked my friend Don (that I do the street photography magazine & course with) who had more then 100 in his lifetime and 30 right now in his closet to narrow down a selection.
Here they are:
Best street photography bags
| Name | Type | Interior (Inches) | Material | Get it here: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cozyspeed Streetomatic | Belt | 6.1 x 8.1 x 3.5-4.5 | 600D nylon and PU leather | Check Price |
| 2. Think Thank Retrospective 4 | Sling | 8.46 x 6.69 x 4.33 | Canvas, Nylon, Polyurethane | Check Price |
| 3. Peak everyday sling 3L | Sling | 7.8 x 3.5 x 2.52 |
Nylon | Check Price |
| 4. Billingham 72 | Sling | 4.33 x 3.54 x 5.51 | FibreNyte, Leather | Check Price |
| 5. Domke F-5XB | Sling | 9.5 x 4 x 6 | Canvas | Check Price |
| 6. Manfrotto Noreg Camera Messenger | Messenger | 13.39 x 9.65 x 4.92 | Nylon | Check Price |
| 7. Think Tank Retrospective 7 | Messenger | 13.39 x 9.65 x 4.92 | Canvas, Nylon, Polyurethane | Check Price |
| 8. Tamrac Rally 2 | Sling | 7.9 x 4.3 x 6.7 | Nylon | Check Price |
| 9. Tumi Alpha Bravo Higgins Sling | Sling | 13×7 x 7.9 x 3.2 | Nylon, Leather | Check Price |
| 10. DIY Solution | Various | Various | Various | Check Price |
Ok now let’s look at what makes each a great bag for street photography:
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Fast access to camera ✔️ Easy to carry ✔️ Made for street photography |
❌ Single purpose |
If you are a dedicated shooter this is the best street photography bag ever. The problem with many camera bags is that they try to be everything to everyone. Cozyspeed on the other hand takes the specialized approach, this is a bag made FOR and BY street photographers, making it one of best best street photography bags you can get.
First of all this is a waist bag and this is crucial because other types of back usually add weight and stress to your back. You have two little pockets on the side, one zippered and one not. The unzippered one is great to hold the phone and the main compartment really protects your gear snuggly. It comes with a few extras like finger loop and rain cover.
There’s a few styles available but the one you see above has a cool leather and grey look to it that makes it stylish. Using it in the streets is really great as you can simply lift the magnetic closure to have quick access to your camera. And that is really THE biggest reason to get the Streetomatic: you forget you are wearing it and it gives you quick access to your camera when your images appear in front of you.
The main compartment is pretty large and the top flap has a mesh where you can add your memory cards and other extra small accessories. It resists weather but there’s always the rain cover if things get nasty.
The downside is pretty simple, this is a bag FOR street photography and when you are not shooting any, it’s hard to use it as a daily bag. Get it here.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Stylish enough to be a regular bag ✔️ Dual flap design ✔️ Can fit a tablet ✔️ Rain cover included |
❌ None |
There’s quite a few bags from Think Tank but the best street photography bag is the Retrospective line, the 4, version 2 to be precise. What a name indeed. Just like the Domke F5, this bag doesn’t look like much feature-wise on paper but once you use it it really grows on you.
It is made out of a very peculiar color of canvas that makes it look unique, but there is a black version available too. It is not too big but big enough for a DSLR with an extra lens or a mirrorless with a few lenses. It is well padded and you can move the inserts like most camera bags.
It is non descript so it won’t bring too much attention to you in the streets and you can easily pull your camera in an out for that quick shot. There is a relatively large front area that is great for a small flash or extra batteries.
On the flap is an interesting take on velcro. Since pulling out your camera means pulling out the velcro, it might make some noise. But you can put a piece of cloth over the velcro so that it doesn’t make much noise when you open and close it.
It is a water resistant canvas bag so it will absorb some degree of water but you can always pull out the poncho to completely protect the bag if things get very rough in the streets.
Lastly there is a dedicated area in the back for a small tablet and an accessory area to put a few other small items in the back. Because there is no particular indication that this is a street photography bag, you can potentially just use it as a day bag if your camera isn’t that big.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Sleek ✔️ Modern-looking ✔️ Very strong padding ✔️ Well structured insides ✔️ Side access |
❌ Main compartment focused |
Next our best street photography bags list is something modern. Most of the street photography bags on this list have a very traditional / functional look to them, but if you want something that looks and feels modern then the Peak Design Everyday sling 3L might be for you.
This being a sling it can be worn either on your back or in front of your body for extra security. The main draw here is the main compartment. Open it and you have easy access to all of your gear as the main compartment is on the side.
A zipper within the flap makes it easy to add extra batteries and memory cards in their own little well organized space. If you have a phone you can discreetly slip it in and out with the only front zipper.
For better or for worse this is main compartment focused so it has increased security but you also will have to reach out inside for anything. Everything in there is pretty tight with no wasted space and the design is really top notch.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Small and compact ✔️ Minimalist ✔️ Specific and unique look ✔️ Keeps shape even empty |
❌ Only one slip in pocket |
Next our best street photography bags list is from Billingham. If you want a stylish, minimalist shoulder bag, this is it. Minimalist because this is pretty much a bag with just one main compartment, no zippers, no nothing besides a divider and a front slip in pocket where you can put your phone. When using it as a street photography bag, simply remove the clog bolt and you have quick access to your camera, when not in use put the clog back and the flap cannot be lifted.
Inside the flap, there is a padded insert that you need to pull up first before being able to get to your camera. So you have to lift the black flap then the green flap, making it slightly annoying in the streets, but that does make it have extra protection.
This is a small bag so perfect for those with a compact mirrorless camera. It is made out of a very durable (and sleek) FibreNyte material that makes the bag look like a canvas bag but without the wear. This bag is really stylish for everyday use but it keeps its shape, so even empty it will always be that size and it is also priced at a premium for that bag size. But since it will keep looking fresh after years, it might just be worth it.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cool old canvas, rugged look ✔️ A piece of history ✔️ Simplicity |
❌ Single compartment focused |
Next our best street photography bags list is an absolute classic. It’s weird to think about but camera bags as we know them didn’t exist. Photographers on assignment would put their gear in a car or use regular bags that we all know aren’t idea; for photographers. Jim Domke made the Domke bags in order to be able to have his gear at his side when working for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
If there is a word that can describe the Domke F-5XB, it is simplicity. The F5 is simply padded insides and inserts inside a canvas bag. In front there is a slip in pocket and that is it.
On paper this is underwhelming but there is something zen about this. The F5X has a rugged leather look (water resistant) that looks really cool.
This is a relatively small bag so you can fit your compact camera nicely or DSLR with a lens. This is the ultimate minimalist street photography bag as there is very little in terms of extra pockets besides the main compartment. That is both the pro and the con about it.
It can however be worn as a belt pouch and the strap is removable. In any case the stylish old worn leather look makes this OK to use for daily life but you mostly have the main compartment to put your stuff in.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ 3-in-1 bag ✔️ Modular ✔️ Unique camo design ✔️ Top access even when closed |
❌ Large messenger |
Next our best street photography bags list is something much bigger. This is the perfect travel bag for street photographers or city dwellers because it is modular. If you want to carry everything with you, this bag is large and can fit a lot of gear, including your laptop.
There is a large main compartment where you have access to your gear while the top strap is closed, simply unzip and you are done, great for street photography. This also takes an interesting approach with the laptop compartment (with a front pocket for tablets), unlike the other bags on this list you can remove it and keep it so that this is less weight while out and about shooting.
But that is not all. It comes with an equipment pouch that is essentially a stand alone shoulder bag that is adequately sized (read: Won’t ruin your back) so you can either carry everything with you, or leave your bag behind like at the hotel or at a friend’s place and only shoot with the smaller bag it comes with.
This also has a poncho of sorts for when things get wet. There’s plenty of inside space and inside (non zipped) pockets to organize everything you could need. Lastly this has an incredibly stylish black/grey camo look to it that looks urban and pretty unique.
Considering that you essentially get 3 bags in one, a laptop/tablet pouch, a large messenger and a small shoulder bag, it’s a steal. Get it here.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Carries a lot ✔️ Laptop compartment ✔️ Simple and minimalist |
❌ Messengers are not for long term use |
Next our best street photography bags list is ANOTHER retrospective bag. The first one was the 4, this is the 7. This is pretty much the same but the difference is mostly in the size. Some street photographers like to have everything with them while shooting from gear to even laptops if travelling so this can carry it all.
Not a big fan of messenger bags as these can be heavy and really hurt your back but some need the ability to carry the gear and this is one of the best bags for street photography if that describes you.
If you like a more modern design and like your gear neatly organized in pockets the Noreg might be better for you. But if you want more of a canvas bag where the main compartment is the main draw, this is it.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Small ✔️ Well padded ✔️ Side pockets ✔️ Front zippered pocket |
❌ Very basic |
If you are looking for a cheap street photography bag, this is it. This bag will not win any design awards but it is functional and small. You can fit your compact camera in there with a small tablet in the main compartment.
You also have a few pockets. One in the front is zippered and perfect for that extra battery or memory cards while on the side there are two drop in elastic pockets where you can drop things you need like a water bottle.
If you are looking for a small street photography bag or are on a budget, this is a great option. Get it here.
9. Tumi Alpha Bravo Higgins Sling
The best street photography bag for those who want a regular bag first
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Very high quality, premium feel ✔️ Lots of pockets for organization ✔️ Ample space in the middle for cameras ✔️ Carries water bottle with waterproof area |
❌ Gear might move during transport ❌ Discontinued, need to look for used ❌ Cannot replace strap |
Tumi makes some of the best bags, period. And this is not from someone trying to justify the price. I am the kind of guy that really don’t care about brands. You should see my face when someone was waving their brand name watch in front of me. Same thing for bags, I don’t care about the brand as long as it is good.
The Alpha bravo is one of the best street photography bags you can get if you are looking for a regular bag first and foremost. That means if you want a bag that is perfect as a daily bag AND is great for street photography, this is it. It is well made of durable material that even my cats haven’t been able to ruin yet.
There is a compartment for a water bottle with a special material so that it doesn’t leak and also has a little hole to let the water out. But the best feature of this is the fact that everything is compartmentalized. There is the large front compartment that can take any camera, but also a back pocket that you can put your tablet in.
You can use the side pockets for stuff like wallet and keys. The downside of this is the price and the fact that this is a discontinued model so you will have to get it used. The other potential issue is that while everything is well organized in multiple pockets the main area can be quite a dump with just everything thrown in there.
Since this is a sling you can have this in front of you and it allows you to have your camera right in front of your chest and it is easy to pull out in a snap. As many photographers, I have a thing for bags and this is the best one I have ever owned.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Doesn’t take getting used to ✔️ Most economical option |
❌ Not all bags are adequate |
Our last option as a street photography bag is the DIY solution. Keep your bag, whatever it is and simply get a padded insert. The upside is, this is your bag and you probably already love and know it so there is no disconnect here. But if your bag is simply a black hole where stuff gets lost, your camera might be all over the place, but still protected.
This is a non issue if you have something like a shoulder bag as the rectangular shape makes a snug fit. If you really want to carry your gear but don’t want to break the bank, this might just do the trick.
Keep the eye on the prize
Once you get yourself your best street photography bag and ready to roll, check out this street photography magazine and online course. Both teach the secret to outstanding street photography.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article about street photography bags. If you want the best one that is dedicated to street photography that is the Streetomatic. However if you want a bag that can do street photography as well as be a regular bag, the Retrospective 4.
If you need to carry a lot of gear the modular Manfrotto Noreg essentially is 3 bags in one and lastly if you are looking for a regular bag first and foremost that you can also use as a street photography bag on occasion, then the . Or you can always drop a camera insert in your favorite bag. Be yourself, stay focused and keep on shooting.