Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW III Camera Backpack Review

Since we started trying to make a living out of our travels, our video and photography gear list has grown fast, and so has our need to find a reliable system to carry all of it around.

Our latest trip pushed our old Pacsafe shoulder bag to the max of its capabilities. It couldn’t fit everything we needed, the prolonged use hurt my back and it was awkward to open and close while holding the camera.

Because of that, we started looking for an alternative the moment we came back home, so that we could be ready for the next adventure. 

Let’s take a look at the Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW III, and let’s see what makes it the best travel camera backpack out there!

# Overview

Made by Lowepro, a brand that is well known in the travel and photography community for durable and high quality backpacks, the Fastpack BP 250 AW III is intended as a hybrid between a travel bag and a daypack.

In essence, it is meant for anyone wanting to safely store the necessary gear for a day shoot, while still having enough space left for personal items. 

# Materials

The Ripstop nylon (a high-end fabric that stops tears and holes from getting bigger) of the bag, combined with a PU water-repellant fabric, give it an edge when it comes to weather resistance. 

The bag will easily stand up to abrasions and dirt, and also comes with a waterproof rain cover if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

All in all, this bag should easily be able to take on even a tough hike or a short camping trip. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The top compartments have plenty of space for personal items or even enough clothes for short trip!

# Features and Size

The backpack is separated in two main compartments, the top one meant for personal belongings, while the bottom is nicely padded and separated with dividers to organise your gear.

That section alone is big enough to fit:

• A mirrorless or DSLR camera with two lenses,

• an action cam

• a powerbank

• spare batteries

• a microphone

The top part can easily fit a packing cube with enough clothes for a weekend.

On top of that, there is another pocket that easily fits a 15” MacBook Pro (even if the website mentions a max of 13”). You might think that’s it, but there is also a large front pocket for extra storage, and a side pocket to hold a water bottle or a tripod (although not both).

It’s worth mentioning that the gear compartment is big, but not huge. It fits all we need with no problem, and in case you need some extra space you can simply move all less fragile items to the various compartments and pockets on the top part.
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Pro Tip:

If it turns out that the space just isn’t enough for you, there is a “pro” model that has less space on top but a larger gear compartment.

If it wasn’t clear enough, this is not a small backpack. It measures 31.5 x 20 x 54 cm, just about the same size as the Eastpak’s Tranzpacks we normally use as luggage when travelling, which measure 33 x 23 x 51 cm. 

This can be a problem if you prefer something discreet, as this backpack will most certainly be well visible to everyone around you, including the occasional thief and pickpocket. It doesn’t look like a typical camera bag, but it will definitely stand out.

What is great is the weight, as it sits at a very comfortable 1.2 kg, much less than most other backpacks in the same genre! This makes it easy to carry around all day despite the large size, especially thanks to the comfortable shoulder straps. When fully loaded, you can also use the small belt and the chest strap that the bag comes with to help manage the weight. They don’t do a whole lot, but they provide some stability and support. 

The bottom compartment easily fits all our camera and recording gear!

# Best use

This backpack is meant as a hybrid between a travel bag and a daypack. This works fine for us because we prefer to travel as light as possible, and in that regard the Fastpack is perfect. We can easily use it in conjunction with an Eastpak Tranzpack to carry all of our gear, plus enough clothing for a week. 

The bag is also cabin sized for most airlines, which makes it even more practical for travelling. 

# Pros & Cons

+ Plenty of space for personal items.

+ Modular gear compartment.

+ Gear compartment is easily accessible.

+ Very large and easy to access laptop compartment.

+ Tough materials and weather resistant.

+ Rain cover is included.

+ Very light backpack.

+ Very comfortable to carry around for long periods of time, despite the size.

+ Ideal as a travel backpack.

+ Cabin sized.

+ Can be used for hikes and short camping trips.

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- Very large.

- Might be too big as a daypack for some.

- Doesn’t scream camera bag, but still not very discreet.

- The gear compartment is big but not huge.

The shoulder straps are large and comfortable, and are compatible with a Peak Design Capture Camera Clip!

(Review coming soon)

# Is it for you?

• If you travel with multiple bags and are looking for a backpack exclusively for your gear, I would say no. There are more compact options out there that will better fit your system, and this backpack is too large to be used only for gear.

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• If, like us, you prefer to travel light and do not wish to carry a second bag, then this backpack will suit you perfectly. Fit everything you need, then empty it at your accommodation and refill it with what you need for the day. It is a little oversized for a daypack, but that is a small price to pay for all the positives!

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So, what do you think? Is the Lowepro Fastpack the backpack for you?

If you have any suggestions for more awesome gear that we should review, let us know!

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