Review: Manfrotto Active II backpack

Photographer (and awesome housemate) Jacob Little reviews Manfrotto’s Active II backpack, £89.95, for The Girl Outdoors.

Product Description: “The Active Backpack II is a structurally sound, high-capacity yet compact rucksack that can also be used as a standard daypack. With its capacity to hold a DSLR system with 3-4 standard lenses, 17” laptop as well as personal items and accessories, this rucksack will get you through a gig or a family walk in the park. The bag has four zippered compartments with the top part designed for personal items and the bottom for photo gear. A removable bottom insert allows you to transform the rucksack into a handy daypack.”

The Active II has clear benefits over cheaper bags I’ve taken on shoots in the past, and feels like it’s been put together with a real understanding of what photographers actually need when working. The sturdy lower compartment can take multiple lenses and stay in good shape, giving you quick, safe access to your gear, and the double main compartment has lots of useful pockets for memory cards and documents.

Other clever design features make the bag a great choice for travel and sports photographers – the outer material is water repellent and there’s a fold out rain protector if you get caught in a downpour. A handy loop lets you attach your tripod to your back when hiking, and the whole thing is sized to fit as cabin luggage.

The Active II is lightweight and comfortable, allowing you to cart it over rough terrain, and everything is easy to access when you need to grab a shot quickly. But the biggest benefit of the bag is how adaptable it is, converting easily into a normal rucksack. I’ve taken it on shoots as a general carry bag for books, maps and guides as well as a camera or two, and the bag’s bottom zip and insert can be removed to make it into a conventional rucksack, fitting a laptop or even your gym kit.

Manfrotto Active II backpack review – Verdict: The Active II’s design is simple, but that renders it lightweight and easy to use. A fantastic user-friendly, sturdy, all purpose camera bag for active photographers at a decent price.