A good camera backpack needs to do more than simply hold your gear. It should also protect your equipment from snags, spills and the rough terrain you’ll likely be lugging it through. It should have padded compartment walls to keep cameras, lenses and other equipment safe from impact. And it should have organizational pockets to keep essentials like batteries and SD cards in one place.

And of course, it should have a water bottle pocket to make it easier to stay hydrated during long walks or hikes with a full pack. It’s also important that your camera backpack have comfortable straps and harnesses, to avoid back and neck pain from a heavy load. Look for straps with thick padding and breathable materials to keep you cool and dry on hot days. And make sure your backpack has a padded waist belt to help distribute weight and reduce strain on the shoulders and back when carrying a large load.

There are many different camera backpacks available on the market, so it’s important to choose a bag that suits your specific shooting needs. To start, consider what you most often shoot and where. Do you typically take a lot of gear, including several cameras and lenses, drones and accessories, or do you prefer to travel light and go with just a single camera and lens? This will help you eliminate packs that don’t have the space you need.

A good camera backpack will have plenty of compartments to accommodate a wide variety of gear, but it shouldn’t be too bulky or difficult to carry. It’s best to find a balance of form and function, where the bag is sleek and modern-looking but still has ample space for your equipment.

In terms of practicality, look for a bag that’s designed to easily fit a DSLR camera body and 3-5 lenses, as well as a tablet or laptop (depending on the size of your device). It should have multiple ways to organize and access your equipment, including front pouches to stash personal items, a zippered back panel to quickly get at your main gear and a flexible camera pod that fits your camera, a drone and accessories.

Finally, a quality camera backpack will have padded shoulder and chest straps that can be adjusted to suit your torso height. It should also have a padded hip belt to help distribute the weight of your gear and reduce stress on your shoulders and back.

The MindShift Settra is a standout camera backpack because it’s the first bag to be certified plastic negative, meaning it has removed hundreds of pounds of plastic from oceans and landfills. It’s also a great choice for traveling because it can easily convert to a duffel bag by switching out the straps. The Settra is packed with practical features, like a customizable padded camera pod and easy-access storage for your tech. It’s an excellent choice for photographers who prioritize sustainability as much as they do functionality.