Alta Sky 51D

I've used quite a few camera backpacks over the years, and the VANGUARD Alta Sky 51D has been a pleasant surprise. After spending considerable time with it, I believe it offers an excellent combination of storage capacity, comfort, durability, and overall value. While there are certainly more expensive camera backpacks on the market, this one delivers many of the same premium features at a much more affordable price. The first thing that stands out is its size and versatility. With a 32-liter capacity, this isn't a small daypack, but that's exactly what makes it so practical. It easily accommodates a DSLR or mirrorless camera, multiple lenses, a drone, batteries, chargers, filters, and other photography accessories, while still leaving room for personal items. The dedicated 15-inch laptop compartment is another welcome feature for photographers who like to edit on the go or travel with a computer. One of my favorite features is the multi-access design. Being able to reach different sections of the bag without completely opening the main compartment makes changing lenses or retrieving equipment much faster and more convenient, especially when shooting outdoors or while traveling. Comfort is another area where this backpack excels. The shoulder straps are thick, well-padded, and very comfortable, while the back panel provides excellent support and airflow. Even when the bag is fully loaded with camera gear, the weight is distributed evenly, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. Long photography sessions or full-day trips are much easier with a backpack that's designed with ergonomics in mind. The interior padding deserves special mention. The padded dividers are thick and provide excellent protection for camera bodies, lenses, and other delicate equipment. I never felt concerned about my gear shifting around inside the bag, and the padding is more than sufficient to protect your equipment from the bumps and knocks that come with everyday travel. Combined with the sturdy construction, it gives you confidence that your camera gear is well protected wherever you go. The material quality is also impressive. The fabric feels durable and well-made, giving confidence that it will withstand regular use. Although the backpack is advertised as water-resistant, I was pleased to see that Vanguard also includes a rain cover for added protection during heavier rain. One specification I wish the manufacturer provided is the exact type of fabric used, along with its denier rating, as those details would make it easier to compare durability with other premium camera backpacks. The craftsmanship is excellent throughout. The stitching is clean and consistent, there are no loose threads, and nothing about the bag feels cheaply made. The zippers operate smoothly, the dividers are sturdy, and the overall construction reflects careful attention to detail. Everything feels solid and designed for long-term use. Considering the price, I think this backpack offers exceptional value. It competes very well with several higher-end camera backpacks that cost significantly more. While premium brands may offer a few additional refinements, I never felt like I was sacrificing quality by choosing this model. I highly recommend the VANGUARD Alta Sky 51D to photographers looking for a spacious, comfortable, and well-built camera backpack. Whether you're carrying camera equipment, a drone, or both, this backpack provides excellent organization, reliable protection, and outstanding comfort. For the price, it's one of the best values I've found in a camera backpack, and I would not hesitate to purchase it again.

The individual or team that designed this camera backpack should get an award, if they havent already. The first thing you notice is its durability. Nothing was held back in materials, padding, stitching and overall tank-like construction. The straps are super padded and very comfortable. I'm an avid hiker and this pack is built to, and even surpasses in some cases, the specifications of the best hiking packs you might find at your local outdoor recreation retailers. Even the bottom is especially reinforced with tough material, and its very flat so the pack stands UPRIGHT and doesnt tip over, which is an exceptional feature for a backpack every time you set it down. Perfect! The second thing you notice is the number of pockets. Wherever there is real estate on this bag it has a pocket, and its definitely making the best use of space for its moderately smaller, much easily-manageable 45L size. The next thing that stood out was how well it looked. The designers put in the effort and attention to making it look nice, with the angles and layering of the materials and overall appearance. It's stylish and less box-square, bulky shaped than your typical camera bag. Yet even this is an illusion, because it maintains its reinforced inner shape to keep your lenses and gear stacked and padded in that compartment shape but it just doesnt look like it on the outside --which lends itself to the added brilliance in the design. Now nothing is perfect ... so here are the few (and there are only a few) features I wish were different: When you open the main compartment via the back of the bag (which is the best method by the way, than from the front face on camera bags), the flap does not stay open and lay back, but always falls closed. When you're reaching for something or putting it away quickly that's fine, but when you're packing and organizing it would be nice that it stayed open. (I lay my jacket on it to keep the flap back). But its annoying. You also have to turn the should straps so they flip backward and out of the way while accessing this back compartment, but they do so just fine, and that doesnt count as a problem of this pack ---as all packs of this style would require that. Really the only other thing I wish were better was the selection in sizes. It may appear that many sizes are offered but they alternate in style/design as you go up in size.. So I cant get this same type of pack in a slightly larger size (which I would prefer a slightly larger 49L would be perfect) without jumping from 45 to 51 to keep the same style. But the 51 is too big for what I want. The one(s) in between are a style that doesnt have the compartments in the locations I prefer that are found on this one, the 45, and 51. But oh well.. I just have to get a little creative with the (slightly too small for my needs) 45, and just hang a few more things off its side, or strap it over the top or something. Overall, VERY pleased with this purchase. Good job Vanguard engineers/designers.

(REVIEW OF VANGUARD ALTA SKY 45D -- *and the 51D in passing*) I was looking for a new backpack to replace my Lowepro Fastpack 250 (version 1). I use this style of backpack when I am traveling and thus it must follow TSA and airline guidelines for a carry on (better yet a personal item). Preferably I want the backpack to serve as my personal item versus my carry on. That way I can bring a roller bag with clothes (and maybe some gear) that will go in the overhead bin. The backpack then needs to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of me. I am happy to report the Alta Sky 45D fits perfectly under the seat in front (at least on two Delta flights with the newer cram you in like sardines cabin layout). I also really like that this has a strap on the back section where I can attach the bag to my roller suitcase's handle. My Lowepro does not have this option. The build quality on this bag is top notch and well worth the money from that standpoint. Padding, zippers, clasps, materials, etc. are all top notch. However, the reason I have to take off one star is that I want just a bit more storage out of the bag. I also bought the Vanguard Alta Sky 51D (the next size up from the 45D) to see which one would work best for me. I really like the 51D--I actually like it more than the 45D. The 51D is the perfect size to easily store all my camera gear (Canon APS-C body, 70-200mm f2.8 lens, 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 lens, sigma 12-24 lens, 50 1.8 lens, charger, extra batter, filters, card carrier, and monopod) and have room for a book, single change of clothes, headphones, 15" Macbook Pro, and more. BUT the 51D is essentially the same size as the TSA max size carry on luggage bag (i.e. my Travel Pro Magna 2 21" roller bag). So for trips where I do not want to check a bag (which for me is 80-90% of my travel), the 51D is just too large. For me, the 45D is just a hair too small. I can fit most of my camera gear in it, but it takes some work to get it all to fit. I am definitely stressing parts of the bag, but as I said, the quality is superb and I'm not worried. Most the gear above goes in the bottom flip out compartment, while the 70-200 lens has to go into the main compartment. That leaves room for a large 500-600 page book in the main compartment and that's it. The top part of the 45D fits my Sony WH-1000XM3 case and iPad mini retina tablet, but nothing else. My 15" Apple Macbook Pro Retina BARELY fits in the back laptop compartment, with the zippers touching the corners of the laptop. For the bag to be perfect, it needs just a little more height to it, at least to accommodate my laptop ,and a bit more volume. I also cannot store my very compact Sirui P306 monopod on the side of the bag without loosing all the side pocket storage. On my most recent 4-5 day trip, I found myself storing more gear than I would like in my 21" carry on roller suitcase. That said, the 45D is such a solid and comfortable bag that it has earned itself a place in my permanent rotation. BUT, I will be buying the 51D to use for any trip lasting more than 5 days where I intend to check a bag. For example, I will be going to Hawaii this summer for a week and plan to use the 51D for this trip and check a bag. Ultimately, the search for one bag to rule them all continues, but the 45D (and the 51D) do an amazing job for now.

I am super picky about everything I buy, specially when it comes to my camera gear. I wanted something not too big, but not too small either. I purchased the 45D, that’s the smaller daypack version. I still find enough room for all the gear I need, without overpacking. There is enough for my 70-200m lens, my speed light, and 2 additional lenses. The bottom compartment is used by my 20-200 lens and some filters, the main compartment is for my camera and one lens, currently a 90mm macro lens. There little pockets for battery or memory card and an area for a laptop. I don’t use the laptop area for my laptop, but it’s perfect for my diffuser. I am not sure about other sizes, but the 45D has side access, which I love because it does fit my mirrorless Sony with the 70-200 attached, if needed. I was pleasantly surprised about the quality. It’s very well made and the materials used are top notch. The inside of the bag is customizable, which i feel is necessary. Various options to access the pack are also provided. So far I absolutely love it. I do wish the hip belt would be removable, but it’s not. A little pocket on the hip belt would’ve been also a great feature, and I do miss that a little. I am not sure how comfortable it is yet, but will update once I’ll find out. I am a small female and the shoulder straps feel a bit wide, due to all the padding. Update: after trying 5 different name brand camera backpacks, I decided this one is still the best, after at first returning it, I ended up reordering it. Trust me when I say, I’ve tried them all (well, I’ve tried the best), and this pack definitely is the best so far. I thought the shoulder straps would bother me after a long hike, but they actually didn’t. The pack was very comfortable. I also like that it looks like a high-quality backpack, and not like a pack that carries expensive photo gear.

I LOVE this backpack!!! This is the most versatile and valuable camera bag I have ever owned. Fabrics, zippers, dividers, you name it... they work great and have held up wonderfully. This backpack is large. Very large. However, it is so much more comfortable and easy to carry around all day than any of my smaller lighter bags due to the amazing ergonomics. The material used on the back is breathable and the bands keep the weight off of my shoulders. This backpack is the first option I grab whenever I know I will be wearing it for a while. This Vanguard backpack makes carrying a lot of gear over long distances very easy!

First off, I purchased this because I travel a lot and I need to be able to bring my camera gear in a bag that is within the limitations of airline hand-carry policy in terms of dimensions. First impression was build quality. This bag has the feel of ruggedness. Empty, it's sturdy enough to stand on its own. It's not a floppy backpack at all. It offers enough space to hold x2 of my camera bodies and x7 of my lenses. I can also carry hard drives, SD cards, lighting solutions (jetbeam fl12 x2), battery banks, and a few miscellaneous items. There are several smaller pockets that are perfect for cables, medication and documentation (manuals, passports, etc...). I also want to mention that the side pocket for my main camera is large enough to hold my Panasonic GH5 with a Smallrig cage installed, top handle included! The laptop pocket is perfect for my Macbook Air 13". There is enough cushion to protect it and my gear from each other. I love the bright orange interior. It makes for an easy gear find in dim conditions. Behind the lower gear organizer, I use velcro straps, reversed, on extra cabling and they hold just find on the felt material. I haven't used the tripod carrier yet, but on inspection, it's exactly what I'll need when I do travel with a tripod on day trips. Like most camera bags, the rear access gives me confidence that my important gear is secured. The straps are plenty comfy, but a little bit too thick for my Peak Design Clip. I was able to resolve that by using the optional Peak Design Pro Pad and one of the horizontal loops on the straps. It's a tight fit, but I don't foresee any issues with that work around. If I were to choose a flaw, it would be that it does make me look like a gear hog. Definitely not discreet when loaded up. All in all, I am very happy with this camera backpack. I have several and this is by far my favorite. Closest to perfection as I am going to find thanks to Airline limitations. I know I could push the size a bit more and go with a larger Vanguard, but I travel the world and I don't want to push my luck. Every airport is different and this bag gives me reassurance that it will get me past all security checkpoints no matter what airline or country I am flying to and fro. Thanks Vanguard for a great product!

I love this bag. It fits and distributes the weight evenly. It holds my 600mm lens well, along with the camera and many other pieces of equipment

Purchased this pack to carry my R5 with RF200-800mm attached, with both extenders and a small prime lens (Sigma Art 28mm/40mm). By the dimensions it should fit and would have fit if I didn't want to carry the other lenses with me. (At least the extenders). The large vertical slot in the pack was too narrow to fit my 200-800 with the hood reversed and hood removed. In all fairness I did not try adjusting the dividers because I wanted the slots for other lenses. Pack was very well built, zippers were nice though the back panel zipper did stick when I manipulated it (opening/closing the back panel). It stands on it's own with a nice rugged bottom panel.

heavy duty back pack, it fits my nikon z8 with 500mm f4e fl attached. Very comfortable for long distance walking, for me the Backpack is very good quality and nice design.

I bought this bag so i can load the 150-400mmpro lens mounted with the Om1 fully. For fast loading and removing of setup. This bag in reality is not as large as seen in the advertisement etc. If you want more space for other lenses with top loading like this, I think the model 62 is better. I like the look of this bag.

A really well thought out and simple solution for carrying my long lens combo. Excellent durability and practicality.

I've been searching for some time for a perfect bag and this is it! Lots of room, very well made and thought out.

Lo zaino che non può mancare a chi come me lavora per gran parte dell'anno in giro per il mondo. Telecamera, microfoni, action camera, piccoli led, pc 17",cavi, caricabatterie, batterie, mentre al suo esterno un monopiede e uno stativo per un led. Porto tutto quello che mi occorre per produrre e montare un servizio tg all'estero senza problemi anche nel poterlo riporre nella cappelliera del aeroplano. Punti di forza: robusto, spazioso, infinite tasche e, cosa che non guasta, elegante. Lo uso da un bel pò e non ho trovato criticità.