Wandrd PRVKE Backpack Review: Best Camera Backpack?

If you want to know more about the Wandrd PRVKE backpack, you’re definitely in the right place. We will take a good look at all of its features, from the materials it is made from to the number of external attachment points it has.

This bag is designed for people who want the best quality they can buy, and who don’t mind spending a little more to get that premium item. It’s a high-end backpack that you will be able to use for years – perfect if you’re tired of buying a new affordable bag every few months.

In our detailed PRVKE backpack review, you will learn more about the unique features of this high quality camera backpack and figure out if it really is the best option for you!

Materials And Durability

Why should you spend so much money on this backpack when you can get a decent camera pack for around $50? It all comes down to the quality of materials, the build of the backpack, and its total durability.

Is the Wandrd PRVKE 21 backpack tough and durable enough to justify the high price point? That’s exactly what we will be talking about in this section of the review!

Tarpaulin Exterior

The body of the Wandrd PRVKE 21 is made from waterproof Tarpaulin and Robic 1680D Ballistic Nylon. In terms of durability, you can’t really get any tougher or stronger fabrics. Tarpaulin is often used in the construction of waterproof tents that are supposed to provide shelter from even the nastiest weather conditions.

Not only is the material tear and abrasion-resistant, but it is also fully waterproof. This means that the Wandrd PRVKE is going to survive years of heavy use no matter what conditions you put it through. On top of that, the bag will protect the contents from all the different weather conditions, ensuring that the pricey electronics inside stay dry and safe even in really heavy downpours.

Waterproof Zippers

Zippers are actually more important than the fabric when it comes to the waterproofing of a bag. You could use the best and most waterproof material on the planet and it could still be completely useless if you put regular zippers on the bag. Zippers are the weak point because water can easily seep in through the teeth if they are not meant to be water-resistant or weather-resistant.

The good news is that the Wandrd PRVKE backpack features fully waterproof YKK zippers, ensuring that the bag is able to handle any weather conditions. This also makes it easier to stomach the fact that you are not getting a rain cover along with this pricey pack – technically, you have absolutely no use for it.

Carrying Comfort

The best everyday backpacks are the ones that are comfortable. You should be able to wear it for hours without feeling any pain in your back and shoulders – when you have bulky DSLRs and heavy laptops in your bag, this tends to be a challenge.

In this section, we’ll get into the details of the Wandrd PRVKE back panel and shoulder straps, which are essential for your carrying comfort.

Padded Backpanel

The back panel of the Wandrd PRVKE is heavily padded and features spaced-out foam ridges for airflow. This type of construction is great, especially because there is no breathable mesh on the backpanel. But, because there is space between the different foam panels the air is able to circulate, which ultimately means that the overall ventilation is really good.

Is the ventilation as good as it is on the best hiking backpacks? No. Do you need it to be that good? No. People sweat much more when they are hiking than they do just walking around town, which is exactly why bags for daily commute don’t focus as much on the breathability of their back panels.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps

The Wandrd PRVKE backpack has a pair of padded and adjustable shoulder straps that feel very comfortable on your body.

You can adjust their width and you can secure them in place with a convenient sternum strap. They are not entirely ergonomic, but they are very soft and feel nice against your torso.

The (Optional) Hip Belt

If you grab the Wandrd PRVKE bundle, you will also get removable hip belt straps. They are not included in the base version of the backpack, but you can buy them individually from Wandrd and other retailers for $30-40.

The straps are great for people who are carrying bulky cameras and other heavy equipment in this backpack because they really help with load distribution. Properly adjusted hip belt straps mean that you won’t feel any of the pack’s weight on your shoulders and that you will be much more comfortable when walking around for hours with a heavy pack.

The hip belt straps for this bag are adjustable and feature zippered pockets but no breathable mesh.

Capacity And Organization

The best backpack for you is the one that can fit everything you usually carry in a bag. It should have ample space for your necessities, but also enough pockets that you can keep everything organized.

Ease of access is another important thing we’ll consider here. How long does it take to get to the contents of the bag, and are there enough external pockets for items you want handy at all times?

Also, keep in mind that the Wandrd PRVKE backpack comes in two sizes, 21L and 31L. So, if you need more space, you can always buy the larger one.

The Main Compartment

The opening of the main compartment of the Wandrd PRVKE is behind the back panel. This is great because it keeps the contents of your bag extra secure, as there’s no way someone would be able to open up the main compartment without you noticing.

Also, the interior of this compartment is divided into two main sections with a padded divider. The bottom section is supposed to fit the camera cube that is included in the bundle, while the upper section acts as an entirely different compartment with its own zippers. It is also worth noting that you can access the upper part of the main compartment from the roll-top opening.

In fact, with the roll-top fully extended it allows you to increase the total capacity of the bag. You could put an additional camera bag (for more camera gear!) in there and just close the top as much as the bag allows. The multiple Velcro straps and the compression buckle closure ensure that the extra bag would be perfectly safe in the top section of the backpack.

Another thing worth noting here is that the main compartment features two padded sleeves. The bigger one can hold laptops that are 13″ or 14″, while the smaller laptop sleeve fits nearly all tablets perfectly.

Additionally, you can also access the bottom section of the main compartment from the side of the pack. This is great because it allows you to grab your camera without fully taking the bag off your shoulders. And that is one of the main reasons why the Wandrd PRVKE 21 pack gets an A+ from us, in terms of organization and ease of access.

Hidden Pocket On Backpanel

If you’re a bit paranoid about carrying very important documents in your backpack, you will love the hidden pocket on the back panel. It has two sleeves inside that are designed to fit –  a passport in the passport sleeve, and some money and your boarding pass. It is so secure that nobody can even tell it exists when you are wearing this pack on your shoulders.

Extra Front Compartment

There’s a pretty big easy access compartment on the front panel of the Wandrd PRVKE, but it is not extremely wide or spacious. In fact, it’s best for a spare layer of clothing or just some stuff you want to keep away from the contents of the main compartment.

You don’t get any dividers or pockets inside this compartment, so it doesn’t really have a bunch of different purposes. It is tall enough to fit documents and files, and you shouldn’t have any issues fitting books inside it.

Zippered Side Pocket

The Wandrd PRVKE backpack has one zippered pocket on the side – the other side is actually an access point for the main compartment. The zippered water bottle pocket extends to allow you to fit a water bottle inside, which is very convenient.

It is also worth noting that this pocket features the exact same materials as the rest of the bag, so it is fully waterproof. And that’s a big upside, especially if you’re sick of bags with those stretchy mesh side pockets that will always get wet even in light rain.

Top Side Pocket

This backpack features an additional zippered pocket near the opening of the main compartment. It is barely noticeable, so it’s great for items you would like to keep extra secure.

However, it is a pretty small pocket and it’s actually designed to hold extra batteries for your camera.

You also get a key clip in this pocket, and I think that’s awesome because it keeps your keys far away from the cameras and lenses, ensuring nothing’s going to get scratched accidentally.

Dedicated Rainfly Pocket

The Wandrd backpack has a dedicated Rainfly pocket at the very bottom. It’s convenient if you actually intend to buy a rain cover and use it with this backpack, but otherwise, it’s kind of a waste of space.

The backpack is fully waterproof, so you don’t really need the rain cover unless you’re out and about during a rainstorm. And the pocket is so small that it can hardly fit anything else other than that tiny sheet of waterproof fabric.

Versatility

Is the PRVKE backpack strictly for those days when you need your camera, or can you take it on the occasional hike? In this section, we will talk about all the features that make this bag versatile and allow you to use it in different settings.

Side Compression Straps

The PRVKE backpack has a good amount of compression straps. There’s one of the front panels that secures the roll-top compartment, and there are also two side compression straps, one on each side.

The main purpose of these is to allow you to cinch in the bag when it is not at full capacity. This allows for better load distribution when you have a half-empty bag, and it just makes it easier and more comfortable to carry the backpack on your shoulders.

But there are some other benefits to the side compression straps. The main one is that you could put a tripod in the side pocket, secure it with the compression strap and not worry that it’s going to fall out of the pocket while you are going about your day.

Webbing On Shoulder Straps

The PRVKE backpack features loop attachment points on the shoulder straps. This allows you to secure whatever you want to the exterior of the bag, as long as you have a carabiner to attach it to the loops.

I really like their position – they are pretty high up on the shoulder straps, so whatever you attach to them wouldn’t bother you when you are wearing the backpack. Say you want to attach a water bottle here – it would lie on the top of the backpack instead of hanging over your shoulder and hitting you in the chest.

Bottom Attachment Points

Another great feature of this backpack is that it has attachment points at the bottom. Thy are primarily designed to allow attachment of compression straps here, which are actually included in the photography bundle.

The compression straps are very versatile and really let you use the backpack however you like. They work for pretty much anything from tripods to sleeping pads, and I think that they are perhaps the most useful accessory you could buy for this backpack.

They’re also the reason I deducted points for versatility from the PRVKE – not including bottom compression straps in the base version of the bag severely impacts the overall versatility of the bag and it is a big downside for me.

Pricing And Value

The PRVKE is a pricey backpack and we’re wondering if it’s actually worth so much money. The high end materials are a great start, but how much more would you have to spend to really make this the ultimate EDC bag? Let’s find out!

The Photography Bundle

You can get the PRVKE backpack as a standalone bag, or as part of a bundle that includes some great accessories. Well, they are great for photographers but not really for people who want this backpack just for their regular daily errands.

The bundle is great value for money if you were planning on buying those accessories anyway, so definitely go for it if you were considering it at all. It includes a camera cube with customizable dividers so you can easily adjust its internal organization to the number of lenses you are carrying at any different time.

There’s also the rain cover that will protect your expensive equipment from various weather conditions and the hip belt straps for better carrying comfort.

Unfortunately, the latter two features are something that everyone can benefit from, but they are only included in the pricier backpack bundles. Last but not least, the bundle also includes a pair of compression straps that allow you to secure some bulkier items to the exterior of your pack.

Value For Money

The PRVKE is a pricey backpack, but that’s by no means a downside. It is a premium bag made from high-end materials with lots of features that you can use in your daily life. On top of that, it is a very comfortable backpack to wear, so it’s definitely worth it to spend a little extra just so you can experience less back pain in your everyday life.

When you look at all the different offers on retailers like Amazon, you can actually get a really good deal on this backpack. The cheapest offer is around $150, which is still a lot cheaper than what other retailers offer. And if you want to get the bundle option, you can save about $50 if you go with Amazon.

As for the bundle, if you actually plan on carrying your camera and all the other equipment in the backpack, then it’s definitely good value. But if you just want it for the hip belt and the rain cover, then there’s no need to get the bundle. You can get the waist belt for about $30-40 and a rain cover for about $20. The difference between the backpack alone and the bundle is around $70, so this is actually the cheaper option.

Wandrd PRVKE Backpack: Final Thoughts

Wandrd PRVKE is a high-end backpack that has some excellent features – that’s a fact. It is great for people who want a reliable bag for daily use, especially those who carry a lot of electronic devices on a daily basis.

With a waterproof exterior, comfortable back panel, and an abundance of external pockets, this bag leaves little to be desired. The main compartment is perfect for your favorite camera, while the side access panel means you don’t even have to take off the backpack to access it.

On top of that, photographers can get even more value if they spring for the pricier photography bundle that includes an extra camera compartment, a hip belt, a rain cover, and additional compression straps.

The PRVKE is also an expensive backpack – that’s another fact. And if you’re not ready to spend so much money on a bag, you should definitely look at some other options. Especially if you would prefer something that is a bit more suitable for hiking and other outdoor adventures.

Head over to Amazon if you think that this is the right backpack for you. And go check out our related posts if you want to see some other options – we have lots of amazing everyday carry backpacks you might love!

RELATED POSTS:

BEST EDC BACKPACKS

NOMATIC BACKPACK REVIEW