There is no such thing as the perfect camera bag. I once spent two hours inside a B&H trying to fit all my photo gear in more than 20 bags and still left unsatisfied. Everyone’s needs are simply too different; what works for me might not work for you.

That doesn’t mean you won’t find something you really like, even if it’s not perfect. It’ll just take some time. We camera enthusiasts here on the WIRED Gear team have tested more than 30 bags to help whittle your search down. We’ve shoved our equipment into slings, messenger bags, backpacks, and cubes, we’ve even gone bag-free, all in the search of a convenient way to carry everything while keeping it protected and lightweight. These are our favorite picks.

Be sure to check our other buying guides, like the Best Compact Cameras and Best Camera Accessories for Your Phone roundups.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

WIRED reviewers Scott Gilbertson and Jess Grey both tested bags and contributed to this guide.

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