Camera bag review: Lowepro Trekker Lite Backpack 250AW

The Lowepro Trekker Lite Backpack (BP) 250AW is advertised to be the perfect travel photography bag. Having the opportunity to try the Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW was exciting. I have used Lowepro products in the past and have been happy with their features. When I received the BP250AW, I wasn’t sure how this backpack would work for me.

Like most photographers, I am always on the quest to find the perfect camera bag. I spent time reviewing all of the features of the BP250AW, and carried it on a hike and used as a brief case on one occasion. The construction is lightweight and made of 80% recycled and solution dyed fabrics. The BP250AW has a removable camera bag and straps to hold a tripod. It also comes with its own rain cover. But, is it the perfect travel photography bag?

Note: Lowepro sent me the Trekker Lite BP250AW to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All opinions are my own.

Pros

• Handles on top, one side, and bottom front
• Luggage strap
• Easy accessible top pocket
• Side pocket for water bottle or tripod
• Removable camera bag with configurable dividers
• Computer compartment for 15″ laptop
• Lots of loops on the bag for carabiners or carrying a tripod
• Roomy top pocket with clip for keys
• Adjustable clips to keep straps ends from dangling
• Mesh zipper pocket inside top section
• A second zipper pocket in lower section
• Light weight material
• Rain sleeve
• Removable straps to secure tripod
• Shoulder straps can be tucked away while transporting on roller bag

Cons

• Unable to view and access contents of camera bag without removing from backpack
• Velcro strap that wraps around camera bag has to be released to access gear
• The zipper section of the camera bag rests against your body and gear not easily accessible
• Camera bag strap is thin and not well padded
• The removable straps for the tripod are difficult to take off and replace
• Pockets inside computer section are roomy but there is a closure that is sewn onto the pocket that makes it difficult to put cables and cords in
• Backpack does not feel solid or well padded
• No waist strap

Lowepro Lite Trekker BP250AW — Technical Specifications

All technical specifications have been taken from the Lowepro product page.

Weight

1 kg (2.2 pounds)

External Dimensions

29 x 18.5 x 49cm (11.42 x 7.28 x 19.29 inches)

Internal Dimensions

28 x 13 x 48cm (11.02 x 5.12 x 18.90 inches)

Laptop Compartment Dimensions

27 x 2 x 41cm (10.63 x 0.79 x 16.14 inches)

Total Volume

25.5 Liters

Camera Compartment Dimensions

16.5 x 9.5 x 24cm (6.50 x 3.74 x 9.45 inches)

Camera Compartment Volume

4.5 Liters

Exterior Material

300D polyester ripstop (recycled); 600D polyester solution dyed

Interior Material

200D polyester (recycled)

Main Color

Gray

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW — Ergonomics and build quality

The Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW has thick padded shoulder straps. The light weight build and padding on the back side makes it comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are adjustable and have clips to keep the ends from dangling. There is a chest strap to provide extra support. The material is thin and there is not much padding inside the bag. The camera bag insert is configurable and can removed to carry separately.

There are three handles on the Trekker Lite BP250AW which makes it easy to pick up from any direction (top, side, front).

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW: In the field

I carried the Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW on a hike and as a brief case. When I used it as a brief case, I put research papers in the upper compartment and they fit nicely and it was easy to carry by the side handle. A 13″ laptop was in the laptop compartment (can carry unto a 15″) and fit well. I did not pack camera gear.

I packed the BP250AW for a day of hiking trails. The backpack was carried for approximately 4 hours. It fit well and the shoulder straps were comfortable for that length of time. There are clips that hold the strap ends in place and you have to release the straps from the clips to adjust. The straps adjust with just a pull downward and then you have to secure the ends if you do not want them to dangle.

Computer compartment

Inside the computer compartment, there are pockets for a cellphone and other small items. When inserting the electric block for the computer it was difficult. The pockets in the computer compartment have closure tabs that are sewn down. A regular size iPhone 14 Pro with a protector easily slides in, but if you have a iPhone Max with a case, it’s difficult to put in.

The top zipper pocket holds a wallet and keys and other personal items including a phone.

Rain sleeve

The Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW comes with a rain sleeve to protect the backpack from the elements. Inside the backpack there is a convenient zipper compartment to store the rain sleeve.

Roller bag strap

On the back of the BP250AW there is a roller bag strap. It fits snug and horizontal on a roller bag. You can unsnap the padded back panel to tuck away the shoulder straps.

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW: What gear can it hold?

While loading the camera bag I noticed the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III with the M. Zuiko 12 – 100mm f/4.0 Pro lens fit tight. The Peak Design Slide Lite strap made the compartment tight and difficult to close, but I left it unzipped for easy access. Inside the backpack, there is a Velcro strap that secures the camera bag in the open position. I packed a few props and a raincoat in the upper part of the backpack. The main upper compartment is roomy enough for snacks or any additional supplies for a day hike.

The zippered mesh pocket in the upper compartment is roomy enough to pack a Platypod Max. I placed the ball head in the main compartment.

Camera bag

I packed the well padded camera bag with the following gear:

To access the lenses, I had to physically remove the bag from the backpack to see what was inside. This means taking off the backpack, laying it down, and taking the camera bag out and turning it over to unzip fully to access lenses.

Tripod straps

It is best to plan ahead if you want to attach your tripod to the Trekker Lite BP250AW. While the straps are removable, the connection is cumbersome to remove and reattach. Rearranging the detachable straps is not a quick task.

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW: Final thoughts

Is the Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW the perfect travel photography backpack? I believe it is a nice choice for an active, casual photographer. This will not be a good choice for the active professional photographer who likes to make quick changes. The inside of the backpack is roomy, but there is not a lot of padding for the main compartment. The concept of having a removable camera bag is great and a convenient option. In fact, it is not always feasible to remove the entire bag to change lenses in a hurry.

The strap on the camera bag is not well padded and the strap itself is thin. I believe it would become uncomfortable over an extended period of time.

Reconfiguring the attached tripod straps is a time consuming task.

I packed the BP250AW as if traveling. Along with camera gear, I packed a laptop and tripod. With the weight, there was pressure on the shoulders. An added waist strap can provide pressure relief.

If the camera bag contents were more accessible, the tripod straps were easier to remove and attach, more padding in the camera strap, and the pockets in the computer compartment were less restrictive, this would be the perfect travel photography backpack.

The Lowepro Trekker Lite BP250AW is reasonably priced at $169.95.