WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack Overview – TravelFreak

I used to be bored with making an attempt to suit all of my digicam gear into my backpacking bag and never having the ability to work out an environment friendly system that was simple to prepare and stored my equipment protected.

I’ve been backpacking for years, and I started journey images as a option to improve my out of doors expertise by way of this artwork kind. Considered one of my greatest gripes all through the years was not having the ability to match all my mandatory gear securely in my hiking backpacks—all the time risking injury or loss and by no means having quick access to all my digicam gear.

The WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag goals to fill a special area of interest from most different digicam backpacks. That is the kind of backpack for the aspiring Nat Geo professional who wants to have the ability to sort out the weather and shoulder loads of journey and images gear with out sacrificing consolation, performance, or gear entry.

Strong, multifunctional, and stuffed with distinctive options—like a hidden passport pocket, exterior sleeping bag holder, and velcro straps to safe all of your equipment—it’s turn out to be a mainstay in our shoot wardrobe. Plus, it is available in a basic modern black colour, with a tan possibility as properly.

I hope this WANDRD FERNWEH evaluation helps different photographers have a smoother backpacking expertise when bringing alongside their cameras. On this evaluation, I’ll information you thru every facet of the bag—what I really like and what I don’t—and the way it performs within the outdoor.

WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack Overview Abstract

The 50L FERNWEH Backpacking Bag is a spacious, thoughtfully designed mountaineering backpack for photographers who must convey their images gear out within the wilderness with them. 

It’s constructed for multi-day tenting journeys and options a big essential compartment that may carry your digicam gear, clothes, and tenting gear. It additionally has exterior house for a sleeping pad or bag, and further storage within the waist belt and sternum straps.

WANDRD has lengthy been an business chief for the journey images area of interest, and it’s no shock they’ve been in a position to good the FERNWEH Backpack. This digicam backpack was Kickstarter-funded, and shortly gained the help and reward of the out of doors group.

Since its success on Kickstarter, this bag has managed to climb to the highest of photographers’ lists of important gear for his or her adventures.

This bag evaluation provides you with the entire breakdown of the WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag!

Capability	50L
Supplies	Waterproof Tarpaulin and Robic 1680D Ballistic Nylon. Climate Resistant Zippers.
Dimensions	S/M: 25” X 13.75” X 9.5” (63.5 X 34.9 X 24.1 CM) M/L: 26” X 13.75“ X 9.5” (66 X 34.9 X 24.1 CM)
Weight	5 lbs

The WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack: Who Is It Finest For?

Earlier than diving into the backpack evaluation, let’s make certain the FERNWEH bag is match for you and your wants.

For years, backpackers have had to select: prioritize packing their digicam equipment and double up on backpacks to make it work, or depart issues behind to suit it multi functional bag. 

The WANDRD FERNWEH goals to discover a completely satisfied center floor—providing the group to securely pack and simply entry images gear whereas sustaining house for all mandatory tenting gear, clothes, and toiletries.

Not like different backpacks available on the market, the WANDRD FERNWEH prioritizes photographers’ wants. It has optimized accessible house to make sure you’ll be capable to convey all of the gear you want whereas summiting peaks and crossing desert landscapes.

The FERNWEH Backpack is for the avid journey photographer who doesn’t need to compromise on house or group of their equipment, and needs a well-made, highly-reviewed bag that’s as comfy as it’s useful.

Ergonomics & Inside Options: What’s Inside?

The function that units the WANDRD FERNWEH other than different digicam backpacks is its potential to accommodate all of the gear you’ll want for a multi-day backpacking journey.

Let’s check out all you possibly can comfortably carry in its varied inner and exterior compartments.

House To Retailer Laptops

The WANDRD FERNWEH backpack options house for a 15″ laptop computer. That is enough for a lot of; nevertheless, I do want this was up to date to suit the numerous laptops that at the moment are 16”+. Many journey photographers edit with bigger laptops such because the MacBook Professional, which regularly exceeds the 15” pocket dimension.

But when your laptop computer will match, the design and placement of the laptop computer sleeve are actually helpful. It’s positioned behind the backpack, and it’s outfitted with a false backside that enables for shock absorption in case your backpack takes successful otherwise you drop it.

The thought of it being within the again panel apprehensive me at first, as I assumed it might make it uncomfortable or stiff, however it’s positioned behind the cushions and help, so it actually isn’t a problem!

The laptop computer sleeve itself is doubly secured with a velcro strap to cease your pc from sliding out should you open the zip with a little bit an excessive amount of enthusiasm.

When you’ve opened the again panel that accommodates the laptop computer sleeve, you’ll additionally be capable to entry all of your picture gear inside. So, all of the tech you’re prone to want on the similar time is definitely accessible with out rummaging.

House To Retailer Digital camera Gear

Let’s discuss arguably crucial a part of the WANDRD FERNWEH digicam bag: the house in your digicam gear.

The FERNWEH Backpacking Bag is suitable with WANDRD digicam cubes, which go in the primary compartment of the backpack. The variety of lenses and our bodies you’ll be capable to pack will depend upon which of the cubes—accessible individually—you go for.

In the event you entry the digicam compartment from the left-hand aspect entry level of the backpack, you’ll discover that there’s a helpful pocket within the flap that makes the right space for storing for little equipment comparable to reminiscence playing cards, lens wipes, and spare batteries (a function I get actually good use out of)! This aspect flap additionally has a velcro sleeve that’ll maintain your dice safe inside, guaranteeing your valuable gear doesn’t get moved round whilst you’re on the go.

You may also immediately entry your equipment by way of the again of the bag.

When buying the backpack, there are 3 bundle choices accessible, together with three completely different cubes: The Mini Camera Cube, Essential Camera Cube, and Pro Camera Cube.

In the event you’re utilizing the WANDRD Important Dice—our dice of option to pair with this pack—you’ll be capable to match a mid-size DSLR with a 70-200mm lens hooked up, plus room to stow your nifty fifty and one other compact lens.

After all, the very best factor about cubes is their adaptability. The velcro dividers imply you can customise every of the sections to suit your particular wants.

The dice itself might be opened in two other ways: you possibly can both unzip its prime panel to get to all of your equipment, or you possibly can unzip one finish of it and slide your digicam and its hooked up lens out with out disturbing your different lenses.

This pocket function is ideal if you’ll want to seize your digicam shortly and get the shot with minimal fuss!

Exterior Options

The WANDRD FERNWEH is all about performance and sturdiness. Supplied in black or tan, this backpack has a easy, minimalist look.

The outside of the backpack has a number of storage choices and different functionalities that make it good for backpacking.

Exterior Storage

One of many key exterior storage factors of this backpack is the sleeping bag holder on the backside of the pack. It’s hidden away in a stash pocket, and when unzipped, reveals a G-hooked carry system that can be utilized for a sleeping bag, tent, tripods, coats, and different gadgets.

Throughout the stash pocket, you’ll additionally discover one other small compartment, good for protecting a rain cowl.

Throughout the backpack, there are helpful spots to safe further bits of equipment, from the 2 pockets on the detachable hip belt to the 2 compression straps on both aspect of the bag, which I’ve discovered notably useful for securing a tripod or a monopod!

Different straps embody stowable ones designed for ice picks and skis, which can be used to hold different, similarly-sized instruments. Plus, you’ll discover numerous webbed gear loops and carabiner attachment factors, providing you with the flexibility to hold nearly all the pieces you may probably want.

There’s additionally a helpful exterior zippered pouch that’s designed to carry a jacket and has a hydration bladder sleeve with a tube routing system, which is a helpful option to keep away from leakage into the primary compartment of your bag.

A water bottle/tripod pocket hugs the aspect of the bag when not in use, and expands to suit the gear you’ll want to carry. Having the pocket flush with the bag provides it a modern, skilled look.

Practicality: Straps & Zippers Galore

You’ll by no means run out of exterior straps and loops that will help you connect further gear, which is a good bonus but in addition one of many downsides of the FERNWEH for some. It tends to really feel as if there’s quite a bit occurring, and also you’ll have to just accept some quantity of dangling and enterprise as a part of the deal.

I personally like having the ability to connect my sleeping pad, hydration bladder, rain jacket, and tent  to save lots of room contained in the pack.

There are additionally a number of padded seize handles across the bag, so you possibly can decide it up in any state of affairs. For instance, when you will have the again open, it’s nice to have the ability to transfer it shortly with out having to shut all the pieces again up first!

Inside Entry and Storage: What Can You Match Contained in the WANDRD FERNWEH?

The WANDRD FERNWEH is extraordinarily useful, and there are a selection of helpful equipment and particular gadgets of equipment that may be stowed inside, not simply in the primary compartment.

Right here, I’ll dive into the primary entry factors of the backpack and the gadgets you possibly can retailer inside this digicam backpack.

Prime Entry Level

The highest entry level of the FERNWEH takes you straight into the primary compartment of the bag. You should utilize the detachable bucket, which is roughly half the dimensions of the primary inner compartment, or you possibly can go with out it in case you have bigger gadgets or want one massive compartment.

I usually maintain the bucket in place to prepare and pack clothes. It’s very easy to take away and reinstall, for these nights the place I possibly misplaced my pair of socks on the backside of the compartment (we’ve all been there—shoutout to the infinite black holes in backpacking backpacks) and simply need to sift by way of that part in my tent as an alternative of tossing and turning the entire pack!

There’s additionally a small mesh pocket inside the highest flap. This pocket is a good spot for small gadgets like a toothbrush, ebook or pocket book, or your AirPods.

Entrance Entry Level

One other option to get to the primary compartment of the WANDRD FERNWEH shortly is by opening up the entrance clamshell opening. This provides you with zippered entry to the detachable bucket and digicam dice.

If you would like entry to most all the pieces within the bag without delay, that is the best way to do it!

Aspect Digital camera Entry

The aspect panel opening gives entry to the underside of your bag. This helpful mode of entry is especially wonderful should you’re utilizing a digicam dice.

The aspect flap is accessible whilst you’re carrying the bag, providing you with an easy-access choice to seize your digicam on the go. It additionally provides some further helpful storage choices within the type of a zippered pocket with three small compartments for reminiscence playing cards, battery packs, and different small gadgets.

Again Panel Entry

Nobody needs their costly tech and irreplaceable arduous drives and paperwork on the entrance of their digicam bag, the place somebody may simply entry and steal them. That is the place the WANDRD FERNWEH’s again panel entry turns out to be useful.

You’ll must de-bag to get into it, in fact, however when you open up the again, you’ll discover a laptop computer sleeve, full entry to your digicam dice, and several other further storage choices. There may be even a hidden passport pocket that’s good for stashing these necessary paperwork and a few emergency money.

Storing Your Digital camera Gear

The lodging for digicam gear is the place the WANDRD FERNWEH actually shines for journey photographers, whether or not you employ a WANDRD dice or a third-party digicam bag.

There’s a devoted house throughout the WANDRD bag that’s designed for digicam baggage to fit into securely, providing you with fast entry in conjunction with the bag and the again, too.

There’s loads of house for just a few lenses in addition to your major lens hooked up to your digicam physique, which is right if you wish to flit between panorama images and wildlife or documentary images and wish the suitable selection in your equipment to have the ability to accomplish that.

Even higher? You’ll completely be capable to use a few of these exterior attachment factors to convey your tripod or monopod on the go together with you.

There’s additionally room for personalisation right here—you should use a smaller digicam dice should you simply have one physique and a few compact lenses, or you possibly can choose for a bigger dice that matches hefty telephotos should you want much less in a single day gear however need to have as many glass choices as attainable.

Consolation: How Snug is the WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack?

One of many main drawbacks of many backpacking baggage is that they’re designed to suit a selected physique kind and top. Normally, anybody outdoors of these slim parameters has a much less comfy expertise.

The WANDRD FERNWEH, although, works as properly on brief of us as tall ones, and that’s partly attributable to its sensible, ergonomic design options. The sort of adjustable backpack is very nice for many who don’t match inside commonplace measurements, and may have roughly wiggle room than the common person.

Again Help

There’s an inner body that does some fairly heavy lifting: it gives construction to the backpack and safety in your gear, whether or not the bag is full or not.

When absolutely loaded, the inner body stabilizes the load in opposition to your again, with the assistance of its shoulder straps, easing the load in your backbone.

Like a lot of the backpack, you’re in a position to customise this body by selecting one in all two body sizes to greatest fit your physique kind.

Shoulder Straps

The shoulder straps and the again of the WANDRD FERNWEH are generously padded with EVA foam, which additional helps take up shock, unfold the stress of a heavy load, and decrease sweat.

These are absolutely adjustable shoulder straps, too. There are gatekeeper buckles on the prime with three attachment factors, plus load lifters you can make use of as wanted.

There may be nothing worse than an ill-fitting shoulder strap that’s uncomfortable on a protracted journey! Fortunately, WANDRD gives a kind of shoulder strap that has tons of padding and is adjustable.

And, as soon as once more, you’re given preliminary dimension choices if you buy the bag, which is able to enable you finetune your funding!

Padding and Harness

That is the place the FERNWEH actually stands out as a digicam backpack particularly suited to picture gear fairly than only a typical digicam bag. The WANDRD FERNWEH boasts a excessive stage of adjustability, which implies the bag is suited to any person dimension or form.

This digicam backpack options breathable mesh and plenty of padding, so it stays comfy with out getting sweaty and sticky on these sizzling hikes.

You’ll discover loads of further load lifters and tremendous safe straps within the harness system, which is able to assist redistribute the burden of heavy masses. These load lifters embody a surprisingly strong chest strap and waist strap and the detachable hip belt.

The hip belt is available in two completely different sizes and consists of two exterior pockets (and a aspect pocket)—good in your cellphone, water bottle, keys, or a small snack. There are additionally a number of further loops from which to hold extra equipment.

You’ll be able to even use a number of the exterior attachment factors on the harness, very similar to a digicam harness. This offers you the choice to have a second digicam readily available for when you’ll want to snag that good wildlife or motion shot!

Supplies: What Is The WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack Made From?

With its 630D (denier) nylon and 5PM coating, The WANDRD FERNWEH is each strong and weatherproof. Having a backpack fabricated from sturdy and waterproof supplies is unquestionably a deal breaker for me as a photographer.

It feels virtually rubbery in texture and helps give the outside of this backpack some climate resistance, though it’s not proof against scuffs and blemishes!

Construct High quality & Look

All in all, the WANDRD FERNWEH is a high-quality bag—and definitely extra sturdy and difficult than many different backpacks by competing digicam bag producers that are likely to create images backpacks geared extra towards city use.

Its inner body makes the construct extraordinarily strong and ensures you’re not straining your again even when the backpack is filled with all of your digicam and tenting gear.

The body is balanced and ergonomic, and with the addition of comfy shoulder straps, waist straps, and a chest strap that permit for distribution of weight, you’ll be comfy on any journey.

The pack is the right dimension for multi-day adventures and gives consolation even for these with the heaviest gear. Most baggage don’t function such a supportive harness system, making this bag among the many prime in consolation.

The Finest WANDRD Equipment to Retailer within the Backpack

There are a number of equipment you can retailer on this bag, from digicam cubes and accent straps to shoe pouches and extra images gear. WANDRD sells a ton of great accessories that match completely throughout the backpack, however in case you have equipment of your individual already, these can typically work nice too!

Camera Cubes

You’ll virtually definitely need to spend money on a WANDRD camera cube, which is able to set up and safely retailer your gear within the digicam compartment and permit for fast and quick access if you discover a taking pictures alternative.

There are a number of choices accessible, however we like the Essential Deep Camera Cube for guaranteeing we get our favourite our bodies and lenses on board.

In the event you want extra digicam equipment and fewer of all the opposite stuff, the Professional and Professional+ cubes are roughly 20L and 30L and provides you with extra space for a critical zoom lens in your pack.

Accessory Straps

Most of us received’t usually make the most of the quite a few straps and loops accessible on the backpack; nevertheless, should you’re into experimenting with, for instance, studio lighting out within the wilderness, you may discover you fill them up fairly shortly with equipment.

In the event you do end up bringing alongside numerous gear and wish that further storage in your pack, you should purchase extra accessory straps in your WANDRD FERNWEH!

Route Pack

The aspect digicam entry on the WANDRD FERNWEH bag makes it simple to seize your digicam if you encounter picture alternative. However typically you want entry even sooner than that.

That’s the place the nifty route pack comes into play. The route pack seamlessly integrates into the harness of your bag, offering a front-body pack that simply holds a digicam physique with a telephoto lens hooked up.

It’s as efficient as mountaineering with a digicam harness on, however the route pack gives significantly extra safety in your baggage’ valuable equipment.

Rain Fly

As a lot as we’d all like fixed good climate on the paths, typically we’ve simply acquired to just accept the weather. And, if you’re carrying images gear, you need to be certain that not one of the water is seeping into your pack.

The WANDRD FERNWEH is definitely fairly dependable as-is in opposition to rainfall, however for further peace of thoughts throughout these heavier downpours, I like so as to add the rain fly covering to guard any zipper openings.

Shoe Pouch

Accessorizing your baggage with a shoe pouch is genuinely a game-changer. Have you ever ever unpacked your garments and found that they’re coated in half the path you’ve been traipsing alongside?

Particularly in moist environments the place it’s possible you’ll be monitoring mud, having a shoe pouch is a sure-fire option to maintain your clothes and equipment clear.

The shoe pouch is designed to slide simply into the primary compartment of the WANDRD FERNWEH, protecting grime, moisture, and dodgy odors contained and completely separate out of your stuff.

I’d say that is fairly an improve from wrapping your footwear in a plastic purchasing bag and hoping for the very best! Plus, a shoe pouch is a staple merchandise for any journey and can be utilized in any of your journey baggage.

Options to the WANDRD FERNWEH

If you wish to discover your choices earlier than making the funding, listed here are a number of the hottest baggage much like the WANDRD FERNWEH available on the market.

Shimoda Action X50 Backpack

The Action X50 isn’t a completely dissimilar bag to the WANDRD FERNWEH: it, too, includes a bucket system for inner storage and it has a aspect entry panel that permits you to into the inner digicam compartment.

One main distinction? It has a roll-top design which implies its inner capability is expandable past 50L.

The backpack options what they name a core unit modular digicam insert system. Very similar to digicam cubes, these padded, shockproof models present safety in your gear and assist maintain the pack organized. You’ll be able to enhance your structure choices by buying extra Core Items and stacking them to greatest fit your wants.

Moreover, its again panel is molded, which implies it’s higher suited to winter climates than the breathable mesh of the FERNWEH, and nonetheless gives most consolation. You’ll additionally discover superior options like simple ski attachments and a detachable helmet holder on the Motion X50, which is nice for alpine explorers!

WANDRD PRVKE 41

Because the predecessor to the FERNWEH, the PRVKE has pure comparisons, however is a smaller bag—its capability is 41L to the FERNWEH’s 51L.

The bag options loads of related choices, together with the digicam dice system, however we’d think about this the city various to the FERNWEH, because it’s neither as large nor as comfy as its outdoorsy cousin.

Nonetheless, should you’re extra prone to spend your time on road images fairly than chasing down sprawling vistas, this extra compact possibility may very well be a greater match!

F-Stop Tilopa-50L

As one of many OG on-the-road digicam backpacks, the Tilopa-50L Travel and Adventure Camera Backpack has loads of the identical options because the WANDRD FERNWEH. It makes use of digicam cubes to maximise inner house, aspect compression straps, and carries 50L.

Not like the FERNWEH, it skips the surplus padding, which makes it a extra light-weight possibility—although whis does make it barely much less comfy and provides much less shock safety in your gear on these lengthy hikes.

Just like the Motion X50, it’s additionally been designed with snow sports activities in thoughts, and it’s outfitted to hold skis. It additionally has exterior straps and loops to retailer further gear!

WANDRD FERNWEH Overview: Closing Ideas

Simply shy of $385, the FERNWEH is a distinct segment bag for a specialised person—however when it’s paired up with its good individual, it’s greater than value it to spend money on one.

I’ve fallen in love with my WANDRD FERNWEH (which, by the way, is the German phrase for ‘farsickness’—a type of deep ache for journey, which I really like) for its performance and modern design.

It holds numerous stuff, and it does it sensibly, compartmentalizing cameras and equipment so all the pieces is definitely accessible whereas additionally staying clear, tidy, and protected.

There’s little or no you possibly can’t connect to the surface of the bag both, as a result of its surplus of straps and loops are designed to safe nearly any further equipment you may need to convey on tour with you, with fast entry all the time on the forefront of the design.

And this bag actually is all about consolation. With ample padding—in addition to breathable supplies I’m—by way of the shoulder straps, hip belt, waist belt, and again panel, it’s not going to rub or pinch whilst you’re on the transfer.

Its ergonomic design, which features a strong inner body, provides important weight-bearing help, spreading the load of your absolutely laden bag so that you don’t find yourself feeling like a pack mule (regardless that we photographers normally find yourself trying like one)!

Mainly, the FERNWEH takes your thoughts off your bag, providing you with peace of thoughts and the additional mind house to consider what you’re really out and about for—taking nice pictures.