Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 250 AW Backpack Review

I’m always on the lookout for a new camera bag and recently I’ve been looking for a backpack that’s great for photography and can hold everything I need for a short trip.

Enter the Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 250 AW. This bag has officially been by my side on a cross country trip traveling on planes, trains, and automobiles.

How did the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW fair on its first journey?

I’ll walk you through everything I liked about this neat backpack for photographers, and a few of the things I didn’t, in my Trekker Lite BP 250 AW review.

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 250 AW Specs

 

• Brand: Lowepro
• Model: Trekker Lite BP 250 AW
• Type: Backpack
• External Dimensions (W x D x H): 10.63 x 7.09 x 19.29 inches (27 x 18 x 49 cm)
• Internal Dimensions (W x D x H): 9.06 x 4.72 x 16.54 inches (23 x 12 x 42 cm)
• Laptop Compartment Dimensions (W x D x H): 9.06 x 0.79 x 15.75 inches (23 x 2 x 40 cm)
• Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
• Capacity: 25.5 liters holding up to a DSLR with attached lens, 1-2 extra lenses, flash, accessories, and up to a 15-inch laptop
• Material: 600D and 1680D polyester, 600D ripstop polyester, using recycled materials
• Color: Black, Grey
• Weather Protection: Yes, with AW cover
• Tripod Holder: Yes
• Waist Belt: Yes
• Sternum Strap: Yes
• Airflow Back Padding: Yes

Build & Appearance

The build quality on the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is exceptionally high. I had every pocket in this bag packed with photography and travel needs, but I was never worried about any of the seams giving away.

The zippers feel sturdy, the straps can hold on to the weight of a loaded bag, and none of the accessories felt strained went under load.

The bag also wears nicely. I was routinely setting this thing down on poorly maintained paved surfaces and even Prairie trails.

It’s got a few scuffs now, but those add some character to a bag that is held up nicely to some serious use.

I also felt like this camera bacpack was well positioned to secure my electronics. The included GearUp camera cube protected my photography equipment while the rest of the bag was padded enough to handle laptops and other gear.

The style of the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is everything you’d come to expect from Lowepro. It’s minimalistic, sleek, and biases towards shades of black and gray for a versatile aesthetic.

I’m planning on taking this bag to some professional shoots in a few weeks and I won’t be at all worried about how this bag looks.

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Exterior Features

In order to get to know the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW a little better, I’m going to take you on a tour of its external features.

One of the features I got the most use out of on the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW was the versatile top pocket. This is where I stashed my keys, sunglasses, and wallet.

It’s spacious and easy to access. However, it can get a little tight if you’ve packed this bag to the brim.

The laptop pocket was another star feature on the outside of this bag. It’s sturdy, spacious, and easy to access, which is ideal when you’re traveling and you just need to grab your tablet or laptop.

There are a few additional pockets inside of the larger laptop pocket. These can be used to stash sensitive documents like a passport, but I used them to stash my planner and a few pens.

The back of the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW features the backpack straps and some foam padding that allows air to circulate around your back.

You can open a few snap connectors to tuck the backpack straps away. This is ideal if you have to stash this thing in an overhead compartment or if you want to switch it over to suitcase mode.

Only one side of the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW has a water bottle pocket. The other side has a full length zipper that can be used to quickly access the camera cube.

I used this pocket to hold my Peak Design tripod. This was a rare occasion where I felt that legitimately my tripod was going nowhere once it was strapped in.

I was keeping a good pace as I ran to make my train and I never felt that the tripod was bouncing around or at risk of falling out.

The adjustable straps on the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW are a little tricky to wrap your head around at first.

By default, they’re installed as tie down straps on the bottom of the bag. However, you can detach them from the bottom of the bag and hook them up onto either side of the bag backpack.

I used these to cinch down my tripod, but I could have also put one on either side to use as compression straps.

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW also comes with an included rain cover.

You’ll find the rain cover tied down inside the main compartment of the bag. Once you untie it, you’ll have to stash it somewhere and I found that the inner zip compartment was the best place to put it.

I didn’t get to test this rain cover in wet conditions, but it seems like it would hold up for short trips and moderately wet weather.

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Interior Features

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW also shines when it comes to its interior features.

The GearUp camera insert is one of the star features of this bag. You get a full Lowepro GearUp insert when you buy the Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 250 AW.

The size of your GearUp insert is going to depend on the size of the Trekker Lite backpack  that you purchase.

I love modular bag designs. The GearUp insert means that I could leave the backpack in my room and head out on a quick walk to take some pictures without lugging around everything I brought with me.

I’m also planning on taking out the GearUp insert and using it in other backpacks and even some larger messenger bags.

There’s also an inner pocket on the top inside of the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW.

This stash pocket held some audio equipment that I brought with me to do some field recordings.

This inner pocket also makes a great location for backup batteries, protecting valuables, and even stashing the rain cover.

Here’s what the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW looks like when it’s fully opened.

You actually have the opportunity to remove the camera cube and unzip the divider that separates it from the main compartment of the bag.

This lets you convert this camera backpack into an everyday bag.

This could be ideal for anyone shooting on a camera that doesn’t quite fit the form factor of a DSLR camera with a professional lens.

If you want to just stash your trusty point and shoot in the top pocket, there’s nothing stopping you from opening up the main compartment of this bag and bringing some extra clothes on your trip.

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Storage Capacity

Usually, when I’m traveling to do some photography I’ll wind up packing one bag with all of my camera gear and another bag with my clothes and personal essentials.

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is probably the first camera bag that I’ve encountered that can handle a short photography trip all on its own.

Even with all of this equipment, the padded straps and chest harness made managing the additional weight easy. I wasn’t worried about the bag giving way or putting too much strain on any of the straps or handles.

The bag also kept an extremely slim profile even when fully packed. This was a lifesaver for me as the thought of having to check the bag that has my camera equipment and laptop is more than a bit nerve-wracking.

Using the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW allowed me to have one of my most lightweight and versatile travel experiences even when bringing along a bunch of camera and media equipment.

Here’s the gear I got into this backpack:

• Macbook Pro
• Moment lens case with lenses
• Moment Filmmaker cage
• Sony A7SII Body
• Sony 35mm Prime Lens
• Two spare batteries
• Dopp kit
• Peak Design Travel tripod
• Glasses case
• Packing cube with clothing
• Zoom H4N Pro
• Panasonic microcassette recorder
• Other odds and ends like my planner, wallet, keys, chargers, the usual

As you can tell, I was able to get a lot into this bag. It was definitely reaching its limit in terms of weight and capacity, but it was able to comfortably fit all of my gear without me having to jam anything in.

Ease of Use and Comfort

I have one golden rule when it comes to every single backpack that I own: If it’s not comfortable, I’m never going to use it.

A camera backpack can have the most technically perfect compartments and specifications. However, if it’s not comfortable, or even leaves me with back pain at the end of the day, it’s going to spend the rest of its days languishing somewhere in a closet.

I found the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW to be incredibly comfortable even when packed to its limit.

I loaded this bag up with everything I needed for about a week traveling. Even though the bag was pretty heavy, the shoulder straps and chest harness made managing the weight a breeze.

After racing to catch a train, it felt more like getting in a decent workout and less like hauling around heavy luggage.

The shoulder straps and chest harness have plenty of adjustment points so you can get the load nice and close to your body.

I would have liked to see Lowepro include the waist strap rather than making that an optional accessory that comes with one of the smaller bags.

However, I think this bag is meant to be packed a little bit lighter. If you find yourself needing a waist strap with the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW, you might have packed it a little bit heavier than the bag can handle.

All in all, the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is one of the most comfortable camera backpacks I’ve used when considering its size and capacity.

How I Tested the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW

I got pretty lucky when I was testing the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW. This backpack showed up in the mail a few days before I was heading out on a cross country trip to help a friend move (and to film some YouTube videos.)

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW has survived being tossed around on luggage racks, stuffed under seats, and even getting some miles on a few light outdoor hikes.

I got to test this bag out using it to carry clothes and other items, but also as an everyday camera bag.

This is definitely going to be a great bag for someone who needs an in-between option that’s not quite as large as the LowePro 450 and not as streamlined as a sling bag.

I’ve also been using this bag since I got back from my trip. The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is great when you want to take your laptop or tablet with you on a shoot where you’ll be working with other photographers.

After about a thousand miles of travel, I can say that the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is more than up to the task.

Alternatives

Every bag has competition and the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is definitely competing with some excellent bags.

Here’s a few alternatives you might want to consider if you’re interested in the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW.

• Lowepro Protactic 450 – The Lowepro Protactic backpack is a fan favorite amongst photographers for a good reason. This bag might be a better choice if you have more equipment to haul and you’re stuck carrying two bags no matter what you do
• WNDRD PRVKE – The WNDRD PRVKE is another option to consider especially if you plan to encounter rougher weather and longer outdoor shoots. This bag also has a much louder aesthetic which could be better for someone who wants a fashion forward bag
• Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L—Peak Design’s 45 L backpack has a huge main compartment and some similar features to the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW. This bag could be a better choice if you need more room for your day-to-day needs and you’re heading out on a longer trip

Value for Money

The cost of the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is going to be around $150. Is this worth the money?

I’d say that the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is definitely worth its current asking price. This bag delivers on all of the features that it targets. It’s one of the better options for photographers who are going to be on the road for less than a week or so.

Because the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW includes a GearUp camera cube, you’re getting some additional value with this bag. Those cubes cost around $40 on their own.

If you’re looking for a versatile camera backpack that has a slightly budget-friendly price tag, you can’t go wrong with the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW.

FAQ’s

How many liters does the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW hold?

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is able to hold a little over 25 L, but you can pack a surprising amount of clothing, Photography gear, and accessories into this bag.

What is the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW made of?

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is made of up to 80% recycled materials. These include 600D, 1680D polyester, and 600D ripstop polyester.

Does the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW have any accessories? 

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW comes with an included GearUp camera cube. This is a freestanding accessory that you can use with or without this backpack.

How big of a camera or lens does the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW hold? 

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW is able to hold a standard sized mirrorless or DSLR camera body with an attached telephoto lens. You might have a little trouble using the camera cube if your camera body has an attached grip or a very large telephoto lens.

Trekker Lite BP 250 AW Review | Conclusion

I try to approach each of my reviews with not just my needs as a photographer in mind, but also how this bag shapes my general day-to-day experience.

The Trekker Lite BP 250 AW left a great first impression and I’m genuinely looking forward to putting more miles on this bag.

Did I miss something you want to know about the Trekker Lite BP 250 AW? Let me know in the comments and I’ll answer your questions!