WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack Review – TravelFreak

I used to be bored with attempting to suit all of my digital camera gear into my backpacking bag and never with the ability to determine an environment friendly system that was straightforward to prepare and stored my package protected.

I’ve been backpacking for years, and I started journey pictures as a technique to improve my out of doors expertise via this artwork kind. One in every of my largest gripes all through the years was not with the ability to match all my obligatory gear securely in my climbing backpacks—all the time risking harm or loss and by no means having quick access to all my digital camera gear.

The WANDRD FERNWEH Backpacking Bag goals to fill a unique area of interest from most different digital camera 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 pictures gear with out sacrificing consolation, performance, or gear entry.

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

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

WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack Evaluation Abstract

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

It’s constructed for multi-day tenting journeys and options a big predominant compartment that may carry your digital camera 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 pictures area of interest, and it’s no shock they’ve been capable of good the FERNWEH Backpack. This digital camera 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 assessment will provide 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 Greatest For?

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

For years, backpackers have had to choose: prioritize packing their digital camera package and double up on backpacks to make it work, or depart issues behind to suit it multi function bag. 

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

In contrast to different backpacks in the marketplace, the WANDRD FERNWEH prioritizes photographers’ wants. It has optimized obtainable house to make sure you’ll be capable to deliver 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 package, and desires a well-made, highly-reviewed bag that’s as comfy as it’s purposeful.

Ergonomics & Inside Options: What’s Inside?

The characteristic that units the WANDRD FERNWEH other than different digital camera 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 numerous inside and exterior compartments.

House To Retailer Laptops

The WANDRD FERNWEH backpack options house for a 15″ laptop computer. That is adequate for a lot of; nonetheless, I do want this was up to date to suit the various laptops that at the moment are 16”+. Many journey photographers edit with bigger laptops such because the MacBook Professional, which frequently 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 at the back of 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 concept of it being within the again panel frightened me at first, as I believed it might make it uncomfortable or stiff, however it’s positioned behind the cushions and help, so it actually isn’t a difficulty!

The laptop computer sleeve itself is doubly secured with a velcro strap to cease your pc from sliding out in case you open the zip with somewhat 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 photograph gear inside. So, all of the tech you’re more likely to want on the identical time is well accessible with out rummaging.

House To Retailer Digital camera Gear

Let’s discuss arguably crucial a part of the WANDRD FERNWEH digital camera bag: the house to your digital camera gear.

The FERNWEH Backpacking Bag is appropriate with WANDRD digital camera cubes, which go in the principle compartment of the backpack. The variety of lenses and our bodies you’ll be capable to pack will rely on which of the cubes—obtainable individually—you go for.

For those who entry the digital camera compartment from the left-hand facet entry level of the backpack, you’ll discover that there’s a helpful pocket within the flap that makes the proper space for storing for little equipment similar to reminiscence playing cards, lens wipes, and spare batteries (a characteristic I get actually good use out of)! This facet flap additionally has a velcro sleeve that’ll maintain your dice safe inside, guaranteeing your valuable gear doesn’t get moved round when you’re on the go.

You can even instantly entry your package via the again of the bag.

When buying the backpack, there are 3 bundle choices obtainable, together with three totally different cubes: The Mini Digital camera Dice, Important Digital camera Dice, and Professional Digital camera Dice.

For those who’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 connected, plus room to stow your nifty fifty and one other compact lens.

In fact, the most effective factor about cubes is their adaptability. The velcro dividers imply that you would be able to customise every of the sections to suit your particular wants.

The dice itself might be opened in two alternative ways: you possibly can both unzip its high panel to get to all of your package, or you possibly can unzip one finish of it and slide your digital camera and its connected lens out with out disturbing your different lenses.

This pocket characteristic is ideal if you might want to seize your digital camera shortly and get the shot with minimal fuss!

Exterior Options

The WANDRD FERNWEH is all about performance and sturdiness. Provided 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 objects.

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

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

Different straps embrace stowable ones designed for ice picks and skis, which will also be used to hold different, similarly-sized instruments. Plus, you’ll discover numerous webbed gear loops and carabiner attachment factors, providing you with the power to hold nearly all the pieces you possibly can presumably 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 technique to keep away from leakage into the principle compartment of your bag.

A water bottle/tripod pocket hugs the facet of the bag when not in use, and expands to suit the gear you might want to carry. Having the pocket flush with the bag offers it a glossy, skilled look.

Practicality: Straps & Zippers Galore

You’ll by no means run out of exterior straps and loops that can assist you connect additional 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 with the ability to connect my sleeping pad, hydration bladder, rain jacket, and tent  to avoid wasting 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 scenario. For instance, when you’ve 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!

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

The WANDRD FERNWEH is extraordinarily purposeful, and there are a variety of helpful equipment and particular objects of package that may be stowed inside, not simply in the principle compartment.

Right here, I’ll dive into the principle entry factors of the backpack and the objects you possibly can retailer inside this digital camera backpack.

Prime Entry Level

The highest entry level of the FERNWEH takes you straight into the principle compartment of the bag. You should utilize the detachable bucket, which is roughly half the scale of the principle inside compartment, or you possibly can go with out it you probably have bigger objects or want one giant compartment.

I sometimes 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 via 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 objects like a toothbrush, guide or pocket book, or your AirPods.

Entrance Entry Level

One other technique to get to the principle compartment of the WANDRD FERNWEH shortly is by opening up the entrance clamshell opening. This will provide you with zippered entry to the detachable bucket and digital camera dice.

If you need entry to most all the pieces within the bag without delay, that is the way in which to do it!

Aspect Digital camera Entry

The facet panel opening supplies entry to the underside of your bag. This helpful mode of entry is especially glorious in case you’re utilizing a digital camera dice.

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

Again Panel Entry

Nobody desires their costly tech and irreplaceable exhausting drives and paperwork on the entrance of their digital camera bag, the place somebody might simply entry and steal them. That is the place the WANDRD FERNWEH’s again panel entry is 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 digital camera dice, and several other additional storage choices. There may be even a hidden passport pocket that’s good for stashing these essential paperwork and a few emergency money.

Storing Your Digital camera Gear

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

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

There’s loads of house for a couple of lenses in addition to your main lens connected to your digital camera physique, which is right if you wish to flit between panorama pictures and wildlife or documentary pictures and want the suitable selection in your package to have the ability to achieve this.

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

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

Consolation: How Comfy is the WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack?

One of many main drawbacks of many backpacking baggage is that they’re designed to suit a selected physique sort and peak. Normally, anybody exterior of these slender parameters has a much less comfy expertise.

The WANDRD FERNWEH, although, works as properly on quick of us as tall ones, and that’s partly as a consequence of its good, ergonomic design options. This sort of adjustable backpack is very nice for many who don’t match inside commonplace measurements, and might have kind of wiggle room than the common person.

Again Assist

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

When totally loaded, the interior 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 capable of customise this body by selecting one in all two body sizes to greatest fit your physique sort.

Shoulder Straps

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

These are totally adjustable shoulder straps, too. There are gatekeeper buckles on the high with three attachment factors, plus load lifters that you would be able to 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 supplies a sort 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 can provide help to finetune your funding!

Padding and Harness

That is the place the FERNWEH actually stands out as a digital camera backpack particularly suited to photograph gear moderately than only a typical digital camera bag. The WANDRD FERNWEH boasts a excessive degree of adjustability, which implies the bag is suited to any person dimension or form.

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

You’ll discover loads of additional load lifters and tremendous safe straps within the harness system, which can assist redistribute the load of heavy masses. These load lifters embrace a surprisingly strong chest strap and waist strap and the detachable hip belt.

The hip belt is available in two totally different sizes and contains two exterior pockets (and a facet pocket)—good to your telephone, water bottle, keys, or a small snack. There are additionally a number of extra loops from which to hold extra package.

You possibly can even use among the exterior attachment factors on the harness, very similar to a digital camera harness. This provides you the choice to have a second digital camera readily available for when you might 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 product of sturdy and waterproof supplies is unquestionably a deal breaker for me as a photographer.

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

Construct High quality & Look

All in all, the WANDRD FERNWEH is a high-quality bag—and definitely extra sturdy and hard than many different backpacks by competing digital camera bag producers that are inclined to create pictures backpacks geared extra towards city use.

Its inside body makes the construct extraordinarily strong and ensures you’re not straining your again even when the backpack is stuffed with all of your digital camera and tenting gear.

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

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

The Greatest WANDRD Equipment to Retailer within the Backpack

There are a number of equipment that you would be able to retailer on this bag, from digital camera cubes and accent straps to shoe pouches and extra pictures gear. WANDRD sells a ton of nice equipment that match completely throughout the backpack, however you probably have equipment of your individual already, these can typically work nice too!

Digital camera Cubes

You’ll nearly definitely need to spend money on a WANDRD digital camera dice, which can manage and safely retailer your gear within the digital camera compartment and permit for fast and quick access if you discover a taking pictures alternative.

There are a number of choices obtainable, however we just like the Important Deep Digital camera Dice for guaranteeing we get our favourite our bodies and lenses on board.

For those who want extra digital camera package and fewer of all the opposite stuff, the Professional and Professional+ cubes are roughly 20L and 30L and will provide you with extra space for a severe zoom lens in your pack.

Accent Straps

Most of us gained’t sometimes make the most of the quite a few straps and loops obtainable on the backpack; nonetheless, in case you’re into experimenting with, for instance, studio lighting out within the wilderness, you possibly can discover you fill them up fairly shortly with package.

For those who do end up bringing alongside a whole lot of gear and want that additional storage in your pack, you should purchase extra accent straps to your WANDRD FERNWEH!

Route Pack

The facet digital camera entry on the WANDRD FERNWEH bag makes it straightforward to seize your digital camera if you encounter a very good photograph alternative. However generally you want entry even quicker 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 digital camera physique with a telephoto lens connected.

It’s as efficient as climbing with a digital camera harness on, however the route pack supplies significantly extra safety to your baggage’ valuable package.

Rain Fly

As a lot as we’d all like fixed good climate on the paths, generally we’ve simply acquired to just accept the weather. And, if you’re carrying pictures gear, you need to be sure 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 additional peace of thoughts throughout these heavier downpours, I like so as to add the rain fly overlaying 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 technique to maintain your clothes and equipment clear.

The shoe pouch is designed to slide simply into the principle compartment of the WANDRD FERNWEH, retaining 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 most effective! Plus, a shoe pouch is a staple merchandise for any journey and can be utilized in any of your journey baggage.

Alternate options to the WANDRD FERNWEH

If you wish to discover your choices earlier than making the funding, listed here are among the hottest baggage much like the WANDRD FERNWEH in the marketplace.

Shimoda Motion X50 Backpack

The Motion X50 isn’t an entirely dissimilar bag to the WANDRD FERNWEH: it, too, includes a bucket system for inside storage and it has a facet entry panel that allows you to into the interior digital camera compartment.

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

The backpack options what they name a core unit modular digital camera insert system. Very like digital camera cubes, these padded, shockproof models present safety to your gear and assist maintain the pack organized. You possibly can enhance your structure choices by buying extra Core Models 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 supplies most consolation. You’ll additionally discover superior options like straightforward 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 comparable choices, together with the digital camera dice system, however we’d think about this the city different to the FERNWEH, because it’s neither as huge nor as comfy as its outdoorsy cousin.

Nonetheless, in case you’re extra more likely to spend your time on road pictures moderately than chasing down sprawling vistas, this extra compact possibility could possibly be a greater match!

F-Cease Tilopa-50L

As one of many OG on-the-road digital camera backpacks, the Tilopa-50L Journey and Journey Digital camera Backpack has loads of the identical options because the WANDRD FERNWEH. It makes use of digital camera cubes to maximise inside house, facet compression straps, and carries 50L.

In contrast to 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 to 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 additional gear!

WANDRD FERNWEH Evaluation: 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 like) for its performance and modern design.

It holds a whole lot of stuff, and it does it sensibly, compartmentalizing cameras and package so all the pieces is well accessible whereas additionally staying clear, tidy, and secure.

There’s little or no you possibly can’t connect to the skin of the bag both, as a result of its surplus of straps and loops are designed to safe nearly any additional equipment you may need to deliver 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—via the shoulder straps, hip belt, waist belt, and again panel, it’s not going to rub or pinch when you’re on the transfer.

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

Principally, 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 photographs.