The WANDRD PRVKE Pocket 31L is one of the most versatile camera bags I’ve tested

The WANDRD PRVKE Pocket 31L is a photography-first backpack designed as a serious camera-carry solution without looking like a traditional black camera backpack. This latest 31L version of the PRVKE features a front pocket and introduces a zip-top entry (a top zipper for quicker access) to sit alongside the original rolltop design (a type of closure where fabric is rolled down), giving you a faster, more direct way to access the kit.

The bag is aimed at enthusiasts and professional photographers and is perfect if you’re looking to carry a mirrorless or DSLR system with several lenses and need a backpack for hiking, travel, or day-to-day use. It is also a great solution for videographers using hybrid mirrorless rigs. The internal 31-litre capacity holds a laptop and quite a few personal essentials, along with camera gear. If the 31L seems a little overkill, then a lighter 21L version is available.

The PRVKE Pocket 31L is sold as a Bag Only option, an Essential Photography Bundle (including the Essential Camera Cube Plus and accessory straps), or a Pro Photography Bundle (with the Pro Camera Cube Plus). The camera cube system is central to the bag’s appeal, with removable, reconfigurable padded inserts that slot securely into the main compartment, transforming the backpack from a general-purpose pack into a fully fledged camera backpack that offers plenty of kit protection. This is the option that I’m looking at in this review. As the cube is removable, you can also use it without it, at which point the PRVKE transforms into a highly capable everyday travel bag.

The PRVKE Pocket 31L stands out for its three camera access points: a zip top, a rear clamshell, and a side. Inside, the organisation is exceptional. When I first heard about the material used for the weatherproof shell, I’ll admit I was dubious about how it would look, but in reality, the matte finish looks great and has proven a great choice for this style of bag, further helping reassure me that your kit will stay well protected inside.

Volume: 31 litres
Weight: 1.39kg (3.06lbs)
External dimensions: 44.5 x 30 x 20cm (H x W x D)
Side access opening: 25.4 x 15cm
Laptop sleeve: 34.3 x 26.7 x 2.5cm — fits up to 16″ MacBook Pro.
Tablet sleeve: 31.8 x 26.7cm
Outer shell: P900D Tarpaulin and N840D Ballistic Nylon
Interior lining: P200D
Zippers: YKK throughout
Carry-on compliant:
Available colours: Black, Wasatch Green
Available as: Bag Only; Essential Photography Bundle; Pro Photography Bundle
Lifetime guarantee: 30-day returns
Price: from £225.00

The PRVKE Pocket 31L shows its quality from the moment you pick it up. The outer shell uses P900D tarpaulin on the front panel for a smooth, matte, hydrophobic finish that, during testing, saw rain simply roll off. The upper sections are made of N840D ballistic nylon, giving the bag a durable, dual-textured look. The Wasatch Green colour, in case you have any doubts, looks great. Even after a year of daily use on a previous PRVKE, the material has proved more resilient than expected and shows little wear.

The YKK zippers are the standard for camera backpacks due to their quality, and it’s great to see them here. They once again feel positive, robust, and built to last, which is why they have become the brand to go to for fasteners. One minor quirk appears with the rear clamshell. Once fully open, the end section of the zip mechanism has a slight curve to enable the full opening, and sometimes the two zip pulls can catch slightly when zipping closed. It’s not a major issue, but a little attention to the zip position is needed to get them running smoothly at first. This issue is common in bags with fully opening backs and is not a quality issue.

The bag’s structural integrity is superb, and whether loaded or near-empty, the PRVKE holds its shape confidently, and crucially, it stands upright when set on the ground, a small but genuinely useful detail when working in the field and needing quick access to the top without the bag toppling over. The camera cube, obviously, further reinforces this rigidity.

Carrying comfort with a full load is also excellent despite the lack of a waist strap, and with the Sony A7 IV body, 24-70mm f/2.8, additional lenses, laptop, and daily accessories, it remained comfortable. The moulded airmesh back panel keeps airflow moving even under load, and the wide, well-padded shoulder straps help to distribute weight evenly without digging in. On the back of the backpack, it’s good to see the luggage pass-through strap that sits low on the back panel, positioning the bag well when slid onto a rolling suitcase handle, a better solution than many rivals, which sit the loop too high. The 31L is substantial, and at full capacity, the design on your back distributes the load well.

The PRVKE Pocket 31L offers three separate routes into the main compartment. The zip-top entry gives fast, secure access to the upper section without swinging the bag off your back. The rear clamshell opens the full interior in one wide sweep. This is invaluable when you arrive at a location and need to quickly assess your kit. The quick-draw side access is the shooter’s favourite. Swing the bag around from your left shoulder, and the side panel opens to reveal the full camera section. You do not need to put the bag down. The zip angle at the base, where it runs past the shoulder strap, requires a brief extra pull. The opening is wide enough to retrieve a body with a lens attached without fumbling.

The modular camera cube system deserves special mention. The cube’s zip flap can be tucked into its own internal pocket, keeping the interior neat and adding a second layer of protection at the outer wall. Once the cube is anchored in place with the securing loops of various types, which all take a few minutes to secure, the cube is held within tightly and feels like an integrated part of the outer bag. It sits firmly with no movement. WANDRD’s implementation is one of the most solid modular systems currently available, with fully repositionable interior dividers, padded panels that separate camera gear, that can be configured around any mirrorless or DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera kit.

Organisation is excellent. The front pocket holds sunglasses, memory cards, a hard drive, and other accessories without feeling cramped. The side tech pocket uses its own zip for easy access to cards, batteries, and cables. The internal panel adds mesh pouches and card slots. The AirTag recess fits exactly and is a useful feature.

The hidden passport pocket is genuinely concealed. It is tucked behind the luggage pass-through strap against the back panel. It took a minute to locate and I’ll admit without the product video I wouldn’t have found it, which is exactly the point. The expandable water bottle and tripod pocket on the side work well for a 500ml chilli water bottle or a compact travel tripod. A Three Legged Thing Billy 2 fitted neatly, though it sits slightly above the bag’s top edge which I’m never keen on. For larger tripods, the accessory straps included in the photography bundles can be used instead to mount on the back of the bag.

Over two weeks of use, the PRVKE Pocket 31L proved to be an exceptional backpack able to hold and protect my kit in a variety of mostly rainy conditions. With the Pro Camera Cube installed, the main compartment held a camera body, two or three lenses, a flash, with a laptop in the section of the pack, with daily essentials held in the front pocket. The cube locked the gear in place. Its padded walls absorbed movement and impact. Switching between the three access points is easy enough as ever with the velcro dividers. Side access allowed quick camera access when needed, while everything else stayed secure, although I found top access for me proved to be the most useful.

Weather performance is strong even without the waterproof cover, and the tarpaulin and ballistic nylon shell was able to repel water with ease in moderate to heavy rain, and thankfully, the quality of the YKK zips once again highlighted why this manufacturer has become the choice for most premium bag manufacturers. For more extreme conditions, the optional rainfly would still be a good idea, but at least during the test, I felt confident in the outer shell’s water resistance.

Compared to rivals in the same bracket, the Peak Design Travel Backpack, Lowepro Whistler, and F-Stop Tilopa, the PRVKE Pocket 31L is a great choice with a different aesthetic. For me one of the major advantages of this bag is the number and quality of  the pockets as well as the flexibility over the access options The modular cube system as I’ve seen with other bags offers more flexibility than standard integrated dividers. Where it falls short is in tripod carrying. The side pocket, though expandable and functional for compact tripods, raises the centre of gravity when loaded. A lower side-strapping option or more loops for a stable horizontal carry would be a welcome future addition.

As an overnight photography bag, the 31L is just about viable if you pack light, body, two or three lenses, a laptop, and a single change of clothes if the camera section is not fully occupied. As a day bag for a full shoot, it is close to ideal.

The WANDRD PRVKE Pocket 31L is one of the best all-round photography backpacks currently on the market. It manages something that many bags attempt but few achieve: genuinely serving two roles, firstly as a dedicated camera system and then as a very capable travel backpack, and it does this without compromising significantly on either use. The build quality is excellent, the weather resistance in real-world scenarios is more than effective, and the combination of three camera access points with plenty of other organisational layout options makes it an incredibly practical bag to work with day after day.

The modular camera cube system is the standout feature, and while not unique here the way it secures into the outshell makes it feel secure and far more intergrated than some of the compitition. WANDRD’s implementation is among the best on the market, with a secure design that holds gear firmly.

Some of the minor niggles include the tripod carry solution, the rainfly being a separate purchase, and the absence of a waist strap in the standard bundle, these are all worth noting but do not materially affect the bag’s performance where it matters most. At £225 / $225 for the bag alone, it sits at the premium end of the market, but the lifetime guarantee, quality of materials, and depth of feature set justify the investment. For the enthusiast or working photographer looking for one bag to do it all, the PRVKE Pocket 31L is very hard to beat.