Tenba Solstice 20L Backpack Review

Looking for a reliable backpack that can protect your camera gear while providing a pocket of space for personal items during your day hikes or possibly travels? Look no further than the TENBA Solstice 20L Backpack.

The bag offers a 20-litre capacity which will comfortably fit 1-2 mirrorless or DSLR cameras along with 4-6 lenses (up to an attached 70-200mm 2.8) and an iPad or similar tablet in the front zipped section.

In addition to camera gear, there’s room in the top section for a light jacket, snacks, and other essentials, making it perfect for a day trip. That top section is just large enough to fit a drone such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. The backpack also features two exterior side pockets that will hold a tripod or water bottle, and there’s a removable WeatherWrap rain cover for added protection in inclement weather.

The dynamic interior can easily be adjusted using the velcro divides to accommodate different camera gear configurations; I carried the Canon EOS 7D MK II, 24-70mm, a 100mm macro and a few personal items.

While the bag’s design is relatively light, loading it with kit does start to pile on the pounds. However, the ergonomic shoulder and waist strap design ensure all-day carrying comfort. Another nice feature for walkers, climbers and mountain bikers is that the slim pack leaves plenty of room for arm movement.

Being designed for outdoors and trekking, Tenba has paid attention to two essential features, the first being comfort and the other being security when you’re on your travels.

With the backpack’s rear camera access feature, your camera gear is kept snug against your back, preventing anyone from removing anything from the front or sides of the pack while you’re travelling. This added layer of security gives you peace of mind when you’re on the go, especially in crowded areas.

The rear access design is innovative and allows you to quickly swing the backpack to your front to access gear without ever having to take the pack off your body. This feature is particularly useful when you need to change lenses or grab your camera quickly to capture a fleeting moment.

The Tenba Solstice 20L backpack has a compact slimline design that allows you to carry your camera gear and a few personal items, such as a lightweight jacket and snacks. In this test, I popped inside a Canon EOS 7D Mark II, two lenses, and several filters, which is enough for most photography excursions.

Into the outer pockets of the backpack, I packed a small tripod and in the other side, a water bottle. While it’s great that there is space for a water bottle, it would have been even better if there was a cavity for a water reservoir. This would enable you to carry more water without taking off the pack every time you needed a sip.

This is a personal preference rather than an issue, as the backpack generally performs well in comfort and convenience. The slimline design makes it easy to move around on the trail and won’t weigh you as much as a larger backpack.

With the backpack well loaded, the weight can become significant. However, the padding and adjustable straps helped to distribute the weight evenly and reduced the strain on my neck and shoulders.

The rear access feature of the camera backpack, which utilises the waist strap to take the weight of the bag so you can access the contents, is a great feature for photographers who want to access their gear without putting the backpack on the floor, especially in wet early February conditions. This design allows you to swing the backpack to your front and access the bag’s contents.

While the rear access feature of the backpack is convenient, it can take some practice to get used to. It requires a bit of manoeuvring to remove your arms from the shoulder straps before swinging the backpack to the front. However, once you get the hang of it, the rear access feature can be a valuable tool for quickly accessing your gear on the go.

Overall, the rear access design of the camera backpack is a great feature that provides convenience and comfort for photographers on the move. This coupled with the capacity and comfort make it an all-round great choice and there’s a black version if you’re not keen on the blue.

If you’re in the market for a camera backpack that’s perfect for activities such as a day hike, mountain bike ride or something else equally outdoorsy, then the TENBA Solstice 20L Backpack is a great option. This backpack can take a good amount of camera gear, a travel tripod, and a water bottle which all balances out well. The small top section is perfect for storing a jacket and food, although the lack of a proper divide between the two sections can be annoying as some personal items may drop into the main bag.

Despite this minor issue, the backpack’s materials are high quality, lightweight and robust, with good moisture resistance and plenty of padding to withstand a few knocks.

The shoulder and waist straps of the backpack take the weight well and make it comfortable to wear for extended periods. While the swing to the front, rear access feature may take some practice to get used to, it’s a great way to access your gear without having to remove the backpack entirely.

Overall, the slimline design of the TENBA Solstice 20L Backpack makes it an ideal choice for hiking and other outdoor activities. It’s a speciality bag that almost hits the nail on the head when it comes to design. If there were one thing to improve upon, it would be to add a cavity for a water reservoir.

If you’re in the market for a slimline backpack that can carry your camera gear and personal items for a day hike, the TENBA Solstice 20L Backpack is a great option you won’t regret.