Reviews |Wandrd Prvke 21 Review

Wandrd Prvke 21 Review

Wandrd Prvke 21 review
Review

Price when reviewed

£179

$235.74 / £259 / $336.44
Check current price

Our Verdict

Bringing the extra versatility of a removable (optional) camera cube, an additional 9-10L capacity and more organising pockets, the Wandrd Prvke 21 makes a nice step-up from the Prvke Lite, without having the extra size and weight of the Prvke 31. They’re all very nice, well-made backpacks that seem designed to last.

As with the rest of the Prvke range, the roll-close top of the Prvke 21 means that you always seem to be able to squeeze one more thing in and the well-crafted shoulder straps ensure that the load is comfortable.

For

  • Stylish wipe-clean exterior
  • Expandable roll-close top section
  • A good number of pockets

Against

  • You need the photography bundle to get a camera cube, not the lowest price version
  • The tote-syle straps get in the way

What is the Wandrd Prvke 21?

The Wandrd Prvke 21 is a modular backpack that can be used as a regular backpack or, when used with a Wandrd Camera Cube, it can be used as a camera backpack. The backpack reviewed here is the latest version of the Wandrd Prvke 21, which was introduced in April 2021.

Specification

  • Bag type: Backpack
  • Launched: April 2021
  • Materials: Waterproof Tarpaulin and Robic 1680D Ballistic Nylon, weather-resistant zips
  • Capacity Volume: 21 L to 25 L with roll top fully extended
  • Weatherproof: Yes
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 43 X 28 X 17 cm / 17 X 11 X 6.5 inches
  • Weight: 1.3 kg / 2.8 lb
  • Laptop Sleeve Dimensions: 33 X 24 X 2.5 cm
  • Tablet Sleeve Dimensions: 32 X 24 X 1.25 cm
Wandrd Prvke 21

Features

Like the Wandrd Pvke 31 and Wandrd Prvke Lite, the Wandrd Prvke 21 is made from waterproof tarpaulin and Robic 1680D ballistic nylon. It also has a roll-top design which enables the overall capacity of the bag to be varied between 21 and 25 litres.

The upper section of the Wandrd Prvke 21 rolls down and is closed by securing a large metal hook through a broad loop of webbing.

When flipped on its back with the shoulder straps uppermost, the Prvke 21 can also be opened like a clamshell using the tough weatherproof zip. This reveals the interior of the main section of the backpack where the optional camera cube can be installed. It’s ideally suited to house the Wandrd Camera Cube Essential, which measures 23 x 28 x 13cm (9 x 11 x 5 inches) and is included in the Wandrd Prvke 2 Photography Bundle.

Wandrd Prvke 21

It’s also possible to access the top section of the backpack from within the main section by opening the zip-closed area above where the camera cube fits. This zipped section is on the left of the image above.

Wandrd has given the inside of the back section three slim zip-close pockets and sleeves to house both a laptop (up to 13-inch) and a tablet.

Wandrd Prvke 21

While you need to put the backpack down to access all of your camera gear, there is a side entrance to the main compartment on the left as you carry the bag. This aligns with an opening in the camera cube to give a quick route to some of your kit.

Naturally, the camera cube has customisable inserts that can be fitted around whatever you carry. The Essential Camera Cube will comfortably carry a full-frame mirrorless camera such as the Nikon Z7 II or Sony Alpha A7 III and a couple of lenses or a full-frame DSLR like the Nikon D850 or a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV each with a couple of lenses.

Wandrd Prvke 21

On the opposite side of the Prvke 21 to the opening, there’s an expandable pocket that can be used to carry a water bottle or a tripod.  A Peak Design Travel Tripod fits perfectly but there’s room for a larger tripod if you just put one or two legs in the pocket. A strap with a clip is provided to keep the tripod pulled tightly in against the side of the backpack.

There are four other pockets on the outside of the Wandrd Prvke 21. The first is a large slim pocket on the front, which is handy for carrying documents, a lens cloth or the odd filter. The other three are less easy to spot, one is above the side opening and is designed to hold  your keys, having a clip on a short loop to keep your keys safe.

The third pocket is at the top of the bag near where the shoulder straps attach. This is fleece lined, which makes it ideal for carrying your phone, spectacles or sunglasses, but there’s also room for a memory card wallet and spare batteries.

Wandrd Prvke 21 review

Wandrd has done a great job of concealing the last pocket as it’s in the back section behind the luggage pass-through loop. It closes with a zip and is perfect for stashing cash and your passport.

Wandrd Prvke 21 review

Build and handling

Just like the other backpacks in the Prvke line, Wandrd has done a great job of making the Prvke 21 tough as well as look smart. What’s more, the weather-resistant zips and waterproof tarpaulin mean that there’s no need for an extra rain cover and if the bag gets dirty when you put it down to access your gear, you can just wipe it clean.

There’s a balance to be struck with shoulder straps. They need to be padded enough to be comfortable, but not so deep and wide that they’re excessively chunky and make you very warm when you’re carrying the bag. Wandrd has hit the mark well. The Prvke 21’s straps are well-shaped and nicely padded.

In addition, the chest strap is easy to use and release while still being secure. It also has a wide vertical adjustment range which makes it comfortable for female and male photographers.

Wandrd Prvke 21 review

Performance

I’ve carried a range of cameras and lenses in the Wandrd Prvke 21 over several miles on a few occasions now and it has always been comfortable. I might have wished that I’d stuffed a little less in because of the weight, but I never felt the contents through the thick padding of the back and the straps haven’t rubbed or chaffed.

Although I have used the Prvke 21 to carry a second camera and a few lenses, my preference is to carry the camera on a strap (check out the Wandrd Sling Strap) with my go-to lens mounted and have my preferred alternative lens stashed for easy access via the side opening of the Prvke 21. I store other lenses deeper in the camera cube and access them by taking the bag off my back and using the clamshell opening.

Wandrd uses looped zip pulls for the main opening. These are easy to grab so you can get in the main compartment quickly.  The side opening doesn’t have the same loops, which is better for security if not for speed and ease of opening.

As we move back towards travelling a bit more, the tote-style handles at the top of the Prvke Lite are likely to prove their worth as they make it easy to pull the bag off a luggage rack, but they get in the way a bit in day-to-day use of the bag.

Wandrd Prvke 21 review

Verdict

With a capacity of 21-25L, the Prvke 21 fits in neatly between the 11-16L Prvke Lite and the 31-36L Prvke 31. It’s a great choice of bag for a day out with your camera and has all the organisation your need for use as a work bag.

As well as its extra capacity, the Prvke 21 has the advantage of a removable camera cube over the fixed cube of the Prvke Lite, but naturally, that comes at an additional cost.