What’s the best bag for Mountain Biker?
this is one of the “secret” spots I visit with my mountain bike regularly to get a refresh
As you may know, I live in the Alps and often go mountain biking. For now, I just put my Sony A7rV and Tamron 28-200mm lens in a small mountain bike backpack. But this has always been frustrating. The equipment gets stuck between other things and I can never access it easily. So I’m wondering if there are any other mountain biking enthusiasts out there who can give me some advice on which bag to buy that would be suitable for this purpose.
For reference, I asked ChatGPT 5 on what gear would suite my needs and this is his answer:
Goal: Carry a Sony A7R V with Tamron 28–200mm FE lens on a mountain bike with fast access, strong protection, and good weight balance.
Key challenges: Protecting a heavy full-frame setup from shocks, keeping balance on the bike, and being able to access the camera quickly without unpacking fully.
Best carry methods for your setup
- Chest/shoulder mount (fastest access)
- Cotton Carrier Skout G2 – Holds the A7R V securely to your chest so it doesn’t swing, even on rough trails.
- Peak Design Capture Clip v3 + Pro Pad – Clips the camera to a backpack strap for quick draw; the Pro Pad adds comfort for heavy gear.
Tip: The Skout distributes weight better for a full-frame camera than a clip-only system. - Padded hip pack (best balance + good protection)
- EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L – MTB-specific waist bag with padded camera compartment and room for water.
- Shimoda Action X Belt Pack – Weather-resistant belt pack that swings to the front for easy access.
- Compact camera backpack (maximum protection, slower access)
- EVOC Stage Capture 16L – MTB-ready pack with padded camera insert and hydration compatibility.
- Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW III – Lightweight camera backpack with side access for faster stops.
Note: With a backpack, you’ll usually have to stop and take it off to get the camera.
Add a camera cube if using your own pack
- Peak Design Camera Cube Small – Padded insert to keep the A7R V + Tamron safe inside any regular backpack.
- Lowepro GearUp Pro Camera Organizer – Slim organizer for body and lens, fits in smaller bags.
Pro tip: Keep the cube high in the bag to reduce lower back fatigue during long rides.
Weather and impact protection extras
- Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack (≈8L) – Waterproof liner for your pack or hip bag.
- LensCoat RainCoat – Rain protection for the camera while shooting.
- Think Tank Hydrophobia Rain Cover – Heavy-duty weather protection option.
- Hoya UV Protective Filter (67mm) – Protects the Tamron 28–200mm front element from dust, grit, and branches.
- MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths – For cleaning rain, mud, and fingerprints from lens and screen.
Recommended lightweight MTB shooting setup
- Carry: Cotton Carrier Skout G2 for mid-ride shots without stopping.
- Stow for technical terrain: EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L with a Sea to Summit Dry Sack inside for waterproofing.
- Lens choice: The Tamron 28–200mm FE is perfect for MTB because it covers wide landscapes to distant subjects without swapping lenses.
Ride-day checklist
- Lens hood mounted for impact protection.
- Carry system straps tightened to prevent bounce.
- Dry sack and cleaning cloths packed for sudden mud or rain.