WANDRD PRVKE 21L Zip V4 Review: Best Bag for Photography and More?

The WANDRD PRVKE 21 L has been a popular camera bag, typically nailing its Kickstarter campaign goals just minutes after launching. V4 of this bag has just been released. This is a review of the 21 L Zip, with this model dispensing with the roll-top. I'll go over what I like and what I didn't like.

The WANDRD PRVKE 21 L V3 line was already great. It offered quick access to gear, flexible and intelligently designed organization, strong weather resistance, and an expandable roll-top that stays out of the way when you are not using it for storage. There may not be such a thing as a "perfect bag," much less a "perfect bag" for specific people, but for many, including me, the PRVKE bags ticked most of the boxes.

I've been purchasing and using WANDRD products for several years now, beginning with the WANDRD HEXAD Access Duffel Backpack, which was discontinued a short while ago. I've also been using a WANDRD PRVKE 31 L V3 roll-top camera backpack since summer 2024. There is some overlap in features between this and the PRVKE 21 L V4 Zip, so I'll mention some of those in this review.

I've been purchasing and using WANDRD products for several years now, beginning with the HEXAD Access Duffel Backpack, which was discontinued a short while ago. I've also been using a PRVKE 31 L V3 roll-top since summer 2024. There is some overlap in features between this and the PRVKE 21 L V4 Zip, so I'll mention some of those in this review.

As a night photographer, my camera bag plays a major role in the photography process and workflow. It has to be comfortable enough to haul all my heavy gear, including lights, extra batteries, cables, and a tripod, through long hikes in the desert. I also need to access all of this gear easily while in the dark. If you're still building a foundation for shooting in varied conditions, Fstoppers' The Well-Rounded Photographer: 8 Instructors Teach 8 Genres of Photography is a solid broad refresher.

PRVKE: What I Like

What I like has remained consistent with the WANDRD PRVKE bags through each generation.

For instance, the PRVKE line of bags is durable, using weatherproof materials and construction. The main material is waterproof tarpaulin and 1,680-denier Robic ballistic nylon, which holds up well in rough climates. Also, I love the organizational logic and layout, as well as the general flexibility. It utilizes space efficiently. Add to that the deep side pockets and full rear clamshell opening on the outside. I feel like the bag has just the right amount of pockets, if that makes any sense. And finally, I love the sleek, minimalist aesthetics.

Also, I would like to point out that, on domestic and international flights, I can fit my 31 L PRVKE bag underneath airplane seats, although it does stick out slightly. This noticeably smaller 21 L Zip bag will have no issues fitting as well. I don't need to concern myself with wondering if there is enough room in the overhead compartments. Also, it is more secure and convenient to have it stashed underneath the seat.

PRVKE V4: What's New

I'll cover what I think are the most significant changes from V3 before diving into real-world usage.

Shoulder Straps Have Been Redesigned

There are three major redesigns of the shoulder strap:

• The shoulder straps are attached to the body of the bag, not the back panel.
• The shoulder straps are softer and have a rolled edge, not edge bound.
• The sternum strap connecting the two straps no longer pops off, as they use a piping sternum strap.

Anyone who has gone on long hikes during photography shoots with me knows how much I detest the sternum strap on the PRVKE V3. It continually pops off and falls on the ground. Recognizing the latter as a problem right away, I tied the strap to the shoulder strap with a string so I wouldn't lose it. But really, I should never need to do that. To make matters worse, it's more difficult to lock than a traditional buckle when wearing the backpack.

The new version uses a piping sternum strap, so it doesn't pop off. Aside from that, the chest strap now has an elastic section to increase comfort.

In what is one of the bigger redesigns, the shoulder straps are now attached to the body of the bag, not the back panel. This keeps the top of the bag closer to your body and takes the weight off the zippers, placing less stress on them. Now, you must roll the shoulder straps out of the way to access the interior, similar to most other back-panel-access backpacks. I thought attaching the shoulder straps to the back panel was an unusual design since it pulled at the zippers instead of the body (although I've never actually had an issue with this so far).

Speaking of Zippers…

The zippers have been updated to water-repellent YKK reverse-coil zippers with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which WANDRD states are much smoother than their predecessors, more durable, and less prone to warranty issues. Sternum strap aside, their exterior zippers were one of my larger concerns since they didn't seem robust enough to take repeated abuse in the field. That said, I've never had an issue with the V3 zippers.

Redesigned Interior

Lighter Interior Color

The internal configuration is a little different—certainly a little more flexible. WANDRD has made the interior color match the exterior on three bags and changed to a gray interior on the black bag.

To some, changing the interior color might not be that big of a deal, perhaps more of an aesthetic change.

However, to night photographers or anyone working in low-light conditions, this is huge. Having a lighter color enables you to see the contents much more easily in the dark and offers greater contrast, especially in light of the fact that most cameras and camera equipment are black.

Pockets and Sleeves

In V3, the top pocket had a bar and handle, for lack of a better word, that impeded you from opening either of the two zippers all the way when accessing the interior compartment. In V4, you can unzip everything all the way around and have full access. But a bigger change is that this allows you to put the shelf divider down and open up the compartment to the rest of the bag completely. This offers greater flexibility and the ability to place larger items inside if you wish.

Finally, the laptop sleeve, which also has all the mini-compartments, now has foam on the outer part so that it protects the gear in the main compartment. There is a new AirTag pocket in the top side pocket, so it's easier to hide one inside.

The PRVKE 21 L V4 Zip model is a slightly smaller backpack and does not have the roll-top, unlike some of the other models. This also seems to help lighten the weight noticeably. I found myself wishing that my larger 31 L bag was this lightweight!

Photo Bundle

You can purchase the Photo Bundle if you feel like you need to store larger items inside. Otherwise, in my opinion, the stock configuration is quite good.

When you replace the stock interior with the WANDRD Photo Bundle, the aforementioned shelf divider folds down and is Velcro'd out of the way. This gives you the potential to store larger items inside. Therefore, if you unzip the top-pocket zipper compartment, you see only the outside wall of the Photo Bundle. This is because you have dispensed with the top pocket!

The foam dividers that come with the Photo Bundle have about the same thickness and function as the dividers that come stock with the bag. WANDRD provides quite a few foam dividers inside no matter what you get. If you're like me, you'll need to take a few of them out to make it work for you unless you are storing mostly small items. Also, I should mention that the foam dividers are rather thick and take up a surprising amount of room, so removing a few of them saves space that way as well.

You may remove either the interior that comes stock with the bag or the Photo Bundle from the backpack. Both of them have a zippered cover. This allows you, if you wish, to remove the interior to store in the room or car, and also allows you to easily reconfigure the bag for something else. Also, these removable interiors are compatible with other WANDRD products, should you dive further into their ecosystem.

Other Updates

• The side pocket, which can be used to hold a water bottle or tripod, has gotten taller—in other words, deeper. WANDRD kept the expandable zipper, which is a great design.
• The back panel has increased airflow and support.
• On the side of the bag that offers side access, the buckle is all metal instead of plastic. The side access has increased in depth, making it easier to get the camera in and out.

What I Can Fit Inside the PRVKE 21L V4 Zip?

• Two full frame DSLRs with large attached lenses
• A large flashlight for light painting
• Six 18,650 batteries for the light-painting flashlight
• A six-inch plastic snoot for the light-painting flashlight
• Three camera batteries
• A small flash
• A small Wurkkos FC11 flashlight
• Two intervalometers
• Cables for intervalometers
• Thick winter photography gloves
• Miscellaneous other items

Using PRVKE 21L V4 Zip in the Field

Shoulder and Waist Straps

The shoulder straps feel reasonably comfortable, even when loaded down with two heavy DSLRs and other equipment. Because the shoulder straps are attached to the body of the bag, not the back panel, they are closer to my shoulders and therefore don't pull away and create discomfort as much. This is a welcome design change.

The WANDRD PRVKE 21 L V3 camera bags are designed with attachment points for waist straps, which can be purchased separately. The 31 L V3 came with permanently attached waist straps.

The shoulder strap anchor points are updated on both the top and the bottom. I've noticed that, so far, when I am wearing the bag and open the side access, my hand often hits the anchor point of the strap, making it a little more difficult to open. This is because the strap is pulling on the corner and angling outward, getting in the way of my hand. This is not an issue when I am not wearing the bag. I don't tend to wear my bag much when photographing, but this may be an issue for others.

Using the Bag in the Dark

I do mostly night photography, so trying to access a bag in the dark can be different from someone doing a fashion shoot. As anticipated, equipment was easier to see in low light because of the light gray color of the Photo Bundle or the light color of the insert the bag comes with, which works quite well, too. The organization of the pack made it simple to find things in the dark as well.

I'll mention here that I like to purchase several yellow or orange zipper pulls for the exterior and interior of the bag so the zippers are easier to see and grab. I have done this to all the camera bags I've owned.

The redesigned zippers seem to round the corners more smoothly.

The top sunglass pocket is good for very small, thin items, and that's about it. The pocket is very small. The much larger 31 L bag has a top pocket that is almost cavernous in comparison! I use it to store an intervalometer, LED panel, and flashlight—something I cannot do with the 21 L. The 31 L bag's pocket also has a softer felt lining. I do miss that softer lining. The V4 Zip does not have such a lining, presumably to save a little weight. This is not a fair comparison, of course. There have to be trade-offs in space when you have a bag that is 10 L smaller.

PRVKE 21L V4 Zip: Summary

WANDRD has been good in the past about listening to feedback from its users and implementing changes. For me, the biggest changes are the redesigned shoulder straps, sternum strap, zipper access to the roll-top, exterior YKK zippers, lighter-color interior, and the increased flexibility of the interior compartment. If you wish to open up the entire bag and fold away the shelf divider, you can. I know that some people prefer to use protective wraps for their equipment instead of camera cubes. This would not only allow that but also allow you to store much larger items as well.

I feel that the connection of the shoulder strap to the bottom of the bag makes it more difficult for me to zip and unzip the side panel when I am wearing it and the bag is relatively full. That said, I rarely try to access my camera on the side anyway.

The bag is designed for… well, photographers, sure. But it would make an outstanding bag for a number of things, including content creation, travel, and commuting. Add to that its waterproof tarpaulin and water-resistant zippers, and you have yourself what might be as close to a perfect bag as possible, especially given the latest V4 updates. Currently, WANDRD makes this Zip bag in 21 L and 31 L. All their products come with a lifetime warranty.

The waist straps and shoulder straps are solid overall, more than up to the task. They're not as comfortable or well padded as many high-end, dedicated backpacking bags that are specifically designed to take much of the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips (there is no waist strap). But they're still good.

Overall, the PRVKE 21L V4 Zip improves on what was already a solid design, one that had already won me over. There may not be such a thing as "best bag for photography," but the PRVKE line has got to be about the closest I've seen.