The Best Camera Gear for Carry-On-Only Travel Photographers

Traveling through remote destinations is one of the best parts of my job as an adventure travel writer and photographer. That said, actually reaching those far-flung corners of the earth does come with its fair share of stressors—most notably, packing.

From the remote shores of Lake Clark National Park in Alaska to the tropical and jaguar-filled wetlands of Brazil’s Pantanal, remote adventure travel comes with serious luggage limitations. That means I’ve had to get creative with what gear I can bring (and can’t), especially if I’m packing a long lens for wildlife.

In this guide to carry-on-only packing, I’m sharing the gear I swear by to keep my adventure kit within airline weight restrictions, from luggage and backpacks to lightweight camera equipment.

Mirrorless cameras

First and foremost, I’m a mirrorless photographer—Sony Alpha cameras to be exact—and that alone helps me save on luggage weight. I use the Sony A7III and the Sony A7RIV, which collectively weigh three pounds. For perspective, some of the more popular DSLR cameras weigh a little over two pounds each, so I’m saving around half a pound per camera. That can really add up because every half-pound counts.

Travel tripods

Astrophotography is one of my favorite types of photography—in fact, I’m such a fan of the night sky I wrote a book about it for National Geographic! Given that, I bring a tripod everywhere I go, and switching to the Peak Design Travel Tripod this year was quite the gamechanger. The Peak Design Travel Tripod weighs just 2.8 pounds; that’s about a pound and a half less than the travel tripod I was using before it. Despite its compact size, the tripod doesn’t skimp on usability. It can hold up to 20 pounds, and has a built-in smartphone adapter, as well as an omnidirectional ball head, too. 

I’m also a big fan of the Joby Gorillapod as a backup tripod. When I photograph the northern lights, I like to have two cameras going at once to get different vantage points. I pack the Joby tripod, which weighs less than 0.5 pounds, to have this flexibility without overdoing it on weight. 

Camera backpack

While the Shimoda Explore V2 30 Liter backpack isn’t the most lightweight camera bag out there, I swear by it for its versatility. This isn’t just a camera bag—it’s a true travel backpack. It has various pockets, and only the middle portion of the bag is built for cameras. That means you have all sorts of room to add toiletries, a change of clothes, a laptop, and other odds and ends. And, the backpack is compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you (in most cases—some airlines have extra-small configurations). My one warning: this backpack starts at over five pounds itself, with a built-in support system that helps your back when you’re hiking. It’s a blessing during long days on the trail, but it does mean the weight can add up quickly. 

Camera cube

I use the Shimoda Explore backpack, but I’m a big fan of the Peak Design camera cube—so much so that I’ve actually started using it with my Shimoda pack. What I love about it: Peak Design has added hooks around the outside of the cube, so you can attach a strap and wear it like a small purse or sling. I like this option because I don’t have to worry about packing another small bag for mini excursions that don’t require my complete kit, such as dinner in an already-compact mess tent. I use the Peak Design leash strap with the bag so I can quickly attach the strap when I need it, or remove it when I don’t.  

Luggage

When I’m taking flights with more restrictive weight limits—such as a recent northern lights trip where I was allowed 20 pounds for my checked bag and 20 pounds for my backpack—I’ll opt for a duffel bag because these weigh less than suitcases with wheels. Does it get annoying to lug around a heavy duffel all day? Absolutely. But I need every spare pound I can get when I’m packing my camera gear and cold-weather gear (in this case boots, layers, and the like). 

Lightweight external SSD

I like to back up my photos while on a trip; waiting until I’ve returned home feels way too dicey, especially when traveling to destinations with challenging weather. I don’t want a hefty external hard drive to add too much weight to my pack, so instead, I carry a lightweight external SSD, like the SanDisk Creator Series 4TB drive. At around 0.2 pounds, this gadget adds virtually no weight to my load—and it gives me peace of mind that these once-in-a-lifetime photos will stay safe.  

Portable charger

Another thing I can’t skimp on in the field? A portable charger. I always bring one with me, particularly for remote escapes because you never know when or if you’re going to have electricity. This option from Godox, for example, weighs less than half a pound. My advice with portable chargers: Always make sure they’re charged up, because nothing is worse than getting into the field then realizing you never plugged it in. (And tip two: Make sure you bring the right cords!)

Wear your heaviest clothing

This may be obvious, but it’s saved me in multiple situations: wear your heaviest clothing, particularly shoes, if you’re worried about an airline’s weight limits. I’ve had many instances where even just wearing my hiking boots on the plane instead of my Nikes got me within the weight requirements. 

Luggage scale

The last thing I swear by when packing for a remote destination is a luggage scale. Nothing is worse than getting to the airport and, upon checking in, realizing your bag doesn’t align with the weight limits. I started using a digital luggage scale at home years ago and now charge it before any big trip. I recommend getting a scale that alternates between kilograms and pounds. 

Now, don’t let this lengthy carry-on packing list intimidate you. The luggage restrictions and hacks are well worth the headache when an exciting destination is on the other side. If you’re looking for more adventure-travel tips and inspiration, check out my guide on capturing content when traveling to remote locations. 

Stephanie Vermillion

Stephanie Vermillion is a wedding, documentary and small business filmmaker covering the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, as well as a travel and lifestyle journalist reporting on a variety of topics across the globe. Combining Stephanie’s interests in storytelling, love, wildlife, travel and media, Stephanie Vermillion Studio was built from the ground up in her one-bedroom apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey. Stephanie’s writing and photography have been published in outlets like Mental Floss and Elite Daily, and her filmmaking includes everything from East Coast weddings to awareness-building wildlife conservation films around the world.