I’ve been within the drone trade for effectively over a decade. I’ve gotten tons of drone backpacks shipped to me to overview, and I’ve packed drones with me in every single place, from enjoyable holidays to Hawaii to trekking by means of the Arctic Circle on a drone expedition.
I’ve discovered that the fitting drone bag relies upon fully in your setup and the way you fly. Whether or not you want a rugged all-weather pack for mountain hikes or simply need to hold your gear organized for weekend journeys, I’ve suggestions for each sort of drone pilot. And infrequently, one of the best drone backpacks don’t even need to value you something additional.
Right here’s The Drone Lady’s information to one of the best drone luggage:
Greatest for many folding drones
I’ve reviewed numerous varieties of LowePro backpacks on and off for practically 10 years. Their fashions fluctuate in tandem with ever-changing drone designs. Nowadays, probably the most fashionable kinds is the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250. It strikes the proper steadiness between safety, capability and luxury. Its semi-rigid FormShell exterior gives impression safety with out the majority of a tough case, whereas customizable padded dividers allow you to configure the inside to your particular gear.
This backpack matches folding drones just like the DJI Mavic collection together with a controller, as much as 5 spare batteries, a 15-inch laptop computer, and a 10-inch pill. The bag contains moisture-wicking again panels and adjustable chest and waist straps for consolation throughout prolonged put on.
What units the DroneGuard aside is its considerate design. The compression-molded FormShell expertise retains weight down whereas providing excessive safety ranges, and regardless of making no waterproof claims, the bag efficiently retains contents dry throughout prolonged rain showers (discuss underpromise, overdeliver!). The impartial black and grey camouflage colorway doesn’t scream “costly drone inside,” which is a safety bonus.
The backpack additionally encompasses a zippered prime compartment for sundries like snacks, sun shades, and a jacket, plus a detachable waist belt for additional assist when wanted. The PhoneZone pocket on the shoulder strap retains your smartphone accessible with out having to take away the pack.
At round $230 relying on gross sales, it’s a big funding. However given how effectively it holds up throughout common put on, it’s value it.
Cons: The DroneGuard is particularly sized for folding drones. When you fly conventional “X” body racing drones or bigger cinema rigs, this isn’t for you.
Greatest for DJI pilots who solely have to tote their drone (and nothing else): DJI Fly Extra Combo
Greatest worth in the event you’re shopping for a brand new DJI drone (and don’t want a case to your laptop computer or different cameras)
When you’re buying a brand new DJI drone, the Fly Extra Combo bundle is nearly all the time the neatest purchase. In brief, DJI will promote you simply the drone and fundamental equipment for one value, or you possibly can choose to pay a better value for higher equipment and, sure, a drone case.
Fly Extra Combos range by truly drone, however usually you get three batteries as an alternative of 1, a charging hub, spare propellers and a custom-fitted carrying bag designed particularly to your drone mannequin. The Fly Extra Combo usually prices only a few hundred {dollars} greater than the drone alone. Do the maths on shopping for these batteries individually and the combo virtually pays for itself. Or it at the very least will get you a “free bag” assuming you have been going to purchase the batteries anyway.
The Fly Extra luggage are constituted of high quality supplies and designed to carry the drone, batteries, cables, and controller in exactly fitted compartments. The whole lot has its place, which makes packing up after a flight session fast and arranged. The baggage work effectively as both shoulder luggage or might be transformed to backpack type, although some pilots discover the backpack mode much less comfy for prolonged put on.
DJI has refined this system throughout a number of drone generations. Latest fashions just like the Mavic 3 and Air 3 collection include notably well-designed luggage that steadiness safety with portability. The baggage match simply below airplane seats as carry-on baggage, making them ideally suited for journey.
Cons: The largest limitation is dimension. The baggage you get with the Fly Extra Combo usually are not giant sufficient to carry any laptops or different cameras. In truth, as soon as the bag is full with the drone, batteries, cables, and controller, there’s little room for the rest — not even a pockets.
Many pilots, myself included, find yourself tucking all the Fly Extra bag into a bigger backpack to hold extra gadgets like water bottles, private belongings or digital camera gear. The baggage additionally lack the inflexible safety of purpose-built backpacks. They’re nice for regular journey however not ideally suited in the event you’re anxious about impacts.
Some pilots additionally discover the interior group a bit fiddly. The baggage have a number of layers and tight areas that may be time-consuming to pack, with restricted room for additional batteries past what’s included.
Equally, many different drone makers make their very own variations of “Fly Extra” Combo backpacks, like this one pictured above from Autel.
For pilots who need fire-resistant battery storage and most flexibility
The DronePack represents a recent method to drone luggage, developed by means of direct collaboration with the drone pilot group over 12 months of prototyping and suggestions. It comes from an organization referred to as Immerse Optics, the makers of DroneMask, a intelligent goggle machine that turns just about any drone into an FPV drone.
And in main the way in which in equipment, Immerse Optics has additionally developed a brand new kind of drone bag. DronePack is designed to be the Swiss Military knife of drone backpacks, accommodating every little thing from DJI digital camera drones to small FPV racing quads.
The characteristic checklist is spectacular: water resistant supplies, customizable Velcro dividers, a 180-degree suitcase-style opening for simple entry, fire-resistant internal pockets particularly for battery storage, anti-theft TSA locks and zippers, facet straps for carrying smaller drones externally, a charging port for powering gadgets on the go and closely padded straps for consolation throughout lengthy hikes.
At €149 (roughly $165), the DronePack positions itself competitively within the premium backpack class. DroneMask claims it matches all digital camera drones together with DJI and Potensic Atom fashions, with sufficient customization to adapt to your particular setup.
The massive caveat: This can be a model new product that I haven’t been in a position to take a look at personally. Whereas the corporate developed it with group enter and the characteristic set seems to be complete on paper, I can’t vouch for real-world sturdiness, climate resistance or how effectively these customizable dividers truly maintain up throughout day by day use. The fireplace-resistant battery compartment is a great security characteristic, however I’d need to see some hands-on testing earlier than making sturdy claims about its effectiveness.
When you’re keen to take an opportunity on a brand new product from an organization that’s been conscious of its group, the DronePack may very well be a superb alternative. Simply bear in mind you’re primarily an early adopter.
Finances choose: Any backpack you already personal
For pilots who don’t need to overthink it
Right here’s a secret the drone accent trade doesn’t need you to know: you in all probability don’t want a specialised drone backpack in any respect.
Fashionable folding drones are remarkably compact and sturdy. A DJI Mini or Mavic matches simply into any customary backpack with fundamental padding. Wrap your drone in a giant microfiber material or tender case, tuck your batteries right into a small pouch (possibly even a fireproof pouch?!) and also you’re good to go. This method prices nothing in the event you already personal a backpack, and it typically gives more room for non-drone gadgets than specialised luggage.
The actual profit? Flexibility. Utilizing an everyday backpack means you possibly can carry every little thing else you want for a day trip, whether or not that’s water, snacks, a jacket, digital camera gear or private merchandise. Plus, you received’t play Tetris with a bag that was optimized just for drone gear. Many pilots discover {that a} generic digital camera backpack with configurable padded dividers gives the proper center floor.
And sure, I’ve been identified to throw my drone in my school-sized Child Yoda backpack.
This method works particularly effectively for informal pilots who fly sometimes and don’t want most safety for day by day skilled use. When you’re climbing to scenic viewpoints or touring internationally, a typical journey backpack attracts much less consideration than one thing clearly drone-specific.
Drawbacks however not dealbreakers: You sacrifice some safety and group. With out custom-fitted compartments, your gear would possibly shift round extra throughout transport. You’ll additionally want to determine your personal system for maintaining batteries separate and arranged. And in the event you fly in harsh circumstances or fear about impacts, a purpose-built bag gives extra peace of thoughts.
How I picked and examined
I evaluated drone backpacks primarily based on safety, capability, consolation, group, climate resistance, and (maybe most critically) worth. The best bag protects your drone from impacts with out pointless bulk, holds your full flying package together with spare batteries and equipment, stays comfy throughout prolonged put on with correct weight distribution, gives intuitive group so you possibly can entry gear shortly, resists climate with out requiring a very waterproof design that provides weight, and gives good worth relative to the price of the gear it’s defending.
As drones get smaller and flight occasions prolong, I anticipate luggage to evolve towards lighter weight and extra versatile use instances that accommodate each drone gear and on a regular basis carry gadgets.
Different luggage I thought-about:
Peak Design On a regular basis Backpack: {Many professional} drone pilots swear by Peak Design’s digital camera luggage for drone use. The On a regular basis Backpack gives glorious construct high quality, weatherproofing, and adaptability. Nevertheless, at $300+, it’s costly, and also you’ll have to configure your personal divider system somewhat than getting drone-specific compartments.
Manfrotto D1 Drone Backpack: Goal-built for DJI drones with good safety and group. It’s a strong choice however doesn’t provide important benefits over the DroneGuard whereas usually costing extra.
Onerous shell backpacks or instances: Corporations like MC-Instances make inflexible waterproof backpacks and rectangular instances with {custom} foam inserts. These present most safety however are heavy, cumbersome, and overkill for many leisure pilots. They make sense for professionals transporting costly gear in harsh circumstances.
Generic digital camera backpacks: Choices from Amazon Fundamentals, AmazonBasics, and related manufacturers provide configurable padding at price range costs ($40-80). These work effectively for informal use however lack drone-specific options and usually use lower-quality supplies that received’t final as lengthy.
Regularly requested questions on drone luggage
Do I want a specialised drone bbag or ackpack? Not essentially. Many pilots efficiently use common backpacks or digital camera luggage (sure, myself included!). Specialised luggage provide higher safety and group however aren’t important for informal flying.
Will my drone’s Fly Extra bag slot in these backpacks? Most often, sure. Many pilots place their total Fly Extra bag inside a bigger backpack for additional safety and to hold extra gadgets.
Are drone backpacks TSA-approved? Backpacks themselves aren’t the problem — it’s the lithium batteries inside. TSA rules require drone batteries in carry-on baggage solely, not checked luggage. Most drone backpacks are sized to work as carry-ons, however all the time verify your airline’s particular dimension necessities.
What number of batteries ought to my bag maintain? Plan for at the very least 3-5 batteries for a full day of flying. Most specialised drone luggage accommodate this simply. Do not forget that spare batteries want particular person safety to forestall quick circuits.
Do I want a water-proof bag? Most pilots discover water resistant is enough. Really waterproof luggage are usually heavy and costly. When you’re flying in heavy rain, you in all probability shouldn’t be flying in any respect. A rain cowl to your bag gives good safety for the occasional bathe. Typically — if a downpour comes out of nowhere — I’ll simply wrap my bag in a poncho (if I’ve one) or only a trash bag.
Associated
Uncover extra from The Drone Lady
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your electronic mail.