I’ve been within the drone trade for nicely over a decade. I’ve gotten tons of drone backpacks shipped to me to evaluate, and I’ve packed drones with me in every single place, from enjoyable holidays to Hawaii to trekking by the Arctic Circle on a drone expedition.
I’ve discovered that the best 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 maintain your gear organized for weekend journeys, I’ve suggestions for each sort of drone pilot. And sometimes, one of the best drone backpacks don’t even must value you something further.
Right here’s The Drone Woman’s information to one of the best drone luggage:
Greatest for many folding drones
I’ve reviewed numerous sorts of LowePro backpacks on and off for almost 10 years. Their fashions fluctuate in tandem with ever-changing drone designs. Today, some of the fashionable types is the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250. It strikes the right steadiness between safety, capability and luxury. Its semi-rigid FormShell exterior offers affect safety with out the majority of a tough case, whereas customizable padded dividers allow you to configure the inside in your particular gear.
This backpack matches folding drones just like the DJI Mavic sequence 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 (speak about underpromise, overdeliver!). The impartial black and grey camouflage colorway doesn’t scream “costly drone inside,” which is a safety bonus.
The backpack additionally incorporates a zippered high compartment for sundries like snacks, sun shades, and a jacket, plus a detachable waist belt for further 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 major funding. However given how nicely it holds up throughout common put on, it’s value it.
Cons: The DroneGuard is particularly sized for folding drones. If you happen to 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 should you’re shopping for a brand new DJI drone (and don’t want a case in your laptop computer or different cameras)
If you happen to’re buying a brand new DJI drone, the Fly Extra Combo bundle is sort of all the time the neatest purchase. Briefly, DJI will promote you simply the drone and fundamental equipment for one worth, or you possibly can choose to pay a better worth for higher equipment and, sure, a drone case.
Fly Extra Combos differ by truly drone, however usually you get three batteries as a substitute of 1, a charging hub, spare propellers and a custom-fitted carrying bag designed particularly in your drone mannequin. The Fly Extra Combo usually prices just some hundred {dollars} greater than the drone alone. Do the mathematics on shopping for these batteries individually and the combo virtually pays for itself. Or it no less than will get you a “free bag” assuming you had been going to purchase the batteries anyway.
The Fly Extra luggage are constructed from high quality supplies and designed to carry the drone, batteries, cables, and controller in exactly fitted compartments. All the things has its place, which makes packing up after a flight session fast and arranged. The luggage work nicely as both shoulder luggage or might be transformed to backpack fashion, although some pilots discover the backpack mode much less snug 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 sequence include notably well-designed luggage that steadiness safety with portability. The luggage match simply underneath airplane seats as carry-on baggage, making them preferrred for journey.
Cons: The most important limitation is dimension. The luggage you get with the Fly Extra Combo are usually not massive sufficient to carry any laptops or different cameras. In actual fact, 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 your entire Fly Extra bag into a bigger backpack to hold extra objects like water bottles, private belongings or digicam gear. The luggage additionally lack the inflexible safety of purpose-built backpacks. They’re superb for regular journey however not preferrred should you’re apprehensive about impacts.
Some pilots additionally discover the interior group a bit fiddly. The luggage have a number of layers and tight areas that may be time-consuming to pack, with restricted room for further 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 direct collaboration with the drone pilot group over 12 months of prototyping and suggestions. It comes from an organization known as Immerse Optics, the makers of DroneMask, a intelligent goggle gadget 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 type of drone bag. DronePack is designed to be the Swiss Military knife of drone backpacks, accommodating the whole lot from DJI digicam drones to small FPV racing quads.
The characteristic checklist is spectacular: water resistant supplies, customizable Velcro dividers, a 180-degree suitcase-style opening for straightforward entry, fire-resistant inside pockets particularly for battery storage, anti-theft TSA locks and zippers, facet straps for carrying smaller drones externally, a charging port for powering units 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 digicam drones together with DJI and Potensic Atom fashions, with sufficient customization to adapt to your particular setup.
The large caveat: It is 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 nicely these customizable dividers truly maintain up throughout every 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.
If you happen to’re keen to take an opportunity on a brand new product from an organization that’s been aware of its group, the DronePack may very well be a superb selection. Simply bear in mind you’re primarily an early adopter.
Funds decide: 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 most likely 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 normal backpack with fundamental padding. Wrap your drone in a massive microfiber fabric or smooth 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 should you already personal a backpack, and it usually offers more room for non-drone objects than specialised luggage.
The actual profit? Flexibility. Utilizing a daily backpack means you possibly can carry the whole lot else you want for a time out, whether or not that’s water, snacks, a jacket, digicam gear or private merchandise. Plus, you received’t play Tetris with a bag that was optimized just for drone tools. Many pilots discover {that a} generic digicam backpack with configurable padded dividers gives the right center floor.
And sure, I’ve been identified to throw my drone in my school-sized Child Yoda backpack.
This method works particularly nicely for informal pilots who fly often and don’t want most safety for every day skilled use. If you happen to’re climbing to scenic viewpoints or touring internationally, a normal 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 may shift round extra throughout transport. You’ll additionally want to determine your personal system for maintaining batteries separate and arranged. And should you fly in harsh situations 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 snug 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 offers good worth relative to the price of the tools it’s defending.
As drones get smaller and flight occasions lengthen, I count on luggage to evolve towards lighter weight and extra versatile use circumstances that accommodate each drone gear and on a regular basis carry objects.
Different luggage I thought-about:
Peak Design On a regular basis Backpack: {Many professional} drone pilots swear by Peak Design’s digicam 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 vital benefits over the DroneGuard whereas usually costing extra.
Laborious shell backpacks or circumstances: Firms like MC-Circumstances make inflexible waterproof backpacks and rectangular circumstances 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 tools in harsh situations.
Generic digicam backpacks: Choices from Amazon Fundamentals, AmazonBasics, and comparable manufacturers provide configurable padding at finances costs ($40-80). These work nicely for informal use however lack drone-specific options and usually use lower-quality supplies that received’t final as lengthy.
Incessantly requested questions on drone luggage
Do I would like a specialised drone bbag or ackpack? Not essentially. Many pilots efficiently use common backpacks or digicam 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? Normally, sure. Many pilots place their complete Fly Extra bag inside a bigger backpack for further safety and to hold extra objects.
Are drone backpacks TSA-approved? Backpacks themselves aren’t the difficulty — it’s the lithium batteries inside. TSA laws 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 no less than 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 stop brief circuits.
Do I would like a water-proof bag? Most pilots discover water resistant is enough. Really waterproof luggage are usually heavy and costly. If you happen to’re flying in heavy rain, you most likely shouldn’t be flying in any respect. A rain cowl in 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.
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