I’ve been within the drone business for properly over a decade. I’ve gotten tons of drone backpacks shipped to me to evaluate, and I’ve packed drones with me all over the place, from enjoyable holidays to Hawaii to trekking by way of the Arctic Circle on a drone expedition.
I’ve discovered that the precise 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 kind of drone pilot. And sometimes, the most effective drone backpacks don’t even must price you something further.
Right here’s The Drone Woman’s information to the most effective drone baggage:
Greatest for many folding drones
I’ve reviewed numerous kinds of LowePro backpacks on and off for practically 10 years. Their fashions fluctuate in tandem with ever-changing drone designs. Lately, one of the fashionable types is the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250. It strikes the proper stability between safety, capability and luxury. Its semi-rigid FormShell exterior supplies affect 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 sequence together with a controller, as much as 5 spare batteries, a 15-inch laptop computer, and a 10-inch pill. The bag consists of 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 further help 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 properly it holds up throughout common put on, it’s price 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 at all times the neatest purchase. In brief, DJI will promote you simply the drone and primary equipment for one value, or you possibly can decide to pay a better value for higher equipment and, sure, a drone case.
Fly Extra Combos fluctuate by really 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 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 at the least will get you a “free bag” assuming you had been going to purchase the batteries anyway.
The Fly Extra baggage 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 properly as both shoulder baggage or will 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 significantly well-designed baggage that stability safety with portability. The baggage match simply underneath airplane seats as carry-on baggage, making them supreme for journey.
Cons: The largest limitation is dimension. The baggage you get with the Fly Extra Combo will not be 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 anything — not even a pockets.
Many pilots, myself included, find yourself tucking your complete Fly Extra bag into a bigger backpack to hold extra gadgets like water bottles, private belongings or digicam gear. The baggage additionally lack the inflexible safety of purpose-built backpacks. They’re high-quality for regular journey however not supreme in the event you’re apprehensive 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 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 contemporary strategy to drone baggage, developed by way 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 gadget that turns just about any drone into an FPV drone.
And in main the best way 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 thing from DJI digicam drones to small FPV racing quads.
The characteristic checklist is spectacular: waterproof 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 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 digicam 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 capable of 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 properly these customizable dividers really maintain up throughout each day use. The fireplace-resistant battery compartment is a brilliant security characteristic, however I’d need to see some hands-on testing earlier than making sturdy claims about its effectiveness.
When you’re prepared 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 wonderful selection. Simply remember you’re basically 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 business doesn’t need you to know: you most likely don’t want a specialised drone backpack in any respect.
Trendy folding drones are remarkably compact and sturdy. A DJI Mini or Mavic matches simply into any normal backpack with primary padding. Wrap your drone in a giant microfiber fabric or mushy case, tuck your batteries right into a small pouch (possibly even a fireproof pouch?!) and also you’re good to go. This strategy prices nothing in the event you already personal a backpack, and it usually supplies more room for non-drone gadgets than specialised baggage.
The true profit? Flexibility. Utilizing a daily backpack means you possibly can carry every thing else you want for a day trip, 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 provides the proper center floor.
And sure, I’ve been recognized to throw my drone in my school-sized Child Yoda backpack.
This strategy works particularly properly for informal pilots who fly sometimes and don’t want most safety for each day skilled use. When you’re climbing to scenic viewpoints or touring internationally, an ordinary 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 individual system for conserving batteries separate and arranged. And in the event you fly in harsh situations or fear about impacts, a purpose-built bag provides extra peace of thoughts.
How I picked and examined
I evaluated drone backpacks based mostly 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, provides intuitive group so you possibly can entry gear rapidly, resists climate with out requiring a very waterproof design that provides weight, and supplies good worth relative to the price of the tools it’s defending.
As drones get smaller and flight instances lengthen, I anticipate baggage to evolve towards lighter weight and extra versatile use instances that accommodate each drone gear and on a regular basis carry gadgets.
Different baggage I thought of:
Peak Design On a regular basis Backpack: {Many professional} drone pilots swear by Peak Design’s digicam baggage for drone use. The On a regular basis Backpack provides glorious construct high quality, weatherproofing, and adaptability. Nevertheless, at $300+, it’s costly, and also you’ll have to configure your individual divider system quite than getting drone-specific compartments.
Manfrotto D1 Drone Backpack: Goal-built for DJI drones with good safety and group. It’s a stable possibility however doesn’t provide vital benefits over the DroneGuard whereas usually costing extra.
Onerous shell backpacks or instances: Firms like MC-Circumstances 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 tools in harsh situations.
Generic digicam backpacks: Choices from Amazon Fundamentals, AmazonBasics, and comparable manufacturers provide configurable padding at price range costs ($40-80). These work properly for informal use however lack drone-specific options and usually use lower-quality supplies that received’t final as lengthy.
Continuously requested questions on drone baggage
Do I would like a specialised drone bbag or ackpack? Not essentially. Many pilots efficiently use common backpacks or digicam baggage (sure, myself included!). Specialised baggage provide higher safety and group however aren’t important for informal flying.
Will my drone’s Fly Extra bag slot in these backpacks? Typically, sure. Many pilots place their whole Fly Extra bag inside a bigger backpack for further safety and to hold extra gadgets.
Are drone backpacks TSA-approved? Backpacks themselves aren’t the problem — it’s the lithium batteries inside. TSA laws require drone batteries in carry-on baggage solely, not checked baggage. Most drone backpacks are sized to work as carry-ons, however at all times verify your airline’s particular dimension necessities.
What number of batteries ought to my bag maintain? Plan for at the least 3-5 batteries for a full day of flying. Most specialised drone baggage accommodate this simply. Do not forget that spare batteries want particular person safety to stop quick circuits.
Do I would like a water-proof bag? Most pilots discover waterproof is enough. Really waterproof baggage are typically heavy and costly. When you’re flying in heavy rain, you most likely shouldn’t be flying in any respect. A rain cowl to your bag provides 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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