SmallRig, a brand best known for camera cages, tripods, and video lights, has moved into a new category with the Outra 25 Outdoor Camera Bag 25L Backpack. The bag is aimed at photographers and videographers who need a way to carry gear in the field, and it carries a price tag of €209.90 or $199.99. Before spending that much on a new bag, our consumer reporter believes it is worth knowing exactly what you get, and what you don’t, so shoppers aren’t caught off guard after the purchase.
A reviewer for Fstoppers tested the backpack over several months, including a trip to Spain for the 2026 solar eclipse and ongoing summer and autumn photography work, to see how it held up in everyday use. SmallRig provided the bag for free, but the reviewer says the opinion was not influenced or edited by the company.
How to spot it
The backpack is built around a so-called 3-layer baffle divider system at the back opening, designed to keep equipment from falling out. According to the review, the Outra 25 includes:
- A 4-liter front compartment with a roll-top, magnetic closure; though the roll-top doesn’t add extra space, it’s described as a design choice rather than a functional one
- Side, back, and top access points, plus a water bottle pouch on each side
- A padded waistband with a pocket, adjustable S-curved shoulder straps, lumbar support,t and an adjustable chest strap
- Three removable horizontal dividers, reinforced to resist sagging, though their spacing cannot be adjusted
- Three accessory pouches in different sizes, usable inside or outside the bag
- A laptop compartment, accessible from the top and the back, large enough for a 16-inch laptop
- A specialized pocket for a selfie stick or monopod, though limited to one inch in diameter
- Concealed zippered pockets on both sides for documents
- High-quality zippers with loops to secure them against accidental opening, plus a small clip at the top for extra security
The bag measures 502 x 320 x 220 mm (19.8 x 12.6 x 8.7 in), weighs 3,410 g (120.3 oz) with all accessories included, and is rated to carry up to 15 kg (33 lb). It’s made of polyester, nylon, EA, and EPE, which the review says can handle light rain, with a rain cover included for heavier downpours.
The review also flags drawbacks worth weighing against the price. The raised edges that make the bag “drop-proof” also make it harder to reach gear, especially when the bag is upright or when using side access. There are no extra loops to customize the spacing between the three main dividers. The harness attaches to the back panel rather than the bag itself, the bottom has no carrying handle, and the security clip for the back panel is described as difficult to open. The reviewer also notes the company logo on the rain cover is larger than they’d like.
What to do if it happened to you
If you’re weighing whether the Outra 25 is worth its $199.99/€209.90 price, the review suggests checking it against how you actually carry and access gear. The reviewer, who prefers to set a backpack down on the ground rather than keep it upright, found the drop-proof raised edges unnecessary for that style of use, and suggested SmallRig could offer an alternate divider set without the raised edge for buyers in the same situation.
Buyers who need fine control over compartment height should know the three main dividers can be removed for more space, but their spacing can’t be adjusted, and no extra loops are provided to change that. Anyone who regularly uses side access to grab a camera mid-shoot should also be aware that the divider design and raised edges make that harder, according to the review.
The reviewer’s bottom line is that the bag is not cheap, but offers a lot in return, citing strong organization, a sturdy harness, and the included accessory pouches and removable waist belt as the main reasons it’s worth considering despite its flaws. As always, our consumer reporter’s advice is simple: read the full list of pros and cons before paying full price for any gear, and make sure the design matches how you actually work, not just how it looks on paper.
Source: Fstoppers
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