Top loading bags are carry bags and backpacks with a difference. The “top load” is a preferred option for managing big loads of camera equipment. These are real heavy duty bags, tough and highly protective of their valuable contents. They’re typically designed for professional camera loads and high quality cameras like DSLRs.

Designs for these bags vary slightly between models. Some may include a shoulder strap as well as the carry handle, others are real backpack designs. The emphasis is on load management and internal organization, providing enough space for big cameras with attachments while dealing with the issues related to lenses, zooms and other accessories.

Types of top loading bags

The big brands in this market are:

• Tamrac- Tamrac has the largest range of top loading bags on the market, including specialist bags for different types of cameras. All of the Tamracs are designed to carry zooms.
• Lowepro- The three Toploader Zoom Lowepros are designed as weatherproof cases for DSLRs with zooms.
• Bower- Bower’s toploader is the Bower Elite DSLR Expandable Zoom Lens Bag, an unconventional soft bag design which can be expanded at the bottom for big lenses.

Buying top loading bags online

The issue for consumers is choice. If you’ve got a DSLR with a zoom, it’s worth your while to check out the features on the different types of toploader to compare them, particularly if you’ve got a lot of extra gear for your camera. Generally, what works for a zoom works for the other big lens attachments, so consider your options on that basis.

The top loading bags are pretty cheap by any standards online. Discounts of about 25% are available, and when you consider that these discounts are for name brands, you really can’t avoid getting a good deal.