Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader Backpack M review - bags of class

Amateur Photographer verdict

The Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader is a great choice for serious photographers with a large amount of kit to keep well protected, while maintaining quick access.

Pros

Top quality construction
Access from all directions
Large capacity
Comfortable to carry
Standard cabin luggage compliant (if not over-full)

Cons

Can be very heavy when full

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader at a glance:

$234 / £184
Pro-quality backpack
Holds 2 cameras and 8 lenses
15-in laptop compartment
35.5 x 26 x 54 cm (external)
www.manfrotto.com/uk-en

Manfrotto’s Pro Light range is designed for professional and serious enthusiast photographers. It includes four similarly sized backpacks, which differ in how they provide access to your kit. Of these, the Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader is the most versatile, as it has openings at the top, front and either side.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader side access — Manfrotto’s Pro Light Multiloader gives access from the front, top and sides. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader key features:

Tripod: A tripod, monopod, or walking poles etc can be fixed onto the front or sides with straps that tuck away when not in use.
Harness: The richly padded shoulder straps and belt tuck away neatly for stowing the bag in overhead lockers.
Cover: The waterproof cover is easy to fit and protects all the zip openings. It’s silvered on the reverse to protect your kit from heat on sunny days.
TSA lock: A combination lock is sewn onto the bag, tucking into its own pocket. It secures the zip pulls for the top, main and laptop compartments.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader TSA lock — A sewn-on TSA lock can be used to secure the zip pulls. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Measuring 35.5 x 26 x 54 cm, this is a capacious bag that’ll hold a considerable quantity of kit while still meeting carry-on regulations, at least for the more generous airlines. As supplied, it’s split into two separate compartments, which can be opened up to a single large space. It’s supplied with plenty of Manfrotto’s M-Guard internal dividers, which provide good protection while minimising bulk. Therefore, you should be able to configure it just as you need it.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader top section — The top compartment will hold a camera and up to three lenses. Image credit: Andy Westlake

In the top section, I was able to fit a full-frame Sony A7-series body fitted with a 24-105mm f/4 zoom, plus 16-35mm f/4 and 45mm f/2.8 lenses alongside. The main compartment is large enough to hold another body with a vertical grip and telephoto zoom attached, such as a 70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400mm. Four smaller lenses can then be arranged around it.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader main compartment — The main compartment will hold a camera with telephotozoom attached, plus four smaller lenses. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Mesh pockets inside the various openings provide space for small accessories, and there’s a document pocket on the front. Expanding pockets on either side will hold a water bottle or tripod. The quality of materials and construction is excellent, with smoothly running zips and generous padding throughout.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader harness — The harness is richly padded and can be tucked away when not in use. Image credit: Andy Westlake

This bag really stands out, though, for the flexibility it allows to access your kit. A single zip meanders around the outside so that the side panels and entire front can open up, depending on how you arrange the four zip pulls. In principle, you can even reconfigure the carrying straps to use it like a shoulder or sling bag for shooting on the go. However, I’m not convinced of the practicality of this when full, given its potential weight.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader in use — Thanks to its well padded harness, the Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader is comfortable to carry, even when full. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Crucially, given the size of the bag, the harness is top-notch, with the foldaway waistbelt helping to distribute the load onto your hips without being too bulky. Meanwhile the mesh-covered, padded back has air channels to help keep you cool. Fully laden with a tripod strapped on, the weight can easily exceed 14kg, but I still found it quite comfortable to carry.

Manfrotto’s other Pro Light backpacks

As well as this Multiloader, Manfrotto offers several other Pro Light backpacks. The Frontloader and Backloader are simpler, more affordable designs, offering front and back access. Meanwhile the front-loading Flexloader boasts a full-height pocket for carrying a DSLR gimbal.

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader: Our Verdict

The Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader is a great choice for serious photographers who need to carry a large amount of kit and keep it well protected, while maintaining rapid access.