Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Backpack

Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Long Lens Camera Backpack Summary

When you need a large volume bag for professional camera equipment and long lenses up to 800mm, look no further than the Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Backpack. It has been designed by experienced manufacturer Vanguard to provide versatile storage for everything you could need on long hikes and photo expeditions, with space for one or two pro-sized camera bodies, telephoto lenses and one or two full-sized tripods. You can also fit up to 16-inch laptop in the dedicated padded sleeve, as well as a tablet and lots of essential photo accessories, which are required for any trip.

This is the current largest Vanguard camera backpack from the award winning Alta Sky range, with a generous 36 litres of storage capacity to hold everything you need for your excursion. There are strategically placed grab handles for easy lifting, as well as top and rear gear access, ensuring your expensive equipment stays dry when accessed. The interior offers ample configurable padding, which is bright orange coloured to reduce lost items and time wasted searching for equipment in the field.

Large toggles and robust zips are easy to operate even when wearing gloves and the harness system is not only comfortable, but offers extensive repositioning to suit various torso lengths. The shoulder pads and sternum strap allow you to hike with this backpack while fully loaded and still enjoy a comfortable experience.

Key Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Backpack Features

• Ultimate versatility - 100% gear to 100% personal and anywhere in between
• ‘Never-tire’ carrying experience - ergonomic Air System back, harness & waist belt
• Multi-access quick-action – top front access and lower rear access
• Safety first - double security buckles
• No fumbling - bright coloured interior makes finding things easy
• Well organised – numerous dedicated pockets, organisers and connectors for all essentials
• Stay hydrated - large water bottle side pockets
• Keep rocking - headset port to extend cable from internal smartphone pocket
• Business oriented - holds a 16” tablet and 11" tablet
• Stay steady - optimal balance full sized tripod carrying system
• Keep dry - total coverage rain cover

Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Backpack in More Detail

The Alta Sky 68 is the ultimate gear-carrying and working backpack, specifically designed to carry a super telephoto lens up to an 800mm (f/5.6), attached to a Pro DSLR or full frame Mirrorless body, along with up to 7 additional lenses (or personal kit) and a 16" laptop.

The Alta Sky 68 is a new style backpack for photographers who are planning a longer trek where they need their large telephoto lens to get closer to that elusive subject, but want the versatility to be able to change lenses to take advantage of photo opportunities as they come along, whether it be a spectacular landscape or a stunning macro opportunity.

Until now, the choice has been to carry their telephoto lens and leave the rest of the kit at home (such as in an Alta Sky 66), or to take a wider bag that can take the additional lenses, but means that the body needs to be detached from the telephoto lens in transit, and setup on site. The Alta Sky 68 gets around this with two separate sections in the main compartment.

One half of the main compartment is designed to fit a Pro DSLR or Mirrorless body attached to a 600mm (f/4.0) lens, or even some 800mm (f/5.6) lenses. An adjustable thick, sturdy and well-padded cradle supports the camera body from below and secures the large lens in position, while making sure it is well protected all around the delicate connection point.

The other half of the main compartment is designed to hold up to 7 additional lenses, or it can be customised to carry the personal kit you need for a longer trek.

A full front opening flap ensures easy top access to the camera/telephoto lens, and the top half of the compartment with the additional lenses, while the lower half of each compartment can be accessed from the back. The rear access also includes a pouch for a 16" laptop.

The interior is a light, bright orange that allows you to clearly see the contents of the bag, even in low light conditions.

A full sized tripod can be carried centrally for optimal balance, using the tripod foot pocket and adjustable straps to hold it tightly for maximum comfort on the move. Alternatively a tripod or monopod can be carried in the expanding side pocket, or it can be used to carry a water bottle.

Organise all other gear and personal essentials such as an 11" tablet, memory cards, cables, batteries, charger and smartphone, exactly where you need them

Designed to carry the heaviest loads for extended periods of time, we set the bar for comfortable carrying at a new high. Vanguard’s advanced ergonomic back and harness system is fully adjustable and features a well-padded breathable 3D back, uniquely shaped easy height adjusting shoulder straps that perfectly contour to your back and torso, adjustable sternum strap and well-padded supporting waist belt. All these join together to promise a ‘never-tire’ user experience!

For shorter trips, there is also a detachable shoulder strap on the side that allows you to choose the best way to carry it.

The Alta Sky 68 enjoys additional encompassing protection features, such as our second-to-none quality, materials and bag construction, and our grab-and-go sturdy carrying handle that also comes in handy when retrieving the backpack from the car boot, as well as a our total coverage rain cover.

Read our hands-on Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Camera Bag Review where we tested the camera in the field during several photo excursions around Sussex.

Vanguard Alta Sky 68 Backpack Specifications