Five Best Drone Backpacks: A Complete Guide to Drone Backpacks + Tips for Traveling with Your Drone

The MOSISO Drone Backpack costs around $64, which makes it a great pick for the amateur drone enthusiast who’s just getting into flying.

The MOSISO Backpack isn’t huge but it does have plenty of room to securely carry your drone, as well as space for some additional gear. The inside compartment divider is also customizable. It’s also comfortable, which is crucial if you think you might be wearing it for hours at a time while going from one location to another.

Here are some details about the MOSISO Drone Backpack:

• Secure storage. With a fully open design and customizable compartment divider, storage configurations are unlimited. Although designed for smaller foldable drones such as the DJI Mavic or Autel Evo, the removable divider allows the user to utilize the space to fit their needs.
• Convenient travel size. The MOSISO Drone Bag fits securely and comfortably for any type of journey and includes luggage straps and an anti-theft pocket.
• Adjustable straps. The MOSISO Backpack has adjustable, ergonomically shaped shoulder straps with padded shoulder straps and a soft elastic back cushion with adjustable sternum strap for proper weight distribution and comfortable drone transportation.
• Accessory Pockets. Two accessory pockets on the backpack can store cables, sd cards, ND filters and other important drone equipment. There is also a tripod holder with a secure strap on one side. There is another side pocket that can store an umbrella or water bottle and another pocket is designed on the back for your wallet, cellphone, etc.
• Waterproof and tear-resistant. Keep your drone safe and dry no matter the weather with the MOSISO’s durable waterproof hardshell.

Shop for the MOSISO Drone Backpack now.

At around $100, the Torvol Rucksack is designed with FPV racing drone pilots in mind. It comes with more space for storage, including room for two FPV racing drones, controller, as well as padded dividers that allow you to separate and protect your gear.

Although the Torvol Rucksack is billed as an FPV racing backpack, it can be used to carry almost any small- to mid-sized quadcopter.

[Related read: The Top FPV Drones: A  Complete Guide] 

Here are some details about the Torvol Rucksack:

• Enhanced storage. Useful for carrying your drone, transmitter, battery, goggles and other tools in the field.
• Padded dividers. Adjustable inside padded dividers let you lay out all RC gears. Isolated foam helps keep your gear secure.
• Tough material. Materials used in making the Torvol Rucksack Backpack are durable, wear-resistant, and strong enough to last. The backpack also comes with durable zippers, to ensure long-lasting zipper life.
• Weather Protection. Never worry about the elements getting into the case with the included rain cover.

Shop for the Torvol Rucksack now.

Lowepro has become a trusted brand when it comes to backpacks and other gear made to carry photography and videography equipment.

The Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 is a great value, selling for just over $100. Although the BP 250 is billed by Lowepro as a lightweight drone backpack made specifically to carry the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, it can carry other lightweight drones as well (check out the pictures above to get a sense for dimensions and what you can fit into the space provided).

The BP 250 comes with room for a two-liter hydration reservoir and has a special pocket on one of the arm straps where you can keep your phone.

Because the BP 250 was designed specifically to carry the Mavic 2 Pro its drone storage compartment is sized to fit and is able to hold the drone quite securely in place. This allows you to move freely with the knowledge that your drone won’t be jostled, making the BP 250 a great drone backpack for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Here are some details about the Lowepro BP 250:

• Customizable interior. Flexible dividers and outside pockets securely house a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, transmitter, up to 5 extra batteries, a 2 liter hydration reservoir, snacks, charging cords, and smartphone.
• Store and protect. Compression-molded Form Shell technology protects gear from impact without added weight or bulk. Transmitter pad protects delicate control knobs during transit
• Comfortable carry. The BP 200 has a moisture wicking back panel to keep you cool and comfortable. Adjustable chest and waist straps keep the pack in place while on the move.
• Smartphone storage. The Phone Zone shoulder strap pocket stores plus-sized smartphones for easy access.
• Secure drone carry. Securely house a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, transmitter, and up to 5 batteries. Also, its removable organization panel and elastic straps are designed to hold fragile parts in place, protecting them during movement.

Shop for the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 now.

The Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 is a big step up from the other three drone backpacks we’ve covered so far. Made primarily for professionals or serious amateurs, the Lowepro BP 350 sells for $170 and comes in grey or dark green.

Like the BP 200, the BP 350 is made primarily to carry the DJI Mavic 2 Pro but it can carry other fold-up drones and smaller drones as well—you can see how the drone storage inside the backpack looks in the images above.

Here are some details about the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350:

• Comfort. All-Day wearing comfort, with an ActiveZone suspension system and straps to make carrying effortless.
• Lens storage. Room for standard DSLR with attached lens, such as Canon 5D Mkiii with 24-104mm f4 plus 1-2 extra lenses.
• Lots of space. Carry exactly what you want, no compromises, with the BP 350’s split camera and open space compartments.
• Accessibility. Access your gear while wearing flipside’s patented access, allowing you to get your gear without putting the bag down (see picture above).
• Scale your size. Additional carrying options inside or out with multiple attachment points allow you to scale up or down the amount and type of gear you carry outside of your bag.

Shop for the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 now.

At around $200, the Think Tank Photo Drone Helipak Backpack is the priciest option on the list but may well be worth the cost for seasoned professionals looking for a backpack that can accommodate all their drone-related transportation needs.

Although the Think Tank Drone Backpack is designed for the Phantom drone series, it will work for many different drone models. Pilots will also like that it’s still the right size to fit carry-on requirements for both U.S. domestic and international flights.

Here are some details about the Think Tank Drone Backpack :

• Custom dividers. Backpack comes with a custom divider set specifically designed for drone pilots, which allows you to reconfigure your bag depending on what gear you are carrying.
• Carry-on ready. The Helipak is U.S. domestic and International carry-on size compatible (that being said, it’s always good to double check your airline’s carry-on requirements—for more on flying with a drone, see the next section below).
• Laptop pocket. The Helipak has a dedicated 15″ laptop pocket. Think Tank also has an Artificial Intelligence V3.0 laptop sleeve, which is sold separately.
• Reconfigurable. Multiple lash points on the Helipak allow you to attach drones, a portable chair, or other gear to the outside of the pack.
• Extra pockets. The Helipak comes with pockets for tripod attachment, a water bottle, and other small essentials on both sides.

Shop for the Think Tank Drone Backpack now.

Flying with your drone? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Turn off your drone and check that any switches that might turn it on are protected from accidental activation.
• Consider using a special drone carrying case, like a drone backpack, to protect your drone and its gear.
• Check with your airline to see if they have special requirements about transporting your drone in carry-on or checked luggage. Some airlines only allow drones to be packed in carry-on luggage due to the DOT’s ban on transporting lithium-ion batteries in the cargo compartments of passenger airplanes.
• For checked luggage, the general rule of thumb is that you should only transport LIPO batteries in a checked bag if they are inside the drone.
• For carry-on luggage, if your LIPO batteries have between 101 and 160 Watt hours (Wh) then you’ll need to get approval from the airline before bringing them on board in a carry-on bag. If your Wh is 100 or lower then you should not need permission.
• Know the drone laws of the country where you’re traveling and follow them. Also, make sure there aren’t special registration, licensing, or other legal requirements for foreigners using drones where you’re planning to travel.

We can’t stress the last point enough—if you’re traveling abroad and would like to bring your drone please, please do your research. By doing this ahead of time you can travel into a country confident that you’re following its laws and ready to fly.

Learn more about drone laws in every country in the world and every state in the U.S. in our Master List of Drone Laws.

Speaking of travel, if you want to learn more about traveling on an airplane with your drone? Check out our guide to bringing a drone on a plane to get more detailed tips, including how to find the Watt-hours on your LIPO batteries, and more.

Love the idea of a drone backpack but don’t want to buy one just yet? Then consider making one for yourself (like the one featured above, which we found here).

If you’re looking for a regular backpack that you can turn into a drone backpack, here are a few types of backpacks that lend themselves to carrying drones (but weren’t made specifically for the job):

• Tactical backpacks
• Kata bags
• Military-style backpacks

The advantage of these types of backpacks is that they generally come with extra straps to be used for attaching gear to the pack, so it’s a fairly easy jump to outfitting them to carry a drone and other gear.

Already have a backpack that you want to attach your drone to?

No problem—you can create a makeshift drone backpack pretty easily out of almost any mid-sized or bigger backpack.

Here are some helpful accessories to help you turn your regular backpack into a drone backpack:

• Accessory straps
• Paracord
• Cable ties—can be attached to a carabineer or directly to a drone leg
• Carabineers—clips to accessory straps, paracord loop, or cable ties
• Molle mounting—special mounting that can be attached to a backpack

One way to attach a drone to your backpack is to use accessory straps, paracord loops, or cable ties together with carabineers to hold your drone in place.

For example, you can attach carabineers to the straps at the top of your backpack to hold the top two legs of your quadcopter in place, and then attach cable ties directly to the bottom two legs.

A second way to attach a drone to your backpack is by putting molle mounting onto your backpack, which can be used as a solid mounting location for carrying your drone. Once the molle mounting is in place, use accessory straps, paracord loops, or cable ties along with carabineers to hold your drone in place.

Molle mounting is generally best used on more heavy-duty backpacks—any of the three backpack types listed above should be good for this—but could probably work with a more lightweight backpack, too. To make sure the molle mounting you’re considering will work on your backpack, make sure to compare the dimensions of the mounting to the dimensions of your backpack.

Consider Speed

One thing to keep in mind when deciding how to attach your drone to your backpack is the speed with which you can detach the drone.

If you see the perfect aerial shot, you don’t want to miss out just because you’re tied up getting your drone free from its attachments.

If you’re really serious about timing, you can even practice how long it takes you to attach/detach your drone and fine-tune the process and the attachment method to cut that time down—we know some aerial videographers who have managed to get their time down to just ten seconds.

Experiment to Find the Best Fit for You

Like anything DIY, turning your particular backpack into a drone backpack doesn’t have an exact formula.

As you experiment to find the perfect way to attach your drone to your backpack, you should expect some amount of trial and error. But you can rest assured knowing that plenty of people have done this before—all you need is some kind of cable or tie, some carabineers, and a little patience, and before long you’ll have your very own makeshift drone backpack.