Lowepro ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III review

Lowepros’ third generation of ProTactic bags features a range of different options, all designed for different uses. They are split into two categories: ProTactic Backpacks and ProTactic Lite.

The former are made with professionals or more serious photographers in mind, featuring protective outer shells and specialist gear dividers inside.

The latter, ProTactic Lite, are designed for more relaxed day trips or, as Lowepro puts it, “photographers off-hours”.

The ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III is the 30l model that aims to cater for everyday use, while retaining the hard-wearing performance that comes with the ProTactic brand. Let’s see how it gets on in the field.

ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III exterior

The ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III is a soft-shell bag made from 150D polyester, so while there is not extensive padded protection, the material is hard wearing and splash resistant.

The overall dimensions are 52 x 28 x 17.5cm, so the bag is within hand-luggage restrictions and lends itself well to travel.

You can also find the signature ProTactic webbing in select places on the exterior of the bag. Namely it is included on both top corners to enable the securing of a tripod and at the bottom corners for hanging accessories.

The bag comes with two straps for this purpose, along with a waterproof cover for wet conditions. It is also possible to add a waist strap (sold separately) for improved weight distribution.

Overall, this is a good-looking bag. While the functionality and quality is excellent, the style is nicely understated – perfect if you’re on the streets and would prefer for your bag not to shout, ‘I have loads of expensive gear in me!’

ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III comfort

This bag features the same ergonomically designed straps that you can find on the rest of the ProTactic series. They are curved to fit nicely with the contours of your body and are made of a soft-but-firm dual-density foam for extra comfort.

The ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III also uses an EVA foam back panel that is rippled to enhance airflow. A sternum strap complements this overall comfort, adding extra security.

ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III pockets and access

Exterior pockets on the ProTactic Lite 250 AW III include three elasticated sleeves. A large one on the front and one on each side. One of these side sleeves can be expanded by undoing a zip to accommodate a tripod or water bottle.

Additionally, there is a zip-up pocket on the top lid, which is handy for smaller bits and pieces.

There are two options for accessing the main interior compartment. One is via a full-width top flap and the other is via a side flap that spans the full length of the bag.

ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III interior space

Moving inside, the ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III provides lots of space, with the main compartment divided vertically by one movable divider. This allows you to split the space, but there are no specific, stiff gear dividers like those found in more gear-focused bags.

The idea with this bag is that it is a sort of blank canvas. It is compatible with Lowepro’s Gearup cases, pouches and camera boxes, allowing you to build out your own removable compartments.

Aside from this there is a laptop sleeve that can accommodate a device up to 16” and a tripod sleeve that allows you to keep your tripod on the inside of your bag without it moving around. Again, a great option for those not wanting to draw unwanted attention.

Finally, there is a small interior pocket that is a great size for smaller valuables such as wallet, keys or passport.

Using the ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III

As a photographer, when I first received the ProTactic Lite BP 250 AW III, I wasn’t entirely sure what to use it for. With so many camera bags so specifically designed for a single purpose of transporting gear, I was expecting something that is immediately obviously a ‘camera bag’.

But after spending some time with it as a photographer who also commutes, goes out on day trips with his family and does lots of other things that aren’t photography, I began to understand.

This bag, like the rest of the ProTactic range, is all about versatility.

The space inside is bigger than you’d expect and even with the divider, your camera gear would roll around all over the place. But when you consider that this bag is designed to carry a laptop as a primary device and then start filling the space inside up with jumpers, headphones, jackets and notebooks, you realise that, in that context, it’s exactly what you need.

Add one of Lowepro’s compatible camera or lens pouches and you suddenly have the best of both worlds – but it’s worth noting that these do have to be bought separately (we would have loved to have seen one included as standard).

Being soft shell means the bag itself is really nice and light, weighing just over a kilogramme. And even when I had it fully loaded carting a laptop and a big pile of printed copies of Photography News around an event all day, it was comfortable and snug.

The combination of the soft shell and the weight in the pocket at the top of the bag did make it flop downwards and fold over on itself a lot, but as soon as you fill up the main compartment and the bag can hold its own shape, this is no longer a problem.

I found the number of pockets useful, particularly the versatility of the stretch pocket on the front, which was extremely handy for a variety of items I had never previously considered. Whether it was a raincoat, bike lock or lunch box, it kept on delivering when I needed to stow less-valuable items for easy access.

Interior access was great. Having the ability to open the full-length side pocket and see the entire contents at once was excellent. However, the flap uses a double zip, so if those zips meet at the bottom and are left slightly open, things could easily slip out. But hey, how much hand-holding is too much hand holding?

Overall, this was a great bag for day-to-day life. Is it great as a specialist photographers’ bag? Not at first glance, but with the addition of a Gearup camera box, you have the ideal one-bag solution for photographers and videographers to use in all aspects of their life.