The WANDRD PRVKE Zip 21L
Having a solid, reliable and comfortable backpack for all of your audio and video equipment is essential. It can seriously make or break a recording session. So when the folks over at WANDRD hit us up to test out the newest version of the PRVKE backpack, I was curious to see if it’d live up to the hype.
For the past 3 years I’ve been working, hiking and travelling with the evoc CP26L backpack (read review here). It’s a fantastic bag with a lot of functionality. I paid roughly £240 for it. Not exactly cheap but it’s lived up to its price tag. I also have the Lowepro 350AW which I picked up second hand at a recycling centre for £4 (RRP £180 - £200). A banging find and it’s quite a bit smaller in size at 16L.
The PRVKE zip 21L fits somewhere in between these two bags, in both size and functionality.
Interior
Totally empty will cost you £208 and with the additional “Essential Cube” inserted £283. Like the Evoc bag, it’s not cheap but it feels like its built to last.
With the essential cube inserted, the backpack splits up to have a roughly 60/40 ratio, just like the layout I have in the Evoc & Lowepro backpacks. I’ve been told that the interior of the new PRVKE has been updated from black to light grey. Making it much easier to see what’s inside. Sometimes having black interior with all the black cables can be a nightmare. It looks sick but it isn’t as practical.
The backpack can be used with or without the Essential Cube. Which is handy if you want to shed a bit of weight to use the backpack as an everyday carry. There’s also a larger cube you can purchase called the Pro Camera Cube which fills the entire backpack.
I like the smaller Essential Cube because I can keep things separate. I don’t wanna have to keep opening the large back portion of the backpack to get things and accidentally displaying all my gear. If I’m in the city, I can keep my essentials at the top and open the back section when absolutely necessary.
Speaking of the back section. Like many camera bags, you have a large sleeve for laptops, some small storage pockets for accessories like SD cards, microphone fluffies, cable straps and a little pocket for an air tag.
There's also a hidden pocket on the back for things like passports. This is behind this strap which is used for looping over a suitcase handle or in my case, a peli case.
Size & Style Options (as of March 2026)
For the launch of the new PRVKE, you’ve got a couple of options to choose from:
| Type | Size | Colour |
| PRVKE Zip | 21L, 31L | Black, Wasatch Green |
| PRVKE Pocket | 21L, 31L | Black, Wasatch Green |
I chose to test the PRVKE Zip 21L as I felt it was the sleekest most discreet design and well suited to urban and nature recording. I also think that the bigger the bag, the more unnecessary things I’ll pack. These days I try to take the bare minimum.
What can it fit?
Speaking of what I pack, here are the 3 main setups I intend on using with this bag: Audio only, hybrid of audio & video for YouTube and a travel setup for flying, inspired by my recent trip to South East Asia.
The strap loop for attaching to suitcases is going to come in handy. I'll be using that on both a suitcase and my peli case.
On the topic of travel, lets quickly measure the weight of the empty backpacks with and without the padding inserted:
| Bag | Weight kg |
| PRVKE Zip with Cube | 1.6kg |
| PRVKE Zip without Cube | 1.2kg |
| Evoc with Padding | 2.12kg |
| Evoc without Padding | 1.9kg |
| Lowepro with Padding | 1.4kg |
| Lowepro without Padding | 1.3kg |
Weights roughly measured using a travel scale
Using it out in the field
We’ve seen what the bag looks like in the studio but more importantly, how well does it perform in the field? Let’s pack the hybrid setup and take the bag out for a little bit of field recording.
Now if you’re familiar with the UK you’ll know it’s pissing down 90% of the time. While the fabric on this backpack is not 100% waterproof, it is weather resistant and it does a decent job. It can take a fair bit of rain and dampness from the ground. The glossy finish also helps the water run off.
On their website, WANDRD offer a rain cover called the RAINFLY which can be fitted into this bottom pocket on the PRVKE. I would be cool to see one already included in the original purchase. The Evoc & Lowepro both have rain covers included and they really come in clutch when you inevitably get caught out by the weather.
Zippers
Speaking of horrible weather, right now, i’ve got gloves on. How easy is it to use this bag with a pair of gloves? Pretty easy actually! The PRVKE Zip has big hooped zippers on each of the main sections and smaller ones for areas on the backpack you won't be going into as frequently. I have no problem opening the backpack with gloves on which is a real relief. The zippers are pretty smooth and so far, i’ve not had any issues with them getting stuck.
Comfort
Onto comfort. After a full day of hiking, how do my shoulders and back feel? Honestly, pretty good. I’m yet to do a massive hike with a fully loaded bag but so far so good. I’ve been told by WANDRD there’s been a few improvements to this version of the PRVKE bag for comfort. These include:
- An updated Backpanel Design
- New thicker Shoulder Straps
- And finally the Shoulder strap anchor points were moved from the back panel (the folding bit) and attached onto the top of the backpack
Straps
Taking a closer look at the backpacks straps you can see the PRVKE zip has a chest strap but no waist belt. The WAIST BELT can be purchased separately on the website but they are already included on both the Evoc and Lowepro bags.
I do however have to admit, I rarely use a waist belt anyway.
I find I’m always putting my backpack on and taking it off and when I’m hiking in bad weather, I put the backpack on the floor, then the waist belts get wet…then I get wet…so I’m not really missing them on the PRVKE zip all that much. Plus, with a 21L backpack I personally don’t think it’ll get heavy enough for me to really need them.
Accessory attachments
Something I’ve not touched on yet is the little loops that you see dotted all over the bag. These are for attaching the WAIST BELT and the ACCESSORY STRAPS which can hold a tripod or maybe a jacket rolled up.
The ACCESSORY STRAPS can be attached to the back of the backpack or to the bottom.
The drinks holder on the side of the backpack also doubles up as a tripod holder and its easily expandable by unzipping the side section by the bottle holder.
Looks
Finally an important aspect of a bag or piece of clothing is how it looks. My wardrobe is mainly made up of black and white with the occasional pop of colour. I really like a simple monochrome minimalist look and this bag hits the nail on the head with that one.
Something as simple as the blacked out logo on the back, it’s subtle but not garish. It would have been so easy to make that white but I appreciate the fact that it’s colour matched. The logo on the Wasatch Green version of this bag is also colour matched, and it looks cleannn.
The other thing is it doesn’t really scream “camera bag”. This is handy for two reasons. Stealth & style. Both of which I think are essential in the city.
If you’ve packed expensive audio and video kit in your backpack you don’t really want to stand out to potential thieves. The sleek look of this backpack looks pretty similar to the bags I’ve seen people wearing in and around cities like London. While the Evoc and especially the Lowepro look much more utilitarian.
Possible Updates
One big thing I really like on the Evoc is the way the clamshell opens. I love the fact that the Evoc opens like a book. It feels way more natural to me. I also don’t feel like I’m displaying all of my equipment to everyone when opening up the bag.
I could easily resolve this with the PRVKE by twisting it sideways before opening it but it’d be cool to see a variation of the bag which opens to the side like the Evoc.
Another thing I I've gotten used to on the Evoc and Lowepro bags are the interior pockets and the fact I can see whats inside without opening them. With the PRVKE i’m gunna have to pop a bit of gaff tape on each section with a label telling me what's inside.
A possible update could be a small transparent sleeve in which you can slide a printed label into. That would look pretty neat and also serve a purpose. A bit of gaff tape is still easier but it doesnt look that good.
Conclusion
To wrap this review up, I want to say cheers again to WANDRD for sending the bag out to test. We were not sponsored or endorsed by WANDRD to make this blog post. However we were sent the backpack for collaborative content creation on Instagram. The links on this page aren't affiliate links and our opinion is our own. I do hope you’ve all appreciated our genuine and honest opinion in this blog.
It’s always fun to see how camera backpacks can be adapted to suit certain needs, in my case, a field recordist and sound designer. And I think the new PRVKE Zip ticks a lot of the boxes.
That being said, there are a few updates and things I’d like to see implemented, which I previously touched on in this blog:
- Clam shell opening to the side like a book instead of towards you
- Waterproof cover included in the bottom portion of the bag
- And Transparent inner sections or label sleeves
I feel like the PRVKE bag offers a good balance of camera backpack and a regular travel backpack. One glance at the Evoc & Lowepro and you’re likely to guess there’s a camera inside of them. The stealth aspect of the PRVKE provides more protection when travelling, especially in urban environments. I’m excited to test it out on future trips.
Let me know in the comments what you think of this backpack. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think it’s something you might invest in? Have you got anything you’d like to see in an update? Lemme know.
Cheers, Ollie.
We were not sponsored or endorsed by WANDRD to make this blog post. However we were sent the backpack for collaborative content creation on Instagram. The links on this page aren't affiliate links and our opinion is our own.