Carrying a Camera Without a Bag

Camera bags have their issues: when traveling, or out and about, most draw attention. Their sheeny facades scream: “I’ve got valuable stuff inside!” which can be a problem when light-fingered individuals are prowling around. On top of that, sometimes a certified camera bag is just too much bag for a leisurely day out, when simply a tote or fanny pack would do.

So, in recent times, many a brand has thought outside the box (or the bag) and dreamt up solutions for those keen to shoot light and bag-free. Below are some of the awesome ones that have caught our eye. 

Olympus CS-35 Wrapping Cloth For OM-D

Designed to carry an Olympus OM‑D or PEN camera without removing the lens, this lightweight wrapping cloth features a water-repellent exterior surface to protect your camera from the elements. As an added bonus, the interior surface can serve as a cleaning cloth.

Leica Soft Nappa Leather Pouch for D-Lux 6 Digital Camera

If you’re after a chic and simple carry option, this sleek pouch crafted from nappa leather is a stylish choice. The interior pocket accommodates the Leica D-Lux 6 and the wrap-around design with tie-strap closure provides easy and elegant protection against dust and unexpected showers.

Skooba Design SkoobaWrap Kit

This versatile kit contains two medium wraps (each measuring 16″ x 16″) and one small wrap (measuring 12″ x 12″). Thanks to touch-fastening fabric at the corners, the wraps can be rolled and folded in a variety of ways to suit a range of items such as cameras, lenses, tablets, phones, sunglasses and more. There’s also a 1/8-inch thick foam interlining to help protect your gear against scrapes and bumps. See them in action here.

miggo Strap&Wrap DSLR

A camera strap and protective case in one. Intrigued? Well that’s exactly what you get with miggo’s Strap&Wrap DSLR. The clever design allows you to securely carry your camera across your torso, with a safety cord attaching the camera to the strap. Once you’ve finished using your camera, the strap can be wrapped around it to provide protection while carrying the camera in a bag. The design suits most small to medium DSLR and bridge cameras and includes a convenient lens cap pocket.

miggo Grip&Wrap DSLR

If the above sounds great but you prefer using wrist straps with your camera, turn your focus to the miggo Grip&Wrap DSLR. Doubling as a wrist strap and protective case, the Grip&Wrap can be adjusted to fit your wrist and wraps around your camera to provide protection against knocks and scrapes when not in use. Plus there’s a pocket for your lens cap to avoid the frustration of misplacing it.

Clik Elite Probody Camera Wrap

If you want a bit of extra padding in your camera bag or you plan to use a non-camera-specific bag, this padded neoprene wrap offers straightforward camera protection that won’t weigh you down. Its stretch design affords some flexibility for accommodating gear, with Velcro closure. Check out these videos to see it in use.

Tenba Messenger Wrap

Like the SkoobaWrap, the Tenba Messenger Wrap can be folded and rolled in numerous ways to provide protection for camera equipment, tech devices and any other items you want to keep safe and secure on the go (or even while stored at home). The corners are secured in place using Velcro, and a choice of colors and sizes help you easily identify and store your gear.

NEPPT Camera Bag Insert Case

Got a favorite bag you’d love to carry your camera gear in but it doesn’t offer protection for your precious cargo? This case bridges the gap between go-to bag and camera bag. The padded liner provides shock and scratch protection and the padded divider can be adjusted or removed depending on the contents. Simply load the case up, place it inside your bag of choice and you’re good to go.