We think the Misshattan camera backpack is a great addition to the HEX product line. It has a distinctive design along with an extremely functional camera bag.
So in this review we share what we like and don’t like about the Misshattan backpack including if it’s good for photographers. As professional travel bloggers, our gear is everything to us and we need quality products to help us capture the best content on location.
Disclaimer: We received the Misshattan X Backloader DSLR Backpack in order to share our opinion about this product but this is not a sponsored post. We only feature products we already own or have used ourselves.
HEX Brand Overview
As small business owners ourselves, we always try to support other creators because it’s not an easy job. HEX grabbed our attention because the two owners, Dan and Trent, are very passionate people. After years in the music and art scene, they decided to branch out into fashion.
And in a nutshell, the mission of HEX is to equip the next generation of creators with products to help them reach their full potential. This positive outlook is what made us decide it was worth trying their backloading camera backpack.
Our review will feature the Misshattan backpack (officially known as the HEX X Misshattan Back Loader DSLR Backpack which is a mouth full). But it’s often sold out or difficult to find. That being said, HEX continues to make the back loader backpack in various styles so you can still purchase one in a different color within their ranger collection. Their DSLR sling has also become a very popular option.
Misshattan Backpack Highlights
When we first received our HEX backpack, the first thing that impressed us was the quality materials. As people who are always on the go, our gear takes a beating so it’s essential what we’re using will last us multiple trips if not years.
The next thing we noticed was the unique design and we really appreciate the cool sleek look this backpack offers. It’s different from other camera backpacks currently on the market. We tend to go for dark colors because it helps to hide the wear and tear much better compared to lighter colored products.
At a 20L capacity and weighing 3.25 lbs, this backpack is extremely light. It pretty much feels like a feather when you pick it up. Here are the official stats:
- Dimensions: 18.5″ x 12.0″ x 5.5″
- Material: Water resistant Cordura®
- Laptop pocket: Fits up to 15″ or smaller laptops
But what really stood out to us was the large amount of photography gear this bag could hold. We always carry at least two large camera bodies and two lenses which fit with plenty of extra space. So if you always carry a lot of gear, this bag is a great option for you.
1. Backloading Capabilities
This backpack is unique because it’s a backloading bag. So unlike many other camera backpacks, the main compartment is at the very back of the product. Once closed, this compartment rests against your back as you carry the bag.
A high point about this particular back loading style is that our cameras felt very secure. There’s no question that our gear is safe and sound. We think it would be difficult for someone to break into this bag if one of us was wearing it.
But since we are avid Everyday Backpack users which features a side load, this back loading backpack took some getting used to at first. But we do think it’s a very comfortable fit overall.
2. Easy Access Compartment
While the backloading style secures the bag nicely on your back, you can also gain access quickly from the top compartment. It’s a much smaller access point compared to the back loading feature, but it’s a nice perk.
As you can see in our photo, there is a small zipper that opens the compartment and you can grab the top camera/lens combo in seconds if needed. The downside to the top compartment is you can really only access what is situated at the top of the bag. So if you needed something at the bottom, this wouldn’t be the best way to get it.
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3. Durable Fabrics
This HEX backpack is made with genuine water-resistant Cordura and with a padded, fleece-lined compartment. The entire back of the bag is lined with mesh to help create a comfortable seal when the backpack rests against your back side. Interestingly, the fabric has an anti-microbial finish so it helps to repel bacteria you may come into contact with during your travels.
We used the bag in a light rain and it certainly held up well because none of our gear got wet. There’s also a hideaway rain fly which is printed with the Misshattan NYC photo print to match the bag’s interior lining.
4. 15″ Laptop Sleeve
The laptop pocket is lined with a faux fur and is extremely soft to the touch. There’s also a premium metal buckle on front flap to secure your laptop in place. You can fit up to a 15″ laptop or a smaller tablet. We sometimes use the sleeve area for document storage when we don’t need our laptops for a shoot.
5. Custom NYC Lining
One of our favorite qualities of this backpack is the custom Misshattan photograph print found on the interior lining. For us, this is the stand our feature and it’s the same photograph found on the hidden rain fly. The original photo was taken by photographer Natalie Amrossi, aka Misshattan.
If you can’t find the Misshattan bag, you can shop the entire ranger collection here to see what other designs are available. We like that many of the HEX backpacks offer the same features even if the style is a little bit different.
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6. Adjustable Interior Dividers
This wouldn’t be a good review without a thorough discussion of the interior section. As you can see from our photo, the main compartment is lined with padded and adjustable dividers that can be organized any way you like. The dividers have velcro on each side so all you have to do is stick it to the surrounding compartments to create a new space.
We can easily fit our two full frame mirrorless cameras with several lenses along with our DJI Drone which is something we can’t do with our Peak Design backpack.
7. Additional Features
Last but not least, let’s discuss the extra features found all throughout the bag. There’s actually quite a few and it’s a good for storing all those little extras you often need when going for a trip or a photo shoot.
In addition to the hidden rain cover, you’ll find a mesh water bottle holder on the side of the bag along with side tripod straps. This is useful if you want to add your small tripod to the bag as well. Because our tripod is very large, we probably won’t use this feature, but the mesh pocket is great for water bottles.
The small front pocket can hold a smaller table or a phone. Kristen often uses this space for her Kindle. There are two additional zippered pockets which can hold passports or important documents you may need to access quickly.
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The Morgan Conclusion
What we like: We’d recommend you purchase a HEX camera backpack if you’re a serious photographer because it holds more than your average camera bag. It’s made from high quality and durable materials plus the back loading feature made our gear feel very secure. We like the adjustable dividers so we can arrange our equipment in various ways and the easy access compartment is good for grabbing gear on the go. Overall, it has a very sleek looking exterior with a fun NYC print on the interior.
What we don’t like: This backpack wouldn’t be good for the regular traveler because it’s more of a camera backpack. We think the back loading style is a bit difficult to use, but we’ve gotten more used to it with time. Another negative is the 15″ laptop sleeve which is smaller than other brands and HEX products can also be very expensive.
Is the HEX Misshattan Backpack worth it? Overall, we love our Misshattan camera backpack. It features a unique design very different to the other camera bags we own. While we still aren’t completely used to the back loading feature, this might not be a problem if this is the first camera bag you purchase. We think it just takes a little longer to access our gear compared to a side loading bag. However, this bag holds most of our photography gear so we always use it for special occasions when we need every piece of equipment.
>> BUY: Official website | Amazon
We like HEX as a brand because they offer a 1 year warranty on most products. This protects against manufacturing defects and workmanship for an entire year after date of original purchase. Products will be replaced with a valid proof of purchase.
Additional HEX Products
As we mentioned earlier in this guide, the Misshattan backpack is not always available. But HEX is always adding new special edition collaborations with popular creators so you should always be on the look out for something new.
We own a HEX camera strap and their crossbody slings have become extremely popular. You can purchase a Misshattan sling here.
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We hope our review for the Misshattan HEX Backpack helps you determine if this is the bag for you!
Please let us know if you have any questions about this brand or travel planning in the comments below.
Happy Packing,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.