Moment x Alex Strohl Mountain Light Backpack Review: A 45L Pack Built for Hiking With Cameras

Introduction

The Moment x Alex Strohl Mountain Light Backpack is a 45-liter pack designed with the backpacking photographer in mind. It comes from a collaboration between Moment, a brand known for smartphone camera lenses and a broad range of camera accessories, and outdoor photographer Alex Strohl. The result is a pack that sits in a genuinely useful middle ground: larger and better supported than a typical day pack, but not a full expedition pack that only carries well when it is stuffed to the brim.

That middle ground matters more than it sounds. Day packs are usually too small for a complete camera kit and are not built to carry that much weight comfortably. Standard backpacking packs often feel awkward when they are only partly full, which is exactly how many photographers carry them. This pack was designed to land between those two extremes, and the practical details show it.

Who This Backpack Is For

This pack suits photographers and videographers who want to carry a serious camera load on day hikes, on single overnights, or as a travel carry-on. It is a natural fit for anyone who hikes with a tripod strapped to the outside of the pack and wants quick access to a camera without stopping and taking the pack off.

The hip belt includes attachment loops on the left side, which allows a camera clip to sit on the hip rather than on a shoulder strap. That keeps the weight off the shoulder and places the camera within easy reach, a detail that matters on long days and on trips where wildlife or changing light appear without warning. The pack also works well as a personal item on flights, keeping camera equipment close instead of handing it over in a checked bag.

Main Strengths

The pack covers the essentials of a real backpacking pack while adding the details that photographers actually use.

Carry Comfort and Load Handling

The back panel is molded and noticeably cushioned, and the hip belt and shoulder straps are wide enough to stay comfortable without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. Load lifters are included, which is not always the case on packs designed primarily around photography. The base weight is 2 pounds 6 ounces, and the removable top lid (4 ounces) and removable hip belt pocket (1 ounce) bring it down to roughly 2 pounds 1 ounce when stripped.

There is an internal hydration sleeve and routing holes on the outside for a hydration tube, which proved useful on a long guided climb where stopping to drink from a bottle was not practical. One caution worth repeating: if a hydration bladder shares space with camera equipment, make sure the gear inside is properly protected against leaks.

Camera Carry and Quick Access

The left side of the hip belt accepts a camera clip, and there is also an optional camera pouch that attaches to the same area for more protection. The pouch adds 10.5 ounces and requires unzipping to reach the camera, which makes it slower for spontaneous shots. For anyone who needs a fast draw, a hip-mounted clip is the more practical route.

There is also an optional camera insert for the inside of the pack, with customizable hook-and-loop dividers that let you shape it around a specific setup. It slides into the bottom of the pack and is reachable through the back panel, and it also adds 10.5 ounces. It makes the most sense for dedicated shoots, such as hiking in specifically to photograph a sunrise, or for travel, where the pack doubles as a carry-on for camera gear. A small zipper inside the top flap is a nice touch for cables and small accessories.

Tripod and Gear Organization

The tripod pockets are tall and roomy, and each has a strap above it to hold the tripod in place. That combination solves the common problem of top-heavy tripods flipping out of short, loose sleeves.

Beyond the tripod, the pack includes a large outer mesh pocket for rain gear or anything else you want to reach without opening the main compartment, attachment loops for tools such as an ice axe, a decent hip belt pocket on the right side, and stretchy mesh pockets on both shoulder straps that are large enough for a phone and a small handheld camera. The volume is listed at 45 liters, and stacking gear up to the point where the drawstring tightens, with the top left unrolled, is said to add another 10 liters.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The top closure uses a hook rather than a standard buckle. It may prove more durable over time, but it demands more dexterity, which is a real annoyance with cold hands or gloves on.

Capacity is the second consideration. At 45 liters, the pack can feel tight on a multi-night trip if your gear is not ultralight. With a synthetic sleeping bag, a cook set, and roughly three days of food, space gets limited quickly. The extra 10 liters from leaving the top unrolled is an option, but it leaves an opening at the top that does not fully cinch closed, which is not an appealing trade for everyone.

Water resistance deserves an honest note. The Cordura fabric is listed as waterproof and the pack is seam taped, yet after a long day of rain, water was found inside the pack and inside closed hip belt pockets. The fabric is described as helping repel water rather than sealing it out entirely. Whether that was a one-off or a design limitation, the sensible approach is to treat any pack as weather-resistant and pack dry bags or liners as a redundancy.

Buying Advice

The pack is available in three color schemes, black, blue, and yellow, and appears to come in only two sizes, medium and large. Pricing has moved since launch. The original pre-order price was 199 dollars, and current pricing tends to fluctuate between roughly 200 and 220 dollars depending on size and color. The optional camera cover for the hip belt and the internal camera insert were 59 dollars each at launch and now list at around 49 dollars each.

If you hike with a full camera kit, want a hip-mounted camera for quick access, and mostly shoot day hikes, single overnights, or travel, this pack is a strong fit and worth the current asking price. If your trips run several nights with bulky or synthetic gear, or you expect to be out in sustained heavy rain without extra protection for your equipment, a larger pack and additional waterproofing will serve you better.

Conclusion

The Moment x Alex Strohl Mountain Light Backpack is lightweight, durable, and carries a load well for its class. It has stayed in rotation for day hikes with a full camera kit, for single overnights, and as a way to fly with camera equipment kept close. The hook closure, the 45-liter capacity ceiling for multi-night trips, and the water resistance experienced in heavy rain are the three things to weigh honestly before buying. For photographers who value fast access and comfortable carry over maximum volume, those trade-offs are easy to accept.