WANDRD PRVKE 21 Backpack Review

WANDRD PRVKE 21 Overview

WANDRD (pronounced “wandered’) is a new brand to the outdoor industry, founded by the Cope brothers in their parents’ kitchen while trying to find the perfect photo bag for a variety of trips. They wanted something that would withstand their adventures while also being practical and, let’s face it, not ugly. They crafted the WANDRD PRVKE 21 model and have since released a variety of other packs, all in the urban photography vein.

PRVKE (pronounced “provoke”) is a roll-top backpack with water-tight features that comes in two sizes (21L and 31L), three color options, and three package options: No Bundle (just the backpack), Travel Bundle (additional straps + hip belt), and Photography Bundle (straps and a camera cube). I tested the 21L version in Aegean Blue with the Photography Bundle, as the size is more practical for daily commuters, and I haul my camera just about everywhere.

After months of use, I’ve found that the materials are top notch, the aesthetic is quite pleasing to the eye, and the functionality for daily commutes, short photography treks, and all-day wanderings is outstanding. It’s provoking, to say the least. (It had to be done!)

A carefully crafted utilitarian machine of a backpack, we have named the PRVKE our Premium Pick for Urban Hikers, specifically for those who like to carry a camera 

Our previous Premium Pick for the Urban Hiker was the Mission Workshop Sanction, which is still an outstanding backpack. However, the PRVKE line is less expensive, has better storage and packability, and has exterior water bottle pockets! (Hugely important, we've found). In terms of style, they are probably equal. If you lean towards photography, go for the PRVKE. If you want utmost style and a sleek, well-padded backpack, look at the Sanction.

Read the full WANDRD PRVKE 21 review below, and discover how it transcends the confines of Urban Hiker life.

WANDRD PRVKE 21 Specifications

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Feature Type	Feature Specs	What This Means
Weight	2.8 lbs (1.3 kg)	Fairly heavy for an urban backpack, but it's built to carry a load and survive most things. For the quality you won't notice the weight, especially with a camera inside.
Capacity	21L	A decent amount for most commutes and adventures, especially with the roll top that increases capacity to 25 liters. That said, if you want the larger version for longer treks, consider the 31L. Learn more about backpack capacity in our Guide.
Frame Material	Not Listed	WANDRD doesn't list what the back panel is made out of, and if there's a hard frame. We wish they would!
Fabric Materials	Waterproof Tarpaulin, Robic 1680D Ballistic Nylon	Incredibly burly materials that fend off water and wear like nobody's business. The materials add to overall pack weight, but make this thing hard to dent.
Hip Belt?	Yes (with Bundle)	Large, full hip belt with the Travel or Photography bundle. We recommend this for those who want to carry heavier loads and take the bag internationally. Disconnects and stores easily in the pack, too. Learn more about backpack hip belts and how to measure in our Guide.
Adjustable Torso?	No	The torso is not adjustable on most urban hiker packs. The general fit of the PRVKE will have to work for you. To learn more about backpack torso measurement and adjustable torsos see our Guide.
Number of Exterior Pockets	4	One large, expandable water bottle/tripod pocket, a large external zip that has main pack access, a small pocket to store essential-carry goods, and a fleece-lined pocket near the top. Functional and simple.
Laptop Sleeve?	Yes	PRVKE has a large in-charge laptop sleeve that can be opened from the back panel for easy carry.
Hydration Sleeve?	No	You could put a hydration bladder in the back panel, but there's no specific hole for the tube.
Main Pack Access	Roll Top	The PRVKE features a roll-top, which allows extra storage and waterproof security from above. We love roll-tops, and wish more packs had them.
Sternum Strap?	Yes, Adjustable	An adjustable (though slim) sternum strap provides support.
Load Range	10-25 lbs	The backpack is built to haul camera equipment, so it's pretty robust. Still, it's a 21L pack and doesn't have a full harness system like a backpacking pack. Keep that in mind and you should be fine.
Warranty	Limited Lifetime	WANDRD offers a limited lifetime warranty on this product. There are a few things that could fail, like zippers or straps, so be sure to get in touch if something breaks.
Retail Price	$184-$264	An expensive backpack. You're paying for high quality materials, incredibly thoughtful and innovative design, and extra items like a camera cube.

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Gear Review of the WANDRD PRVKE 21

“Let me guess, you got another backpack?”, snarked my boyfriend with a raised eyebrow after I told him about this cool brand that makes functional photography backpacks. I recently invested in a sweet camera, and it needed its own mode of transportation, so I got the PRVKE 21L backpack from WANDRD. While I didn’t want to justify my new piece of gear, my back, my pack, my choice, I still felt the need (like most gearheads) to explain the cross functionality and durability, not to mention the smooth zipper-action.

My affection carried me so far that I claimed, boldly, that the bag “enhanced my lifestyle”, to be quite honest, after months of use, it really does. The PRVKE 21 has smart features, confidence-inspiring construction, and thoughtful functionality. While I will never say one bag can make you ditch all other bags, this one is pretty damn close.

The PRVKE and I wandered from city to farm to backcountry to business meeting to bike lane to — you get the point! In a given day, I carry about 20 pounds of stuff: laptop, spare shoes, wallet, glass containers (like Tupperware), a water bottle, a bike lock, and whatever else seems essential. While I do work from home, I enjoy working from new locations, which requires me to be creative in transportation since I am car-free.

This lifestyle requires a bag that can hold, be held, and stay organized. The PRVKE gets all three points right in my book, so I stand by my claim, it really does enhance my life.

Revelation: The Moment I Knew

The moment I knew the PRVKE 21 was an amazing bag was even before it arrived on my doorstep. My wise friend told me to get the bag because he already owned it and loved it. And he is a tough sell. However, after several adventures of my own with the PRVKE, I can tell you that WANDRD has a knack for reducing pain points for those who are constantly on the go.

Let me paint a familiar scenario for you: It’s 6 a.m. on a Tuesday in SeaTac Airport, the security lines are inexplicably long, and your flight is about to board. Your pack is perfectly packed.  As you slam down your coffee (no more than 3.4 liquid ounces, people!), your eyes roll back because you remember you have to remove your laptop, which is strategically packed in the laptop sleeve, inconveniently buried by toiletries, socks, and undies.

I immediately feel the collective anxiety from surrounding travelers, imagining the next steps: dissect the backpack, hope those undies don’t hop out, remove the laptop, and destroy the integrity of your pack job.

Enter the PRVKE. It’s the entirely same scenario; however, the laptop sleeve is strategically placed at the back of the pack, and no matter how much you pack, the device can be removed easily without dismantling your packing efforts. If you have a camera in the cube, the back of the bag unzips completely, making it easy to remove, and reducing the overall TSA-induced stress, buying you more time to actually board a flight (with a chance to get a new coffee!).

Any gear that reduces airport-line stress is worth something.

Pro-tip: Wear easy-to-remove shoes (like sandals) and your travel game is immediately boss-level.

Digging Deeper

With an expandable roll top and accommodating external pockets and straps, the PRVKE 21 can carry up to 25 liters and weighs in at 2.8 pounds, which in use becomes fairly bulky for an empty pack. That said, the backpack is rarely empty. The weight is justified through solid construction of the Waterproof Tarpaulin and Robin 1680D Ballistic nylon and weather-resistant zippers, which are all quite burly.

The PRVKE kept my goods dry during gray Seattle days with intermittent drizzle. For days with heavier rain, there is a rainfly stored in a designated spot at the bottom of the bag, which worked well and packed away easily.

The PRVKE has magnetic tote handles, compartmentalized interiors, and an exterior pocket for water bottles or tripods (or cell phones, flowers, pretty rocks, binoculars, etc). In addition, the PRVKE has removable waist straps and straps that accommodate equipment if you want to clip on more. All of this makes carrying stuff and getting stuff in and out surprisingly fluid.

The shoulder straps and back pad are constructed of a cushioned material akin to wetsuits or cushy bicycle seats. This is especially beneficial on hot days when you are moving fast and carrying groceries.

The rolltop feature is multi-functional in a day pack: I am able to strap down my yoga mat, store blankets, and even large jackets. When completely full, the rolltop can be a bit too large for a carry-on item with some airlines (I am looking at you, United). But if they make you check the bag, remove your electronics, and request a plastic bag to tie it up in.

When commuting by bike, I found the PRVKE to be a touch bulky, but when you compress the rolltop down enough, you can still maintain over-the-shoulder visibility, especially when riding upright commuter bicycles. The external pocket is easily accessible for cell phones–though I really don’t encourage phone usage while riding.

So far, I have clocked almost 200 miles of walking with this backpack in the past three months, having spent most of my commuting time on foot. The PRVKE easily transitions to single-track hikes, although I would not choose it as an overnight pack, unless I could split the gear up with a friend.

Comfort – 4 Stars

The PRVKE is equipped with padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and an ergonomic padded back panel, making it immediately comfortable. Attach the removable waist belt, and you have yourself a load-bearing, functional backpack.

The reason the WANDRD PRVKE 21 did not secure 5 stars is that I found that when the pack was carrying 20+ pounds, it felt like it needed additional adjustments in the waist strap and shoulders to distribute the weight more comfortably. It felt a bit “tippy” when filled.

For the size, material construction, and concept as a “photography” backpack, which typically could result in more than a 20-pound load, I think taking off a star makes sense. Keep in mind it’s still comfortable, but you can start to feel the weight at that point. If you’re a lighter traveler, it’ll be perfection.

Durability – 5 Stars

From the thick stitching to the made-to-tumble materials, the PRVKE holds up to the durability WANDRD claims. The front shiny portion of the material on the bag scuffs when you drag it on the concrete (I did it for the review), but this bag keeps items secure. This has been much different than a few other commuter/photo backpacks I have used, which are made with cheaper materials that often feel flimsy and just seem like they are made to solely hold things.

WANDRD offers a lifetime warranty for manufacturer's defects, but they don’t cover crazy accidents or vengeful ex-lovers (they say so on their site!).

Packability – 5 Stars

The PRVKE has revolutionized my paradigm on packability. From the interior mesh shelf pocket to the fleece-lined pouch to the expandable roll-top, this bag is equipped for more than just photography adventures. It keeps me organized more than any other backpack I have used, and that is a beautiful thing.

I spent many a time getting ready in coffee shop bathrooms before meetings, and the PRVKE made those transitions from leggings to heels much easier.

Fit and Adjustability – 4.5 Stars

Fit is relative, and for what the WANDRD PRVKE 21 offers versus how it fits, it still deserves a high score. The shoulder straps are wide and have standard adjustment pulls, but that is compensated with the inward-cut straps and a chest strap. The waist straps are removable, wide, and do not offer height adjustment. At 5’6’’ with a shorter torso and wider shoulders, I would say it is a better fit for larger torsos.

Style – 5 Stars

The WANDRD PRVKE 21 is a balanced blend of fashion-forward metropolitan meets classic, utilitarian outdoorsmen, making it appealing for a wide variety of people. This pack draws eyes, compliments, and inquiries wherever I go. You know you've found a good-looking pack when even the bus driver stops you on a crowded day to ask about it.

Grievances

Perfection is relative, in my book. The PRVKE is pretty dang perfect in terms of photography day packs, but I do have one primary issue: the way the bag sits on my back.

When fully loaded, you end up feeling top-heavy. I would prefer it if the pack could be tightened against the body at the top, to help maintain agility. Sometimes, you have to run to catch a train!

Also, the chest strap could offer a bit more comfort. While I am not a gear designer, I think a wider strap would be appealing to those looking to avoid the “smushed chest” scenario.

Final Word

You know you like something a lot when you join a Facebook group for it. The PRVKE is functional, durable, and ultimately an adventure companion you can rely on.

Where to Buy WANDRD PRVKE 21

We tested the WANDRD PRVKE 21 backpack with the Photography Bundle in Aegean blue. WANDRD offers the same pack with “No Bundle”, which means no straps or cube, and the “Travel Bundle”, which includes a rainfly, waist straps (hip belt), and accessory straps.

If you're a photographer and can afford it, the Photography Bundle is definitely the way to go, as it allows you to haul heavier loads and secure your camera easily. The cube also doubles as a separate food storage container, or any specific item container, really, and makes it easily accessible.

That said, both other bundles work well, and the basic backpack is worth it on its own.

WANDRD also offers this pack in 31 liters, which is quite a bit larger. Everything is the same, but the length of the bag's chute is longer. This makes it much more of a long adventure pack and works well for long stints abroad.

We like the PRVKE 21 for more urban experiences and general use, and the PRVKE 31 for international travel. The choice is yours.

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