Bellroy Venture 26L Travel Edition Review
I’ve been using the Bellroy 26L Venture Backpack Travel Edition as my main travel backpack for the last 6 months, and in this blog, I’ll share a detailed long-term review of what is, so far, my favourite backpack.
For full transparency, Bellroy sent me this bag as part of a package for sponsoring some YouTube videos. They did not request a review of this bag, nor did they stipulate that I had to show it online. They don’t know I am writing this blog, nor will they read it prior to publishing. For what it’s worth, I’ve spent over £1,000 on Bellroy bags over the years, so this isn’t a freebie out of nowhere.
Size & Capacity
This is a very generous size and is perfect as a carry-on backpack for all your essentials, or even as your main travel bag for lighter backpacking trips. I am writing this blog on my way home from three weeks travelling around Vietnam, and this bag carried all my clothes, electronics, and toiletries.
This bag can be paired with most packing cubes, which seem to fit it like a glove. If you want more of a camera bag setup, the Peak Design Shmedium camera cube fits perfectly.
The side pockets can hold your bottle or flip-flops, and the top pocket can easily carry your Fuji X100 or another small travel camera.
The only downside is that the 26L capacity is shared between the side pockets and the main compartment. This means that if the bag is full, the side pockets become almost unusable unless it’s for something very small, or you’re willing to force things in, which I had to do.
Materials
As with all Bellroy products, the material choice and build quality are top-notch. The outer shell is made from a tough rubberised material that can easily withstand rain showers and scuffs. You can tell this bag has been designed with heavy use in mind. Inside, there is premium mesh on the pockets, and the high build quality continues throughout.
Harness, Zips & Clips
The straps are good, but to be honest, they could be a little thicker, especially considering you can make this bag quite heavy. They aren’t bad, and at no point did they hurt or feel uncomfortable—it’s just an observation. At least they are soft and come with a great magnetic sternum strap.
All the buckles are made from metal, while the zips are weather-sealed with easy-to-grab cords. It would have been nice to have lockable zips, but it’s not a big deal.
The back panel is very soft and well-padded, especially around the lumbar area. Even without a hip belt, this bag feels comfortable without putting too much strain on your shoulders. That said, at this capacity, I would have liked to see at least an optional hip belt to help spread heavier loads.
Access
This is my favourite type of bag in terms of access. The zips go all the way around, so you can either open a portion of the bag or unzip it fully to get access to everything at once.
External Features
In total, there are three main outer pockets: one on each side and one at the top. As mentioned before, the side pockets do eat into the main compartment a little, while the top pocket has a fair amount of its own space before it also inevitably pushes into the main compartment.
The highlight of this bag is the folding tote, located in a hidden zippered pocket just underneath the top part of the bag. The tote can be zipped shut and is the perfect size for a trip to the beach, supermarket, or coffee shop while leaving the main bag behind.
There’s one unique feature I’ve never come across before. On each corner of the tote, there’s a small clip, and on each corner of the backpack, there’s a loop. The tote can be attached to the backpack using four anchor points, thus expanding the storage or at the very least freeing your hands. I used this a few times, and it was a lifesaver.
Internal Features
Internally, there are quite a few features to help you stay organised. There is a laptop and a tablet/notebook compartment with a false bottom, which easily accommodates my 14-inch MacBook.
There’s also a side pocket for small accessories and an elastic strap for holding down loose items, such as a jacket. On the front side, you’ll find two zipped pockets, with the top one having a firm insert with RFID protection for your passport, wallet, and other documents. The lower pocket I use for a cap, sleeping mask, and so on.
Wear & Tear
Despite heavy use, I haven’t encountered any significant wear and tear or problems. I’ve had no issues with strap slippage, the zips have always been smooth, and in general, there’s nothing bad to report.
Value For Money
This isn’t a cheap bag by any means. However, when you consider the build quality, material choice, and the fact that these last for years, I think it’s a worthwhile purchase—especially if you’ll be using it frequently.
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!