8 Months with the Summit Creative 40L: My Honest Review After Dartmoor Adventures
I’ve been using the Summit Creative 40L camera bag for the past eight months, and while it hasn’t been a daily carry, it’s had plenty of use on Dartmoor. Snow, heavy rain, boggy hikes, freezing winds, and the occasional sunny day — this bag has handled it all during my regular outings. Here’s my take on how it’s performed.
The Good Stuff
Build Quality & Materials
The bag is extremely well made. The outer fabric has a tough, shower-repellent finish similar to Shimoda bags — it shrugs off light to moderate rain with ease and holds up nicely even in heavier showers. The YKK zippers glide smoothly even when a bit muddy, and the stitching and seams show no signs of wear after all those miles across heather, granite, and bog.
Capacity
At 40L, it’s generously sized for a serious kit. My usual loadout includes:
Nikon Z8 and Z7 bodies
70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, and often the 14-30mm f/4
Filters, batteries, charger, cleaning kit, and a small tripod
Sometimes a lightweight rain jacket and snacks
Everything fits comfortably with room to spare, and there’s even space for a 16-inch laptop sleeve if needed. The organisation is excellent: multiple access points, side pockets for water bottles, and plenty of configurable dividers to keep gear secure.
Comfort
This is one of the most comfortable camera bags I’ve used. The harness is superb — thick, padded shoulder straps, a wide waist belt that properly transfers weight, and a breathable back panel that stays comfortable even on humid or long days. I’ve carried it for 10+ hour hikes without any shoulder or back discomfort.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
Weather Resistance
The bag’s shower-repellent fabric performs really well in typical wet conditions, and it keeps gear dry in most situations. In truly torrential Dartmoor rain (the kind that soaks through a Gore-Tex jacket in 20 minutes), it will eventually let some water through without the supplied rain cover. For full weatherproofing, using the included rain cover is the way to go. Unfortunately, I’ve lost mine, so I’ve had to improvise. I’d love it if the rain cover was tethered with an elastic attachment like some Lowepro or PGYTECH designs — that would make it much harder to lose. Still, the cover does its job brilliantly when you have it.
Divider System
The bag uses configurable EVA foam dividers for most compartments, with just one metal divider (an aluminum frame element) for overall stability. It works well for keeping the bag rigid, but the metal divider can occasionally pop out when you’re moving quickly or reaching in at an awkward angle. Getting it back in is a bit fiddly. I’d personally prefer a lift-out tray system like Shimoda’s for even faster access, but it’s a minor inconvenience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extremely well made with durable, shower-repellent materials
Huge capacity — easily fits two bodies and multiple lenses
Outstanding comfort on long hikes
Excellent organisation with multiple access points
Good weather resistance with the rain cover
Cons
Requires the supplied rain cover for heavy, prolonged rain
Metal divider can be a little fiddly to reposition
Rain cover is separate (not tethered)
Final Thoughts
After eight months of use on Dartmoor, the Summit Creative 40L remains my favourite bag for most trips. It’s beautifully built, carries a huge amount of gear, and is incredibly comfortable — three things that matter most to me. The weather resistance is solid for everyday use, and with the rain cover in place, it handles wet conditions very well.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. It’s a reliable, high-quality option that I’ll continue using for years to come. If you’re looking for a spacious, comfortable camera backpack that performs well in the outdoors, this one is definitely worth considering.
Solid, capable, and comfortable — highly recommended.
