The Gomatic Luma 18L backpack
An honest review of a gifted item.
An Instagram message from the Gomatic team arrived unexpectedly into my inbox, a reputable brand known within the photography community. The message seemed deliberate - a professional outreach. It stood out from the typical standard of algorithmic spam that we're all too familiar with. They reviewed my portfolio and asked if I was interested in putting their new Luma Camera Pack (18-litre) to the test. The proposition was refreshingly clear and simple; a gifted PR sample kindly supplied from the marketing team in exchange for an honest, observational critique of the product...
Once delivered, the packaging perfectly matched the brand’s refined minimalist aesthetic - a company logo paired with the bold declaration: 'The most functional gear, ever!'" Once I removed the product from its protective matte sleeve, the material felt incredibly premium, striking a perfect balance between a rigid, structured design that also looked stylish in appearance. I noticed the subtle, weather-resistant coating applied to the fabric, which offers genuine peace of mind for sudden downpours in the unpredictable British climate!
Unzipping the main compartment, the interior layout immediately justifies the brand's manifesto. The organisational options available are highly practical and customisable, with purpose-built pockets for fragile optics, spare batteries and memory cards. The divider options allow for a bespoke internal setup that meets the demands of any environment! After a full month, I was finally in a position to offer a full review and opinion of the product supplied. It was comfortable to wear whilst out in a number of locations, such as; wandering through the city, exploring woodland landscapes and trekking along coastal paths.
The dedicated zipped side-panel was a particular highlight for me, it completely transforms how you shoot on the move! Instead of stopping to take the entire backpack off, you can simply swing it around onto one shoulder and gain access to the camera quickly - it ensures you never miss a fleeting street scene, a sudden wildlife encounter, or when the shifting light pattern changes on the horizon. It helps keep your gear secure and accessible throughout the journey. The only vulnerability I experienced was that the lighter (stone) colourway easily shows stains from outdoor terrain when used regularly. However, a number of colour options are available on each product via the website.
The dimensions are: 45.7 x 29.2 x 17.8cm (18 x 11.5 x 7 inches) and weighing 1.2kg (2.6lbs). Offering a highly agile, everyday carry solution (it's also slim and very lightweight). The 18-litre volume is maximised through the open-concept layout, with room to comfortably house a full-frame DSLR camera body with an attached telephoto lens. There's also plenty of room to pack a laptop/tablet and other camera accessories too. A big thank you to everyone involved at Gomatic, a special mention also goes out to Ehliza for providing honest, professional advice. I'm looking forward to taking the backpack on more photographic missions in the near future with full confidence!
Website link - www.gomatic.co.uk
