Stylish and Sustainable, but with Some Design Flaws: A Review of the Urth Norite 24L Backpack

I purchased the Urth Norite 24L Backpack in Moss Green with the camera insert and found it stylish, eco-friendly, and comfortable. The main compartment offers good space, but the camera insert could be larger, leaving limited usable room. The tripod mounting system, using two straps on the side, feels like an afterthought, as it blocks the side zip, making quick access difficult. Despite these issues, it’s a solid, sustainable choice for photographers, though improvements could make it even better.

UPDATE JUNE 2025 The Urth Norite 24L is a stylish and versatile daypack, but it falls short as a camera bag due to poor access and support. Please read the update at the end of this review for my long-term thoughts after extended use.

Personal Review of the Urth Norite 24L Backpack and Camera Insert (Green)

I recently purchased the Urth Norite 24L Backpack in the Moss Green colour, along with the compatible camera insert, and after several weeks of use, I wanted to share my thoughts. As a photographer who frequently travels and shoots in various environments, I was looking for a backpack that could securely carry my gear while still being stylish and functional.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Urth Norite Backpack immediately appealed to me. The Moss Green colour is both subtle and stylish, and the overall aesthetic is clean and minimalist, which I appreciate. The materials are eco-friendly, made from recycled fabric, which feels durable and water-resistant—perfect for handling the elements when I’m out shooting.

The backpack’s build quality is solid, with smooth, reliable zippers and sturdy stitching throughout. The padded shoulder straps add to the comfort, making it pleasant to wear, even during longer outings. However, it’s worth noting that the bag does not include a waist or sternum strap, which some users might miss, especially when carrying heavier loads.

The bag and camera insert are also available in the following colours Oynx, Sand and Ash.

Pricing

At the time of this review, the combination of the Urth Norite 24L Backpack and the medium camera insert is priced at £225. If you’re interested, you can purchase it directly from the Urth website here.

Functionality and Space

I opted for the 24L version of the Norite Backpack for the extra space it offers. The main compartment is spacious, with a padded laptop sleeve that comfortably fits up to a 16-inch laptop—a great feature since I often need to edit photos on the go.

However, I have a few reservations about the camera insert. While it’s well-padded and customizable, I find that it could be a tad bigger. My gear, which includes a DSLR with a 24-70mm lens, a couple of additional lenses, and accessories, just about fits inside the insert. Once the insert is in place, the remaining space in the main compartment becomes quite limited and not very usable. This can be a bit frustrating when I need to carry other items like a jacket, snacks, or additional gear.

While testing the camera backpack in the woods I found it comfortable, however a waiststrap and chest strap would have taken some of the load off my shoulders

Tripod Mounting and Accessibility

One of the features that initially attracted me to this backpack was the tripod mounting system. The tripod mounting on the Urth Norite Backpack comprises two separate straps that loop through hooks on the side of the case. In theory, this system allows you to securely attach a tripod to the side of the bag, keeping it accessible and preventing it from taking up space inside the main compartment.

However, in practice, I found this system to be somewhat flawed. When my tripod is attached using these straps, it ends up covering the side zip of the backpack. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to access my camera quickly without first removing the tripod. For a photographer who often needs to capture spontaneous moments, this is a significant drawback. The positioning of the straps feels like an afterthought, rather than a well-integrated part of the bag’s design.

Additionally, the straps themselves, while secure, can be a bit fiddly to use. They need to be adjusted carefully to ensure the tripod is held tightly, which can be time-consuming, especially if you need to attach and detach your tripod frequently.

Given these issues, I believe the tripod mounting system could benefit from a redesign. Perhaps moving the mounting point to the back of the bag or incorporating a more intuitive system that doesn’t obstruct the side access zipper would make this feature much more user-friendly.

Comfort and Usability

Despite these minor issues, the backpack is comfortable to wear. The padded shoulder straps are well-designed, and the backpack is lightweight, which makes a significant difference during long days of shooting. However, the lack of a waist or sternum strap means that the weight is solely on your shoulders, which might be noticeable if you’re carrying a lot of gear for extended periods.

Conclusion

In summary, the Urth Norite 24L Backpack in Green is a stylish and functional option for photographers who need a reliable bag for a variety of shooting scenarios. The eco-friendly materials, thoughtful design, and solid build quality are commendable. However, there are a couple of areas where it could be improved. The camera insert could be slightly larger to make better use of the available space, and the tripod mounting system, while functional, feels like a bit of a last-minute solution and could benefit from a redesign to avoid blocking the side zipper and to be easier to use.

Overall, I’m pleased with my purchase, but these small adjustments would make it even better. If you’re looking for a backpack that looks good, feels comfortable, and is made with sustainability in mind, the Urth Norite is worth considering. Just be aware of the potential limitations of carrying a lot of gear.

UPDATE JUNE 2025

After several months of extended use, I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with the Urth Norite 24L as a camera bag. While it scores points for style, it simply doesn’t meet the practical needs of a photographer. The lack of quick camera access, a flimsy or virtually non-existent tripod mounting system, and the absence of chest or waist straps make it uncomfortable and inefficient in the field. That said, I do still use it as a general daypack for city breaks—where it actually performs better than many of my other weekend bags. But for photography, it proved too flawed, and I’ve since switched to the Shimoda Explorer V2, which suits my needs far better.

At the time of this review, the combination of the Urth Norite 24L Backpack and the medium camera insert is priced at £225. If you’re interested, you can purchase it directly from the Urth website here.