Just before Christmas last year, GoPro sent me their Seeker backpack with some goodies inside and lots of folks in my audience have been curious how I like it. Now that I’ve had about a year to use it, and compare it to my Tenba 14L ActionPack. I’ve put my thoughts together here in this review, and of course, I also published a YouTube video with this GoPro Seeker review as well!
Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and VidProMom will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.
GoPro Backpack Seeker Review
Before I continue, I have to tell ya: both of these products were provided to me. The Seeker from GoPro and the ActionPack from Tenba. There are no strings attached or anything like that, and this isn’t a sponsored post. And of course, I provide only honest opinions! Also, I did do a review of the Tenba bag a while do, so you can click here to watch that if you’re interested in more of the details on the Tenba.
I have all the links to all the bags and stuff I mention down below. I have multiple links to places like Best Buy, Target, and Amazon, so you might want to check all the links to compare prices. (The links in this post are affiliate links, and we will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.)
GoPro/Video/Gear bags tend to be super pricey! It kinda leaves you wondering… if it’s worth that price, or if you can just throw your stuff into a regular backpack. And I’ll be honest… it could go both ways.
GoPros and the accessories aren’t as fragile as DSLR cameras and lenses, so I think you can get away with using a regular bag, backpack, or purse. But you didn’t want to hear that… you want a camera backpack so you were hoping I’d make the case for you to spring for one! RIGHT?
I can swing that way too, so, let’s make the case!
Seeker Backpack Quality
Both the Seeker and the Tenba are really well made. The zippers, stitching, buckles… they are all top-notch. I don’t beat my stuff up too much, so it’s not like a put them to the test but I haven’t noticed anything that made me question the construction of the quality of the materials.
Compare GoPro Seeker Prices – Should be around $170ish
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zf6eVV
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2zEW7Hc
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2zENo7K
Seeker vs Tenba Features
The Seeker is more like a typical backpack, meaning you unzip it and it’s one big open room. It has a pocket in the back, plus up in the front and a clear zippered pocket too.
On the top, there’s another zippered section with padding and separators designed to store your actual GoPros. I actually hate this extra section only because it is heavy and really weighs the top of the bag down and makes it hard to get things in and out. I don’t carry a ton of GoPros at once (usually one or 3 at the most so my kids don’t fight over them) so I don’t really keep cameras in here, and it just gets in the way.
The zippered pocket on the very front is really right but it’s good for a phone or something like that, and it’s lined with this soft material too. There is a place to put something like a camelback, which I never use, but I’ve put iPads and things like that in here.
This material on the Seeker is also waterproof, and it feels waterproof – it’s thick and rubbery, and seems very durable (and easily washable?!).
The Seeker also has a couple of neat features like the slide on the strap, and it comes with an integrated chest mount. The chest mount works a lot like The Chesty but it’s all connected to the backpack straps which is pretty neat. I’ve never used it, but I think it’s great.
Like I said I already did a review of the Tenba, so I won’t get into all the features but for the most part, it’s a lot different than the Seeker because you actually unzip it from the back part, and you have a big Velcro compartment with all these velcro pouches for organizing your stuff.
So… which GoPro Backpack do I prefer?
I know that’s what you want to know! I prefer the Seeker but I use two of the Tenba pouches and throw them into it. The super annoying answer, I know.
Here’s the deal. I like the “regular” backpack style of the Seeker vs. the Tenba because I can open it up and throw stuff in. However, I wish it was a little bigger, but I can live with it.
I do love these pouches that came with the Tenba! They are perfect for me, and I can take the two that I use most. One pouch has mounts, thumbscrews, and stuff like that, and the other has chargers, cables, extra batteries and I throw my cameras in here too.
Shop for Tenba Products:
Shootout Actionpack 14L – $199 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lwx5DB
Cable Duo 4 Cable Pouch – $20 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ElqKU5
BYOB 9 Camera Insert – $40 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tKGnj9
One thing I really dislike about the Tenba is that you have to take it off to get to your stuff. That’s really annoying, especially since most of the time if we are out traveling or something has a family, I usually have my husband where the backpack. I carry my purse with includes all the kids’ stuff, plus my own stuff. This works out great, actually, because then I can get into it. All he has to do is turn around. But the Tenba has to be completely dismounted in order to get into it, and that’s just not very convenient.
Now to be completely honest, lately, I throw stuff into this L.L. Bean backpack circa 1999. Yes I had this backpack in high school (and it’s still available for $40 right here!) There’s a TON more room because it’s not designed to be “action-oriented” or aerodynamic or anything. It’s just a roomy, unassuming backpack.
L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack – $40 – http://rstyle.me/n/ctvecvcdbvp
This brings up another point… you walk around with a backpack like the Seeker and you’re advertising that you’re carrying pricey cameras and gear. Same with the Tenba but probably not as conspicuous. This L.L. Bean backpack though… this could be full of homework as far as anyone knows, and who’d want to steal that?
I think the Seeker is $170-ish right now and the Tenba is coming in at $200. The L.L. Bean bag is $40. If you want a legit gear bag, by all means, have at it. But if you don’t have that kind of pocket change, you can just use any old backpack. I’ve even seen people throw their gear into a padded lunch cooler!
The winner in this race is these zippered organizational pouches though. I love these guys, and you can actually by pouches like this directly from Tenba, and use them in whatever backpack your choose.
Direct Links to all bags mentioned:
GoPro Seeker – $170ish
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zf6eVV
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2zEW7Hc
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2zENo7K
Tenba Products:
Shootout Actionpack 14L – $199 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lwx5DB
Cable Duo 4 Cable Pouch – $20 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ElqKU5
BYOB 9 Camera Insert – $40 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tKGnj9
L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack – $40 – http://rstyle.me/n/ctvecvcdbvp
If you haven’t bookmarked my Ultimate GoPro Enthusiasts Wish List yet, you should check it out! Send it to your friends, family, and bookmark it in your browser so you always have direct links and can find the best prices quickly and easily!
Related: 5 Accessories Every GoPro Newbie Needs!
VIDEO: GoPro Backpack Review – Seeker vs Tenba
