Category: FocusPulling Original

In 2023, PGYTECH may have made the ultimate camera backpack with the OneMo 2. In 2025, PGYTECH released the latest iteration of their EDC series, the OneGo 2. Continuing with their track record of quality and comprehensive response to user feedback, I may dare say that this may be an[other] ultimate backpack for the not-so-ultimate days.

For full disclosure, I’m a guest writer who has worked with Paul on several occasions in the past year. This summer, I assisted on a multiday documentary project, trailing a modern chamber quartet through four cities. It was during this time and afterwards that I’ve had the opportunity to try out PGYTECH’s OneGo 2 20L Backpack first-hand. If you’re short on time and wondering if you should consider this bag, I’ll tell you now: The answer is, “Yes.” If you’re still curious, allow me to tell you why.

Starting from the inside, The OneGo 2 opens at the back with two main sections: a top half that opens up at the lid for upright storage and a multi-section lower half intended for access with the bag laid flat. Each half features soft padded lining and a combination of rigid and flexible dividers with Velcro attachments which can be configured as you see fit. There are also adjustable elastic bands to secure longer items, including telephoto lenses, smaller tripods and stands, or mics. The top half can also fold down if one wants a continuous unit of flat storage, like the OneMo 2. The back panel has two sleeves to accommodate a laptop, tablet, documents, or all of the above. The top sleeve has rigid padded lining intended for devices and includes a magnetic enclosure. I tried fitting in my CD-drive laptop with satisfactory results. The computer fit in the sleeve, but its thickness couldn’t allow for the magnetic closure to seal completely. This is really a non-issue as the sleeve is still incredibly secure and would fit most laptops made in the last ten years with no problems. The second sleeve doesn’t have a closure, but has enough stretch to fit and constrict a tablet on top of the laptop if need be. In short, this bag makes the inside count.

From the outside, the OneGo 2 has a streamlined durable synthetic rip-stop shell, with a top hatch and exterior panel with rigid cores and double-sleeved elastic side panels that have partial zippered openings. One side panel has interior access, allowing for a “quick-draw” of a camera without taking off your bag. This panel also has a slim pocket and loop for pens and a zippered pocket, which contains camera battery slots and an analog battery indicator system. Basically, small magnetic disks you can flip from a red or green side to note if it’s charged or not. I’m pretty new to camera gear and accessories and this was a very pleasant surprise. I actually smiled when I first discovered this feature; it felt like a thoughtful gift. It gets even better, though — the indicator disks can also double as a screwdriver for tripod plates or thread converters! The other side panel opens up as a slim compartment with a zippered pocket for extra storage. Getting back to the top hatch, this is probably my favorite part of the bag. The hatch is secured by a quick-release magnetic buckle. You push in a tab and lift to release. It’s a great design and honestly took me a couple of tries to get used to it, but it’s amazing. It only takes two fingers to open and it pretty much closes by itself. I use the top compartment for my primary camera and various powering options. The exterior panel also has a zipper pocket, which I use for lens wipes and other small bits. I personally prefer top access to a primary camera than using the side because I don’t have to zip or unzip anything. The magnetic latch is incredibly convenient while feeling incredibly secure. The list of features keeps on going: The padded shoulder straps have ridges that facilitate a clip-on system for straps or camera clips. And finally, the bottom of the bag has loops that straps can hook onto for storing a tripod or other lengthy items. It’s pretty clear that this simple-looking bag has many clever tricks up its many sleeves.

With its plethora of pockets and options, PGYTECH’s OneGo 2 was a godsend while documenting the tour. Every night, I was able assess the needs for the next day and create a hierarchy of access for the equipment. I would continually surprise myself with how much I could fit in a 20L bag. Better yet, in spite of all I was able to pack, I always knew where everything was and didn’t have to rifle through anything to get what I needed. This bag does double duty as a time and space saver. While traveling in a van for six days through four cities with 6 other people, I was able to keep my bag on me throughout without feeling cramped. It was magic.

The enchantment of efficient packing can often precede the disillusionment of a heavy bag. Herein lies the OneGo 2’s grand finale of features—weight distribution. In my time with this bag I’ve been able to pack light, but more often than not, I’ve packed this bag to the gills. With its combination of sturdy padded shoulder straps and the ergonomically cushioned back panel, support is the name of the game. On lighter days, the bag practically massages your back. On the days when you’ve squeezed out every last inch of space, you can still wear the backpack for some time before feeling the strain. In either case, I’ve always find the weight to be evenly distributed. The previously mentioned clip-on sternum straps do an adequate job with support, but, given their thinness, I’d be wary of running with a fully loaded bag (not that one ever should).

All in all, the OneGo 2 is a fantastic bag and I feel that I may have been spoiled with my introduction to camera backpacks. This bag can transform itself to adapt to many scenarios — a pure camera kit with a couple of cameras and an arsenal of lenses; a content creator’s best friend that ports a variety of lighting and field recording accessories; or a nature photographer’s companion with storage for outdoor equipment and multiple caches of snacks. PGYTECH and their OneGo 2 embody the magic words of versatility and efficiency.

You can buy the OneGo 2 via Amazon and B&H, but if you buy directly from the manufacturer PGYTECH at this link, use promo code PaulPGY to get 10% off.

The quest for the ultimate camera bag is epic and feels endless, but PGYTECH recently distinguished itself from the usual choices of Peak Design, Manfrotto and more:  its quickly evolving OneMo line of backpacks has lately climaxed with the OneMo 2, especially its 35-liter version that can practically haul an entire mobile production studio from your back.  Here’s a picture of mine with no less than four cameras, a full video tripod, and room for a few more lenses and accessories inside.  (For the details-curious, I’m packing a Sony a7 IV with Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens, Sony FX30 with 10-20mm PZ f/4 lens, Sony a6600 with Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens, and Z CAM E2c with Leica 9mm f/1.7, paired with the shortest but sturdiest carbon fibers sticks once-but-not-now made by Vanguard, a Manfrotto fluid head, and a few more lenses with room to spare, not to mention a DJI Ronin RS3 in the front pouch.)

I could have fit mini stands and lights in there also, to service any four-camera shoot (and these days, I just add small ball heads with adapters onto any microphone stands already waiting at most venues, for a slim and stable profile). But, before we dive into the reasons why this OneMo 2 is the ultimate filmmaker’s backpack, here’s a little history.

The original PGYTECH OneMo was already a big step forward, responding to a dream wish list from filmmakers and photographers for the ultimate backpack.  Its unique features ranged from being more modular, sleek and subtle in its design; lots of pockets including battery sleeves with full/empty indicators; and a clever expandable front sleeve for awkward-to-fit items like an assembled gimbal stabilizer.  But it was only available in a 25-liter capacity, and as you can see in the above close-ups, the material texture was high-tech synthetic but a little rubbery and prone to scratches on its sheen.  With the advent of the OneMo 2 in both 25L and (as pictured here) 35L sizes, the material got more rugged into a grid matte texture.

One of my favorite features of the original OneMo, that I mentioned in my roundup here of DJI RS3 gimbal stabilizer accessories, is its expandable front sleeve so that you can simply keep your delicately balanced gimbal fully assembled and just drop it into the big front pocket for quick deployment, without the fuss of setup/breakdown at every new location.  A minor drawback of the original OneMo was that the sleeve only zipped open and expanded at its top half; with the new OneMo 2, the sleeve expands equally out from the top and bottom because of a 360-degree zipper design, as seen above in the first picture.  When it comes to side pockets, both generations of backpack offered traditional “peek-a-boo” quick access into one side of the main chamber, sized for an included modular camera bag that you could take out to scale down your mobility as-needed.  This is actually a function that I’ve never used, finding little difference between using that side access, and simply unzipping the main compartment’s back panel (more on that later).  But where the OneMo 2 strikes a nice compromise, is that it seals up one of the two side openings now, putting that pocket to better use for storing more accessories securely.  And speaking of places to stow accessories, inside those flaps, I love the combination of three things: zippered pockets, elastic loops, and mesh sleeves.  You can have it all!

And how cool is this? There are three battery sleeves (perfect for my NP-FZ100 and NP-F750 batteries) that include a slider-indicator for each, helping you remember you which are empty (red) and which are full (green).  They used to be more exposed and easier to get to, but required an extra latch for each to keep them secure — the OneMo 2, altogether better, conceals them behind a zippered sleeve but keeps them secure without needing a separate latch for each.

While both generations of backpack had side access to the main compartment, the original lacked that ability also from the top, but now the OneMo 2 gives you a zippered opening there.  I similarly don’t use this feature because it requires you to orient your camera one specific way in the main compartment for top access, but the OneMo 2’s default layout makes it work, and you might like it as seen below.

Of course, the more efficient the backpack gets, to maximize the amount of stuff you can put into it, the heavier it gets!  Much like a good-fitting pair of shoes, one of the most important features of a backpack is how it feels on your back, and how it manages all the weight.  Below you can see side-by-side how the newer OneMo 2 adds a hefty waist support belt compared to the original OneMo’s basic straps.  This is a feature that can reduce the impact of the load, but it’s an extra step every time you sling your backpack — I actually prefer to keep it off most of the time, and to that end, it’s thoughtful that PGYTECH designed a very durable latch system to let you take off the waist support belt too.

When it comes to the shoulder straps, the original OneMo had included a small pouch with a recessed zipper down its center; but the new design of the OneMo 2 has a bigger elastic mesh edge-zippered pouch that provides easy access to accessories while you’re wearing the backpack.  There’s also a new “eco-skeleton” that lets your back breathe easier, including a handy loop down the middle for quickly securing your backpack onto the telescoping handle of rollaboard luggage.  You can also see, at the top of the pictured OneMo 2, a really important feature called “load lifters”:  much like my favorite travel luggage backpack (the Aer Travel Pack 3), load lifters are often-overlooked calibration straps critical for finding that sweet spot to ensure really important health safeguards like reduced risk of strain to your back.  You’ll be amazed at how big of a difference the load lifter calibration makes — and, any tool to avoid trips to the chiropractor, is priceless.

We’ve looked at lots of exterior details so far, but any backpack’s value finally comes down to what it can carry in the main compartment.  In the picture above, firstly you see how much more can fit into the 35L version, compared to the 25L version of the OneMo 2, and the original OneMo.  After years of using a large-capacity Manfrotto backpack, what I liked about that most was how it opened from the back, not the front:  I learned the hard way, that you can forget to zipper up your backpack, then find your gear spilling out onto the floor, if it’s left open at the front — this is far less likely to happen with a rear hatch (and I remain amazed at how the majority of video/photo backpacks still zip open at the front).  But an especially eyebrow-raising feature of the original was its book-like horizontal flip-out orientation.  I didn’t mind it much, but now that the OneMo 2 changed to the conventional vertical flip-out, I like it better (especially when you load up the sleeve with a heavy laptop or tablet that now doesn’t tilt the whole bag off-axis).

It’s a nice bonus that these backpacks include a modular camera bag for whenever you want to slim down your mobile unit quickly.  But the compromise of this approach is two-fold:  firstly, you aren’t able to maximize the amount of gear that your backpack can carry; and secondly, when you want to access whatever you put into the smaller bag, it’s an extra step of taking it out, unzipping it, etc.  So, pros and cons — but, better to have the choice.  And when it comes to that modular bag, there are some surprise features as seen below.

Both the original OneMo modular bag, and the version for the OneMo 2, have an expandable top to give even more room when it’s out of the backpack.  While the original version makes that top expansion area it’s own separated compartment, the newer version lets you choose to maximize the single compartment height, top-to-bottom, with the benefit of moveable dividers.  These bags also come with their own padded straps so that you can sling them as shoulder bags.

Choosing the perfect backpack is a critical thing, important for your health, and filled with opinions and preferences that range from brand loyalty, to aesthetics, to functionality.  One of the reasons I’ve structured this review around comparing the OneMo against the OneMo 2, is to show how quickly this company responded to customer feedback, and all the ways that little details in a backpack can accumulate into a product that really works, and then works even better.  I never expected a less-known brand like this to check all of my boxes for the ultimate backpack, but PGYTECH has done it, costing far less than the so-called premium brands.  While it’s available from major retailers like B&H, PGYTECH kindly offers you a 10% discount if you buy directly from them at this link and then use the promo code FOCUSPULLING at checkout.  And if you give the OneMo 2 a try, let me know what you think — I enjoy writing this kind of thing when it plants the seeds for solutions that help creative peers make great things — and as long as I can remember, this is the first time I think I’ve found a sleeper hit.