Spider Holster - Essential Gear

Camera Gear Review.

I didn’t expect a small piece of metal to change the way we shoot on the road. After two decades of riding around the world, I’ve become sceptical of “game-changing” gear. Most of it ends up buried in a pannier somewhere between a spare clutch cable and a half-used roll of gaffer tape.

But every now and then, something earns its place. Properly earns it. For us, that’s been the Spider X Backpacker Kit.

**Check out the video to understand how our love affair with this great bit of kit all started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbcIcFla6Po

First Impressions

I first saw the system at Photo Expo Plus in New York. Lisa and I were slightly wired from presenting and coaching on the SKYLUM Stage, thinking about food and the next leg of our journey. We almost walked past the Spider Holster stand—but didn’t.

Shai Eynav gave us a demo: simple, direct, no hard sell. It was immediately obvious the designer understood the real problem: cameras are awkward to carry, (especially on motorcycles). Too valuable to stash in luggage, too cumbersome to hang around your neck, too important to miss the shot.

We walked away curious—but cautiously so. We’ve been impressed before.

On the Road

Our first proper test came on the Apache Trail in Arizona, USA. Dust everywhere, loose surfaces, and landscapes that demand you stop even when you probably shouldn’t. Traditionally, the hassle of the internal debate of "should I stop, take off my gloves, pull out the camera, then pack it all away again"...means missed shots. Sound familiar?

I usually ride with a small backpack or a backpack style hydration bag on my back. Either one means I have somewhere to attach the Spider X Backpacker Kit, which I attach to the upper left shoulder strap. With my camera securely clipped in place, it's out of the way, but always there. Always ready.

My Spider Holster - Spider X Backpacker Kit in use with my camera back pack.

I stopped at a viewpoint overlooking Canyon Lake, light bouncing off water and desert hills, and captured a composition before the light shifted. No digging. No faffing. Quick release, camera in hand, shot taken. Simple. Reliable. Perfect.

Spider X Backpacker Kit

Pros

• Accessibility: The camera is always within reach, making it far easier to capture spontaneous moments.

• Security: The locking mechanism is reassuringly solid. After a few rides, you stop checking it constantly—it just works.

• Comfort: Sitting high on the shoulder strap, it feels balanced and out of the way.

• Reduced Camera damage: Caused when camera body swings around on a neck strap.

• Durability: We’ve ridden through rain in the Balkans, dust in Central Asia, and Southeast Asian humidity. Cameras stayed put. No swinging. No risk of damage from potholes or rough surfaces.

• Consistency: Over years of use, it’s become invisible in the workflow, allowing us to focus on photography instead of gear.

• Flexibility: The holder and latch of the backpacker kit can be disassembled and used on any belt or waist strap to hold your camera. Check out the video below at 56 seconds.

Cons / Considerations

• Trust factor: Initially, there’s a mental adjustment. Attaching a camera to your body while riding can feel risky until you trust the mechanism.

• Price point: Premium quality comes at a cost—but given the utility and durability, we feel it’s justified.

One (of many) Highlight Moments

Southern India. Tight mountain roads, negotiating space with trucks, goats, and oversized buses. We stopped at a viewpoint. Normally I’d faff, remove gloves, sort myself out. This time: reach across, release the camera, start shooting. No barrier between seeing and doing. The result? More shots. Better shots. Not because the camera changed—but because access had.

a set of images all taken with the help if the  Spider X Backpacker Kit.

Rocking the Spider Holster Backpack er kit at homes in Wales.

Verdict

Since 2019, every camera we’ve owned has lived on a Spider Holster. Every mile, every shoot, it’s been part of our setup. It’s a rare piece of kit you stop thinking about because it just works.

Out on the road, simplicity wins. Reliability wins. Gear that gets out of your way wins. The Spider X Backpacker Kit is that gear.

It means our cameras are secure while moving, instantly accessible when we need them, and brillinalty the holster itself somehow disappears into the background of our workflow.

No drama. No fuss. Just a better way to carry and use a camera. After all these years, that’s not something I say lightly.

Rating: 9.5/10 – A must-have for any serious photographer on the move.