At one point years ago, Phoblographer used to be the single best place to go for camera bag reviews. We would do them all. But after a while, I told our staff to stop. The reason: none of them really innovated all that much. But when Gura Gear announced their new Kiboko City Sling 6L, I was quite intrigued. On the list of innovations, they talked about how ambidextrous the bag is and how it can be adjusted so very simply. After a few weeks with it, I don’t think this bag is meant to primarily be for camera gear; but instead, it’s meant for folks who incorporate cameras into their lifestyle.
This is the most ambidextrous camera bag I’ve ever used. And that’s because of how the adjustment system works in combination with the shoulder pad. The whole mechanism can go through the pad and make it work on either side very comfortably
You can stuff headphones, a small point and shoot camera, eye drops, cologne, keys, a small flask (the ones that look like you’re daydrinking) and that’s about it.
Truthfully, though, I don’t know who the customer is who’d buy this bag — and I’m only just guessing. Or at least, I don’t think that they live on the East Coast. Every time I went to the rock climbing gym or my yoga studio with this bag, it was an odd pairing. If I brought only a small water bottle, keys, wallet, beard oil, and hand lotion to yoga, then it would work fine alongside a camera being in the bag. But when I go to Brooklyn Boulders to rock climb, it’s not enough to hold climbing shoes, a lock, a bag of chalk, hand lotion, headphones, boxing tape, etc. Of course, if I rented a locker at the gym, I could store all that stuff there and just bring this bag with me.
On a walk with the Queens County Bird Club, I brought this bag with me, along with the Nikon P1100. That camera didn’t fit in this bag at all – and that’s sad because I wish it did. So inside the bag I shoved the Sony RX1R Mk III, a flask, eye drops, my contact lens case, my sunglass case, my eyeglass case, and that’s all. That’s quite a bit of small stuff – and that works if you’ve got lots of that. But I can’t shove a book in here, so I’d have to opt for reading books on my phone. And I guess that’s not the end of the world, right?
To that end, I really wish that Gura Gear made this into a full messenger bag. The strap alone would make me want to buy and use it. Plus, Gura Gear uses some wonderful colors with their bags. The ultimate dream would be to have one that’s canvas and leather, but they’ll never make it. For that, I only end up using my Compagnon and Billingham bags instead. While I like those bags and how they feel on me, I appreciate how Gura Gear’s bags are lighter. However, I’m strong enough to be able to carry the heavier canvas and leather bags for walks lasting several miles.
I think that folks will really enjoy this bag for under $200. But at the same time, I don’t think that it’s going to replace anything you currently have unless you share camera bags with a partner of some sort. At least from a personal standpoint, I don’t do that.
At the end of my review, Gura Gear has asked me to return the bag to them and they’ll provide one to me as a gift later on. I’m going to tell them to keep it.