The best camera bags, with an honest deep-dive into Cravar
We compare leather and canvas camera messengers from Cravar, ONA, Billingham, Peak Design and Think Tank — specs, real capacity, price and the trade-offs nobody mentions on the product page.
Cravar Rana 13
Our top pick. The Rana 13 carries a full-frame body, three lenses and a 13–14" laptop while staying slim (13 cm deep). It is the size that suits the widest range of kits, and the one we would buy first.
Leather $400 · Waxed twill $280
The Cravar Rana family
Rana is Cravar's dedicated camera-bag series — four messenger sizes, each in full grain leather or waxed twill. Every Rana is 13 cm deep, so the bigger sizes add width and laptop room rather than bulk.
Cravar Rana 10
Rangefinder and mirrorless shooters who want a compact walk-around bag
Leather $325 · Waxed twill $180
Score: 8.8/10
Read review
Cravar Rana 11
Photographers carrying a MacBook Air-sized laptop who want the slimmest laptop-capable Rana
Leather $380 · Waxed twill $265
Score: 8.9/10
Read reviewCravar Rana 13
Most photographers — the best balance of gear capacity, laptop room and carry weight
Leather $400 · Waxed twill $280
Score: 9.3/10
Read review
Cravar Rana 15
Working photographers and editors who travel with a 15–16" laptop
Leather $440 · Waxed twill $300
Score: 9.0/10
Read reviewRana sizes at a glance
| Model | Exterior | Weight | What fits | Leather / Twill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rana 10 | 29 × 23 × 13 cm (11.4 × 9 × 5.1 in) | 1,150 g empty / 1,300 g with all 5 dividers | A camera + up to 2 lenses, plus a 9.7–10.5" iPad (max tablet 26.5 × 20 cm) | $325 / $180 |
| Rana 11 | 35 × 26 × 13 cm (13.75 × 10.25 × 5.1 in) | 1,300 g empty / 1,550 g with all 6 dividers | A camera + up to 3 lenses, plus an 11" or some 13" laptops (max laptop width 32 cm / 12.6") | $380 / $265 |
| Rana 13 | 37 × 27.5 × 13 cm (14.5 × 10.8 × 5.1 in) | 1,450 g empty / 1,700 g with all 6 dividers | A camera + up to 3 lenses, plus a 13" or some 14" laptops (max laptop width 34 cm / 13.4") | $400 / $280 |
| Rana 15 | 39 × 30 × 13 cm (15.3 × 11.8 × 5.1 in) | Leather: 1,600 g empty / 1,900 g with dividers · Waxed twill: 1,400 g / 1,700 g | A camera + up to 3 lenses with spare space, plus a 15" or some 16" laptops (max laptop width 37 cm / 14.55") | $440 / $300 |
How Cravar compares with other brands
The Rana 13 against the camera messengers it's most often cross-shopped with. Competitor prices are approximate street prices and vary by retailer and color.
| Bag | Material | Price (approx.) | Laptop | Weight | Closure | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cravar Rana 13 (leather) Our top pick | Full grain veg-tanned leather, brass | $400 (twill $280) | 13" / some 14" | 1.45 kg empty | Silent studs + side flaps | Lifetime |
| ONA Brixton The classic leather rival | Italian leather or waxed canvas | ≈ $430–520 leather, ≈ $370–430 canvas | 13" | ≈ 1.9 kg (4.1 lb) | Brass tuck clasps + side flaps | Limited lifetime |
| Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 Best weatherproofing, smaller | FibreNyte or canvas, leather trim | ≈ $450–540 | No dedicated sleeve | ≈ 0.9 kg | Brass buckles / quick-release | Long Billingham guarantee |
| Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13L v2 Most practical, least classic | Recycled 400D nylon | ≈ $250 MSRP | 13" | ≈ 1.2 kg | MagLatch magnetic | Lifetime |
| Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2.0 Best budget heritage look | Cotton canvas | ≈ $200 | 13" + 10" tablet | ≈ 1.2 kg | Flap + tuck-away zip | Think Tank warranty |
Why Cravar gets so much of our attention
Most camera bags fall into two camps: technical nylon bags that look like gear, and heritage canvas bags with a bit of leather trim. Cravar sits in a smaller third camp — full leather bags with real camera-bag internals — and it prices them below the European leather names. That combination, plus a lifetime warranty and free worldwide shipping, is why we review the Rana line model by model.
It isn't perfect. Leather is heavy, returns to Indonesia are slow, and duties can add a real chunk for some buyers. We cover those downsides in every review and in our Cravar buying guide.
FAQ
Is Cravar a legit brand?
Yes. Cravar is a leather-goods maker based in Jakarta, Indonesia, founded by Yoki P. Baskara and Rama Luhur. It launched on Kickstarter in 2013, makes everything in its own workshop and says it has shipped to customers in 50+ countries.
Which Cravar Rana size should I buy?
For most people the Rana 13: a camera, three lenses and a 13–14" laptop. Choose the Rana 10 for a tablet-only walk-around kit, the Rana 11 for a narrow 11–13" laptop, and the Rana 15 for a 15–16" laptop. See our size guide.
Leather or waxed twill?
Leather looks better with age and costs $120–145 more. Waxed twill is lighter, cheaper and still uses leather trim. Read our comparison.
Will I pay import duties?
Possibly. Cravar's prices include shipping but not import tax. Since the US ended the de minimis exemption on 29 August 2025, US buyers should expect duties on delivery.
Is there a Cravar discount code?
When we checked in October 2026, Cravar's site showed 10% off with code LETSDOTHIS. Note that orders using a discount code are final sale under Cravar's return policy.