Camera Bag Brands Compared
From handmade leather to weatherproof technical packs: the camera bag brands worth knowing, and how each compares with Cravar.
Cravar — our focus

Cravar Rana 10
Rangefinder and mirrorless shooters who want a compact walk-around bag
Leather $325 · Waxed twill $180
Score: 8.8/10
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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
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Cravar Rana 13
Most photographers — the best balance of gear capacity, laptop room and carry weight
Leather $400 · Waxed twill $280
Score: 9.3/10
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Cravar Rana 15
Working photographers and editors who travel with a 15–16" laptop
Leather $440 · Waxed twill $300
Score: 9.0/10
Read reviewLeather & heritage bags
ONA The Brixton
Leather / waxed-canvas messenger · USA brand
≈ $430–520 leather · ≈ $370–430 waxed canvas
Score: 8.6/10
Read reviewBillingham Hadley Pro 2020
Waterproof canvas/FibreNyte shoulder bag · Made in England
≈ $450–540
Score: 8.7/10
Read reviewOberwerth München Large
Luxury leather camera bag · Handmade in Germany
≈ $999 at US retailers
Score: 8.5/10
Read reviewDomke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag
Classic photojournalist canvas bag · Made in the USA
≈ $225 (≈ £149 in the UK)
Score: 8.2/10
Read reviewTechnical messengers
Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13L v2
Technical nylon messenger · US brand
≈ $230–250
Score: 8.8/10
Read reviewCamera backpacks
WANDRD PRVKE 21L V4
Roll-top camera backpack · US brand
≈ $234 bag · +$85 photo bundle
Score: 8.4/10
Read reviewLowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II
Pro camera backpack · US brand
≈ $150–260 depending on retailer and sales
Score: 8.3/10
Read reviewAll bags side by side
| Bag | Material | Price (approx.) | Laptop | Weight | Closure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| ONA The Brixton Leather / waxed-canvas messenger | Italian leather (or waxed canvas with leather trim) | ≈ $430–520 leather · ≈ $370–430 waxed canvas | 13" | ≈ 1.9 kg / 4.1 lb (leather); ≈ 1.4 kg / 3.1 lb (canvas) | Antique-brass tuck clasps + side weather flaps |
| Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 Waterproof canvas/FibreNyte shoulder bag | 3-layer waterproof canvas or FibreNyte | ≈ $450–540 | No dedicated laptop sleeve | 1.23 kg | Leather straps with brass buckles / quick-release |
| Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13L v2 Technical nylon messenger | 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas with DWR | ≈ $230–250 | 13" (some 15" fit tightly) | ≈ 1.0 kg without dividers | MagLatch magnetic one-hand closure |
| Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2.0 Soft canvas shoulder bag | Cotton canvas | ≈ $200 | 13" laptop + 10" tablet | 1.2 kg | Flap with hook-and-loop 'Sound Silencers' + tuck-away zipped top |
| Oberwerth München Large Luxury leather camera bag | Vegetable-tanned Tuscan cowhide (leather or leather/CORDURA versions) | ≈ $999 at US retailers | 13" laptop (brand also lists 15" MacBook) + 10" tablet in back sleeve | 1.9 kg | Flap closure |
| Domke F-2 Original Shoulder Bag Classic photojournalist canvas bag | Cotton canvas (also waxed 'RuggedWear' and other versions) | ≈ $225 (≈ £149 in the UK) | No laptop compartment | 1.4 kg | Canvas flap |
| Tenba DNA 13 Messenger Weatherproof technical messenger | Helix all-weather nylon | ≈ $180 | 13" laptop + 11" tablet | See Tenba spec sheet | Fidlock magnetic clips + 'Whisper Hook' quiet closure |
| WANDRD PRVKE 21L V4 Roll-top camera backpack | Weather-resistant shell | ≈ $234 bag · +$85 photo bundle | Sleeve 34 × 25 × 2.5 cm (13.5 × 9.75 × 1 in) | 1.3 kg (21L) | Roll-top + zips, side camera access |
| Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II Pro camera backpack | Rugged nylon with built-in All Weather AW cover | ≈ $150–260 depending on retailer and sales | 13" (CradleFit pocket) | See Lowepro spec sheet | Zips |
| Langly Alpha Globetrotter Front-loading camera backpack | PU-coated water-resistant fabric | ≈ $259 | 15–16" laptop sleeve | ≈ 2.3 kg (5 lb) | Front-loading zips + buckled flap |
How to choose a brand
- Want real leather without luxury pricing? Cravar is the value pick; Oberwerth and ONA cost more.
- Shoot in the rain a lot? Billingham and Tenba lead on weatherproofing.
- Carry a big kit or walk all day? A backpack from Lowepro, WANDRD or Langly spreads the weight.
- Need maximum lenses, no laptop? The Domke F-2 is still hard to beat.