Guru Gear Chobe 19-24L Camera Bag

I have to say I think we have another winner from Gura Gear in the category of best DSLR camera bag for travel.  I picked this bag up for those times when I am traveling with only a few bodies and lenses which it is absolutely perfect for.  It is also the perfect compliment to my larger 30L when I need to lug around more gear for longer trips.  Here’s a great example of why both bags make sense and how I sold my wife on the fact that I needed both for you married folks.

I will be traveling to Alaska in July for a Grizzly Bear photography tour and size and weight of luggage are a definite issue. I really have no desire to check any of my camera gear at the gate, I want to carry it all on the aircraft.  On most airlines you’re allowed one carry on item and a personal item like a laptop bag.  I searched long and hard for a camera bag that fit the bill as a “personal item” that would take a laptop and camera gear but not be defined as too large by the airline.  The Chobe 19-24L is the bag I finally decided to purchase and I’ll give you more details on why below.

For those of you who are already sold you can buy the bag at Outdoor Photo Gear or  NatureScapes.

You can also see a full review of the Kiboko 30L camera bag on my blog where I voted it as “Best Camera Bag on the Planet”.  I should know I’ve owned a lot of camera bags that didn’t quite work out.

So let me give you the highlights on the the Gura Gear Chobe 19-24L shoulder bag which quite honestly is the best DSLR camera bag I have found as it can serve as both a carry on or as a personal item given it is expandable from 19 inches to 24 inches wide through a very nifty expandable zipper system, more on that later.  It’s design allows it to serve as a well-designed, full-featured business, travel, and photography bag with room for all of your necessary gear.

The Chobe can be a business bag with room for a 15” laptop, iPad & a Kindle, plus papers & documents. With the flip of a zipper, the bag expands to from 19 to 24 inches to accommodate a spare change of clothes and goes from day job to overnighter.  Now here’s a really cool feature.  Gura Gear designed a custom designed matching padded photo insert that can be added to allow the Chobe to haul pro DSLR camera bodies & lenses in style.  I’ve included a picture of the insert below.

The Chobe is constructed from lightweight, durable sailcloth just like its big brother the Kiboko 30L.  Because the bag was developed on the road, the little things are covered, like an expansion pocket for a drink, and plenty of pockets. A concealed sleeve for sliding on rolling luggage means that Chobe can hitch a ride any time.  I think the Gura Gear line makes the perfect camera bags for women because they are roomy enough to carry a lot of gear while at the same time being extremely light weight.

Chobe Features:

  • Extremely lightweight; under 3 lbs without insert and less than 4 lbs with it
  • Fits up to 15″ laptop with sleeve PLUS iPad, Kindle or other tablets
  • Deep enough to accommodate pro DSLR camera bodies and most medium format cameras
  • Will accommodate most zoom lenses, I even threw my Nikon 200-400 in this bag.
  • Unique expanding design
  • Well-thought out storage for phones, keys, travel documents, cables, and more.
  • Comfortable, fully-adjustable shoulder strap
  • Removable photo insert
  • International airline carry-on compliant

You can purchase the Gura Gear Chobe 19-24L at Outdoor Photo Gear or NatureScapes.

Be sure to purchase before April 30, 2012 to receive your $40 Mail In Rebate.  And just in case you missed it above, if you purchase the Kiboko 30L bag at the same time you get a $75 rebate.

Click on the images for a larger view

Guru Gear Chobe 19-24L Best camera BagGuru Gear Chobe 19-24L Best camera Bag Wide 24 inches

Guru Gear Chobe 19-24L Best camera Bag With Insert

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verdict: The Gura Gear Chobe 19-24L Camera Bag is the best DSLR camera bag for travel and best DSLR camera bag for women, thus it gets a COOL Wildlife photography two paws up.