Kiboko (Gura Gear)

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Archive 2009 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

mohamed alfari
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p.1 #1 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

any users here, would be nice to hear anything about this bag. i was about to buy but i heard more than one saying that its bulky, yes light but big. when i heard that i thought it might be practical to use alot, like many of my big bags. but still i am so interested in buying one, so whats your take?
thanks

Jun 04, 2009 at 03:14 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

well it is designed to hold 500-600's. its packed dimensions are 8.5x14x21 inches. it has a cleaner external design too. it has depth unlike others that allows easy storage of 1 series cameras ad others like the D3 . reference the image on the website on the photographer for a body to pack ratio
http://www.guragear.com/

the take is simple: if you have the gear to put in it it is the best option at this point for its size. most others in this type are overpadded semiflexible igloo cooler types that actually have more padding then useful space

Jun 04, 2009 at 04:49 PM

gearhead5
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p.1 #3 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

It is designed to carry the maximum amount of gear as efficiently as possible. It is well designed, very well built, comfortable to carry (good harness system), very light (4 lbs), and airline carry-on legal. IMO, it is the best large bag solution.

Jun 04, 2009 at 06:28 PM

mohamed alfari
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p.1 #4 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

i think i am getting one soon, ppl seem to love it alot.

Jun 04, 2009 at 07:13 PM

Chris Noyes
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p.1 #5 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

I like mine! Though, when loaded with all your gear, it can get pretty heavy.

Jun 04, 2009 at 11:54 PM

Tim Ernst
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p.1 #6 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

The bag is too short for someone like me - and I'm only 6'. It is very well made, but I quit using it after just a few weeks - the "hip" belt hits me across the stomach, and I don't like to lower the bag (by extending the shoulder straps) so that it rides low on the back, which is what you have to do in order to get the hip belt to work properly (for someone 6'). This bag is certainly made for folks that are less than six feet tall. It sits on the shelf right next to my Lowe Pros that have the same problem. VERY well made bag, just not tall enough...

Jun 05, 2009 at 02:13 AM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #7 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Tim, thanks for the feedback. Do you have a feeling of how much taller the bag would need to be to fit you properly?

Jun 05, 2009 at 02:36 AM

sjms
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p.1 #8 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Andy Biggs wrote:
Tim, thanks for the feedback. Do you have a feeling of how much taller the bag would need to be to fit you properly?

i think its time to start to branch out a bit in sizing with adjustability and frame length

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:09 AM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #9 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

From a bag size standpoint, we are already working on other sizes. Smaller is for sure, and taller is something we are talking about internally. There are 2 approaches for a taller bag: make the existing bag slightly taller or create another, separate size.

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:16 AM

sjms
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p.1 #10 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

you need to decide if harness adjustability is an option too. a better backpack is one that fits each individual as well as possible. you also might find that the rear lower pad can be reduced in thickness by using a denser foam there. reference the backpacks being produced today. compression molding allows for tweaking in design and better integration of the harness overall.

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:32 AM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #11 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

I hear you. Definitely keep in mind that the Kiboko bag has been designed to be a traveling bag that is ultra lightweight and also has a harness sysytem that is comfortable enough to work for a number of hours. It isn't designed to be the back country, long-haul backpack type bag. This is something that we are thinking about offering, and have made some prototypes on already. We like to think that there are ultralight bags, there are hiking bags, and one needs to determine which is more important, as the lightweight feature does limit us with the harness system.

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:37 AM

sjms
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p.1 #12 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

it can still be done within reasonable constraints. again thare are example out in the regular pack making world to reference from. you have your basic design. integration is how much or how little.

Jun 05, 2009 at 03:49 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #13 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Andy Biggs wrote:
From a bag size standpoint, we are already working on other sizes. Smaller is for sure, and taller is something we are talking about internally. There are 2 approaches for a taller bag: make the existing bag slightly taller or create another, separate size.

I was on my way to buy the bag a couple of months ago. But it was a bit too tight for my equipment (800/5,6) if it was a few cm. taller inside I would have bought it. Instead I bought the TinkThank Airport Addicted. The bag is great but I would like it to be 3-4 cm taller. Or if there where 2 versions in different sizes of the bag.

Jun 05, 2009 at 04:31 AM

Kamil Kisiel
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p.1 #14 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Andy: If you can make a pack suitable for that's comfortable for hiking with a good harness system, can hold a pro sized body with a decent amount of of lenses, and has a compartment big enough to carry a day's worth of food, some layers and a bit of other gear, I'd be all over that

Jun 05, 2009 at 06:08 AM

mohamed alfari
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p.1 #15 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

i am 6'3, is that mean i am going to have problems. i would suggest Andy Biggs something like my lowepro nature which can be adjusted so that the harness can go up and down to help tall ppl like myself. its very nice bag, however its heavy and the design isnt as good as Kiboko. what i like about kiboko is the butterfly division, because i want to have like two tall lenses mounted at the same time that would be great. something like the 400f5.6L and 70-200f4L IS.

Jun 05, 2009 at 06:29 AM

shutterbug guy
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p.1 #16 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Tim Ernst wrote:
The bag is too short for someone like me - and I'm only 6'. It is very well made, but I quit using it after just a few weeks - the "hip" belt hits me across the stomach, and I don't like to lower the bag (by extending the shoulder straps) so that it rides low on the back, which is what you have to do in order to get the hip belt to work properly (for someone 6'). This bag is certainly made for folks that are less than six feet tall. It sits on the shelf right next to my Lowe Pros that have the same problem. VERY well made bag, just not tall enough...

I'm 6'4" and I'll admit after several 2 mile hikes to a bird blind carrying 35lbs. of gear the Kiboko bag was extremely comfortable. The weight was there but there weren't any raw shoulders or sore back to complain about. It doesn't bother me a bit to adjust the shoulder straps to position the waist belt into the proper position. In fact the weight was mostly carried through the waist belt, the shoulder straps being used mainly to keep the bag in place. My body structure must be different bacause my hat's off to Andy for making such a superb bag.

Regards,

Roger

Jun 05, 2009 at 11:15 AM

sjms
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p.1 #17 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Kamil Kisiel wrote:
Andy: If you can make a pack suitable for that's comfortable for hiking with a good harness system, can hold a pro sized body with a decent amount of of lenses, and has a compartment big enough to carry a day's worth of food, some layers and a bit of other gear, I'd be all over that

that will be the F Stop Satori 2009 version once its off the blocks. 62L but it will be a 6lb pack w/ICU. but it will pack in its own right. not the equivelent to the K in that it is a true hybrid design. it is the first pack to support the open Molle accessory attachment system

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:07 PM

sjms
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p.1 #18 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

shutterbug guy wrote:
Tim Ernst wrote:
The bag is too short for someone like me - and I'm only 6'. It is very well made, but I quit using it after just a few weeks - the "hip" belt hits me across the stomach, and I don't like to lower the bag (by extending the shoulder straps) so that it rides low on the back, which is what you have to do in order to get the hip belt to work properly (for someone 6'). This bag is certainly made for folks that are less than six feet tall. It sits on the shelf right next to my Lowe Pros that have the same problem. VERY well made bag, just not tall enough...

I'm 6'4" and I'll admit after several 2 mile hikes to a bird blind carrying 35lbs. of gear the Kiboko bag was extremely comfortable. The weight was there but there weren't any raw shoulders or sore back to complain about. It doesn't bother me a bit to adjust the shoulder straps to position the waist belt into the proper position. In fact the weight was mostly carried through the waist belt, the shoulder straps being used mainly to keep the bag in place. My body structure must be different bacause my hat's off to Andy for making such a superb bag.

Regards,

Roger

and you used it as it should be fit and used. believe me most do not.

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:08 PM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #19 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

I hear you loud and clear!

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:20 PM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #20 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Lars Johnsson wrote:
Andy Biggs wrote:
From a bag size standpoint, we are already working on other sizes. Smaller is for sure, and taller is something we are talking about internally. There are 2 approaches for a taller bag: make the existing bag slightly taller or create another, separate size.

I was on my way to buy the bag a couple of months ago. But it was a bit too tight for my equipment (800/5,6) if it was a few cm. taller inside I would have bought it. Instead I bought the TinkThank Airport Addicted. The bag is great but I would like it to be 3-4 cm taller. Or if there where 2 versions in different sizes of the bag.

Lars, the 800mm lens fits perfectly fine in the Kiboko bag....

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:20 PM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #21 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

shutterbug guy wrote:
Tim Ernst wrote:
The bag is too short for someone like me - and I'm only 6'. It is very well made, but I quit using it after just a few weeks - the "hip" belt hits me across the stomach, and I don't like to lower the bag (by extending the shoulder straps) so that it rides low on the back, which is what you have to do in order to get the hip belt to work properly (for someone 6'). This bag is certainly made for folks that are less than six feet tall. It sits on the shelf right next to my Lowe Pros that have the same problem. VERY well made bag, just not tall enough...

I'm 6'4" and I'll admit after several 2 mile hikes to a bird blind carrying 35lbs. of gear the Kiboko bag was extremely comfortable. The weight was there but there weren't any raw shoulders or sore back to complain about. It doesn't bother me a bit to adjust the shoulder straps to position the waist belt into the proper position. In fact the weight was mostly carried through the waist belt, the shoulder straps being used mainly to keep the bag in place. My body structure must be different bacause my hat's off to Andy for making such a superb bag.

Regards,

Roger

I am glad it worked out, Roger. Thanks for commenting on the thread.

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:22 PM

gearhead5
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p.1 #22 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Andy, if you listen to all of the suggestions, you will wind up trying to compete with the likes of Lowepro and morph into a full-line bag company. I'm not sure if that is the direction you are thinking about going. IMO, your bag is unique and you should adhere to your original design philosophy. Perhaps a couple of variations of the original (maybe a couple of different sizes) is the way to go. Just my 2 cents.

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Andy Biggs
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p.1 #23 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

This is all great feedback, folks. Seriously. I appreciate it whenever people take the time to speak their mind, either in favor or not, regarding Gura Gear. I am definitely not sitting idle with respect to new bag(s), and it is just a matter of time before I have something else out in the marketplace. At the moment I am just trying to deal with a few manufacturing glitches, which slowed down production for a few weeks. Never a dull moment!

Jun 05, 2009 at 12:53 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #24 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

Andy Biggs wrote:
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Andy Biggs wrote:
From a bag size standpoint, we are already working on other sizes. Smaller is for sure, and taller is something we are talking about internally. There are 2 approaches for a taller bag: make the existing bag slightly taller or create another, separate size.

I was on my way to buy the bag a couple of months ago. But it was a bit too tight for my equipment (800/5,6) if it was a few cm. taller inside I would have bought it. Instead I bought the TinkThank Airport Addicted. The bag is great but I would like it to be 3-4 cm taller. Or if there where 2 versions in different sizes of the bag.

Lars, the 800mm lens fits perfectly fine in the Kiboko bag....

It fit but very very tight

The internal specs for your bag is 480mm (in the middle where the bag is taller) The lens is 461 without lenscap and hood. And I like to have those on my lens when I travel

Jun 05, 2009 at 02:25 PM

kyakaddict
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p.1 #25 · Kiboko (Gura Gear)

I've been using the Kiboko for about 5 months now including a trip to Alaska. The outside of the bag is nice and streamlined, thus it looks smaller than it is, which is a good thing when boarding smaller planes. The only thing that bothers me about it is if you put some filters or other flat stuff in the top outside pockets, the flaps are harder to keep open when pulling out a lens,camera, etc. from the interior. It would be cool to have opposing velcro patches on the outsides of those pockets so they would hold themselves open, once the patches make contact with the opposing patch on the other flap. Does that make sense?
Otherwise, I love the bag, it fits better on the passenger side of my 4runner allowing me better access than my old LowePro ProTrekker AW. It's comfortable to carry on my back with 30 lbs in it through airports. The material appears very durable and I'm hopful it will stand up to many years of abuse. It fits my 5'8" frame, 39"chest, 29" waist, nicely.

Jun 06, 2009 at 04:31 PM


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