Gura Gear Kiboko 2.0 30L

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

Member's gallery
The quest for a better 'Wildlife Bag' described by this reviewer of the MrJanGear Boris reads as eerily familiar, especially trying out far too many backpacks to carry big lenses, which, as importantly, work well in the field. I've found the fStop Sukha performs well for carrying a pile of gear, and also flying (its removable ICU can be essential).

There're different challenges using the pack to protect 2 or 3 cameras when actively shooting. This is when hiking, and I find even more tricky when working within a vehicle. This Boris does indeed have clear advantages, including twin self closing Butterfly flaps, which crucially open the rear panel, when the pack is face down.

It should still be possible to fly with a Boris with a Guragear Chobe II in backup (as it pairs rather well with the Kiboko). The latter is well designed for accessories, laptop and even flow overs of smaller lenses etc.

www.squiver.com

Review: Gura Gear Chobe 2.0 laptop/camera bag - Squiver

Read the latest news about award-winning professional wildlife and nature photographer Marsel van Oosten. Squiver offers exciting nature photography trips to great destinations worldwide. Book your photo safari, photography holiday or photo tour online with Squiver Photo Trips. We offer...
www.squiver.com www.squiver.com
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
I have all the 30+L backpacks that GG has made. The Kiboko 2 (BTW Kiboko is Swahili for hippo) is a bit smaller (less deep) the original bags. I can used some of the "improvements" that they made in the Kiboko 2 but my favorite bag is Bataflae 32L. I have take a 600MM, 200-400mm, 2 pro bodies, 70-200, plus a few bits of other equipment. I had the 70-200 on top of the narrow portion of 200-400.

I found the removal/repositionable center divider in the Bataflae gave me lots of flexibility to adjust the sizes. Biggest problem with the packing was lifting the bag into the overhead rack on the plan.

IMG_E0889.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.



IMG_E0887.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
 
Member's gallery
fcotterill said:
The quest for a better 'Wildlife Bag' described by this reviewer of the MrJanGear Boris reads as eerily familiar, especially trying out far too many backpacks to carry big lenses and, as importantly, work well in the field. I've found the fStop Sukha performs well for carrying a pile of gear, and also flying (its removable ICU can be essential).

There're different challenges using the pack to protect 2 or 3 cameras when actively shooting. This is when hiking, and I find even more frustrating when working within a vehicle. This Boris does indeed have clear advantages, including twin self closing Butterfly flaps, which crucially open the rear panel, when the pack is face down.

It should still be possible to fly with a Boris with a Guragear Chobe II in backup (as it pairs rather well with the Kiboko). The latter is well designed for accessories, laptop and even flow overs of smaller lenses etc.

www.squiver.com

Review: Gura Gear Chobe 2.0 laptop/camera bag - Squiver

Read the latest news about award-winning professional wildlife and nature photographer Marsel van Oosten. Squiver offers exciting nature photography trips to great destinations worldwide. Book your photo safari, photography holiday or photo tour online with Squiver Photo Trips. We offer...
www.squiver.com www.squiver.com
Click to expand...
Highly recommend the Chobe. I had both the original and v2. The original is a bit larger so stuck with that. Every cubic inch helps.
 
Member's gallery
I also still use my original Chobe every time I travel and even just going to visit family via car. It is a great laptop bag that in a pinch can carry a serious kit of gear.

I actually stuck a 200-400/4 Canon lens in it to go to Antarctica where my Kiboko 30L was already stuffed with 3 bodies and other lenses.
 
Member's gallery
DavidT said:
So I pulled all the inserts but the middle divider and put my 400 and 600GM into the bag along with a gripped a1 that isn’t attached to a lens and it’s super tight! It wasn’t easy to get it closed. Honestly I’m a little disappointed. It’s an expensive bag and I’d kill if it was a half once deeper and wider. How you all are getting a body on the 400 with a 600 and closing the bag is beyond me.
View attachment 41967View attachment 41968View attachment 41969View attachment 41970
Click to expand...

This was the issue I'd read about with the latest Kiboko 30L V2. They made it just a bit smaller, especially in depth. And going off of your pictures compared to mine of the original, it seems everything may have shrunk just a little bit but that little bit makes a lot of difference.

The Bataflae 32L was the deepest bag (not sure if the G32 was the same) but I still like my original Kiboko as it is a bit less stiff and just a little smaller than the 32L but still easily fits both lenses as I show above. And with body on the 400.

Mitesh's JanGear bag certainly looks like the most accommodating bag for maximum big lens carry with still a good chance of getting it on the plane.
 
Member's gallery
Member's gallery
DavidT said:
I’m not showing they still make this bag. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Here is the link to the bag...looks like you can order it: https://mrjangear.com/shop/boris-iv/

I think the best thing about the Boris over the Kiboko (other than the extra size) is that the flaps open on the rear meaning you can lay the bag down in the muck and get to gear without getting the straps all dirty. That is my biggest negative for the Kiboko and is one of the reasons I use my F-stop bag most of the time around local areas.
 
Member's gallery
arbitrage said:
Here is the link to the bag...looks like you can order it: https://mrjangear.com/shop/boris-iv/

I think the best thing about the Boris over the Kiboko (other than the extra size) is that the flaps open on the rear meaning you can lay the bag down in the muck and get to gear without getting the straps all dirty. That is my biggest negative for the Kiboko and is one of the reasons I use my F-stop bag most of the time around local areas.
Click to expand...
I’ll have to see if I can return this bag. For $400 it’s a lot of money.
 
Member's gallery
Here is another option...though it shows out of stock on B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1164129-REG/mindshift_gear_354_firstlight_40l_dslr.html

I purchased this to replace the Guru Bataflae 32L because it had a laptop option. Last week one of my flights on return from Scotland was an Embraer Jet. I purchased advanced seating option, keep a duel Black Rapid harness in the hydration pocket and wear a vest just in case. The rain gear for the lens is checked in luggage and this flattens the bag to fit in tight overheads even with the laptop that I was prepared to remove. Because I have to travel with CPAP, I check the Sony 600mm into a Peli Air 1535, (with Flex Shooter Pro, one extra backup body and the power brick for the laptop - all weight I can find) but leave the aftermarket smaller 3D printer hood in the backpack to provide some protection for the CPAP. I believe, wrong or right, that if I were challenged to check this backpack that medical equipment plus remaining photo gear and laptop may offer some additional sway in keeping said bag. I have never been challenged with backpack so far. As an senior female, I do a backpack hike once a week to maintain my ability to carry all this.

Truly this is ridiculous. Why can't airlines allow us to purchase a space for equipment they say NOT to check??? I watched in horror as a flight attendant insisted a friends roller bag be checked once she had boarded. Every piece of her kit was destroyed. They offered $500. I would neve use a roller bag.
 
Member's gallery
arbitrage said:
Here is the link to the bag...looks like you can order it: https://mrjangear.com/shop/boris-iv/

I think the best thing about the Boris over the Kiboko (other than the extra size) is that the flaps open on the rear meaning you can lay the bag down in the muck and get to gear without getting the straps all dirty. That is my biggest negative for the Kiboko and is one of the reasons I use my F-stop bag most of the time around local areas.
Click to expand...
Yup, re looking for a bag that rests on the ground with the straps and belt free of the muck!
 
Member's gallery
Just a suggestion in case: The lens hood from my Tamron 150-600mm g2 lens will fit over the hood of my Tamron 70-200mm g2 lens. Then the 70-200mm lens is on my d7200 in the middle of my pack with the 150-600mm on one side. This way there doesn't seem to be a problem getting the pack to close with the large diameter of the hood.
 
Member's gallery
harinderjaidka said:
I am also planning to pick up and have one clarifying question - will it take a Nikon 600 mm F 4 with hood or a Nikon 800 mm Z 6.3 with hood .. Would appreciate the guidance
Click to expand...
this is a late answer, but I didn't see a direct answer .... the V2 30L Kiboko fits my 800f5.6 with hood (reversed), which is larger than the 800PF so it should fit OK. It also fits my 600f4E with hood reversed. With one of those big lenses on one side, I can put a Z9 with 70-200f2.8 attached, 14-24f2.8 and 24-70f2.8.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top