As a photographer, I stopped buying camera bags unless I needed a big camera backpack for international trips. For everyday purposes, I don't need a full-on camera bag to protect my gear. Most of the time, I only bring a compact camera when I meet up with friends or go out to get a cup of coffee. I am careful with my stuff, and I don't usually knock them around. My camera won't be in danger even if I use a regular bag to carry it. For that reason, I started buying totes and messenger bags that would serve my needs.

With my new buying habits, I began to watch a lot of YouTube bag reviews. That's when I discovered Cravar. A bag company from Indonesia! Watching those reviews, I found myself loving the style of the bags Cravar has. Although I wasn't sure about the quality and had some hesitation, I started to follow Cravar on Instagram. I don't know how it started, but I began talking to them, and they were accommodating and responsive in helping me pick up the bag I wanted to buy. Cravar has so many beautiful options that it was challenging for me to decide one without seeing the bag in person. After some back and forth talking to them, I finalized on getting an F.C. 13 Leather Messenger in Fox color option. It was their excellent customer service that drove me to try their bags.

It didn't take them long to ship out my order through DHL. The shipping was speedy other than DHL putting my package on hold for a few days. Eventually, the messenger bag I ordered arrived! They packed it really well, and there was no damage from shipping. The bag came with a nice cotton dust bag, and it is great for keeping the bag clean when I don't use it. Pulling the bag out of the box, I was amazed by the quality! It has a pleasant leather smell but not overwhelming. Opening the box was like Christmas morning, and it was worth the anticipation. The deep brown leather color has so much depth! The bag is solid but not too heavy. The leather they used was the right thickness and not flimsy like other bags I have. The stitches were literally perfect throughout the whole bag.

There are many things I love about this messenger bag. First of all, I love the design! It is so classic and yet doesn't look dated. With the influence of the traditional satchel, it looks modern and functional. The bag is fully lined with red acrylic fabric, and even the front pockets are lined. The Sunbrella fabric they use is slightly textured, and it feels durable, not some silky thin fabric you usually see in cheaper bags. And how could we not talk about the gorgeous red? What an excellent choice! The red is not vibrant and cheap-looking; it is classy and expected to be seen in high-end bags. They use rivets to reinforce all the stressed points so that the bag is not easily ripped if you carry heavy stuff.

Looking at the shoulder strap, I assumed this is their design. I haven't seen any bags with a shoulder strap like the Cravars. It is not metal claw clasps that are commonly used on most messenger and crossbody bags. The strap design reminded me of a good camera strap. You loop the strap through the D-ring and then fasten it with a buckle, similar to what we see on belts.

Yes, I absolutely love this bag! I was overwhelmed by the quality and what I saw during my open-box; I decided to wait for a few days before writing down my thoughts on this bag. I love it so much that I have ordered their Work Tote, and I think it will be amazing! If other bag companies can keep up with this quality, I would be so happy to buy more bags anytime!

Lastly, I want to point out a couple of things, if Cravar decides to perfect this messenger bag. I have tried to carry my chunky Leica Q2 in this bag, and it does fit. However, I believe the depth of the main compartment could be deepened 1/2 to 1 inch without making the bag look too bulky. The magnet closure for the back pocket could be a little more robust since the leather they use is relatively thick. It doesn't bother me since I think the bag will function exceptionally well with or without the magnet.

Let me know what you think if you have bought from Cravar before, and which bag do you like best? I need suggestions so that I can purchase more from them!