Why the Gura Gear Mini 12L Hits the Sweet Spot for Daily Photoshoots

The Quick TLDR on Gura’s History

& Why They’re Worth It

Gura’s been at this since 2008, when they launched the original 30L backpack — basically a tank disguised as a carry-on. It was built for DSLR shooters who needed something durable enough to survive baggage handlers but slim enough to slide into an overhead bin. Since then, they’ve added the City Line for mirrorless folks who want lighter, travel-ready bags, and now the 12L: a smaller option that actually makes sense for everyday use. Think: walking around your neighborhood, heading into the city, or camping out in a café to edit.

What I’ve always liked is that Gura doesn’t design for show — they design for people who actually use their bags hard. The colors are bolder than the typical “all black everything,” the layouts make sense, and the materials feel S-tier compared to most camera brands.

These are bags you can drag through an airport, throw in the dirt, or wedge under a seat without worrying. And after their 15+ years of a loyal crowd that includes wildlife shooters and frontline journalists, they’ve proven their gear holds up where it counts, thanks to their high-tech sailcloth and super-padded dividers.

Gura bags aren’t impulse buys. They’re the kind of investment you take on flights, road trips, and shoots year after year — and the kind of bag you wouldn’t feel weird passing down when someone else picks up a camera.

Why the 12L Size Just Works

I started out shooting with a chunky lineup of Canon DSLRs, mostly a 5D Mark IV with a couple of heavy lenses (the 70-200mm was my go-to for wildlife or weddings). My husband actually uses that gear now to teach his middle school journalism class, which feels like a nice second life for it. Honestly, I still love the Canon stuff — it’s built like a tank and has that satisfying heft. But man, carrying that setup around everywhere eventually wore me down.

These days, I’ve slimmed things down with a Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the 80mm f/1.7; I even took this setup riding horseback in rural Wyoming on a recent photo project. It’s technically a medium format camera, but because it’s mirrorless, it’s still lighter than my Canon kit. And the best part is now I usually only bring a single lens. That change alone killed my need for a giant camera bag. Unless I’m flying internationally and dragging half my gear closet with me, a big Pelican or suitcase-sized Mountainsmith is just way too much. For day trips, shoots in the city, or short drives to a location, those bags feel like overkill.

That’s where the Mini 12L nails it; its volume is basically perfect for a minimal setup. It stands upright on its own (huge deal — floppy bags drive me nuts), and it doesn’t sag or lose its shape even when it’s not stuffed full. I’ve tossed it in and out of my trunk more times than I can count, and it still looks new. Plus, they actually came in colors beyond the boring black; I have the Mulberry, and it doesn’t clash with my usual “Lululemon errand-day” outfits, which I appreciate.

Functionally, it’s the little details that win me over, like the bombproof zippers that are easy to grab when I’m rushing for a shot. Its exterior structure means the bag sits proportionally on my 5’5” frame instead of looking like it’s swallowing me whole, while the bottom hugs right against my lower back in a way that feels supportive instead of cumbersome. It’s rigid in a good way — light enough to carry around the city, solid enough to take camping, and never that cheap paper-thin nylon feel that some “lightweight” bags use as an excuse.

So, if your kit is trimmed down to a mirrorless setup or just a body and lens, the 12L doesn’t feel like carrying dead weight. It’s the right amount of bag without the excess.

Made for Photographers

Open it up, and you’ll see the bright blue lining, which makes it incredibly easy to spot your gear, even at night. The padded compartments actually feel like they were designed for real shooters — there's plenty of room for a telephoto lens or a two-camera body with a single lens setup, and the usual extras (filters, batteries, and whatever small items you always end up digging for). The layout kind of forces you to bring just what you need, which I’ve grown to swear by. It keeps the bag light, organized, and ready to grab on the go; this came particularly in handy when I took my camera to a recent river trip with my daughter. Something light and easy when juggling multiple cameras and a toddler is a must (IYKYK).

The dividers are modular, almost like Tetris blocks, so you can set them up however you like without worrying about them collapsing. Even when you shift things around, the bag still maintains its structure and doesn’t become floppy or lopsided. That little detail makes it feel way more reliable than most other customizable inserts I’ve used.

Love the Top Compartment

One of my favorite parts of the bag is hands down how large and extra protected the top compartment is. Typically, we’re limited to a sunglasses-only slip pocket for bags of this size, but there’s a ~4-inch deep zipper pouch on top of the bag that fits my notebook, headphones, sunglasses, and extra goodies like snack pouches or diapers. The hardened top half is domed perfectly enough so that items that protrude from the top can be secured shut without damage. This makes it easy to store camera gear in the main compartment, which features a clam-shell opening, and all my EDC gear on top, allowing for swift access on the go.

If I Could Change Just One Thing…

From the outside, the bag looks clean and functional, but the center seam on the front does stand out once the bag’s front pockets are packed full. It’s not a deal-breaker, but you’ll notice it if you're concerned about the aesthetics. That said, the dual front-access pockets more than make up for it — being able to grab cables or batteries quickly without tearing open the main chamber is a huge advantage. And honestly, if the seam bugs you, go for one of the darker colorways (Black or Slate). It pretty much disappears, and in practice, the convenience outweighs the aesthetics, which is precisely what a good camera bag should do in the first place.

iPad Sleeve

It’s worth noting that while the bag doesn’t have a dedicated laptop compartment, I didn’t really miss it. The whole point of this bag — and its smaller volume — is to keep you carrying only the essentials on a city walk or photo adventure. It does has an iPad Sleeve though, which is great for quick edits or to use as a monitor in the field. But as a laptop user, it wouldn't work.

Honestly, a laptop is too heavy for that anyway! If you want to edit later at a coffee shop, just carry your iPad or a laptop separately in its own sleeve. This bag is built with photographers in mind, not as a catch-all for everyone. At first, I was surprised there wasn’t a laptop sleeve, but now it makes more sense. I never bring one while shooting — why would I?

I hate carrying extra weight if I don’t need to.