Cravar Rana Review – Black Waxed Twill Camera Bag

Features and Materials

Let’s talk waxed twill, the original “tech” fabric.

Before Gore-Tex and modern rubberized coatings, staying dry meant applying oil, fat, or wax to cloth. Early examples appeared on sailcloth, where the wax kept the sails from saturating in rain and seawater. That heritage matters here because it explains why waxed fabric is still relevant: it is simple, repairable, and effective.

Leather is naturally rain-resistant, and Cravar has Instagram videos of their leather bags getting soaked while the contents stay dry.

Even so, if you live with frequent rain, I think this waxed twill version is the smarter everyday choice. Leather needs cleaning and conditioning. Waxed twill only needs a bar of wax and, occasionally, a hair dryer to refresh the finish. That quick maintenance loop is why the material earns its keep.

Cravar also lines the bag with its signature red acrylic. We have noted in previous reviews that this lining is more abrasion-resistant and more water-resistant than canvas. It also gives the all-black exterior some contrast inside, which helps you actually see what is in the bag when you are working in low light.

Waxed twill brings its own look. Extra wax can appear as white streaks across the surface. I like this lived-in character, but if it bothers you, a quick pass with a blow dryer evens it out.

Meanwhile, the leather binding and structural pieces are the same high-quality Cravar uses in its full-leather lineup. So you get the toughness and easy upkeep of twill without giving up the brand’s leather workmanship.

Zipperless Closure and External Straps

This is the first completely zipperless Cravar bag on our site, and the brand’s design choice is not merely aesthetic. Once the leather breaks in, the leather strap and brass stud closure become easy to open and close one-handed, removing a common failure point.

Fewer moving parts mean fewer things to jam or tear, and it also means your gear is safer. I love the massive, toothy zippers on the Daytrip C.O., but I do not want those anywhere near a bare camera body or lens element.

If you have seen other Cravar designs, you know the long leather straps that wrap the body of the bag. They are not just decoration. They create an exoskeleton-style structure that keeps weight distributed into the handles, so the bag does not sag into that gym-bag sausage shape when you pick it up.

Those runs of leather become useful attachment points, too. I have clipped on a water bottle with a carabiner and tucked a light jacket under them on the way to a shoot.

Rain Management

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where six months of rain is normal. Even with waxed twill and a waterproof acrylic lining, top-flap entry is usually where bags lose the plot.

My Daypack solves this with a slanted shoulder design that shields the pocket openings. Here, the Rana approaches the same problem from the inside: two folded-over, waxed-cotton, acrylic-lined ears sit under the main flap and act like rain shields.

In absolute terms, my Daypack’s slanted construction is probably a touch more watertight. In practice, the Rana’s solution is elegant, fast to use, and it spared my gear in the kind of steady drizzle we call Tuesday.

Compare the Rana’s opening with that of my “Fox” Daypack

Usability

Cravar positions the Rana as its premier photographer’s bag, and the interior follows through. A set of Velcro dividers lets you build the layout you need rather than making the gear fit the layout you get.

I shoot small-format APS-C mirrorless. Two bodies with kit lenses fit easily, with space left for a macro, an instant camera, an iPad, and batteries.

If you run a larger DSLR setup, the body and multiple lenses are no problem here unless we are talking true bird-watching glass.

The flexibility pays off outside photography, too…

When I use the Rana as a flight bag, I set one side for my headset, the middle for a high-visibility vest, and the right for a can of coffee. A longer divider creates a protected slot for an iPad, passport, and keys.

The point is not that you should copy my layout. The point is that the bag lets you make one that fits your day and then change it back when the job changes.

Pockets and Travel Features

The front pockets are huge. Spare batteries and a large notebook wallet disappear into them with room to spare, and they are easy to access with gloves on.

For travel days, the luggage-handle strap on the back snaps flat with a small magnet so it does not snag when you are not using it. Compared to the belt-style setup on the Daytrip C.O., this one looks cleaner and plays nicer with the bag’s lines.

There is also a full-length back pocket hidden behind that strap, held taut by magnets. I used the bag for almost two weeks before I noticed it.

Now it is the place for an iPad or a magazine when I am moving through an airport. Cravar’s site only mentions the pocket in the features list, but once you find it, you use it.

Comfort and Quiet Carry

Comfort is straightforward and good. The hand-sewn handle is sturdy, and the padded shoulder pad has not given me any aches.

Like other Cravar designs, there is no metal-on-metal clatter. Brass appointments meet leather, so the carry stays quiet in a way that feels oddly luxurious when you are moving through a quiet space. The brass rivets hide under straps or inside the bag, which keeps the exterior clean and prevents scuffs on hands or gear.

Final Thoughts

Photographers have plenty of ways to carry expensive equipment. Cravar sits near the top if you value build quality, simple maintenance, and classic styling.

It will not protect like a hard shell or a foam brick, but it will make you feel a little like Indiana Jones while staying practical in real weather. The more you use it, the better it looks and the easier it is to maintain.

There is no way around it, I love Cravar.

I bought a Daypack with my own cash and a matching F.C. 11 for my little brother, who is about to start his master’s program in Europe.

My wife painted and stitched a duck patch for his bag, which is a family joke that keeps us connected. I am the fancy one who enjoys conditioning leather. He has other priorities.

For him, waxed twill is the pragmatic pick. If an all-leather bag is not your style or feels like too much upkeep, the waxed twill Rana makes a strong case on function and price, without losing what makes Cravar feel special.

My (growing) collection of Cravar bags

Further Reading

Once you’ve finished reading this review, feel free to peruse our wide range of content such as the following resources:

• • Cravar C.O. Daytrip Duffle Bag Review
  • Review Of The Cravar Urbanpack L In “Fox” Leather
  • Crown Northampton Review: Harlestone Derbies in Horween Buffalo
  • Reviewing Men’s Premium Wardrobe Staples by Classic Fella