Carbonado Tora, seems like a well built product but the question to ask is who is this bag actually for and should you buy it. let’s discuss!.

Design & Build quality:

One of the things noticeable right out of cover is the build quality of Carbonado Tora. It feels sturdy and built to last, almost feels like a tank of a bag. Speaking about tanks, the form factor also feels like a small motorcycle tank bag. 

Now of course the main feature of this is the very visible hard shell that will absorb any impact and keep your valuables safe. So full marks on this. 

We also have D hooks that are used to tie the strap that goes around your thigh or you can use it with a carabiner to hang things depending upon what your preference is. On the top we have these loops which can be used to hang things/items which you need quick access to. 

Now let’s look at storage capability wherein we have 2 pockets. First is the bigger front compartment which is modular in nature which can convert from a normal bag with an organiser to a camera bag with the pouch included. 

Inside we have a mesh pocket and there is soft touch material that will definitely keep your items free from scratch if you don’t use the organiser or camera pouch.

This is where one would end up storing bulky items because it has that kind of space. For a perspective It can accommodate something like a can of chain lube. You also have a mesh just behind the hard shell. Again you can drop in big to medium sized items without any worries. The quality of the mesh is again good and doesn’t feel cheap.

In the organiser you get one large compartment and two split compartments to carry your items. Camera pouch is also roomy enough to have your cameras and gadgets along with an organiser section. Both these attach to the bag via velcro which have a strong grip yet easy to detach when you want to.   

Second compartment is deeper but less wide compared to the front  pocket with a single net that has a reverse zip to make this compartment water resistant. So anything that you want to keep extra safe can be put in here. There’s no space to have bulky items here but something like a small notebook or a kindle will easily slide in here. Anything that is flat is a good fit. There’s also a net partition to store things that make it a bit versatile. 

To carry this bag we have straps that can be used on the waist or shoulder depending upon how you plan to use it. We have another smaller strap to tie it to your thigh if you plan to use it as a thigh bag. The strap length is really good. It should be good for most waist sizes, the same is the case with the thigh strap.  

The zippers are of very good quality, big and chunky. You should not have any problem using these with riding gloves. 

Carbonado Tora Issues with quality

Although the strap feels sturdy I wish they had added the same seat belt material that has been used in Vector thigh bag. It feels more premium. 

Instead of the loops, the same metal hooks would have been better. 

Also I have noticed some quality issues with my product.

The camera bag has some variations and is not uniform. The outer surface is tilted to one side slightly, even inside the mesh organiser is stitched at an angle rather than straight.

Same is the case with the velcro, it is slightly off centre.

Real world usage & issues

How does Carbonado Tora fare in real world usage scenarios let’s have a look.

As a content creator: 

If you are looking at this bag as a camera bag then this has some limitations. This can fit a small camera but anything bigger will be a challenge.

Here I have a Canon 1200D with a 50mm lens. Notice how it doesn’t want to enter this new place. Even if you manage the flap will not close and it gets interesting when you need to put it into the main bag. Not a seamless fit. By the time you access your camera the picture perfect moment would have passed. 

What it will definitely fit is a smaller action cam, small to medium sized camera and similar sized products comfortably.

Only way I could carry my cam is without the pouch but this leaves my lens and camera exposed and prone to friction and unnecessary movement. Plus I would not be able to have anything else here without worrying about it scratching my gear.

As a rider’s thigh bag: 

Thigh bags are good bags to have while riding when you want to carry things with quick access. The fit is nice and stays firm. I have skinny thighs if you are on a healthier side this will hug you more snuggly. Immediately noticeable is how bulky this thing feels on my side. If you’ll carry more stuff you will definitely feel the weight on your leg. 

To test its carrying capacity. These are the things I would normally pack for a ride. Even Though I don’t have many things, it still feels odd to have it on my thigh while riding. A sleeker form factor would make it more comfortable, something like a Turtle or vector for example. Plus if you end up adding a lot of stuff the weight will be an issue while riding.  

Another thing noticeable is the organiser tends to lean forward if there are lot of heavy items.

So definitely don’t recommend using it as a thigh bag for your rides. 

As a daily carry small bag: 

One of the advantages of Vector is that it’s a very  comfortable daily small bag as well. Handles city work comfortable with your daily essential just a few inches away. This is where I feel the Carbonado Tora really excels. It has ample space in the front to carry things of all shape and sizes with a deep pocket at the rear.

I would prefer carrying it on my shoulder since the bulk is too much for my taste to carry it as a thigh bag. It feels more natural as a sling.

One thing that I have noticed is when you sling it the strap weight is slightly off centre since it’s natural position design is around the waist. This tends to put strain on one part of  the strap. Not sure if it will have an impact in long term usage but something to keep in mind. 

So to conclude 

1. Best use case scenario is as a daily carry bag since it is more versatile in this role.
2. As a bag for content creator it will be hit or a miss depending upon what you would like to carry.
3. You should skip this as a thigh bag for riding and instead look at Vector or Turtle.

So that was my observation on the Carbonado Tora bag, hope you got some value out of it. Thank you for your time, be safe, ride safe until I see you in the next one.

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