Over the past six months, I have had the pleasure of testing three luxury bags from GRAMS28, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed.
The first product I received was the 172 Camera Sling, and after spending time with it, I was so thrilled with its quality that the brand followed up by sending me two more pieces: the 131 Essential Pouch and the 158 Travel Wallet Sling.
Each of these bags is crafted from full-grain Italian leather, a material that looks and feels extremely high-end but comes at a surprisingly fair price. GRAMS28 strikes a perfect balance between luxury and affordability, proving that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a premium product.
[Disclosure: I received product as a free gift in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts shared on my blog remain a 100% honest and comprehensive reflection of my experience when using the product being shown. For additional information on my strict rules and approach to fair reviews, please visit my official page for Sponsors.]
About GRAMS28: Redefining Functional Luxury
Before diving into my personal experience with GRAMS28, I want to take a moment to introduce the brand and what it stands for. GRAMS28 is a premier accessories brand that has made waves by blending luxury with functionality, particularly in the travel and photography world. Their philosophy is simple yet bold: to create beautiful, high-quality leather products that not only look sophisticated but also serve practical purposes for everyday life.
At the heart of GRAMS28’s offerings is their use of full-grain Italian leather, a material renowned for its durability, longevity, and ability to age beautifully. This leather not only feels luxurious but also develops a unique patina over time, adding a personal touch to each piece. What sets GRAMS28 apart from other brands on the market is their commitment to making this level of quality accessible, offering their products at prices that are fair and often more affordable than comparable luxury brands, all without sacrificing quality!
With a focus on timeless design, thoughtful construction, and versatile functionality, GRAMS28’s bags cater to travelers, photographers, and anyone who appreciates both style and substance. Whether you’re navigating a bustling city or embarking on a global adventure, GRAMS28 ensures you can carry your essentials in style without sacrificing practicality.
Top-Grade Materials and Craftsmanship
One of the key reasons I’ve become such a fan of GRAMS28 is their commitment to using only the best materials and maintaining a high level of craftsmanship in every product they create.
When you purchase a GRAMS28 product, you’re not just buying a bag—you’re investing in something that has been meticulously crafted from the finest materials, and most importantly, sourced from reputable and ethical suppliers.
Sourced Directly from Italy
GRAMS28’s leather is sourced directly from certified tanneries in Italy, ensuring that every bag is made from the highest-quality leather available. Whether you choose a product made from pebbled leather or the distinctive snowflake leather, you can trust that it comes from a reliable and ethical source.
GRAMS28 partners with tanneries that are certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and the Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata Al Vegetale (Genuine Italian Vegetable-Tanned Leather Consortium). These certifications guarantee that the leather is produced with the utmost care, adhering to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
In addition to sourcing from these certified tanneries, GRAMS28 also follows United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards for leather production. Their strict material selection process ensures that every product meets the highest quality standards. As a result, you can feel confident that your purchase is not only luxurious but also ethically sourced and crafted with integrity. This dedication to quality and sustainability sets GRAMS28 apart from other luxury brands, making their products worth every penny.
Every Product Has a Code
One of the standout features of GRAMS28 is their commitment to transparency. Each GRAMS28 product is not just a bag or accessory, it’s a carefully documented piece of craftsmanship, and the brand makes it easy for you to trace the origins of your product through their unique coding system.
Every GRAMS28 product comes with a ten-digit code, debossed in white, that provides detailed information about its creation. The code is divided into three sets of numbers, and each set corresponds to a specific aspect of the product’s journey from raw material to finished item.
The first set of numbers refers to the style number, the second set indicates the material provider and material type, and the final set gives information about the craftsmen involved in the production process.
This system allows customers to learn more about the origins of their product and the steps taken to create it, offering a level of transparency that is rare in the luxury goods industry. GRAMS28 believes in providing clarity on where their materials come from and how their products are made, giving you peace of mind that you are investing in an ethically produced item with an honest pricing model. This attention to detail not only adds to the story behind each product but also reinforces the brand’s commitment to quality and responsible craftsmanship, something I care about a lot as a consumer.
The Review
Here’s my detailed review of each item after six months of extensive use.
Table of Contents
172 Camera Sling: A Masterpiece of Functional Luxury
MSRP: $459.00 (Sale Price: $367.20)
Design and Aesthetics
The 172 Camera Sling was the first item GRAMS28 sent me, and right from the start, I was struck by the premium quality of the leather. The full-grain Italian leather feels rich and luxurious, and it’s clear that this material will age beautifully over time.
In the six months I’ve been using this bag so far, it has held up well to signs of wear and tear, but I also baby my bags and keep them in storage bags while not in use. This helps minimize exposure to air, light, and moisture which will cause the bag to develop a patina sooner. For many people, this effect is desirable so in such a situation, babying the bag wouldn’t be necessary. They say developing a patina only enhances its timeless appeal.
Despite its luxurious look, the price is more than reasonable, especially for such a high-quality product. It’s rare to find leather that feels this expensive at such an accessible price point.
The design of the 172 Camera Sling is sleek and minimalist, making it versatile enough to wear on casual outings or even to more formal events. Unlike traditional bulky camera bags, this sling is elegant and understated, allowing me to carry my photography gear in style without compromising on functionality.
Functionality and Space
When it comes to functionality, the 172 Camera Sling excels. It’s protected on all sides, offering sufficient protection for my camera gear. Inside, the bag features customizable dividers that allow you to tailor the interior to fit your specific equipment.
For my Sony A7R V, I typically carry the camera body with one of my prime lenses attached and another small lens as a backup. The dividers keep everything securely in place, ensuring that my gear doesn’t shift around during travel.
However, when using larger zoom lenses, the bag’s capacity becomes more limited. The 172 Camera Sling can fit the camera body with a small prime lens or a longer zoom lens, but probably not both at the same time. If I’m carrying the zoom lens, I usually have to store it sideways, which reduces the space available for other items.
In addition to my Sony, I also use this bag with a Polaroid I-2 camera. The 172 Camera Sling fits the Polaroid I-2 perfectly, with room to spare for 2-3 boxes of unopened Polaroid film on the other side of the space divider. You could also fit a second Polaroid camera, if you want to lug around two!
This versatility makes it an excellent option for photographers who use different types of cameras and need a bag that can adapt to their setup. There’s even a pocket against the back of the bag where you could fit a small 11” tablet or small notebook. This bag’s adaptability is its greatest asset.
Ease of Access and Security
One of the standout features of the 172 Camera Sling is how quickly you can access your gear. The bag is closed with a simple latch mechanism that is easy to open and close, making it ideal for those moments when you need to grab your camera quickly.
The downside, however, is that this latch doesn’t provide as much protection as a zipper might. While the latch adds to the bag’s sleek design and makes it fast to access, it does leave the bag more exposed to the elements and potentially to theft. A more secure closure, like a bull zipper design, would offer better protection in my opinion.
That said, I appreciate how lightweight and functional the bag is. On days when I’m out exploring new cities or capturing content for my blog, the ease of access is a real bonus.
131 Essential Pouch: My Go-To Gear Bag
MSRP: $199.00 (Sale Price: $159.20)
Design and Aesthetics
The 131 Essential Pouch is another product that exemplifies GRAMS28’s dedication to crafting stylish and functional accessories. Like the 172 Camera Sling, this pouch is made from full-grain Italian leather that feels incredibly high-end without the premium price tag. The leather is soft, durable, and ages beautifully, making it a perfect companion for any adventure. I received the black pebbled leather style.
While the 131 Essential Pouch is small and unassuming, it packs a punch when it comes to functionality. It’s the perfect size for carrying essential gear, and it’s versatile enough to be used as a standalone accessory or as an organizer within a larger bag. My favorite aspect of the bag is how mushy it is.
Functionality and Space
I primarily use the 131 Essential Pouch to store and carry my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and its related accessories. This compact fanny pack has just the right amount of space to hold the vlogging device, the DJI mini tripod stand, an extra battery attachment, and a few spare SD cards. It’s my go-to bag for filming/vlogging on the move, and I’ve used it extensively during my travels, especially while exploring Ibiza and Mallorca earlier this year with my sister. I also wore it constantly while vlogging the 2024 total solar eclipse.
The pouch is also incredibly easy to wear. It sits comfortably around my waist or slung across my chest, allowing me to access my vlogging gear quickly whenever I need to capture content. The compact size means it doesn’t get in the way, and I never feel weighed down by it, even when I’m out for an entire day.
Durability
After six months of near-daily use, the 131 Essential Pouch is holding up remarkably well.
The zippers are smooth and secure, the stitching is solid, and the leather still looks fantastic. This pouch has seen its fair share of use, from beach days to urban adventures, and it shows no signs of wear. I can confidently say that this bag will last for years to come.
Without a doubt, the 131 Essential Pouch is EASILY my favorite of the three bags I received in exchange for an honest review. Ironically, it’s the one I expected to like the least! 😅
158 Travel Wallet Sling: Stylish but Specialized
MSRP: $269.00 (Sale Price: $215.20)
Design and Aesthetics
The 158 Travel Wallet Sling is arguably the most sophisticated-looking of the three items. Crafted from the same full-grain Italian leather, it exudes luxury with its clean lines and refined design. Unlike the other two bags which came in “black pebbled” leather (textured), this one came in “black” with a smooth texture for a more elevated look. This sling is perfect for more formal occasions, where you want to maintain a sleek and polished appearance. I’ve worn it to several events where I needed to look sharp, and it never failed to complement my outfit.
However, despite its aesthetic appeal, the 158 Travel Wallet Sling is quite narrow, which limits its practicality. The slim design is perfect if you’re looking for something minimalist, but I often found myself wanting more space.
Functionality and Space
For my day-to-day use, the 158 Travel Wallet Sling is a bit limiting. I typically carry my wallet in my pocket, so I didn’t find the need to wear my wallet across my body, but I recognize how this could be a matter of personal preference. While it can hold a few essentials like your passport, cash, and credit cards, it doesn’t offer much room for anything beyond that due to how slim it is.
That said, I do find it useful for formal occasions where I don’t want bulky items weighing down my pockets. The sling allows me to keep my essentials within easy reach while maintaining the clean lines of my outfit. I’ve worn it to several dressy events, and it serves its purpose well, even if it’s not as functional for everyday carry.
It also does fit my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for vlogging, but I think I prefer the 131 Essential Pouch more.
Durability
Like the other products from GRAMS28, the 158 Travel Wallet Sling is built to last. The leather is just as high quality as the other pieces in the collection, and after months of use, it still looks fantastic. While I don’t use it as often as the 172 Camera Sling or 131 Essential Pouch, I know it will last me for years, especially for those occasions when I need something stylish and functional.
GRAMS28 Delivers Luxury at an Affordable Price
After six months of using these three products, I can confidently say that GRAMS28 offers some of the best luxury travel gear I’ve ever encountered. Their use of full-grain Italian leather gives each piece an undeniably premium feel, yet the pricing is surprisingly affordable for such high-quality materials. Whether you’re looking for a sleek camera bag like the 172 Camera Sling, a versatile gear pouch like the 131 Essential Pouch, or a sophisticated accessory for formal events like the 158 Travel Wallet Sling, GRAMS28 has something to offer.
While each product has its own strengths and limitations, GRAMS28’s dedication to quality and design shines through in every item. If you’re in the market for luxury bags that are both functional and stylish, GRAMS28 is a brand worth exploring. I am very satisfied with how these bags have held up in the months I’ve been wearing mine and I’ve developed a true appreciation for the craftsmanship of ethically-sourced leather products.
For more information on GRAMS28 products, check out their website at https://www.grams28.com.
Are you an aspiring travel photographer?
Check these out:
–My Preferred Full Frame Camera
–My Preferred Polaroid Camera