Same bags, different price: the Gura Gear Chobe and the Mountainsmith Endeavor
Posted by Unknown on Sunday, March 15, 2015 with 6 comments
[I decided to buy the Gura Gear bag and find out this answer for myself. See the review here.]
As I was looking online for bags to review, I came across two bags: The Gura Gear Chobe and the Mountainsmith Endeavor (reviewed here). What you will notice is that the bags are similar. No wait. They are pretty much the same. It's absurd. I am not sure who ripped off whose design, but someone did. The only difference is that the Gura Gear is expandable.
Just look at these photos:
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| Endeavor front. |
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| Chobe front |
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| Endeavor right organizer pocket. Look closely at the layout. |
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| Choose right organizer pocket. Note the layout. |
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| This is the kicker. Note the water bottle pocket that unzips to open up. A rare feature, and yet... |
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| The Chobe has the exact same rare feature. I promise you that this IS a product shot of the Chobe. Same zip out water bottle pocket on the same side of the bag. |
Now here's the thing. I totally get it that there is some Chinese company out there making products for two different US companies that attach their own labels. Heck it happens with cheap cars, cheap cameras, and cheap baseball gloves.
However, usually the cost of the rebadged items are pretty much the same as long as neither brand is a household name (such as Nike, Apple, and Webber - though these companies would never do the rebranding thing). In this case, I would argue that Mountainsmith is a better known brand name than Gura Gear. Actually, it's not even close. Mountainsmith is WAY more recognizable in the bag industry. So here is the kicker: The Gura Gear Chobe retails for $299 USD (3/16/15 at B&H Photo) while the Mountainsmith Endeavor retails for $112.49 USD (3/16/15 at B&H Photo).
If someone can tell me that the expandability option is worth an extra $186.51, I can tell them that they are full of it. Maybe Gura Gear can read this and educate us.
An astute reader "Andrew" noted that the bags are not made to the same standards. The Chobe material and the Endeavor material is significantly different in cost. See his comment below and look this information I found on the internet:
Some info that might be helpful in this argument:
Chobe's primary material is X-Pac (VX-21) = $20/yard (at Rockywood.com)
Endeavor's primary material is 500D Kodra = Can't find an online source, but 500D Kodra is the CHEAPER version of 500D Cordura which is $11/yard (at Rockywoods.com)
Still not sure if this warrants a $186.51 difference, however, I DID order the Chobe so that I can do a direct comparison for everyone.
Categories: News
Hello... From what I can tell, the most obvious reason for the price difference is in the fabrics - the Gura Gear uses VX-21 X-Pac Sail Cloth. That is a significant step up in quality and durability compared to the 500d S-Kodra High Tenacity Nylon in the Mountainsmith bag (not that 500d Kodra isn't tough already).
ReplyDeleteX-Pac made bags are not very common, and possibly overkill in durability requirements for business settings. More commonly seen in high abuse environments like bike frame bags, high end cycling commuter bags, mountain climbing gear, etc.
For example:
http://www.bikebagdude.com/#!frame-bags/c15ur
http://ilequipment.com/blogs/inside-line-equipment-cycling-bags/14334317-default-backpack-now-in-xpac
http://www.cilogear.com/materials.html
So, in short, I don't think the price difference is solely due to the expandability, but largely to do with the fabrics and probably the other hardware of the bag (Check out the oversize triangular key holder. And the inner lining is probably double diamond ripstop...)
This is good information, Andrew. Would you mind if I reference your information in the text of this entry?
ReplyDeleteAnother question I have is if Guru Gear is a subsidiary of Mountainsmith. I wonder how the design, which is different from most commuter bags, is nearly identical.
Sure, reference me! I'm no expert though, just someone who likes bags. I don't have the opportunity to actually do such thorough reviewing like you!
ReplyDeleteNo idea about the design. Maybe same company or designer like you suspect? You should look up VF Corp as an example - they own a group of well known brands, though you might not know it. Perhaps something similar?
PS. It's GurA not GurU.
OMG. How embarrassing. I have updated the name. Sheesh. Thank you for being my editor.
ReplyDeleteGura Gear is a well known high end brand in the photographic community. It was founded by Andy Biggs. The original bag, made of expensive sailcloth, was designed out of his experience traveling and leading top tier safaris. GG has been very successful for him, so much so that it recently purchased Tamrac. I'm not aware that there is ownership in Mtnsmith but that would explain the similarities. The Chobe has been around a while—much longer than the 2015 edition of the Endeavor—making Endeavor the imitator here.
ReplyDeleteThat is some great information! Would you mind if I quote you in my article, Arnold?
ReplyDelete