What are the best camera accessories for travelling?

Testing camera accessories for travelling

For Dutchtravelfreak we are always looking for gear that makes our trips just that little bit easier, more practical and more fun. Whether we are wandering through bustling cities, exploring rugged nature reserves or going on safari, good equipment makes all the difference.

That is why we are very excited to test the camera bag and the tripod with phone holder from Caruba Gear. In this blog we take you through our experiences. How do they perform on the road? Are they really as practical as they promise? And can they pass our travel-proof test?

We tested the products extensively and share our honest findings, from ease of use and quality to what really stood out to us in practice. Curious whether this gear will become your next travel companion too? Read on!

Caruba Skyline 100 Dronepack

If you like to travel with your camera gear, you know how important a good camera bag is. You want something that is compact, protects your gear well and is easy to carry on your adventures.

Compact, but surprisingly practical
What immediately struck us when we first received the bag is how cleverly it is laid out. Despite its compact size, you can fit a surprising amount into it. Our cameras, batteries and accessories fit in effortlessly, without it becoming a mess.

The adjustable compartments are a real plus. The bag is actually designed for a drone, but thanks to these adjustable compartments you can turn it into a bag that suits most cameras. You can completely adapt the layout to your own gear. Ideal!

Good protection for your camera gear
When travelling, you simply do not want to have to think about whether your things are safe. Fortunately, this bag gets that right. The inside is well padded and feels reliable. Whether we are walking through a busy city or quickly putting the bag down during a shoot, our gear is well protected.

Comfort on the road
We took the bag on several trips, and even on longer days it is comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are comfortable and the back panel breathes well, which is especially nice if you walk a lot or are in warmer destinations.

Handy extra storage
Something we always appreciate are those small extra pockets, and there are plenty of them. Cables, SD cards, sunglasses… everything has its place. We can fit a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, a 24-105 mm lens, a 50 mm lens, a 250 mm lens, SD cards, an Insta360 X5 Essential Bundle, chargers and extra batteries in it! Also nice: you still have some room left for personal items if you do not want to take all your camera gear, so you do not necessarily need to bring an extra bag.

Downsides
Although we are generally very happy with the Caruba Skyline 100 Dronepack, there are also a few small points we noticed while using it. The bag is sturdy, but not completely waterproof. In a short shower that is not a problem, but in prolonged or heavy rain we would use a rain cover to be on the safe side. We also miss a bit of flexibility on the outside, such as extra attachment options. On both sides there is a pocket where you can put your water bottle, but also a small tripod, such as the Caruba Travelstar 70C Carbon tripod. However, the pocket is actually just too small, so you have to secure the tripod with an extra clip that sits in the top panel. As a result the tripod does not sit entirely comfortably. Finally, the bag was designed with compactness in mind. That is great on the road, but it also means you are limited in space if you want to take larger cameras or lenses. It is perfect for minimalist travel, but for more extensive setups it can feel just a bit cramped.

Caruba Travelstar 70C Carbon

If you travel and take photos a lot like we do, you often hesitate about taking a tripod. Yes, no, yes, no…. A tripod is often heavy and big, or just impractical. That is why we were extra curious about the Caruba Travelstar 70C Carbon tripod.

Ultralight and perfect for travelling
You notice the biggest plus straight away: this tripod is really light. At less than a kilo (around 850 grams) in your bag, you hardly notice you have it with you. For us that makes a huge difference when travelling.
The compact size is also a plus for us. Folded up, it fits in the Caruba Skyline Dronepack, even though the side pocket of the bag is just a little too small for it.

Sturdy despite the light weight
What we always find a concern with light tripods is stability. But this tripod surprised us positively. Thanks to the carbon material it feels sturdy and stays upright well, even on somewhat uneven ground.

For our camera and content setup (think DSLR, mirrorless camera and phone) it is more than stable enough. In strong wind you do of course notice that it is light, which can be a downside and is good to keep in mind.

Quick to set up and easy to use
When travelling you do not want any hassle, and that is exactly what this tripod is good at. You set it up quickly thanks to the twist locks on the legs, and the ball head works smoothly, so you can easily set your composition.

Whether we want to take a quick photo or record a static video: it all works intuitively and without frustration.

Flexible for different shots
What we like is that you can do all sorts with it. From normal height to low to the ground for creative shots. The 360-degree rotating head also makes it easy to create panoramas or smooth video footage, which is a real plus for us as content creators.

Downsides
Because of the compact design, the maximum height is somewhat more limited than with larger tripods. If you are taller or like to work at eye level without bending down, that can sometimes be not quite ideal.
The supplied tripod plate is also a bit tricky to tighten. Because it has no ring, you can only tighten it with your fingers or the supplied Allen key. This means it takes a bit longer to attach it to your camera.

In addition, in stronger wind or with heavier camera setups you notice that the light weight can also be a downside. It stays upright fine, but sometimes you have to pay a bit more attention or create extra stability.

Caruba Universal Phone Holder Pro

Sometimes it is the smallest accessories that make your trip just that bit easier. The Caruba Universal Phone Holder Pro is a good example. During our trips we notice that we use it surprisingly often.

Simple and quick to use in combination with a tripod
You attach the phone holder to the Caruba Travelstar tripod, click your phone into it and it is held firmly straight away. In combination with a tripod this holder really comes into its own and is a real must-have. Ideal for photos, videos or timelapses with your smartphone. For example, we do not like asking passers-by to take a photo of us, but sometimes we do want to be in a photo together. Now we can use the tripod and the phone holder for that. The phone holder is super light, compact and sturdy, so you can easily take it anywhere. For us it has really become an accessory that is always in the bag.

Downside
The holder feels fairly basic and lacks a rotating mechanism, so switching between landscape and portrait filming is a bit slower.

Conclusion

As far as we are concerned, the Caruba Skyline 100 Dronepack is an ideal travel companion if you are heading out with a drone or camera. It is compact, practical and offers exactly what you need without any unnecessary fuss.
For travellers who want to travel light but still take their camera gear, this is a very strong choice. For us, this is the kind of bag you just grab and take along without thinking about it, and that is exactly what you want when travelling.

For us, the Caruba Travelstar 70C Carbon tripod is exactly what you are looking for in a travel tripod: light, compact and still sturdy enough in use. Thanks to this, we will no doubt take a tripod on our trips more often!

The Caruba Universal Phone Holder Pro is simple, but does exactly what you need. Small, light and surprisingly handy when travelling.

All in all, we think these 3 accessories from Caruba Gear are a welcome addition to our camera gear!

This blog was created in collaboration with Caruba Gear.