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Kinesis — FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for our 2-page PDF Product Brochure

1. How do I place an order?

You can place an order over the phone (we are in & out a lot and aren’t always available to take phone orders), fax, e-mail or online (the latter is preferred). After reading our order information page, use the “add to cart” button next to each product to start an online order.

If you live outside the US, additional information is required to process your order (which you are NOT prompted to give us during an online order) — please click this link for more information on international orders.

2. What are your shipping charges?

U.S. shipping rates are here.
International shipping rates are here.

3. Do you ship outside the US? or
I live outside the US and want my package shipped to a friend in the US, OK?

Yes we ship outside the US — we normally use the United States Post Office for this service. International shipping information and rates are here.
We can ship to a different address than your billing address (US or International). More Info

4. What is your return, exchange, repair policy?

All products (except for factory-direct specials) are covered by a no-question 60-day return policy. Click for more information.

5. Why didn’t I get a tracking number e-mailed to me?

Check your SPAM box. All orders include an automatic e-mail with the tracking number. It is sent from either us (order shipped via USPS) or UPS.

6. Can I have my package dropped off w/o the UPS or FedEx driver asking for a signature?

With most ground shipments, we cannot specify one way or the other. We can usually offer this on air shipments, however.

7. Who are your dealers & why don’t you have many?

Click for Dealer Listing
(We have only two dealers outside the U.S. [Hong Kong and Germany], but we do ship most anywhere.)

Initially, when we started this business in 1996, we thought that selling to the traditional mail-order house or brick-and-mortar store would be the only way to enlarge the business. The internet has changed all that — we now sell many of our orders direct to customer, providing the technical customer service required for our product line.

We do have a few dealers (but no distributors — because of our high U.S. labor cost, we simply don't have the margin for that). Because of the complexity of our product line, especially the variety of belt weights and sizes, our dealers do not carry our complete product line. Most dealers stock just a few select items and then we drop ship specialized items for them. Also, don't forget about our 60-day return policy.

We regularly ship outside the U.S. via the United States Postal Service. Generally most orders shipped via USPS Express Mail get to there destinations in 3 to 7 days, but on rare occasions, due to the customs of the receiving country, they can take 3 to 5 weeks!

8. What is your contact information? (for eoGEAR info see this page)

Order Questions — info@kgear.com (Julie Honey, Production & Shipping Manager)
Technical Questions, Product or Site Comment —  richard@kgear.com (Richard Stum, Owner)
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/KinesisPhoto
Order Line (or orders with questions) 1-888-716-5550 (USA only)
Customer Service or Technical Questions 435-462-2266
(both voice lines ring to the same place)
Fax 435-462-2292
Mail Kinesis Photo Gear, 11874 E 18500 N, Mt Pleasant UT 84647, USA
Hours
8:30 a.m. til 5:00 p.m. MST, Monday through Friday (Mornings are best. We are sometimes in on Saturdays. As a company with a lean staff, we are frequently out of the office in the afternoons, running to the Post Office, cross-country skiing or out cycling).

9. What are your customer service options?

Visit this link found on our order page.

10. What catalogs or brochures do you have?

We, like most online retailers, do not publish a catalog. Instead, we focus on providing a detailed website with many photos and specifications. We do offer a simple 2-page B&W overview brochure with a summary of all products, but it does not have the detail found in the web site. Click here for a PDF printable 2-page document.

11. Where does the word Kinesis come from?

The word kinesis is from the Greek and means motion. Our product line is designed for people in motion and on the move — photographers, photojournalists, photographers, grips, gaffers and cameramen on the run and on location.

12. Who are you?

(A short history lesson is found here.)

13. What is your warranty?

Kinesis warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for two years. A complete explanation is on this page. Return or exchange information for defective gear is found on this page.

14. Do you use SPAM?

Occasionally we send out an e-mail newsletter with product updates and sale notifications. To get on our e-mail list please e-mail us with your name and request you be added. The frequency of e-mails will be nominal, averaging less than six per year. We do NOT sell or share this list and will ONLY use it for Kinesis product updates or related news. When you place an order with us you are automatically placed on this list.

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15. What products do you make?

Visit this page for a complete introduction to the Kinesis system.

Our core products comprise a modular belt-pouch system and long lens cases for photojournalists, nature/outdoor traveling photographers, sports shooters, commercial photogs and wedding/portrait shooters. We offer only a few cases for point and shoot cameras as most of our gear is designed for the pro or advanced amateur. We do not offer a full line of traditional shoulder bags or “kitchen sink” backpacks.

As you can see on our site, we also offer bags for gear for ultra-distance cycling & stand-up paddling; we also sell a few products from other manufacturers too.

Also, what do Kinesis product numbers mean?

Our product numbers (following the series prefix letter) define the size of the product within each category. Most of these numbers equal the volume in liters. For example, the volume of the M330 is 3.3 liters, compared to the volume of the M550 which is 5.5 liters, about 60% larger. For additional information on design features, sizing and an introduction to each series of gear visit the System Intro page.

16. How do I attach a Kinesis pouch to a belt or other case
or how do I assemble a harness?

Visit our “How To” page for further links and photos.

17. What does “single-wide,” “double-wide,” and “piggy-back” mean?

All Kinesis pouches use the above-mentioned twin-buckle attachment method to attach pouches to a waist belt. The spacing of this pair of buckles is fixed at three different widths (single-wide, double-wide or triple-wide increments), based on the overall width of the pouch. These buckles match up to rectangular Uniloops found on all Kinesis waist belts and larger cases.

Piggy-back is a phrase simply meaning to attach smaller pouch to a larger case or backpack. An example of piggy-backing would be attaching an E190 lens pouch to the side of a C600 case, or attaching a A355 pouch to the outside of a Journeyman pack.

18. How do I determine which size of gear for me or my equipment?
(belts, cameras, lenses, tripods, harnesses or backpacks)

  • General Sizing Page (for pouches and cases)
    > Also click “Learn More” from any product on the main long lens page.
    Long lens case intro and FAQ.
  • Waist Belt Sizing Which size or length of belt for me?
  • Waist Belt Weight. As a general rule, we recommend the use of our standard “Black Belt” for use with a long lens case or Journeyman pack unless you are packing a 400/2.8 or 600/4 along with tripod attached to the long lens case, in which case we recommend a Heavy-duty Belt instead. When using a Heavy-duty pack frame, we always recommend using the Heavy-duty belt. If you are carrying a belt-only system with several 2.8 lenses we recommend the Heavy-duty Belt, otherwise choose the thinner standard Kinesis Black Belt.
  • Tripod Bags Because of the numerous makes and models of tripods and heads, we don't have a compatibility chart showing which tripod fits in which bag -- simply measure YOUR tripod with the head attached and compare against the our inside dimensions specs. The smallest bag, the T620 is for a tripod with a ballhead attached. The larger T720 & T730 bags are designed for a tripod with either a ballhead, pan/tilt or Wimberly (or similar) gimball head attached. Click "More Info" from any product on this page for bag specifications.
  • Digicams (small point and shoot digitals), rangefinder 35mm cameras (Leica & Contax), medium format cameras (Hassleblad, Mamiya etc.): Because of the numerous makes and models and dwindling popularity of film and medium format cameras, we don't have a compatibility chart showing everything. Part of the problem is that the manufacturers specifications are w/o lens hoods attached. Nor do they publish specs on lens/body combinations. Visit our Suggested System page for possibilities.

An overview of our products is found on our Home page, System Introduction page, Product Index page or on our PDF brochure. Click on the “Learn More” link for detailed specifications — the specifications provided are inside dimensions.

19. What belt system do you recommend for me?

Our Suggested System page(s) have many possible solutions or belt “kits” for different kinds of shooting like wedding, photojournalism, outdoor/nature, fashion etc. Components are purchased a la carte for maximum versatility.

20. Is your system compatible with other brands?

Our pouches generally do not fit other modular belts, but other pouches will fit our belts, sometimes with the aid of the B590 adapter. Visit the bottom of this link for photos and more information on compatibility with other brands.

21. Where are your products made?
All our products are designed and manufactured in the USA. We design and make all the prototypes from scratch. Each stitcher makes a complete product, from beginning to end —no assembly line work here! Each piece of gear has a white label sewn into the inner seam with the product number and the initials of the stitcher on it.

Because of the specialized nature of our products, we inherently make small quantities — we currently cannot justify “off-shore” manufacturing like some of our competitors. This also enables us to respond quickly to the constantly changing sizes of new camera, lens & digital products. Of course, we pay a labor cost 3 to 5 times that of those using off-shore labor. The majority of your purchase prices goes to the actual product and not towards advertising or dealer margins or distributor/middle-man markups.

22. Are Kinesis bags waterproof?

We use waterproof fabrics, but the seams can leak if exposed to a multi-hour downpour. 

23. What colors are available for your products?

All products (except where noted) are available in one great color — black. (As one customer commented: “one simple low profile color — not glitzy or pretty!”) Some photographers that shoot in the desert have requested a lighter camo or sandy color. Regretfully, because of our small production runs and limited storage space, we are unable to offer multiple colors. We do offer light gray dust and rain covers for the belt system however.

24. How do I clean Kinesis products?

Lint & dust can be removed with a light-weight wire or plastic brush. We recommend you immerse the product in a sink or bucket and hand wash with lukewarm water a mild dish soap. Rinse well and drip dry overnight. Do not store pouches or belts with a crease in the foam (i.e. folded or bent) — the foam has memory and it will become permanent. Do not immerse PolyCore™ long lens cases in water — use a moist rag with soap and spot clean.

25. How can I carry a tripod or monopod in the field?

The T315 or T515 Tripod Strap will enable you to carry a tripod slung over a shoulder or across your chest. A Kinesis tripod bag can be carried on your shoulder or carried as a backpack with an optional harness or shoulder strap.

A monopod or small tripod can be attached to the side of a long lens case w/o additional straps. Large tripods require additional accessories when attached to a long lens case.

A very small tripod or monopod can be attached directly to the top of the M550 pouch or the bottom of a A634 or A355 pouch with a pair of Y204 straps. Some people have used a pair of Y204 straps attached directly to the back of their belt and carry their short tripod/monopod horizontally (assuming their are no pouches there).

26. Can I carry a Kinesis long lens case as a backpack?
How do I attach a harness or belt to a long lens case or backpack?

Any L-series case can be converted to a backpack by adding an optional shoulder harness (H255 harness & a H130 strap). A waist belt is not required but adds stability — click for more info. An E976 can also be upgraded in a similar fashion.
Directions on how to attach a harness or belt to a long lens case or backpack are linked to our “How To” page.

If you wish to carry a holster case on your backpack, look at this odd product.

27. Can I carry my camera equipment on the airlines?

Most domestic airlines limit the size of your largest carry-on bag to 14x22x10". The L311, L321, L511 and L522 long lens cases or the P450 Journeyman Backpack can be carried on to US-domestic airlines (but may exceed those for some traveling internationally). The L611 and L622 are too large as a carry-on. Some photographers put the L611 or L622 inside their checked luggage with clothing stuffed inside...and then use a roller case for their carry-on.

28. Who are your competitors?

Lowepro, Tamrac and Tenba are the three big names. ThinkTank is newcomer too. 

29. Do you do custom orders?

We cannot do “one each” custom orders or new products. It is just too time consuming and cost prohibitive. Occasionally we may add a strap or buckle to an existing product, however.
The only exception is when the design of a custom product would later prove to become a “standard, in-stock” item. We can then can amortize the time in making a custom product into future sales.

30. The plastic attachment buckles on my old Kinesis pouches have failed. Can it be repaired?

We had problems with that buckle failing over time and stopped using several years ago. We switched to an alternative method of attachment that still worked with existing belts. Please return the product with prepaid traceable postage and insurance to the address below, with a brief explanation of the problem. Ship using the most convenient way for you: UPS, FedEx or USPS. A RA (return authorization) number or preauthorization is not required. We will upgrade the pouch to the new “twin slider” attachment system as outlined on this page. There is no fee for this service. We generally turn it around in a week or two.