Kata 3N1-30 Camera Rucksack review

Since none of the cameras I've ordered for this week have arrived due to the icy conditions, and I'm currently nursing a badly sprained knee for much the same reason, I've got a couple of camera accessory reviews for you this week. For today I've got a great new camera rucksack from Kata, just in case any of you are foolish enough to risk going outdoors with a camera in this weather.

The Kata 3N1-30 (three-in-one, geddit?) is a cleverly designed camera bag that combines the comfort and load-carrying capacity of a rucksack with the convenience of a shoulder bag. It has a number of ingenious features that enable it to switch between the two roles quickly and easily. It's not a cheap bag, currently selling for around £100, but its versatile design means that you won't ever need to buy another.

Like all Kata bags the 3N1-30 is extremely well made. The outer shell is of heavy-duty showerproof black cordura nylon, while the inside is lined with a softer nylon that is coloured bright yellow, making it easier to find small accessories hidden away in the corners It is thickly padded with closed-cell foam, and has a a unique internal ribbed structure that make the bag surprisingly rigid, providing a good level of protection for your precious cameras equipment. It comes with a slip-over rain cover for additional protection against the elements.

The same attention to detail has been applied to the design. The plastic snap-clips and zips are all heavy duty and securely double-stitched, and the well-padded internal dividers can be rearranged in several different configurations to accommodate a wide range of equipment. The main compartment measures 29.5 x 16 x 30cm (11.6 x 6.3 x 11.8 inches), plenty of room for a full-frame DSLR with a battery pack and telephoto lens, plus half a dozen extra lenses or other accessories. There is a separate detachable wallet for memory cards.