Kata Ergo-Tech Sensitivity V Backpack user reviews

Pros Small, unobtrusive, holds a lot of gear, ergonomic

Cons None so far

Summary have tried lots of backpacks and had used one from Tumi for a number of years before getting this one. The Kata holds the equipment I need-a camera body, two lenses a small flash--as well as other stuff-books, spare battery for computer, a point and shoot camera - in the top compartment. In addition, I can easily throw my cellphone, sunglasses, card readers, powerbars into the other external compartments. When packed it has a very low profile on my back and therefore I don't hit people/things like I do with other bags. Also it distributes weight well and never feels heavy or awkward. All-in-all, great product!!!

Pros Looks good, well-padded, enough pockets, small.

Cons Too small, no tripod strap

Summary This bag could have been made an inch wider to fit most standard laptops. I can just about squeeeeeeze my 14 inch tablet PC, but the stitches at the seams seems strained and unhappy so I am not sure if its a good idea. The pockets on the strap are just about wide enough to fit an iPod nano- certainly not a 60GB iPod or a PDA phone (I have an Eten M700). My dSLR with kit lens fits snugly alongwith a flash, 40-150mm lens spare battery etc. But there is no way to take a travel tripod with the bag. It could have some straps that enable one to strap a tripod on. I think its too small to be useful on a regular basis as your laptop + tripod bag.

Pros Protection for 4 common devices (laptop, SLR, handheld [2]) and room for plenty more.
Always fits more tiny things than you can imagine.
Every item accessible with one hand.

Cons A tight fit at first for oversized gadgets. Even your water bottle must be in a 'slim' form factor.

Summary At first I was really worried about the fit for the various pockets. The neoprene stretches well and provides a super snug fit. Would it damage my gear or be damaged itself by overstretching?
Had the bag 6 months now, and have no complaints. There was a learning curve, but every feature of this bag gets put to some practical use week to week.
I typically put a wide cellphone (LG lotus) in one strap pocket and an ipod touch in the other. It only took a week for the pockets to stretch adequately, and now the fit is just right - no signs of further wear on the neoprene. The laptop sleeve was a major worry for me too, and I was happy to confirm that it fits a wide 13". The side sleeve is surprisingly resilient as well, still
What really sells the bag though is the feeling of safety after packing up fragile materials in it. Serious photographers with large lenses and multiple bodies might not want to rely on just this bag - but then you knew that. The kata seems to have the right mix of structure and padding with this design to reassure me about the contents. Good balance and medium-sized fit too; with the chest strap on, it's easy to start jogging through the city without a second thought.