Orkio Urban Camera Bag review

In addition to its funky compact camera pouches, Orkio also caters for the DSLR photographer with its range of medium-sized shoulder bags. As before they deviate a little from the norm, with cheery and colourful designs making them appear as a distant cousin to those in the Crumpler range.

The Urban bag can comfortably hold a mid-range DSLR and an additional lens, with two Velcro-lined dividers on the inside to segregate your gear. The inside is lined with a very soft fabric which does an excellent job to protect your gear, although the generous padding around the sides sadly doesn't continue to the base, which feels like it could do with a little extra protection.

On that subject, the throat of the bag may be closed by a drawstring, and there is ample fabric around it to fold on itself. When used with the lid's plastic clasp this should ensure that everything inside is kept safe from rain, though it's unclear whether the bag is entirely waterproof, should you get caught up in any bad weather.

Small tripods may also be slotted inside the hoops around the side, and two anti-slip feet on its base provide stability. There's also a large mesh pocket on the underside of the lid, another on its front side and another round the front, all in all ticking pretty much every box on the camera-bag requirement list.

Admittedly, the polyester material used in its construction isn't particularly nice in appearance, but despite this the bag feels sturdily constructed. It's hard to think what else you'd need in a camera bag.

Available from www.swains.co.uk