Four features to look for

Check these SPECS before you buy

Roll with it

Most usably-sized hard cases weigh upwards of 4 kilos (8.8lbs), and that’s before you’ve filled them with gear. If you’ll be travelling far from your car, go for a rolling case and your back will thank you.

Customise with care

The padding of choice for most hard cases is a simple block of foam, perforated into small cubes. You gradually extract these to form holes that’ll perfectly fit each item of your kit. Hollowed-out foam is almost impossible to reconfigure, so lay out the kit you’ll carry to ensure you get the right size, and customise it with care.

Deal with the pressure

Water-tight cases are also air-tight. To avoid worrying pressurisation issues such as deformation at high altitude (eg in a plane’s hold), an air-tight case should always incorporate a pressure valve.

Feel more secure

Hard cases are all about keeping your Nikon safe and secure, so dedicated padlock points are a must, while latches that release in two stages help guard against accidental opening.