Nest Athena A40

£80/$105 www.nest-style.com

the Athena A40 is a cheap but surprisingly cheerful bag. The utilitarian design won’t win any style awards, but inside you’ll easily fit a full frame DSLR, with the 280mm interior height well suited to swallowing longer lenses, even if shorter optics can be dwarfed.

Padding is generous, and the exterior nylon fabric feels tough and long-lasting. You even get big rubber feet on the base for added scuff protection – only the Gitzo bag also boasts these. There are no fancy flap fasteners – rather a basic squeeze buckle – but the flap can also be zippered shut for extra weather protection and security. A 13in laptop slot and generous rear document pouch add even more value.

Niggles? The strap feels cheap, its pad wont stay on your shoulder for long, and there’s no top slot for fast access. But you’ll have a tough job doing better for the money, especially considering Nest regularly offers sizable discounts.

Photo Plus VERDICT

Pros: Weather-resistant materials; spacious interior; incredible price Cons: Not ideal for carrying shorter lenses; no top slot for faster access We say: If you can sacrifice style, the Athena A40 is a bargain buy