Kata's Ergo-Tech lineup delivers "bag of the future"

We always assumed that the "bag of the future" would come with a little robot that carried it around for you, but new additions to the popular Kata lineup of cases prove that we'll still be toting around our own gear for quite some time. What make the 17 new members of the Ergo-Tech series so futuristic, then, are a number of innovative materials such as "Elasto-Guard," "yelloop," and "Flexi-Shield" (all trademarked, so they must be special) that promise to deliver unrivaled comfort to the wearer and protection for his/her equipment. The wearable products in this collection are all form-fitting bags that flex and stretch for the geek on-the-go, while the carrying cases feature configurable interiors for surrounding your most delicate hardware with extra layers of padding. Like most of the totable solutions offered by Kata, these Ergo-Tech models are targeted mainly at photographers and filmmakers, but their numerous compartments and value-added features should help them appeal to a much wider audience -- isn't the future great? Keep reading to see a few more of the products that Kata has managed to bring back in time for its grateful customers...

[Darth Poo @ Jul 23rd 2006 6:31PM]

Mmm... ergoliscious.

[Blahblah @ Jul 23rd 2006 6:38PM]

Great, I'm in the market. :)

Now... where the hell are the bags? They've put-out a press release, saying that these bags are available, and they don't even have a website ready yet? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence...

[Mike @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:09PM]

Anyone have a link to their website?

[Storm9 @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:12PM]

where can i buy one?

[Jonathan Graft @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:17PM]

I dunno...do you think this would be a okay backpack for school? I'd like to see pricing! (high school...no laptop...just a PSP and a Zune!)

[Smiling_Bandit @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:22PM]

http://www.kata-bags.com/index.asp

They do have a website.

[thak @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:31PM]

here is the companys site...

http://www.kata-bags.com/index.asp

[Tempest @ Jul 23rd 2006 7:55PM]

I like this company they even sell body

[Jorge @ Jul 23rd 2006 8:30PM]

Yes, they have a website but that website contains no useful information whatsoever concerning the bags in the press release. A quick search on google with site:bogenimaging.us "ergo-tech" (bogen seem to be the entity that released themselves this press release) returns 3 pages, one with the press release and 2 without any mention of the ergo-tech stuff. The bags look neat though.. I'm hoping they are real.

[Loi @ Jul 23rd 2006 9:47PM]

The owner of that third bag shouldn't leave his credit cards on display like that.

But the first picture shows some back that looks like it goes under a jumper, turning your entire torso into the bag, promising some kerAzy new bag technology or whatever.

But the pictures of the bags themselves not only fail to show that bag, but also fail to be anywhere near futuristic, apart from the lame motif they have going on. They just look like bags with padding.

Might as well just use a pillowcase filled with cotton wool. Well, almost.

[Chris @ Jul 23rd 2006 10:11PM]

"But the first picture shows some back that looks like it goes under a jumper, turning your entire torso into the bag"

uh, english please? a jumper? torso a bag? your torso already is a bag, it holds your entrails and whatever you manage to shove down your throat.

the first pic looks like it has a waist strap which is a godsend for when you have to run with your pack on. it also looks wide enough to provide hip support to make carring heavy loads all day much easier on your back and sholders. for a nature photographer this is very usefull, tripods and big glass lenses and batteries are not lightweight stuff. hiking all this gear 3 hours up a mountain to get some breathtaking shots is no walk in the park, and a big ass hiking pack is way overkill for just a day.

[tino @ Jul 23rd 2006 10:51PM]

I can't believe how BAD this company's website is. I like the bags, but I would stay away from this company based on how much of a pain in the ass it is to find one. lol

[Loi @ Jul 23rd 2006 11:14PM]

As in it looks like it wraps around the body quite well, making the bag more discrete. When I was talking about your torso, I meant in terms of the way it hugs the body, and your belongings are kept close. Y'know, being a bit more ergonomic and having a bit more synergy with your body, like you could wear things over it quite easily.

Sorry if I worded it badly at first.

[Loi @ Jul 23rd 2006 11:15PM]

Sorry if I worded it badly just then as well. =P

[Sam @ Jul 24th 2006 12:30AM]

Seems they started out with camera bags. Link below get you to their "bag chooser."

Cheers.

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=315&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

[neo-fight.tv @ Jul 24th 2006 1:06AM]

I use other Kata bags for my video gear. Top-notch stuff. Highly recommended...

[Kata Support @ Jul 24th 2006 4:56AM]

I am writing from KATA, and wish to clarify that this is only a PREVIEW of what is coming soon.

These bags will be launched in the market this September at the PHOTOKINA show in Germany (Sep. 26 - Oct. 1)

This is the reason why they are NOT up on our web-site, and CANNOT be found or purchased yet.

The images can give you an indication of what to expect, but wait till you can also touch and feel these bags, then the real uniqueness will be reviled… Trust me it is worth the wait!

For further information, please contact us and we will be happy to assist!

[Gary @ Jul 24th 2006 5:36AM]

I think there are also some cool bags out there in the market.

http://www.slappa.com/site/velocity.html

[blah @ Jul 24th 2006 7:02AM]

Kata Support: Thanks for the info. It's unfortuneate that you didn't time the release with the start of the comming school semester. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure there would have been a signifigant number of students that would have loved to have chosen your bag to carry around their stuff.

Speaking for myself, I need a bag for early September. So, I guess I won't be buying a Kata. :-/

[blah @ Jul 24th 2006 7:03AM]

Gary: WOW! A regular backpack with some "edgy" detailing on the outside. 0_o Get real man. You can comapre a bag like that to these Kata products...

[blah @ Jul 24th 2006 7:07AM]

*can't* compare...

[John @ Jul 24th 2006 8:10AM]

"You can't comapre a bag like that to these Kata products.."

Well at least Slappa has a good website so you can see the damn bags and is selling them! What kinda of freaking company releases a news post and then doesn't have the website ready and the product? It's called VaporWare..

[CMc @ Jul 24th 2006 9:40AM]

The dbags vie you Gills!!!

[AK @ Jul 24th 2006 10:21AM]

Sorry Kata Support...but spellcheck isn't always your friend...

"then the real uniqueness will be reviled…"

If it's *that* unique, maybe I need to look elsewhere! ;-)

[Joel @ Jul 24th 2006 11:41AM]

This looks like a great laptop bag, but i am not going to remeber about your bag or your company in september.

What price points are you looking at for these bags?

And are they waterproof?

[John Sununu @ Jul 24th 2006 12:13PM]

I, for one, welcome our robot-less bag of the future overlords.

[Roland @ Jul 24th 2006 1:04PM]

I hate when they show you good stuff, but no place to buy it from.

[M C @ Jul 24th 2006 1:24PM]

If anyone finds a site where they can get these bags in the US please post, I can't seem to find any, they are all over in Europe.

[docbrown88 @ Jul 24th 2006 1:40PM]

For what it's worth, I believe Kata is an Israeli based mfr. of not only gear bags but body armor. Given the current situation, they can be excused for being a bit distracted from updating their website.

[Scott @ Jul 24th 2006 3:51PM]

I dunno, they seem like a nice design, but there's no actual meat and bones here. I'm somewhat tired of bag companies that advertise with some guy carrying the bag or with one flap open. Honestly, I want an exploded view and measurements. I want to see different combinations of stuff in the bag - show me a deployment for the common cubicle worker, a semi-pro photographer and a full on IT worker/gadget addict. I think Civilian Lab came close to actually showing me more of what I want with their covert harness, but I still can't bring myself to buy one without getting my hands on it.

[Damian @ Jul 25th 2006 9:05AM]

Nice... however it is just a bag after all. It's what's inside that counts. Now I just need $4.5k to get the inside product.

Donations Welcome :-)

[RyanV @ Jul 26th 2006 7:09AM]

well i emaild the company and this is the reply i got:

"I wish to clarify that the images and write-ups that have been popping up on line are only a PREVIEW of what is coming soon.

These bags will be launched in the market this September at the PHOTOKINA show in Germany (Sep. 26 - Oct. 1)

This is the reason why they are NOT up on our web-site, and CANNOT be found or purchased yet.

The images can give you an indication of what to expect, but wait till you can also touch and feel these bags, then the real uniqueness will be reviled... Trust me it is worth the wait!"

so it looks like they just havent been officially launched yet.