FocusRat showcased the Rat Bag V4 lineup at Cine Gear 2026, its updated range of handcrafted camera stabilizing bags. If you’re not familiar with the category, these are steady bags or steady saddles, a type of support tool that’s been used on film sets for decades.
You rest the camera directly on the bag, which conforms to the camera body and the surface it’s sitting on, effectively eliminating vibration and shake without a tripod, gimbal, or any mechanical parts. FocusRat makes theirs by hand in Transylvania, Romania, and the V4 generation brings a significant material change and a more packable design across the entire range.
What Changed in V4
The main update in the V4 is the switch from a polystyrene bead or polyester ball filling to a silent memory foam filling. The practical difference is twofold: the foam doesn’t produce the noise that loose bead fill generates when the bag shifts, which matters in environments where audio is being recorded. And because the foam compresses, the packed dimensions of each bag are roughly 50% smaller than a comparable bead-filled bag, making them more practical to carry in a kit bag or check on a flight. All V4 buckles are metal, no plastic, and the Professional line adds Air Compress shoulder padding and a camera cover not found on the Essential tier.
All bags are built from 600GSM Cordura-type material, water and dirt resistant, with a non-slip rubber underside, double stitching throughout, four car-mounting loops, a grab handle, an adjustable and removable 38mm strap, and Velcro pockets for accessories. Each bag comes with a carry pouch for transport.
The Lineup
Professional Large V4
The Professional Large V4 is the top of the range, handling camera setups up to 15 kg (33 lb). It is the right choice for fully rigged cinema cameras, heavy broadcast bodies, or any build with a large lens attached. Dimensions are 44 × 41 × 30 cm (17.3 × 16.1 × 11.8 in), packing down to 41 × 27 × 27 cm, and the bag itself weighs 1.7 kg (3.7 lb). It includes the Air Compress shoulder padding strap and a reversible camera cover with weather-resistant PU coating and heat-reflective lining.
Available colors: True Black, Navy Green, Ocean Blue, Ruby Red, Burnt Orange.
- Large, True Black, $223 at B&H
- Large, Ruby Red at B&H
- Large, Burnt Orange at B&H
- Large, Navy Green at B&H
- Large, Ocean Blue at B&H
Professional Medium V4
The Professional Medium V4 handles setups up to 10 kg (22 lb), making it suitable for mid-size cinema cameras, mirrorless bodies with cine rigs, and most run-and-gun configurations. Dimensions are 40 × 30 × 25 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 9.8 in), packing to 37 × 20 × 20 cm. Like the Large, it includes Air Compress shoulder padding and a camera cover.
Available colors: True Black, Platinum Grey, Navy Blue, Light Lilac.
- Medium, True Black at B&H
- Medium, Platinum Grey at B&H
- Medium, Navy Blue at B&H
- Medium, Light Lilac at B&H
Professional Mini V4
The Professional Mini V4 is aimed at documentary, wildlife, and nature cinematography where a smaller, more discreet profile is an advantage. It handles setups up to 10 kg (22 lb), with dimensions of 37 × 25 × 25 cm (14.57 × 9.84 × 9.84 in), packing to 33 × 20 × 20 cm. The bag weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb). It works well for mirrorless cameras and small DSLRs in situations where the bag needs to blend into the environment.
Available colors: True Black, Camouflage.
Essential V4
The Essential V4 is the entry point into the Rat Bag range. It shares the same medium-size dimensions (40 × 30 × 25 cm), Cordura nylon exterior, memory foam filling, car-mounting loops, and metal hardware as the Professional line, but omits the Air Compress shoulder padding and camera cover to bring the price down. The load capacity is the same 10 kg (22 lb). It is available in one color.
Specifications Summary
- Material: 600GSM Cordura-type nylon, water and dirt resistant
- Filling: Silent memory foam
- Hardware: Metal buckles and industrial-grade snap hooks throughout
- Base: Non-slip rubber
- Strap: Adjustable and removable 38mm with Air Compress shoulder padding (Professional line)
- Pockets: 2 small and 1 jumbo Velcro pockets
- Car loops: 4 secure mounting loops
- Includes: Carry-on pouch, camera cover (Professional line), padded strap
- Construction: Handmade, double-stitched
- Origin: Transylvania, Romania
- Warranty: 1 year
- Large: 44 × 41 × 30 cm, 1.7 kg, up to 15 kg load
- Medium: 40 × 30 × 25 cm, up to 10 kg load
- Mini: 37 × 25 × 25 cm, 1 kg, up to 10 kg load
- Essential: 40 × 30 × 25 cm, up to 10 kg load
The full Rat Bag range is available at focusrat.com and through B&H Photo Video.
