Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack

I warned you. I said back in January that there was a good chance we'd pick up a Peak Design Everyday Backpack at some point. After a great experience using the Everyday Messenger in Venice and the following few months, we decided that there was no point wasting time with the old, uncomfortable backpacks anymore. So, goodbye, generic German pack! Hello, Everyday Backpack!

Let's take a look. 

It has many of the same features of the Everyday Messenger including the Flex-Fold dividers, Maglatch closure, key tether system, anodized aluminum hardware, weatherproof exterior material and zippers, reinforced zipper pulls, and tuck-away straps. We opted for the 20L Ash version since it was the most versatile of the two color scheme choices. This model replaces the hypalon "touch points" with leather ones and the accent color is blue instead of the traditional red.

Leather "touch point" on the Ash model

Weather resistant zipper tracks

Re-enforced zipper pulls

Hardware

Pivot point of the main straps

Also, like the messenger, the backpack has laptop and tablet storage and an easy access quick stash pocket. Unlike the messenger, it has two water bottle/tripod storage pockets. This bag also offers multiple carry options besides the shoulder straps- the usual strap found on the top of most backpacks and two side ones. These two side straps allow you to pick the bag up and carry it in whatever position is the easiest and most comfortable for the moment. 

Access to the laptop/tablet storage and quick stash pocket

Ok, now for the revolutionary parts. First of all, the interior of the bag can be accessed completely from the sides, not just the top!

Why would you want to do such a thing? Well, if you're a photographer you know about the desire to just swing a bag around quickly while still wearing it to grab a camera or some other piece of equipment while on the go. Also, it's a convenient way for a partner to grab something without you needing to take the bag off. We took advantage of this feature almost exclusively in Rome. It saved quite a bit of time to just grab or stash something without needing to remove the bag. Plus, leaving the bag on made it much harder for thieves to nab, an unfortunate concern in Rome. Now, you may notice that there are some zips in those side pockets. Those open up a whole other little world of storage possibilities.

 Within this little secret world are color coded pockets for storing things like memory cards, batteries, filters, lens clothes, what have you without impeding the interior storage capacity of the bag.  There's also another secret pocket inside the top of the bag. See it?

 I didn't either at first (and I completely forgot about it when I took that photograph, actually). It's located inside the top cavity on the outside facing side of the bag. It's a small magnetically sealed pocket perfect for storing valuables and for misplacing your tripod's Allen wrench in.

Another revolutionary thing about this pack are the external carry options. This bag is perfect for securely and comfortably carrying a lot of stuff, all day if you have to.

The Everyday Backpack, fully loaded, in the wilds of the Roman Forum.

Just like last time, the bag test took place in Italy; this time we were in Rome. We had a few days during our trip that were pretty hectic and we needed a bag that would help, not hinder us. After spending so much time on our feet in Venice we decided that a messenger just isn't very comfortable for that type of all day travel situation. A backpack is more the animal for the job. They distribute the weight more evenly on the body making it easier to carry all day.  We had a whole day planned away from our apartment that started at 4:30am when it was about 38ºF through to the afternoon when the temperature was about 75ºF. So, we had coats in the morning and no place to stash them when it was warm enough to be in just our shirt sleeves in the afternoon. Also, we needed to use the tripod in the morning. Thanks to the exterior carry system we were able to roll the jackets up and strap them underneath the bag with the tuck-away straps. The tripod slid easily into one of the outside pockets and we could store a water bottle in the other. The tripod was secured with another one of those fabulous tuck-away straps. Because of its sleek design the bag stayed close and tight to the body even loaded down. The backpack also comes equipped with waist and chest straps that can be tucked away or stowed when not needed. Another nice feature which comes in handy at the airport is the built in luggage strap on the back of the bag that allows you to slip it over a rolling suitcase handle. The bottom of the bag has the same re-enforced material as the messenger so you don't have to worry about setting the bag down on rough or damp surfaces. This also serves as another tripod storage sleeve if you'd prefer keeping yours underneath the bag. The carry possibilities are endless!

Now, we've been through a lot of backpacks through the years, long before cameras came into our lives. There is one thing that determines a good backpack- how your shoulders feel at the end of the day. Once again, my husband did the carrying of the bag. He's struggled with back problems over the years so he'd know sooner than most if a bag is going to be comfortable all day. While carrying the Everyday Messenger caused some discomfort for him, he didn't have a word of complaint about carrying the Everyday Backpack. In fact, he didn't have a single complaint about the bag whatsoever. 

Its design is unassuming and stylish and the straps keep it snug to the body so it feels like a part of you, not a sack swinging behind you that puts pressure on your shoulders and back. Unlike all the other packs we've ever used, this one has class. For those who like to keep a sense of style when they travel, this bag will only add to it.  It transitions seamlessly from an air travel carry-on to a daily use camera bag. Plus, the dividers aren't just for cameras. Non-photographers will get just as much use out of them since they keep your stuff organized and protected. We carried cannoli around in it at one point!

Now, there are a couple of things that I found need a little work. The bag will fit differently on women than men (duh!). Like so many companies on this earth it seems Peak Design may have forgotten about the needs of its female customers a little. The chest strap tends to, uh, conflict with the female anatomy. The only place I find it somewhat comfortable is in the highest possible position (shown above). Because of that it doesn't allow a lot of wiggle room for the Capture One Pro clip system. It took two of us to get the Capture One in an orientation that kept it from digging into me anywhere. It works, but it could work a lot better if that chest strap could be positioned another inch higher.  The second problem I noticed is the same one we found with the Messenger. While the seatbelt material of the straps is tough as nails, it tends to slip over time. I found myself having to tighten the chest strap about a half dozen times on a two hour hike last weekend. The waist belt straps tend to loosen over time as well, even more so with a heavier load. That could be prevented with a redesign of the hardware on future renditions. The slipping isn't a major aggravation and if you're using it for city travel you'll probably be taking it on and off enough anyway that making midway adjustments won't be as necessary. Because of the slippage, I may be less inclined to use the Everyday Backpack for anything longer and more intense than a moderate day hike.

So, is the Everyday Backpack worth the price? Since I don't get any of the gear we test and use for free or at a discount, I can tell you that this bag is worth spending the dough on. Sure, it will cost far more than your standard city daypack, but it definitely will out perform your standard daypacks. Unlike all the other backpacks out there, it doesn't make you look like a dork. There isn't any loose, bulky material to get caught on lens hoods and the origami style dividers make it easy to keep your lenses and bodies happy and safe. The built in organizational pockets in the side panels will guarantee that your shutter release, lens pen, and filters don't go missing in the depths. Plus, it isn't only for photographers. Anyone can use this bag! It's sleek design makes it perfect for getting around town on foot, bicycle, or whatever form of alternative transport you prefer (Segway riders will probably love it too!). All the loose strap ends can be tucked away preventing that untidy and irritating dangly strap end syndrome you get from other bags. For those who shun panniers, this (like its messenger cousin) is a bike commuter's dream bag. The bag itself is weather resistant, so there's no need to deal with a rain cover. It expands and contracts to match its load, and even fully stuffed you're not going to look or feel like a backpacker. At the end or beginning of a trip, it'll ride handily on your luggage and slide neatly under the plane or train seat. Yes, it has a couple of kinks to work out, but so far this is definitely the best backpack we've ever used and I doubt we will want to replace it any time soon.