Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20 L

Peak Design Everyday Backpack

PS Everyone - check out their new travel line!

Ash, 20L

I got this pack a couple of months ago and after using it on multiple trips, I finally confident enough to give it a solid review. I do have to say that I was already using the Peak Design Pro Clip (Game - changer!!) so I had high expectations for their backpack. I was originally using the Crumpler Karachi Outpost Backpack - which I will keep using for my mini photo sessions where I take my large Nikon D800. The large cameras don't fit that well in the peak design 20L unfortunately. But it does fit my Sony A7rii with the zeiss 24-70mm, nikon 85mm (+ adapter), and a nikon 14-24mm if needed.

This past weekend, we went on a 1-night backpacking trip into the Cascades and I had to choose between taking my peak design & my Osprey backpacking bag. The choice was clear - Peak Design all the way! Honestly, I sometimes hate the bottomless-pit feel of my osprey and it was great to be able to sub-divide all my things and know that my camera was safely packed. I just had to tie up the sleeping bag + heavier clothes into a compression sack that went on the front of pack and stuffed my 2L Osprey reservoir into the laptop compartment - PERFECT. Obviously, for a longer trip, this pack wouldn't perform so well (ie no padded waist strap, etc). But I think I will continue using the Peak Design for short backpacking trips. 

Material: Waterproof - I love it! I've definitely dragged this pack through the ringer - muddy trails, climbing, backpacking, stormy downpours. My stuff has always stayed dry and pretty clean for what I've put it through.  I do have to make sure the top flaps are tucked in so that water doesn't get into it. 

Usability: It's definitely a bit confusing when you first get the bag - there are so many features packed into this thing! But it's great because there is a lot of versaility and I imagine that people would be able to use this in many different ways. As of now, I only use one side of the pack. The other side, I keep locked. They've really thought things through on placement. I was really impressed that I could have a huge compression sack hooked to the front and a water bottle stuffed to the side, and still be able to easily access the side zippers and grab my things.

Warranty: This past trip to Seattle, I had flung my backpack into my Uber and low-and-behold..the latch snapped clean off. Eek!! I reached out to Peak Design right away and they had a new backpack sent to me within a week. Talk about lifetime warranty! I remember I had some issues with my capture clip as well for a bit, and they sent me new parts 2-3 times for it. 

Cons: The only thing I've seen so far is that sometimes the straps slide out of the magnetic closure system on the sides after much use. Not too annoying; but something to note. Also, there has been a couple of times where I've closed the side zippers on a full pack, and the zipper actually split in the middle! Scary for my equipment. I've just learned not to stuff too much into it. Also, when I don't have my pack fully packed, my camera equipment rolls around a bit in there. Even within the tightly confined dividers. This really only happens when I have my smaller Sony A7rii in there. With my D800, it's such a big camera that it fits snug.

Price: For around $260, this is definitely an expensive bag but I think it is well worth it due to its versatility and functionality. I love that I can expand on the bag and it gives me opportunities to latch different things onto it - very important for a photographer since we're always lugging around heavy things. When I was first on the market for a new backpack, I hated the idea of spending a ton of money on a backpack that only had one use. But this backpack is truly an 'everyday' backpack that takes all that I throw at it. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Review \\ Crumpler Karachi Outpost (Small)

Karachi Outpost (S) 

You can find it here for $225. 

UPDATE 09/25/15: I still wear it for all my photo sessions / client sessions and it's great to be able to fit my equipment :) But I do notice that when I go on my adventures (camping/climbing) basically anything that has to do with me scrambling rocks, I tend to choose a more streamlined backpack that isn't so bulky. I feel a little top-heavy when I have my karachi, which is great when I'm not doing much and just photographing at a park or what not. But not so much when I'm on the side of a mountain looking 100' below me.. Haha! None the less, I am still very impressed with the quality of the materials. I prettyyy much just drop/throw my backpack onto the ground most of the times. That's how much I trust this backpack! 

Update 09/23/2017: I am now using a peak design backpack for my photo adventures, click HERE for my review :) 

I don't usually write reviews, but it was hard to find any feedback on this particular backpack so I thought I might write one just to help out! Originally, I was deciding between the Langly and the Karachi. But ultimately chose Karachi because of Crumpler's reputation and their fast customer service. It definitely doesn't look as 'classic' or aesthetically pleasing as Langly's Delta bag, but I think the protection of equipment was more worth it with the Outpost. I also wasn't sure the Langly bag would be able to fit my equipment (it looked more like a backpack for small film cameras/ etc). 

Aesthetics:

This backpack is so good looking! I wore it all around Europe and wasn't worried about it looking like a camera backpack. The straps were very strong and I had it hanging on a hook a majority of the time (it was quite heavy with all my equipment in it). 

Construction:

The construction of the backpack was made with high quality materials, IMO. I was not worried placing it down anywhere along the European streets and the few times I got dirt on it, I just wiped it off easily. It is extremely heavy duty, and I appreciated the rain cover that came with it. 

Front and Back of Karachi Outpost. 

Usability:

As for the backpack itself, the color is brilliant and I like all the organization it provides. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but the backpack is actually very 'structured' meaning that its basically built to enclose the inner structure that holds the camera + equipment. It basically floats in the middle of backpack. That said, while this backpack can hold a lot of camera related equipment from the back, I wish there was more space on the top to put stuff (its small) or at least make it more customization so that I can sometimes put more stuff on top/ less equipment. 

In the end, I was able to keep my sunglasses case, portable camera pack for my smartphone, big headphones, and a tablet in the top case. Not too shabby! I also liked the array of smaller zipped portions (waterproof) where I could store my lens cleaning pens, notebooks, etc. 

*I notice that the bottom of the upper component doesn't really touch the top of the structure, so there's a bit of wasted space / same with the bottom of the backpack.

Camera Compartment:

It comes with a little baggie of velcro straps so the entire compartment is customizable to what you want to put in.

Things I fit in the camera compartment: 

1. SD Card Holder 

2. D800 E with 14-24mm Lens attached

3. 35mm f/1.8 lens 

4. 3 Spare batteries 

5. Battery chargers  

I probably could have put in another small lens too, but didn't want to bring too many to Europe. 

The Ipad pouch (the blue part on the back) is a nice touch. I was originally worried it would stick out and be uncomfortable, but it actually is breathable and helps with when you're walking around in a hot area. Keeps you cool and not too sweaty. 

Conclusion:

After my trip to Europe, I can happily rate this bag 4.8/5. Despite its smaller upper-compartment, I am impressed by the construction of the bag and its ability to customize to your camera equipment needs.  Overall, I would recommend this backpack as a travel backpack. If you have more equipment than I do / taller than I am, then I would suggest the bigger size as I heard it fits WAY more stuff. But as a girl, I am quite satisfied by how cute and convenient this bag is. 

As for now, I am using it on day trips and photography sessions all over the city. 

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll happily answer them!

Three colors available: Dark Blue, Green, and Orange/Red.