I’ve used the Peak Design Everyday Backpack V1 (the original) for a little over 5 years. I’ve seen the pros and cons of the backpack, and I’ve seen it fail. But before you draw conclusions, hear (read) me out.
Who is it for?
The name of the backpack suggests a wide range of uses. But its design favors photographers. Both sides have zippers that provide access to the entire content, minus the laptop/tablet compartment.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is available in two sizes: 20 liter and 30 liter. I’ve opted for the 20 liter version because I wanted to use it on air travel as a carry-on bag that fits underneath the front seat of an airplane. Many airlines allow you to bring a boarding trolley and one bag that must fit underneath the front seat. The Everyday Backpack 20L meets that criteria, I believe the 30L may be a little too big.
The first trip with that backpack was to Europe. It carried my camera gear – then a Nikon D850, a Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 and a Nikon 70-700mm f/4 lens – plus accessories and a light jacket, a water bottle, our passports, and the usual stuff you need. While on an airplane or in transit, it also held a 13″ MacBook plus charger, card reader, external SSD drive, cellphone charger, earphones, blower, sweatshirt, some snacks and other small items.
To my surprise the Everyday Backpack swallowed all that and more. As my kids and I walked through Berlin, climbed the Swiss Alps, explored Florence, the Tuscany, and finally Rome, the backpack was always with me.
I will talk about its downsides later on. As a camera bag for traveling photographers or photo enthusiasts I think it is a great solution. I also use it as a day to day bag for commuting when I carry a camera and/or a laptop. Since I own a wide range of backpacks, I use other backpacks for hiking or traveling without camera / with a small M43 camera+lens, or for shopping. I also own and use several hiking camera backpacks for the more challenging hikes.
Other Uses
The laptop and tablet compartments are great. The stiff material and the padding protects the laptop much better than most backpacks made from soft material. The new version even features a height-adjustable laptop compartment (more useful on the 30L model). This makes it a very nice backpack for commuting to work.
It lends itself as a general backpack for travel, especially air travel. If you remove or rearrange the dividers and insert document folders, it can be used to carry documents as well. The luggage passthrough to attach the backpack to the handle of your trolley makes it easy to “carry” your luggage in an airport or in transit. Three carrying handles let you carry the backpack in vertical or horizontal position.
Don’t store any small items in the large storage compartment. The zippers on both sides may open a little and small items can fall through. You have a pouch in the laptop compartment where you can store small items, or use the inside pockets on both sides.
Comfort
I always use a backpack for carrying stuff. I’m relatively tall (1.86m or about 6 feet) and I try to avoid hurting my back, neck, shoulders etc. My profession takes me on long walks and (mountain) hikes. Hot summer climate requires plenty of water, particularly in the desert. As a result my backpacks usually put quite some weight on the scales.
The best carrying solution is a backpack with a rigid frame and a comfortable, adjustable hip belt that takes most of the weight. The Peak Design Everyday Backpack V1 does not fall into that category. It’s hip belt is useless. Version 2, the current version of the Everyday Backpack, offers an optional hip belt that looks way more comfortable (I haven’t tried it). With the hip belt, you adjust the shoulder straps to let the backpack rest on the hips, which is not ideal for tall people.
The shoulder straps of both versions are easy to adjust and well padded. A sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps in position and I use it on longer walks.
I find that the relatively stiff back of the Everyday Backpack adds to the carrying comfort and is better than less rigid backpacks without frame. You will have to experiment a little with the shoulder straps to find the best height. Proper adjustment will help you reduce or eliminate pain in the neck after long walks.
I use the Peak Design backpack on daylong city excursions with a full frame (mirrorless) camera and two or three lenses plus water and other stuff. It isn’t as comfortable as a dedicated hiking backpack, but the latter is bulkier and not suitable for the city. I do use the Everyday Backpack as a hiking backpack when traveling abroad, like on last years 7-weeks trip to Europe.
Camera Bag Features
Take off one shoulder strap and sling the backpack around to access the camera gear from the side. You may have to loosen the shoulder strap on your shoulder to get the bag in a more comfortable position. Watch the Peak Design video to get a better idea.
I like this design as it allows me to comfortably carry my gear and still have quick access to the camera. It’s not as fast as a messenger bag, though. If I need a camera ready for shooting, I carry the camera on a Peak Design Slide camera strap in sling position. To do so, you sling the backpack to the front as described above. Pull out the camera, wear it in a sling position: strap on the same shoulder as the backpack shoulder strap and the camera hanging against the hip on the opposite side. After closing the backpack, just return the backpack and put on the other shoulder strap. Sounds complicated but it’s super easy.
Inside the backpack are 3 flexible dividers with Velcro pads that attach to the front and back of the backpack. When you remove them, you get one large compartment that is accessible from both sides and via the top latch. I usually use two dividers to create two compartments (camera+lens and a second lens), with access from one side door. That leaves a size-adjustable top compartment for other stuff.
All in all the Everyday Backpack works well as a camera backpack, which is why it became my favorite day-to-day photo bag. The laptop compartment is also very convenient.
Size and Weight
For exact dimensions, check the manufacturer website in the link at the top. The new version 2 of the Everyday Backpack is bulkier than the original version. The width of the side door is 6.3″ (18.5 cm) on Version 2 versus 5.3″ (16 cm) on the original backpack. For some this is good news. I prefer the slimmer original version.
Both versions (V1 and V2) of the Everyday Backpack 20L weigh only 1.8 kg (about 4 lbs). I love that these backpacks are so light. Some airlines have weight restrictions on carry-on luggage, where the low weight of the backpack is a bonus.
My Peak Design 20 liter backpack typically holds a Nikon Z7 II or Z8 mirrorless camera with two zoom lenses. Sometimes I carry both bodies with the 70-200mm and 14-24mm attached. My MacBook Pro 14″ is often with me, too. The bag then has still enough capacity to put in a jacket, a book, or more lenses.
Environment
I’ve used the version 1 of the Everyday Backpack extensively over 5 years and under different weather conditions.
Rain
The original version of the Everyday Backpack withstands normal rain very well. But after prolonged or heavy rain some water may enter via the top zipper into the pouch and laptop compartment. I didn’t carry a laptop, but you should be aware of that. I never had camera gear got wet inside the large main compartment, though a little bit of water did enter through the side zippers. Remember, I’m talking about the original version 1.
My suggestion: Get a rain cover if you anticipate strong showers or prolonged exposure to rain. (Rain can offer great photo opportunities for photographers.) I wouldn’t worry much if you only carry the backpack under light rain or a mild drizzle over a short time.
Heat
I had chosen the charcoal version, which is kind of a dark silver-grey. In the hot Mediterranean summers and in the desert sun the backpack can get very hot on the outside. So hot you can burn your skin. BUT, the inside doesn’t warm up, the heat is effectively deflected. The fabric is thick and dense and protects the interior from the sun rays.
Once you realize this, you just avoid touching the surfaces that are exposed to the sun. I haven’t found it impact my use of the bag.
Scuffing
After 5 years of use, including hiking on rocky terrain and through thickets of thorny bushes and trees, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack still looks like new, almost. The only place I see wear is on the padding towards the bottom of the back side where it rubs against my lower back.
When the backpack gets dirty I wipe it down with water and a little soap, if needed. With a bit of care, the backpack should last a long time.
Beach
Be careful in sandy or dusty environments. The top latch doesn’t seal the bag, and the side zippers provide access points for dust and sand to enter. With the original version I found that the bottom side zippers would gradually open a little, although they are secured with the zipper pulls fastened to the carry loops. The new version 2 has a much better design where the zippers will stay closed.
Version 2 Compared to Original Version
The new version 2 of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack comes with some improvements, but also some drawbacks. Let’s start with the improvements:
- Supposedly more durable side zippers
- Optional improved hip belt
- On the accessory straps, Peak Design got rid of the cumbersome G-hooks and replaced them with easy to attach hooks
- Improved MagLatch top latch
- Magnetic shoulder straps to attach to the back so the straps won’t hang loose when not wearing the backpack or when carrying on a trolley
- Better position of security/carry loops for bottom side door zippers so the zippers will stay close (with the old design, the bottom side door zippers could open up to 3-4 cm / 1″ allowing small items to fall out or dirt and sand to enter the main compartment)
- For more features, check their website.
Some changes I or others view as drawbacks (see reviews and comments on their website):
- The zippered side access doors don’t easily open up to a 90 degree position to comfortably reach the gear
- The hidden passport pocket is too small. The only way to store a passport is horizontally, and it’s not easy to squeeze it in. Peak Design should know that not all passports in the world are US passports. Some countries have slightly larger formats (I tried 3 different nationalities). Message to Peak Design: Please just reverse that change – the old design was perfect!
- The inside Velcro fabric doesn’t extend as far up as in the original version. This is a real drawback as it leaves you less options or room for subdividing the main compartment.
- The original version had a zippered flap over both inside pockets and different sized smaller pockets inside. In the new version the lower part is zippered while the upper part is not. That together with using same-sized pockets can cause items to fall out into the bag and eventually get lost.
- No color coding for the inside pockets
- The new triangular fold at the end of the shoulder straps is supposed to make it easy to grab and pull the straps with your thumbs. The original loop was simpler and better.
- Looks more expensive than its predecessor which may attract thieves.
You can find a relatively detailed comparison in this YouTube video. Please note that I disagree with some of the comments in the video ( see the lists above).
Downsides
As much as I like this (camera) backpack, it has its downsides. The leather trimming (except the black model), for example, will discourage vegan customers. In my opinion it also draws unneeded attention from the do-no-goods (thieves).
The inside pockets aren’t well designed. No color coding at all. I like to have a “red” color code for used memory cards and/or used batteries. The original version did have some color coded pockets.
There is a general lack of organizational help. This requires you to buy memory card pouches and other bags to store your small items. I hate to carry bags within bags, with a few exceptions: first aid kit, toiletry bag, and food storage containers. These are things you have to be able to take out of your backpack.
The outside pockets should be wider and higher to hold 1.5 Liter water bottles securely. Increasing the size of the side pocket is an easy way to give the user extra space and carrying options. I sometimes use the side pocket to carry my Gitzo Traveler tripod and RRS-40 head, it’s doable.
As you can see, I haven’t got too much to complain. For most people these issues will be minor.
Warranty
Nothing in live is perfect. About two weeks ago the zipper on a side door broke and the entire Everyday Backpack version 1 became useless as you couldn’t close the main compartment (only the laptop compartment was unaffected). Luckily this happened at home when I was rearranging the dividers. If this had happened on tour, it would have been a disaster.
Since the backpack came with a lifetime warranty, I took some photos of the backpack and filled in a warranty claim. Soon enough I got a reply to send in a purchase receipt and the serial number.
After a little more than a week I received a brand new Peak Design Everyday Backpack Version 2 via courier. Kudos!
The way Peak Design handled my warranty claim was exceptional. They apologized for a higher than usual workload that might cause delay. But I got the replacement faster than I would normally get purchases from the US.
Suggestion: As a safety precaution, store several safety pins in a little bag inside the backpack. Should your side door zipper break, you can temporarily close it with the safety pins.
Pro Tips
Like in the Peak Design videos, I got some pro tips too:
Airline Travel
When traveling without check-in luggage on an airplane, I store all my heavy stuff – camera gear, laptop, chargers, a book, etc. – in the Everyday Backpack. The clothes and other bulkier stuff goes into a lightweight (1.8 kg, 4 lbs) , soft-shell boarding trolley. This way the boarding trolley stays just below the weight limit of usually 8kg (sometimes less). Nobody ever checked my Everyday Backpack, and it fits underneath the front seat.
Dividers
The FlexFold dividers are NOT creating sealed compartments. Do not store any small items in the top compartment that might fall through. Liquids, creams and toiletries, for example sun lotion, should be sealed in water-tight bags. Likewise food. Otherwise you call for a disaster to happen.
Zippers
Lock the zippers you don’t use. The “Setup + Tips” video I linked above talks about it. When you arrange the dividers inside the main compartment, you will find that you actually use only one side door. The zippers on the other side door can and should be secured. This prevents accidental opening and makes it harder for thieves to steal your gear.
I also suggest you secure the lower zipper on the side door you do use. For example, I always open the side door from the upper side, i.e. zipper.
Color
A backpack or camera backpack is not all about looks. If you live in a hot sunny climate, avoid dark colors (black, midnight). On the other hand, the “ash” color may show dirt and stains more easily.
If you live in a moderate climate, dark colors are perfectly fine. In fact, I would grab the midnight blue. Darker colors are often less conspicuous.
I would generally go for an inconspicuous look for a camera backpack, in particular when I carry gear that’s worth the price of a car.
Instructional Video
You should definitely watch the video!
Conclusion
I’ve had and still own so many backpacks I can’t count. The Everyday Backpack is one of the better models, if not one of the best. It’s not cheap, but the company provides a lifetime warranty which isn’t just a marketing gimmick. They stand behind their products.
The backpack is of excellent quality, made of durable materials. It’s best suited for the urban environment, but can serve you on hikes as well. It’s particularly convenient for travelers who often see trains and airplanes. The main compartment is very versatile thanks to the FlexFold dividers. I find these dividers much better than the usually soft dividers in other camera bags.
The laptop / tablet compartment is separate from the main compartment and well designed. Both this and the main compartment offer good protection for your gear.
While the backpack doesn’t come with a rain cover, its the most weatherproof backpack I ever used. Version 2 of the backpack improved on that with better design and zippers.
Would I buy it again? Of course. I haven’t seen any better everyday camera backpack around yet.