GEAR MINI TESTS
DESIGN FOR LIFE The rucksack is comfortable to wear and can be swivelled round for easy access
SPECIFICATIONS Carry options: Backpack straps with sternumstrap, waist belt, handle Laptop compartments:
PEAK DESIGN TRAVEL BACKPACK 45L £288/$300 peakdesigns.com
One 15in, one 10in Tripod holder: Yes
Volume: 45 litres/1522 fl oz Exterior: Nylon, polyester Interior: Nylon Dimension (wxhxd): 560x330x290mm/22.1x13x11.4in Weight: 2.05kg/4.52lbwithout camera pack These Cubes make it a fully- featured camera bag to ensure your kit is well-protected. If you are travelling, remove these inserts and use them separately, so you have a large day bag. When wearing the backpack, there is a sleeve for a ten-inch tablet and a 15-inch laptop, which rests behind the shoulders to spread the weight. The main compartment can be reached even while carrying the bag, through zipped side openings, positioned to face you when the bag is rotated round. If it is packed full of kit, then this is a slightly stressful move. The bag also comes in a smaller, 30-litre version and a huge 65-litre duffel pack, which will take lots of kit – if you have the strength to lift it onto your back and carry it. But the 45-litre is a great option that offers many uses. PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Stylish and well thought out Pros: Multiple configurations Cons: Not the lightest bag
When a company proudly has ‘design’ in its name, it usually means the focus is either on style above all else, or functionality where aesthetics are a secondary matter. In the case of Peak Designs, everything the company makes manages to excel at both. The new travel range, including this 45-litre backpack, looks and feels good – and is packed with useful innovations. The backpack is a rugged, expandable and accessible carry-on travel bag that can be configured for lots of different uses. The understated quality of the 100% weatherproof, black nylon material is simply incredible. It also comes in grey, Peak Design’s most recognisable colour. You get fast access to the top, side, front and rear via weatherproof zips, which are built
to withstand decades of use, thanks to an abrasion-resistant thread. There are lots of fast-access pockets for personal items like keys, padded sleeves for a laptop and tablet, with expandable side pockets for water bottles or small tripods. Plus, extra straps to fasten on larger tripods. There are tuck- away shoulder straps, hip belt and grab handles all around the bag, with cleverly concealed carry straps. In ‘standard’ configuration as a 35-litre day bag, it meets international carry-on size requirements, but expands to a 45-litre gear bag when needed. For camera equipment, the main cavity is divisible into two compartments via a mesh sleeve. Inside here, Peak Designs’ Camera Cube insert bags are available separately. These come in three sizes – small at £49/$50, medium at £69/$70, large at £88/$90. You can fit more than one at the same time. It's claimed the large Camera Cube can hold up to three pro DSLR- style cameras each, with a battery grip and large lens, or up to three mirrorless cameras and 12 lenses, or three medium-sized folding drone kits. That’s a bit optimistic, but shows how big the bag is. We got a Panasonic S1H with zoom lens, a mic and five extra lenses inside the medium easily enough.
SOFT CELL This medium Camera Cube swallows a lot of equipment and keeps it all very well protected
60
PRO MOVIEMAKER
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