Photography News 94 Web

First test

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L PRICE: £207.97

TRANSCONTINENTA.CO.UK

NUMBER ONE ON the Peak Design website’s Our Mission page is ‘make the best things’ – a philosophy applied to its range of tripods, accessories and camera bags. The Everyday Backpack range is designed to cope with your kit and your needs – and look great, too. The Everyday Backpack is available in 20L and 30L sizes. The 20L, tested here, is roomy enough for three or four lenses, a DSLR/ mirrorless outfit, plus accessories. There are also dedicated laptop and tablet protective sleeves. Three Flexfold inserts are supplied, to divide up the main compartment as you like. Access to the main storage area is through large side panels on both sides of the bag. Put a divider high up in the main area to stow your camera there, for quick access via a large top flap. Magnets are used more and more for photo accessories, and we see them in this bag. The top cover has an elasticated, anodised and magnetised Maglatch, which can be SPECS ›  Price £207.97, in four colours: black, ash, charcoal, midnight ›  In the box Backpack, Flexfold dividers, Anchor Link key tether, cord hooks – two long, two short ›  Capacity 20 litres max ›  Materials 400D double-coated, DWR-impregnated nylon canvas shell. 900D waterproof bottom liner. Anodised aluminium and glass-reinforced nylon hardware. Ultrazips ›  Laptop pocket Yes, 15/16in laptop ›  Tablet pocket Yes, 12.9in max ›  Internal dimensions (wxhxd) 28x41x13cm ›  External dimensions (wxhxd) 33x46x17cm ›  Weight 2.01kg (with dividers) ›  Contact transcontinenta.co.uk

outfit (the GFX 50S II tested in this issue) with the camera and fitted lens in the top space, with extra lenses in the main body. I added a speedlight, 13-inch laptop, ten-inch tablet and tripod. The laptop compartment has a movable flap, so smaller laptops do not disappear to the bottom. The comfort of a fully loaded bag rated highly, although locating the sternum strap is fiddly. A clip would have been easier in use – but not as aesthetically pleasing. The magnetic top flap could be tricky to release, and you have to pull the clip down firmly before lifting the flap. WC

the rear laptop/tablet sleeve, there’s a couple of elasticated pockets for batteries or cards. On the interior of each side flap, there are two more pouches, one open and one zipped – inside that are two more pockets. Two side handles are attached – and hoops for security. I found the bag comfortable in use. I loaded a Fujifilm medium format

used to temporarily hold it in place. For a more secure fastening, this clip hooks firmly into one of four fittings, which are spaced to allow plenty of contents to be packed in. It’s a neat piece of design. There are also magnets to hold the shoulder straps in place when the bag is off the back. Many other impressive touches aren’t apparent until it’s in use. In

POWERFUL ATTRACTION Magnets hold the shoulder straps when the bag is off your back, keeping things neat

Verdict Peak Design has brought innovation to its tripods and bags, and there is much to enjoy in the Everyday Backpack 20L. I found it a practical and comfortable bag in use and it looks great, particularly in an urban setting. PROS Smart looks, made from quality materials, magnetic latches, dual side access, contents well-protected, good-sized top compartment, three grip handles, magnetic top cover latches, comfortable to carry CONS Top cover magnetic latch can be sticky to release, sternum strap fiddly to locate

EASY ACCESS Large side flaps on both sides of the bag let you get at the contents quickly, without having to put the bag down first

Issue 94 | Photography News 61

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