First test
PRICE: £223
TRANSCONTINENTA.CO.UK
Peak Design Everyday 20L V2 backpack Innovation marches ever onward, and Peak Design’s new Everyday V2 backpacks have plenty of clever updates
SPECS
› Material 400D 100%recycled nylon shell and interior, compression-molded high- density EVA foamdividers and protective panels, anodized aluminumand glass-reinforced nylon hardware › Tripod holder Yes (pocket) › Sternum strap Yes › Laptop pocket Yes, 15in › Waist belt No › Zips Stormsealed › Raincover No › Dimensions (WxHxD) 46.5x30x21cm (exterior) 55x28.5x16cm (interior) › Weight 1.66kg › Contact transcontinenta.co.uk THE EVERYDAY V2 IS A COMFY CARRY, EVEN FULLY LOADED. I TOOK IT ON A FIVE-MILE HIKE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS one side to the other, and can be set at four different heights depending on your figure. The contact points on the bag are well padded, though not as well as some, and there’s not much in the way of airflow, probably due to the luggage passthrough which sits behind. There’s no stabilising belt either. The latter can be bought separately, but if you’re going on that kind of hike, you’re probably looking at a different style of backpack altogether. KS
Peak Design recently updated its photo backpacks, and this includes new 20l and 30l Everyday models in black, dark grey (Charcoal), light grey (Ash) and blue (Midnight). We tested an Everyday V2 20L version. The Everyday V2 has a neat and tidy design, and though it doesn’t initially have the looks of a ‘proper’ outdoor bag, it’s still versatile inside and out, and has decent weather sealing. The 400Dweatherproof outer has a pleasingly rough canvas feel, and though there’s no included rain cover, it stood up well to a light shower. All external zips are storm sealed, wherein a rubberised material wraps over them as they close. Protection seemed excellent to me, too. The outer wraps over a protective foam shell, so the bag has rigidity and won’t sag. I couldn’t find any particular weak points, which are sometimes present in the corners, and the Everyday V2 also features a thicker base with a waterproof material there. The only criticism I’d have is that the zips, albeit storm sealed, sit flush to the bottom of the bag, so won’t be kept
off the deck if you put it down upright. Solving this problem somewhat, the V2’s side-access means you don’t need to physically put the bag down to get to your gear. With an opening at either side, it’s helpful for left and right- handed users, or means you can pick the side without your tripod or water bottle stowed. Joining the double side access, there’s a top flap. I was initially nervous about the sheer number of entry points, as I thought it might compromise safety. That wasn’t the case, as the side zips have no creep to them and can also be tied to nearby loops, so if you know you’re only going to use one side, you can lock down the other. In this state they still have approximately 3in of ‘run’, but it’s a handy option. Only the laptop compartment zip can’t be tied, which is a pity. For side access you swing the bag around to your front, then open the flap towards you. The zips have large pulls and run smoothly, so it’s all easy. On the inner faces of the side flaps are additional pockets, one of which is zipped for small accessories.
The top access uses what a ‘Maglatch’, basically a magnetised hook that connects to one of four metal bars. Being magnetic means the latch doesn’t need to fully close, as it’ll grab onto the metal and hold the flap in place fairly well alone. You only need to pull on the latch to open the top, so it can be used one handed, which is good. Why are there four metal bars for the latch? This allows expansion of the top section, albeit not by masses like a regular drawstring section would. It’s rated as an extra three litres on the 20L version, and eight extra on the 30L pack. One issue with the expansion area is that the higher the rung you latch it, the more gape there is to the sides, which will obviously be a problem if it’s raining or snowing. Inside, the 20L claims it’ll take a full- frame DSLR and a holy trinity of lenses. I fitted a Nikon D850 with grip, 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and
Nikon 70-200mm very easily. This was done with the 24-70mmmounted. I didn’t need to modify the dividers for this, but if you do, it’s a simple case of moving them around. There are three dividers and each has hinged sections that can be used to hold smaller lenses. There are also elasticated side pockets, fitting a tripod, water bottle or similar, and a laptop bay taking up to a 15in model, or 16in on the 30L bag. I fitted a 15.4inMacBook Pro, though it was a little bit of a squeeze. More gear can be strapped to the bag using its external loops, and it comes with four external carry straps. The Everyday V2 is a pretty comfortable carry, even fully loaded. I took it on a five mile hike and had no problems. The harness uses an axial connection to the bag, which means the straps will rotate to fit your body shape, and they’re broad and well padded. The sternum strap hooks from
PROS Clever design, great capacity CONS Price may be prohibitive and a key tether in the left side pocket. We’d love to see some of these features appear on amore outdoor focusedmodel. Verdict This is a very well designed bag and good value for money. It feels supremely well made, backed by a lifetime warranty, carries plenty of kit, and confirms to airline carry-on limits.And there are loads of other neat little features, like the way the harness can be held to the bag usingmagnets, large top and side grab handles, pockets with magnetic closure, a concealed top pocket,
IMAGES The four metal bars for the latch allow for easy expansion of the bag
IMAGES I fitted a full-frame DSLR with one lens mounted, plus two additional lenses, into the bag quite easily
Issue 76 | Photography News 25
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