I have a problem — I'm obsessed with backpacks. I've gone through three in the past year alone, each with its own set of pros and cons that always left me wanting more. A simple bag with a laptop sleeve is great for quick trips to the coffee shop, but in a busier setting, it's frustrating to have to dig around for one particular item. I love the flexibility of camera bags, but the custom-fit sections aren't always ideal when carrying multiple lenses isn't a priority. I wanted something in between that would allow for quick access and tight organization. Enter Peak Design.
A quick look through Peak Design's products reveals that the company is primarily focused on photographers, and I had already been using one of its other camera-related products for a while: the Slide Pro strap, with its easy adjusters and Anchor Link quick-release system, has been a huge convenience for me. Naturally, I was curious when I stumbled upon the company's various bags.
The Everyday Backpack is available in two sizes — 20L or 30L — though both are identical in terms of design. The bag is made of a weather-resistant canvas material, with a large flap up top held in place by a magnetic latch. There are four "steps" for the latch, allowing you to expand or contract the bag to fit your carry load. It's easy to grab and carry in any orientation thanks to the handles on the top and sides, and the zippers along the sides allow for fast access.
It's hard to overstate the convenience of this bag.
The inside is almost entirely empty, save for three included dividers that attach to the inner lining with velcro and create shelves to section off the bag. Each divider has two collapsible flaps that can be folded up or down to create sub-dividers, allowing you to keep smaller items like lenses in place.
Combine all of these features together, and you have an incredibly convenient backpack. Being able to access the contents of the bag from the sides means you can instantly reach even items stored at the bottom — especially since it's all neatly separated by the dividers.
You can also swing the Everyday Backpack off of one shoulder to your chest and access the sides without taking it off, which has been one of my favorite features; at the airport this week, I was able to grab my headphones from the bag while walking to my terminal.
On the sides of the backpack, there are additional compartments with stretchable fabric to hold everything from external hard drives to items as large as water bottles. There are small pockets that are just big enough to fit most camera batteries — though only one of the pockets can fit the battery for my Panasonic GH5. The others are big enough to hold Canon LP-E6 batteries.
Straps on straps on straps.
There are also a ton of straps included with the bag. Like, a crazy amount of straps. Straps for shortening or lengthening the shoulder straps. Torso straps to attach to the shoulder straps to relieve tension. Straps to attach anything with an Anchor Link — I put one on my keyring when I'm traveling so I don't lose my keys.
At the top of the Everyday Backpack, there's a section for up to a 15" laptop and/or tablet (it can hold both), as well as a pocket for small items like cables. Around the back, the Everyday Backpack is nicely padded for comfort and protection, and breathes well to keep your back from sweating.
The Everyday Backpack isn't cheap, but it's one of my favorite purchases in recent memory.
Starting at $260 for the 20L variant, the Everyday Backpack is one of the more expensive bags on the market, and a lot of people will understandably be skeptical. But from the outstanding craftsmanship to the incredibly intuitive design and thoughtful engineering, I've never been more pleased with a bag. It's traveled with me through Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and has yet to show any signs of wear.
The Everyday Backpack is simply too expensive for me to be able to universally recommend — there are so many great bags for a fraction of the price, like the OnePlus Travel Backpack or any number of bags from brands like Timbuk2. Still, if you, like me, are in constant search of a specialized bag that checks almost every box, this one's worth the money.
