After a bit of delay due to incompletely written address, I finally got my hands on the Everyday messenger bag by Peak Design today.
This was not a normal purchase, but as before, I backed a Kicstarter campaign Peak Design had a few months ago. There I chosen this charcoal messenger bag, with the field pouch and the capture lens clip. So quite a lot of things to try out and get a feel for :)
So let’s look today at my first impressions of the Everyday messenger bag.
Design & Details
For a moment after I unpacked the bag, I was a bit disappointed, that the strap is aranged as one would carry it on the right shoulder. Even all the photos attached show it being carried like that. But luckily, it quite easy and straightforward to remove the shoulder strap from the bag, and just turn it around, and attach it back on. Like this one can set it up for any shoulder, and you will have the shoulder adjustment on the right side (thats in the front). Of course one has to also switch the positions of the waist straps, but thats also quite easy.
There are so many small details on the bag, that show that the designer team thought about different situations. Between the color coded pockets (green for empty, red for full cards or batteries), hidden phone compartment, hidden keys compartment, easily adjustable dividers (really easily), hidden cross strap and more, they thought of almost everything (maybe everything, time will tell :))
The most interesting design choice are the multiple attach points for the cover flap. They allow the bag to adjust it’s size to the content, from 13.5l up to 21.5l in volume. This removes one of the problems with most bags (not just camera ones), that even empty, they are just too big. Another very nice part, are the dividers. They are so versatile and easy to adjust, that I’m surprised that nobody used a stile like this before.
I’m quite happy that they didn’t skimped on the shoulder strap. It’s really wide and nicely padded. Also the length seems about right. They included an interesting locking mechanism, that makes lengthening and shortening the strap much easier.
And another very nice design choice is the flat bottom of the bag. With that, it can stand on its own, without tiping towards any of the sides. The bottom is even covered by a sort off rubber material, to prevent water damage.
Size
First impression of the bag is, that it really looks small. This is probably due to a quite unusual shape, sort of similar to a V, where the top is wider than the bottom. Additionally, the cover flap can attach in multiple positions, so it can change the size as one needs it. This does makes it smaller than a comparable capacity bag.
I tried it out by putting my most carried gear into it. With a Canon 70-200, 28-70 and a 16-35 attached to the Sony a7r, I was still able to close the bag to its smallest size, without any problems. This means that I can still put the pouch on top, and still have quite a lot of space.
Build quality
During the years I had quite a few camera bags. My favorites were the two ones I use right now, one by Domke and one by Think-tank. Quality vise, the Everyday messenger bag seems really similar. I found no manufacturing errors on mine, all seems to be well made. I especially like the zippers, that ale completely covered up from outside and move easily.
Time will tell how it fares, but I do have quite high hopes here.
The Field Pouch
Together with the Everyday messenger bag, I also got the Field pouch. This is a small pouch, that you can use to keep smaller things inside the bag. You can even use it as a small shoulder bag, if you have a camera strap made by Peak Design or attach it to your belt.
It uses the same trick as the messenger bag, so it can close in multiple positions, so being as small or as big as you need it to be.
First impressions
I’m really impressed by the bag. Still will need to see how it is in regular use, but for now, it looks really well designed, with lost of small touches, and nice build quality. I’m really happy with my purchase :)
For more about the bag and other Peak design products, check out the Peak Design homepage (btw. you can use the code HDRSHOOTER for a 10% discount of all Peak Design products :)).
Looks promising although I’m not big fan of bags (I prefer flipside backpacks).
my current bag is a flipside one, but its too big for what I need (and I would never take it with me when I don’t take the camera). This seems to fit my size needs, and its very easy to remove the space dividers, to just use it as a normal messenger bag. Thats why I got it :)
I use a backpack from national geographic. With loads of space for my camera gear and space for a laptop.
Great review, Miroslav. I was surprised that so much gear could into such a “small” bag. If you could add a picture with you wearing the bag fully packed, it would help us see the dimensions in real life :)
Still just first impression. I have it too short for a review, that will come in few weeks probably, after I use it in the field :) And I will try to remember, and do also a photo as you requested :)
For me it really works. Great stuff so far. I really look forward to new design backpack by PD. So far each and very product released by PD was just awesome.
Until now, I only found one issue, that is how it bends when worn on one spot. It’s not really a problem, I just fear it can lead to damage at the bend point, will see how it works out long time.