Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L – Unboxing and First Impressions

I have a confession to make.

I love camera bags.  It seems that I have a new bag every 6 months.  The reason why is that it’s so hard to find that perfect bag.  Some excel at certain things while others excel at others.  So when I heard about PeakDesign’s new Kickstarter campaign dubbed the Everyday Backpack, I was very intrigued.  Knowing the guys at PeakDesign and how good the Everyday Messenger was, I keenly followed, backed, and possibly stalked.

For months I watched all of their Google Hangout videos, watched all the promotional material, and checked the discussion board on Kickstarter.  I feel like I knew the product pretty well and that’s why I was able to open and review the bag quite thoroughly the first go around.

Travellers Need Good Camera Backpacks Too

It’s not just professional photographers that need good backpacks but the everyday traveller as well.  As a traveller, I need an exceptional day pack as a companion to my main pack/suitcase.  It needs to be able to handle a ton of different scenarios.  It needs to be able to withstand the abuses of travel.  It needs to keep my many things safe whether big or small.

What they wanted to build was a bag that had all the pockets, slots, and space for the photographer but with the versatility to carry things other than just the camera gear.  That’s why the Everyday Backpack spoke to me in every possible way.

As a traveller, what I was looking for was this:

• Lots of compartments to store small things like pen, passport, memory cards, gum, etc.
• Large compartment to store big things like souvenirs, food, and jacket for use throughout the day
• Sturdy material that could face the abuse of travel
• Comfortable shoulder strap with sternum strap to keep things stable when hiking
• Side pockets for easy access to a bottle
• Ability to travel with a tripod
• Camera slots good enough for a body and 2 lenses
• Easy side access to gear without having to take off the backpack
• Laptop slot
• Waterproof

The Everyday Backpack checks all those boxes.

Watch It

So you can imagine how excited I was to finally receive one of the bags I was hoping to receive.  See how the unboxing went down.  Fair warning that it’s a bit long but I run through everything I know about the bag and get to jam it with things I’d typically pack on a trip.

My First Impressions

The 20L variant of the Everyday Backpack is the smaller of the two sizes available and as such I expected it to be a nice compact size that might be too small for those bigger trips where you want to carry more.

Having used it now for a couple weeks now in the city, here’s what I’d say about the bag:

• Build quality is exceptional – Materials used are second to none
• Attention to detail – It’s insane the amount of detail they put into every single one of their products.  I was blown away when I saw that they included red stitching on the inner velcro lining to help you make sure your dividers are lined up properly on each side.
• Pockets for everything – There are so many pockets and slots for every imaginable travel item.  You have shallow pockets for cables and headphones while you have deeper pockets for notebooks and laptops.  And then you have the side pockets which are perfect for pens, batteries, memory cards and things like gum and mints.
• Handles – Handles are sturdy and love the added ability to slot the bag sideways through a suitcase handle.
• Straps – The straps are pretty comfortable though I have noticed because of the pivot points on the straps that they do tend to spread apart which is why I might be inclined to use the sternum strap more than usual.
• Waterproof – I’ve dripped water all over the bag and it beads effortlessly.
• Looks – The charcoal grey that I have in the 20L is just so damn sleek.  Love that it’s not a bag that draws unwanted attention but at the same time is something that you’d want to wear everyday because of how good it looks.
• MagLatch – Just as easy to use as the Everyday Messenger and gives you top access to a large compartment good enough for a light jacket.
• Careful packing – You have to be careful how you pack your camera gear since side access opens on both sides.  You don’t want to accidentally open one side and have stuff slipping out.
• Tight side pockets – This may be different on the 30L but I’ve found the side pockets to be pretty slight.  You’ll see that my Hydro Flask just fits in there.  I’ve been able to put in my carbon fiber tripod as well but anything bigger than what I have would be a struggle.

In short, would I use it as a day pack?  Yes.

Should travellers consider this backpack?  Yes freaking yes!

Lots of Photos

MagLatch that made the Everyday Messenger so popular

All about the details

Waterproof zipper lining

Side handle

Simple but effective anti-theft looping

Side profile of the anti-theft loop

Side pocket with just enough space to fit this Hydro Flask.

The sternum straps

Sternum straps in storage position so they don’t get in the way

Laptop, notebook, and accessories compartment with zipper opening

Everyday Backpack with the front flap open

The top access compartment of the backpack with enough height to put a water bottle

Close look at the dividers

Dividers in standard configuration

Top down view of the dividers

Easy drop-down flaps of the dividers allow it easy to segment your gear

Dividers and how they can be accessed from both sides

Zippers for the storage compartments found on the inner side of the wings

Charcoal grey fabric is just so sexy

Straps that pull out from a hidden compartment at the bottom for external carry purposes

More close ups of the fabric, waterproof zippers and MagLatch

Easy pivoting of the shoulder straps

Hidden passport pocket in the top compartment

Bottom of the backpack and the extra protection provided with the fabric

Ability to slot the Everyday Backpack through any luggage handle

Close up of the Everyday Backpack threaded through the luggage handlebars

A look at the inner pockets of the wings that provide additional storage for things like batteries, pens, cards, etc.

View of the Everyday Backpack 20L with side pockets open

Final Verdict

This bag is packed full of features that would make anyone “ooh” and “ahh” over it as I did.  The materials are top notch and the design is near flawless.  For any sort of traveller that carries camera gear or even if you don’t, you’ll be able to leverage the smart compartment system to bring with you everything you need for the day.  Size wise, I will say that it does leave the desire to get something a little larger especially if you travel with a full frame DSLR or you’re going on a larger multi-day trip.  That’s where the 30L Everyday Backpack comes in.