Our bag obsession

Transitional Thoughts

by Ned Riley

A quick inventory of our carry solutions--duffel bags, suitcases, hard cases, chest packs, waist packs, backpacks, and satchels--between Ned and myself--would yield a collection so great, you'd think we were headed for the local flea or ready to bug out with the entire household packed away. We love our camera gear, so we strive to protect it. 

Hands free, thanks to the external carry straps

I've used cheap backpack inserts, expensive inserts, tote bags, satchels...but for the past few years, my most reliable setup to carry my current photography gear has been the current iteration of the 20L Peak Design Everyday Backpack-- (I traded my charcoal one for the all black version purely for vanity reasons.) Every detail and feature in the Peak Design line up, from the water resistant shells to the taped seams, to the thoughtful access points and flexfold  dividers aligns perfectly with my own functional design philosophy. The [20L] Everyday Backpack does an exceptional job of adapting to my camera gear and giving me a sense of security. Security and protection are key since like most travel ready photogs, my rig includes a few high end lenses, expensive camera bodies, a library of external memory, and a Vaio laptop. There is a place for everything and everything fits snuggly in its place. 

Pass to the Kickstarter!

Peak Design is a travel focused brand, so it is no surprise that they have announced a new lineup of travel focused gear. While the 20L and 30L Everyday Backpacks serve their purpose...for everyday use...the flagship product from the new line includes a full featured 45L, carry-on ready travel solution--so you can wave off those pricey checked-bag fees. [Link to the Kickstarter.] The introduction of this product line also demonstrates how well Peak Design listens to their supporters--which is why I've held out so long on getting the perfect travel backpack. The minimalist lifestyle and need to pare down has parallel traction with travel addicts packing lighter and tighter, so it seems natural for a company like Peak Design to finally produce a line of products aimed at gear loving nomads. 

Along with the monolithic style 45L bag, they've also introduced camera gear cubes, packing cubes, and some other organizational pouches that fit inside the backpack.

I've got a number of big trips coming up--Indo, New Zealand, Philippines--and I plan on packing just enough gear with the help of this bag and this bag alone! I also love a good deal, and backing a Kickstarter is a great way of getting in early, supporting the brand, and saving a few bucks. Peak Design intends on offering the bag at retail for $299 [plus tax]--backing during the campaign will save you nearly 20% on the bag. (Which means more cash that you can use for other Peak Design or camera gear!) 

Learn more about the campaign here.

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