Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Everyday Backpack Zip 15L - Bone
Customer Rating
4
Cool, One of the Best, Keeping it for sure, but...
on April 25, 2023
Posted by: Otto
from Maine
I wanted a combo daypack and camera bag, researched heavily, and chose this one. Loved the intro videos. Felt like I had good advance knowledge. After nearly a month, I like the bag and think I made the best choice.
That said, the bag's main strength is also a weakness -- it is (choose your adjective) firm, stiff, tight, crisp, shaped. It is not loose, soft, cozy, cushy, etc. So, good for laptop, good for carrying once packed, good for slipping around on one strap to get to side camera opening, good for carrying by hand or shoulders, etc...
...but NOT as good for 'cushily embracing' my odd shaped items -- my camera gear. The two side openings are sort of hard to hold open, and those openings mean that only interior front and back panels have velcro attachability. ALSO, the three identical 'origami' folding spacer panels that can be attached within are very stiff, and I cannot easily shape them into a custom array as t can with a more traditional batch of standard, softer, smaller velcroing pads (see attached image). I currently plan to use a hybrid of the PD panels and some softer, more flexible cushioning, depending on the body/lens combo I decide to carry. I don't mind this, but I can imagine a better approach, and I wonder if I'll see it in version 3 of this excellent bag when/if it comes around in a year or two. Another small note is that the external side pouches aren't a great match for my liter-water bottles, so... different bottles I guess, or maybe bottles IN the pack and something else in the side pockets.
Build quality is excellent, and -- while somewhat heavier on it's own than other 15 liter bags -- feels like it will be great for some miles, whether city streets or Acadia ridges. Extra straps and pockets seem just right, and high tech components here and there seem state of the art. Thanks PD!
Overall, score! I'd think of the stiff/firm 'engineered' feel of this bag as needing more attention to the specifics of how you pack and use it, but that the payoff comes when you've adapted your way to what's best for your rig, and then get to use it in the wild.
Have been using the 15l for the past 6 months. Great size for solo trips to the city. Easily fits a laptop, water bottle, umbrella, full frame mirrorless camera with mid size lens (24-70mm). Can stuff a small coat in if needed.
Bought the 20l for days out with more than one person. Seems to fit a lot more than the 15l. Is a great size for an everyday backpack. Would recommend the 20l if youre only buying one.
This bag is the only backpack I need for everything from carrying my camera around town, headed to the office, day trip to a park, hike in the woods, and even a diaper bag!
I have been through so many brands of bags and none checked the box for all the things I needed them to do. Since getting the Everyday Zip, I’ve gotten rid of other packs and ordered the travel bag for longer trips or when traveling with a toddler.
I bought this as my main carry on bag while I travel. it's fantastic. more than enough space for everything I need for a 2 day or even longer trips. so many great features that allow me to pack all items, large and small, that I need while I travel.
I can carry everything I need when flying… my Z7, 24-70 lens, 24-200 lens and Z50 with 18-55 lens. Also holds my 85mm lens, travel tripod and laptop. Room in the top for a sweater and a snack, phone, wallet and passport. Works great when hiking. But usually carry a little lighter load. Lots of room for water, snacks and extra layers.
I have used this backpack for my urban birding walking trips to take my camera, binocs, water, and snacks and it is just perfect. I have the 20L (5'5", older, sorta chunky) and it works well with my body size. today I used the extra hip belt and that was great for support while walking to my destination (around 6km total trip). I also used the extra sternal strap and that was helpful to balance the quick-release camera clip on the left side. I love how everything fits together and is streamlined for efficient use. You can organize the interior so that it works for your equipment--so flexible and easy. This is the best back pack for birding that I've ever used!