Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Everyday Backpack Zip 15L - Black
Average customer rating
4.8
(383 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 383 reviews
5 Stars
309
4 Stars
63
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
1
1 Star
0
97%of customers recommend this product.
(
249 out of
258)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Everyday Backpack Zip 15L - Black
Customer Rating
3
Five years later
on September 3, 2026
Posted by: L99
from New Zealand
After using my 20L Zip for half a decade I reckon I've developed a good feel for what I like and dislike about the bag. I've got very good use out of it, and here's where I land.
The good stuff? The durability and weather resistance of the outer shell have been phenomenal. No rips or tears anywhere. If you were looking at that alone you'd never guess how well used the bag has been. Even the softer fabrics in body contact have held up great. They developed a bit of pilling in the highest contact areas fairly early on, but I have no holes or visible thin areas on the back panel or shoulder straps. The PU-coated zips have some started to develop some unsightly wear over the high-use areas, which will inevitably happen. I don't have any concerns about weather integrity at this stage. Likewise my main water bottle side pocket elastic has gone, so using a strap tie to hold in the water bottle is necessary if I'm expecting some risky angles.
I've taken to using one of the two dividers to creating an upper and lower section of the bag.
The disappointing stuff relates to the distinctive design choice of the all-around zip. While it gives the bag the cool silhouette I still really like, I just don't enjoy using the features designed around the zip.
All the hypalon loops on the zips pulls have worn out, and no longer serve their advertised security feature of tying the loops around things. These have been so annoying I am resolved in future to avoid bags which rely on hypalon elements for zip pulls. Once the hypalon goes, the zip functions which the bag is designed around don't really work. The bottom-end zips can no longer be looped out of the way and just dangle now. I'm not a fan. These have held up the absolute worst of all components.
I think the Everyday backpack line really needs an externally accessible side quick access pocket. In practice I've kept the things I most frequently access in the top stash pocket, which can't really be reached from the side as per the advertised design. This means I don't often use the side access at all because it is nearly always more convenient to keep the small things I need most in the quickest to reach place. I've similarly barely used the interior side pockets; they're really not convenient and I never really felt like they were the spot I needed to stash something.
I also have largely stopped using the upper interior side pockets as I just kept finding things fell out of them. This is a bit of a problem since the bag is regularly being turned sideways.
The shoulder strap adjustment pulls also don't have dangle holders, probably because the designers expect you to be pulling on those regularly to tighten and loosen the straps to switch to side carry for bag access. However, the strap dangle is bit of a style killer and annoying if, like me, you tend to keep your straps tight for wear.
I'm at a stage now where I'm considering replacing this backpack. External quick access pockets are high on my list of criteria, and I'm now ultra-sensitive to uses of hypalon. My experience with the Zip tell me this material just doesn't hold up over time. I'll also be looking for a bit more room in a laptop/tech compartment to also keep documents. I've found this a bit tricky while carrying a laptop in the Zip.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
This is the backpack you’re looking for
on September 1, 2026
Posted by: PandaDarson
from France
A simple and awesome look. The dividers and the capability to access content from the sides is a must have. I love it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great little backpack
on August 7, 2026
Posted by: ZePedro
from Porto, PT
I bought this backpack 15 days ago and put it immediately to work through the Transiberian railway and it checks all my important boxes: light but tough, well thought access with double twin zippers at the front, well balanced, super discreet in its black iteration. Very happy with this travel companion.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Excellent Design, But Not My EDC
on August 4, 2026
Posted by: Can
from Istanbul, TR
I bought the black 15L with high expectations, hoping it would help me stop carrying everything around while still fitting my daily essentials. Overall, it's an amazing backpack with a lot of well-thought-out features packed into a compact size.
I was able to fit all of the following with ease:
* Canon EOS R7
* Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L
* Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
* Filters, additional battery, strap, and other small accessories
* A windbreaker and other daily essentials in the top compartment
* Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L
* Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
* Filters, additional battery, strap, and other small accessories
* A windbreaker and other daily essentials in the top compartment
That said, I ran into a couple of issues that I think could be improved:
* For a 15L backpack, the shoulder straps feel surprisingly short. Even with the sternum strap adjusted to its lowest position, it still sits too high to be comfortable.
* While sitting at a café, I placed the backpack on the ground. A few minutes later, I noticed a small puddle of water underneath it from flowers that had recently been watered nearby. Just to be safe, I checked the bottom compartment and found that the protective bottom panel was already damp. I expected the waterproof bottom to offer a bit more protection against this kind of everyday situation.
* After a long day outdoors, the fabric also collects dust surprisingly quickly. Since I carry camera equipment, I find myself wiping the backpack down almost every day to keep it clean and avoid transferring dust to my gear.
* While sitting at a café, I placed the backpack on the ground. A few minutes later, I noticed a small puddle of water underneath it from flowers that had recently been watered nearby. Just to be safe, I checked the bottom compartment and found that the protective bottom panel was already damp. I expected the waterproof bottom to offer a bit more protection against this kind of everyday situation.
* After a long day outdoors, the fabric also collects dust surprisingly quickly. Since I carry camera equipment, I find myself wiping the backpack down almost every day to keep it clean and avoid transferring dust to my gear.
Overall, I still think it's a fantastic backpack with an excellent design and organization system. Unfortunately, because of the shoulder strap fit, I'll probably go back to my previous backpack for heavier loads. I'll still be using this one for lighter everyday carry, where the weight won't require the sternum strap, and I can keep my more sensitive gear on the upper dividers rather than directly against the bottom of the bag.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Amazing Camera Bag
on July 20, 2026
Posted by: Xenopherus
from Alexandria, VA
I am a huge fan of this backpack. I was looking for a small pack to hold more than my PD sling can so when I go out for a day of shooting, I can also pack some snacks and a light jacket. This pack fits my Fujifilm XT-50, some binoculars, and a jacket no problem with some room to spare for snacks and a few other small items. I love the ability to swing the pack to the side to access my camera from the side, saving me from having to take the pack completely off to get my camera out. I highly recommend this pack for anyone looking for a great camera travel/daypack!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great bag
on July 13, 2026
Posted by: Perry
from San Francisco area
I've used this pack several times and have loved it. It is the perfect size for a day trip. It handled my camera and clothing one day, and then the next day, I filled it with clothes for a day out.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Zippers are difficult, and the material is stiff.
on July 10, 2026
Posted by: Kun
from Duluth, GA
Very functionally organized and overall, a very good backpack. My criticism is that I am somewhat bothered by how stiff and full it looks at the top. I wish it collapsed with some soft material in the outer top area so the backpack doesn't have a bloated look, whether it is filled or not. Also, all the zippers are very stiff, making them difficult to open and close. I tried waxing the zippers and kept lubricating it but to no avail.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Poor quality zippers
on July 3, 2026
Posted by: Midtest2343
from Seattle
I have concerns about the quality of the backpack zippers. Within the first week, the zipper skipped some teeth and I wasn't able to close the bag. After a half hour of screwing around and a lot of force, I was able to get the teeth to re-skip in the right direction to get it to close again. I was worried that they weren't using YKK zippers on their bags, so I guess this might be the reason. I've used Peak Design for years and have generally had very good experiences with them, but this pack may be one to skip given how they designed the zippers to go around so many different angles. Additionally, the bag is very structured, which is part of why I liked its looks so much. However, it also means that you can't fit very much inside since it doesn't have the flexibility or "give" of a traditional backpack. It may also be why the zippers had problems since they have to curve around corners that don't have as much flexibility as other backpacks. And just be aware that this is a small 15L bag due to the less forgiving structure.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design