My preferred way to carry my gear, camera or otherwise is with a backpack. When I bike, hike or need to carry lots of weight, it makes more sense. I haven’t had a messenger bag for quite some time, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed carrying Peak Design’s 13” Everyday Messenger Bag. While a backpack is more practical, I always kind of feel like a school kid when I’m wearing one. I definitely didn’t get that feeling at all carrying the very cool looking tan version of this messenger bag.
Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13″ Laptop and Camera Bag
What I wasn’t surprised with however, was the build quality and thoughtfulness of design. I have been a fan of Peak Design since their Kickstarter for the first version of their Capture Clip and was a supporter of the Kickstarter for the second version. I also use their newly released rain and dust shell when conditions call for it, as well as their Slide Camera Strap. So while I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, I already had pretty high expectations. And this bag definitely surpassed them. The bag is very tough and extremely well-constructed, has a versatile origami style divider system, great placement for their Capture Clip, a unique tripod carrying system, and is comfortable and stylish. I have used this bag now for about a month and it has carried my camera gear as well as my tablet, books and other assorted everyday carry items. I prefer the size of this bag, but if you are looking to carry lots of gear or want to carry around your 15” laptop, the original 15″ version will likely suit you better.
What can it carry?
This image below from the Peak Design site is very accurate. I was able to comfortably fit my a7rII with Fotodiox adapter and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II attached, a Sony FE 55mm f/1.8, a Nexus 7” Tablet, an iPhone 5, a 4 slot CF/SD card case, 4 batteries and a charger, a hard drive, a capture clip, a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod with a small ball head, and my sunglasses. I have a 15” laptop, but almost never lug it around, so not being able to carry it with me isn’t a problem. If you need to carry your 15” laptop or need more room for lenses such as a 70-200mm as well as a body with a grip, definitely look into the original Everyday Messenger 15.
What makes it stand out?
The materials feel great, look great and are built to withstand the test of time and weather. The outside is made out of DWR-coated Kodra synthetic nylon. The DWR coating means it can hold up to some tough weather and keep your valuable gear safe.
The Mag-latch front opening main access point alone makes this bag worth its price. It uses magnets in conjunction with a spring latch system that allows you to quickly and easily open or close the bag with one hand. The different levels of attach points for the Mag-latch system allows you to expand the bag out to a much larger width than you would expect. When the latch snaps in you get an audible click which lets you know your bag is closed and secure. No more unfastening the two latches on each side or unzipping and then lifting the top flap.
The Velcro wall is gone! I am sure I am not the only one to think that the Velcro covered walls found in every other bag, while innovative a long time ago, needed to be redesigned. Peak Design stepped up to the challenge and made a sleek interior with a minimalist amount of Velcro. Just enough to keep the origami-like dividers secure and locked in place.
The dividers are another step forward. When Peak Design and Trey Ratcliff got together to design this bag, they really went back to the drawing board and made improvements on all major areas of a messenger bag. Normally you get padded foam dividers covered in felt with long strips of Velcro to attach to the aforementioned Velcro wall. These ingenious folding dividers really make great use of the space. They are not so thick as to be obtrusive and fold into many different positions allowing for not only division, but also stacking. And when you don’t need them, you get full access to a normal sized messenger bag that can carry larger items.
The messenger’s carry strap contains a lot of the engineering advantages that went into their Slide. A great comfortable strap with a gripping shoulder pad, a simple and excellent one hand adjustable buckle, and several possible lengths that will allow every user to find their sweet spot.
The quick access top-zip is weather resistant and allows you to quickly access your gear without having to open the bag all the way. This is something that allows you to get to your camera faster. This camera was designed not only to carry, but to make sure access was as quick as possible.
The next quick access point integrated into this bag is a Capture Clip attachment band on the outside of the bag. This allows you to carry your camera on the outside of your messenger bag using a Capture Clip with its quick release plate to access your camera even faster than having to go into your bag. This is perfect when you know you will need instant access to get a shot.
Tripods and messenger bags have not always played nice. Attaching a tripod to the base takes away the steady bottom and is a pain when you want to put it down. Tripods are usually the domain of the backpack, and even on backpacks they sometimes are attached clumsily or in a way that isn’t ergonomic. Peak Design have found a way to take a decent sized photo tripod and attach it to a messenger bag in a way that makes sense. By slipping one leg through a sleeve that runs the length of the underside of the top flap you get a stable place to rest your tripod. And when you open the top flap you still have access to your camera gear because the tripod rolls out of the way. I prefer to keep entire tripod on the inside of the bag as it looks neater and feels more stable, but you may like the below method better. Try both and see which works for you.
The 13” version of the Everyday messenger bag is a perfect fit for my gear. I like its smaller size and find it fits all my gear perfectly. I have a Sony a7rII with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II and a Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 as well as other assorted accessories. I am looking to get the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens and believe that is will just fit with the rest of my gear. This bag has made me reconsider carrying a messenger bag. It is well thought out, comfortable to carry, easy to use, and easy on the eyes. I cannot recommend this bag any higher. I would love to see what Peak Design can do with a backpack! Maybe one day we will find out.
