Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag

I broke down and bought the Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag which arrived today, hooray.  The very first words out of my mouth when I opened the box were “Oooo, this is nice!”  Then I opened up the bag itself and involuntarily exclaimed  “This is REALLY nice!”  And so it is.

I had expected it to be a quality piece, already being well acquainted with their Slide Straps, Capture Pro Clip, Clutch hand strap and Field Bag but was not fully prepared for just how well thought out this messenger bag is.  I should also mention, I am not a reviewer of gear, just a photographer approaching his 33rd year making his living in this business I love.  So my interest in buying this is strictly how the bag suits me for work.  This is my second messenger-type bag, and I know already that this far surpasses the previous name brand bag.

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Image A is what I opened first, mainly because their ads concentrate on the interior and front aspects, so I wanted to see the back right away.  It’s got two slots, and is built for a 15” laptop to fit back there, but I own a 17”, so forget that.  I almost exclusively use my iPad on assignments, for which the smaller of the two pockets looks to be specifically designed.  You can see a Velcro patch in the center behind the iPad for keeping the pocket closed.  In this case, one of my Peak Design Slide Straps has been placed in the front-most, larger laptop pocket for this photo.  It may stay, it may not.  This is a work in progress, figuring out how I’ll use it.
7404Looking at the front right side as the bag is facing you, Photo B, you see what I consider the iPhone pocket.  In front of that, if you look closely, you’ll see a strap that blends with the bag very nicely.  That strap is meant to take a metal Capture Camera Clip for a place to securely anchor your camera outside the bag.  I have one but haven’t attached it yet, but plan to soon.  It’s very convenient.  Photo C shows the same arrangement on the left side.  If you watch their videos, you’ll see that there are definite design features to allow you to use either in a left or right handed configuration.  Very thorough.
7408Photo D is the view we normally see of this bag, shown here for context.
7407Photo E shows the two top water resistant zippers, the front-most of which opens into the main compartment containing cameras and lenses, etc.  The other opens into the back of the bag or the laptop/iPad compartment.
7410Photo F shows the compartment dividers, which are clever as hell.  You can fold them along the lines you see in order to custom shape you storage space.  There is also a fairly long shallow  pocket as you see toward the back, where I’ve stuck one of my memory card wallets.
7413Photo G peers into the front accessory pocket, where, for demo purposes I’ve placed some Yongnuo 622C and 622TX units.  The Yongnuo triggers you see here are in the front most elastic pockets with a slanted top side to facilitate access, but there is another elastic pocket behind each of these, perfect for business cards cables, CF card wallets, whatever.  In the front flap, you can see small pockets that are just right for earbuds or CF cards or numerous other small items.
7414Photo H shows a Canon 7D MKII and a Sigma 50 ART, followed by Photo “I” which shows the partition folded down to create a pad between the Sigma and a Canon 17-40L.  This allows gear to be more safely stacked in the bag.
74167420I have some thinking to do about how I’ll configure the E everyday Messenger, but it’s meant to be  a quick “Go Bag”, not a carry all.  I have a back pack bag and a Tenba Large Roadie Bag for more elaborate needs.  But for a quick head-shot or light location assignment?  This is the reason behind a go-bag.  I think I have it after much gnashing of teeth, because I really really like this bag, Not for its cool factor, but for it’s hugely practical design and functionality.Bases loaded, grand slam home run, Peak Design!
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