Peak Design bags. Am i the only one that thinks Emperors new clothes?

dave_bass5

dave_bass5

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,457
Name
Dave
Edit My Images
Yes
Ok, I know many people like these bags, both the backpacks and the sling bags, but I just don't understand the love for these ugly things.

I was in Park Cameras today and had a look at these, and felt very cold about them. Ive looked in to the sling bag a few times but have been put off by the clasp. Today was the first time Ive seen them in the flesh.

I felt there was too much space that would allow the gear to rattle around if not packed tightly, same goes for the large pocket on the front of the sling bag, where everything is more or less thrown in to rattle around, and i felt those clever dividers reminded me of a call centre with cubicles rather than snug fitting padded sections.

The clasp baffles me. Where is the security to stop people walking up alongside you and opening them? This would be a huge worry when walking around town.

I own a few of their products, and although nice they aren't perfect (talking about the Slide) but these bags.... Maybe its just me as i only ever see prise for them.
 
I don't like them either, they have a "clam shell " look to them. As much as I loved A Little Mermaid as a child I don't fancy walking round town looking like her
 
Peak Design is cool - that's the trick. The little guys that came through against the odds, using KickStarter and free on-line media, and created something better, something special and unique. We'd all like to believe in that, but actually they haven't reinvented the wheel at all, they've just produced another bag - that holds stuff and hangs off your shoulder like all the others.

IMHO Peak Design made a mistake going mainstream with international dealerships etc. When their bags are lined up against all the Lowepros and ThinkTanks and Manfrottos in Park Cameras, they lose their brand cache and become just another bag. They look a bit different for no real reason, and over-priced. They should stay small, exclusive, reassuringly expensive, and hold on tight to their cool brand image as the best kept secret.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, the looks is hard to get past if you don't like the angular look. I could live with that, but when i opened the bags they seemed very sparse and the dividers only seemed to go half way up the bag.

Agree they are overpriced and if you aren't using some of their connectors or holders then some of the features are just worthless.

As far as Park Cameras go, the London shop (at least) has the PD gear upstairs with the cameras, so they aren't in amongst the other bags.
 
Just another range of grossly overpriced bags, who will go the whole hog with matching shoes?

Another range I saw recently was Ona, small shoulder bag for 270 quid, manufactured in one of the world's poorest countries (Dominican Republic)
 
I have the 30L backpack and it's the only bag I've seen and tried that ticks all the boxes for me (able to quickly access a range of setups from 35mm, medium format, and large format) with enough space for non-photo stuff and a laptop when I need it. The straps are really comfy and the absence of Velcro is a nice touch. The clasp is pretty secure once you put stuff in it, and the two stage release (you have to pull down and away from the bag) isn't any less secure than a Velcro/zip style opening. Get complimented on it quite often as well. Then again I did get an early backer discount but if they did a blacked out version I'd very likely get a 20L as well for less photo heavy days/when 30L is too much bag to have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top