The Peak Design Everyday backpack trades exclusivity for functionality

I love a good backpack. But, not just any backpack. It needs to have great build quality, be gadget-friendly, appeal to my personal tastes and most importantly, distribute weight fairly.

I can freestyle a few brands off the top of my head that do this with their own backpacks. However, they’re usually more expensive than the Everyday backpack sent to me for testing by Peak Design — this size retails for $259 — an amount already a bit much for some consumers.

But it’s worth it and I’ll do my best to explain why. After all, I used it everyday for the past month and have seen it on the backs of at least two dozen New Yorkers during that time.

Using it

Before I get to the usage experience, I think it’s time for a “what’s in my bag”. Here’s what has been in everyday carry during my test:

• A 13-inch laptop /w charger
• Slim portable battery pack
• USB-C, Lightning and micro-USB cables
• Chapstick, SIM removal tool, lighter, keys, cleaning cloth, SD cards
• Over-ear headphones
• Airpods
• A Leica SL with 24–90mm lens
• Backup phone (Google Pixel or iPhone)
• Brush and comb combo

True, that’s not a lot of items, but definitely enough to be challenging to organize (numerous small items that are easy to misplace) coupled with large, expensive items that need protection and their own, dedicated compartments to avoid damage.

Turns out, there’s a pocket or zipper for just about everything inside of the Everyday backpack. Thankfully, the two large side zippers are weather-sealed, making the main compartment ideal for housing all those delicate electronics.

Behind the two side panels, close to you back, lies the zippered laptop compartment, with a small pouch in front of it that I usually house my backup phone or cleaning cloth.

Really, the ingenuity of the Everyday’s design revolves around those two zippered side panels. Why? Because not only do they individually offer pull access to the main interior, but they each have their own zippered compartments, which in turn have unique slots for housing different items. It’s fantastic.

It’s the little things..

All the sealed zippers and protective pouches are great and all, but it’s the small additions by Peak Design that make me like this backpack.

The tl;dr version is that the Everyday backpack is thoughtfully designed — because it is.

The textured underside, making it safe to place on the floor. The supplied key ring attachment and strap system. Magnetic side pouches, good for holding water bottles, but also items that you don’t want falling out. The additional padding around the spine area, with articulating back straps. Zippers with loops, in both directions for the side compartments.

But wait, there’s more: An integrated luggage carry slot. It’s 2017, so TSA compliance. The three included Velcro dividers for your lenses (or anything, really). The leather top handle — with accompanying handles for both sides of the bag, so you can confidently grab it from any angle.

Conclusion

Price as Reviewed: $259 at Peak Design

This is a backpack good for most urban commuters, college students, technologists and photographers who carry one or two extra lenses. The design doesn’t stand out in the crowd, but it’s definitely tasteful and is sometimes even the basis for my outfits.

However, I’ve seen this backpack all throughout NYC in recent weeks — so I’ve retired it from my rotation, at least for now.

As a daily driver backpack, it’s one of the most versatile and tasteful I’ve ever tested. Hopefully, it stays like that with the everyday wear and tear.

Pros:

• Versatile storage system
• Weather resistance
• Minimalist but thoughtful design

Cons:

• May be difficult to clean