Most days, I carry one of my two everyday sling bags. They're perfect for a compact camera and the stuff I'd otherwise cram into my pockets. But some days need more than a sling can hold, and that's when the Peak Design Everyday Backpack comes out.
The quick list
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack: laptop, camera, accessories, and everything else, in one bag that doesn't look like a camera bag
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
This is the bag I reach for when I want to bring my laptop and keep a camera with me, plus some accessories and the other odds and ends a full day picks up. Editing at a coffee shop between sessions, a client meeting where I might grab a few frames, a work trip where everything has to fit in one carry: that's this bag's job.
What makes it work for me is the organization. The adjustable dividers let me carve out a protected spot for the camera and a lens or two, the laptop gets its own sleeve, and the side access means I can get to the camera without unpacking everything on top of it. It also just doesn't scream "expensive camera gear inside," which I appreciate when I'm out in public.
See it on Amazon →What I carry in it
- My laptop, in the dedicated sleeve
- A camera body and a lens or two, tucked into the dividers
- Accessories: batteries, cards, chargers, and cables
- Whatever else the day needs: water, snacks, a notebook, a jacket
The season it spent as a diaper bag
Here's the part I didn't see coming. When my sons were born, this backpack became my diaper bag. For a short period of time, this one bag worked wonders as a diaper bag for a dad. The same dividers that keep a camera organized turned out to be great at keeping diapers, wipes, and bottles from becoming one big pile, and the side access meant I could grab what I needed one handed while holding a baby in the other arm.
I wrote a whole post about it, including exactly how I set it up: The Camera Backpack That Became My Diaper Bag.
Sling or backpack?
If you only need a compact camera and your everyday stuff, start with a sling. If a laptop or more gear needs to come with you, this is the bag. And if you're heading out for a long, hot, all day adventure, I'd look at my Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW II instead, which is built for exactly that.
Prices on Amazon change often, so click through to see today's price.
Got a gear question?
If you're trying to figure out what bag, camera, or setup makes sense for the way you actually shoot, reach out. I'm always happy to talk gear. And if you'd rather leave the camera at home and have someone else take the photos, that's literally my job.
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