Reviews |Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 Review

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 Review

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2
Review

Price when reviewed

£266.00

$242.95
Check current price

Our Verdict

Peak Design hasn’t exactly gone back to the drawing board for the design of version 2 of its Everyday Backpacks, which is good because I like the originals a lot. In fact, I have used the 20L and 30L backpacks routinely ever since they were announced.
The V2 Everyday Backpacks have a few refinements, including more ergonomically shaped straps, which I find more comfortable. However, you need to take care when closing the new MagLatch as it’s easy to think it’s closed when it actually isn’t.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 is a good-quality, smart bag that has the capacity, pockets and organisation sections to carry most things that photographers need on a daily basis.

For

  • Smart enough for the office, rugged enough for the outdoors
  • Quick access to your kit from either side
  • Broad, comfortable straps

Against

  • MagLatch requires careful shutting
  • Chest strap is awkward to attach and adjust
  • Small items fall to the bottom of the bag

What is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2?

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 is the second incarnation of Peak Design’s largest Everyday Backpack. It’s very similar to the original version but has new outer fabric, revamped shoulder straps, larger side pockets, more internal pockets in the top and side sections for better kit organisation, more laptop, tablet, and document capacity, an adjustable height laptop sleeve and an updated MagLatch closure for the top compartment.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2

Specifications

  • Product: Backpack
  • Capacity: 22-30L
  • External dimensions: Top MagLatch: 62 x 36 x 19.8cm (24.5 x 14.2 x 7.8-inches), Bottom Maglatch: 52 x 36 x 19.8cm (20.5 x 14.2 x 7.8-inches)
  • Internal dimensions: Top MagLatch: 60 x 31 x 17cm / 23.7 x 12.2 x 6.7-inches, Bottom MagLatch: 50 x 31 x 17cm / 19.7 x 12.2 x 6.7-inches
  • Weight: Without Dividers: 1.76kg / 3.88lb, With Dividers: 2.11kg / 4.65lb
  • Main fabric: 400D double poly-coated DWR-impregnated nylon canvas shell

Features

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 is the larger of Peak Design’s Everyday Backpacks, the smaller one is the 20L version.

Thanks to the ladder arrangement of fastening points for the MagLatch, the bag’s capacity can actually be varied from 22L to 30L. This latch allows the top flap to be opened quickly and easily. It’s also easy to close, but it’s important to pull it down tight so that it catches on the fixing point properly and doesn’t spring open.

There are zips down each side of the Backpack that give quick access to the contents of the main section.

Inside, there are 3 FlexFold dividers which allow the interior of the bag to be customised to fit your kit.

Each of these side sections also has a zip that opens the liner to reveal organiser sections for small accessories.

Peak Design has used 400D double poly-coated DWR-impregnated nylon canvas for the shell of the Everyday Backpack V2. It has a high-quality look and feel but is made from 100% recycled material.

The bottom of the bag has a 900D waterproof liner for extra durability.

Read our Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L review

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L V2 review

Performance

There’s not a huge amount in it, but I find the shoulder straps of the V2 Everyday Backpack a little more comfortable than the original straps. They’re well-shaped and sufficiently padded.

It’s also handy that the laptop compartment can be adjusted in height to keep your computer a little safer while still being easy to access.

As with the original Everyday Backpack 30L, I like that I can swing the bag around either shoulder to access my kit and that there’s a good-sized top section.

However, there were several occasions in the early days of using the bag when I didn’t fasten the MagLatch properly. I also passed the backpack to a few people and noticed that they did exactly the same thing. The top flap has to be pulled down tight so the latch catches on the lowest possible fastening to ensure its securely closed.

On the plus side, the sides of the top compartment seem less prone to folding out beyond the top flap so the bag is more water-resistant

I tried using the chest strap a few times but I found it hard to attach to the shoulder straps. It also detached a couple of times and fell to the floor, so I gave up on it.

The only other issue I have with the Everyday Backpack is that because the FlexFold dividers don’t create a complete seal, small items stowed in the upper sections tend to work their way down to the bottom of the bag.

Verdict

I love the look and feel, as well as the versatility of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. However, it’s not without its flaws. Most notably, you need to take care when closing the MagLatch and the chest strap has a fiddly, awkward design.

Neither of these issues, nor the fact that small items end up at the bottom of the bag, are enough to put me off using it. I still like it a lot.

Given the choice between the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L V2 and the 30L version, I would pick the larger bag for the extra flexibility of use. That extra 10L capacity doesn’t make it unwieldy and it’s still small enough to be considered carry-on baggage on most flights.