Though we typically tend to review more fashionable straps, we in no way discriminate against those that try to appeal more towards the functional side of things–like the new Peak Design Slide camera strap. The strap feels essentially like a seat belt that can buckle you up to your camera as you cruise together down the road of life.
That was a pretty cheesy line, right?
Seriously though, the Peak Design Slide strap is a bit deceiving. At first, it looks like a typical sling strap like those from BlackRapid. But in actuality, it’s much cooler than that. In fact, it’s the single most versatile camera strap that we’ve ever seen and tested.
Pros and Cons
Pros
– The versatility to be a sling strap or a regular strap
– Interchangeable parts that have great durability
– Pretty darned comfortable for not having dedicated padding for the shoulder.
Cons
– Material doesn’t let your shirt underneath breathe very well.
– Wish that it had an actual shoulder pad.
Gear Used
We used the Peak Design Slide camera strap with an old Bronica ETR-S Medium format SLR camera and the Canon 7D Mk II.
Tech Specs
Taken from the B&H Photo product listing
| Material | Strap: tubular nylon seatbelt-style webbing, filled with EVA foam padding Adjusters: glass-filled nylon with anodized aluminum handles Link to Slide Connectors: waxed Nubuck leather |
| Attachment Method | Anchor Links, QR plate |
| Dimensions | Minimum Length When Connected to Anchor: 39″ (99 cm) Maximum Length When Connected to Anchor: 54″ (137 cm) Widest Point: 2″ (5.1 cm) |
Ergonomics
The Peak Design Slide has a very curious name. We’re not sure why it was called the slide, but it clicks! The strap has many components but the one around the main area that goes around your body has a bit of padding and overall feels different than other straps. This area also feels like it has a bit more gripping material to not move.
The grippy material isn’t uncomfortable, but instead just textured.
The strap has ends that can be interchanged. You can use these little strap connectors that are provided or the included Arca Swiss plate. These tabs snap into place with a solid sounding click. However, the loops area bit too thick for our liking. With certain cameras, you’ll need to attach a split ring of some sort and then loop these babies through said ring.
The strap, as we stated before, can connect using an Arca swiss plate included. With the other end, you can connect another part of the camera like the strap loops. It’s a bit weird to think about, but works out very comfortably.
Build Quality
Peak Design has always been known for creating very solid products. But many of these products were designed to be a replacement to a camera strap. Oddly enough, the shoe is on the other foot this time around and the company sought to improve on the basic designs of straps.
To be honest with you, they did an incredible job.
Not a single thread stitch is out of place and every aspect of the strap feels like it is tough as nails. The strap has an area designed to give a little bit of padding and comfort, but not a whole lot. This is the only part that we really have a qualm with besides the fact that the material doesn’t let the skin underneath breath very well. So if you’re prone to sweating, then get ready to embrace that big sexy sweat stain across your shirt caused by the strap.
Ease of Use
Connecting the strap and setting it up isn’t so hard at all once you figure out how you want it to work for you. Once that is settled, you just need to actually set it up.
What we noticed during our use is that the strap worked in very much the same way that a BlackRapid offering would work. You’ll want to have it either around your neck typically or slung around your chest. Though I have broad shoulders, it didn’t quite feel so secure sitting on a single shoulder and draped down. I much preferred it going across my body.
Conclusions
Peak Design has done an absolutely incredible job with the Slide strap. It is comfortable, versatile (the most versatile in the industry thanks to the ingenious design) and can satisfy the needs of pretty much everyone. It would only make sense for the company to develop a thinner version for mirrorless cameras and we’d also really love one made of canvas.
We award the Peak Design Slide strap four out of five stars. Want one? They’re currently listed at $59.95 at B&H Photo on the publication of this review.
