Though it can be used as a fanny pack, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L is much more versatile.
When the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L came in for review, I was almost put off by it. You see, the Peak Design Messenger bag left a very bad taste in my mouth because of how little thought was put into making it both versatile and comfortable at the same time. But after a few emails between the Peak Design team and I, I learned that the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L is perhaps one of the best bags for a photographer who wants to carry a minimal kit for a day out. If you’re a biker in a big city and you don’t want to feel as if you’re carrying the equivalent of a small person, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L will ensure that doesn’t happen. It’s small and so it really only houses a camera with a lens (and perhaps an extra lens), along with small pockets for a bit more stuff. I often bring it out when I’m shooting film. But one of the absolute best things about it is that it doesn’t look like a camera bag at all.
Tech Specs
Specs taken from the Everyday Sling page listing
IMPRESSIVE CAPACITY
5L OF MAIN COMPARTMENT STORAGE ADAPTS TO A VARIETY OF KITS:
– Mirrorless camera + 1-2 lenses
– DJI Mavic or Spark drone + controller, batteries, charger
– Full-frame DSLR + lens
– Wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, and passport
CUSTOM ORGANIZATION
2 FlexFold dividers for instantly customizable organization
1 divider has a folding shelf for stacked lens carry
POCKETS FOR DAYS
2 stretchy inner side pockets for batteries and peripherals
Inner flap compartment with 4 stretchy pockets for batteries/cards
Zip-accessed external slip pocket
TABLET SLEEVE
Padded tablet sleeve holds most tablets up to 11”
SLING OR WAIST CARRY
Convertible, reversible strap for cross-body sling and waist bag configuration
QUICK ADJUSTING STRAP
1-handed quick-pull strap adjustment
WEATHERPROOF
Weatherproof main compartment zip
Weatherproof 400D nylon canvas shell
Soft, durable cotton/poly twill interior
Ergonomics
When you look at the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L, you’ll realize how small it is. It looks like a fanny pack and when I was first shown a prototype over the summer, it was indeed used as such. But it honestly works better as a sling. On the front of the bag, you’ll spot this pocket for stuff. I tend to put eyedrops, microfiber cloth, keys, and iPhone chargers in there.
The straps are connected to the bag via a doubler system. This allows for the entire strap system to be reversible so that the shoulder pad can actually sit on your shoulder. This is what the original Peak Messenger bag should’ve had. It also means that you need to unravel the entire strap and rethread it, but that isn’t so terrible or troublesome to do. The strap is very long and the extra tucks away into pockets.
The Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L has weather sealing built in. And that sealing is nice for when stuff tries to get into the pockets. It won’t!
The strap for the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L isn’t big and super padded, but instead modest. It works adequately enough for what it does and it’s very comfortable. Thankfully, nothing will dig into your skin either as far as buckles or harnesses go.
On the inside, you’ve got a divider, and yet another pocket. There isn’t a whole lot of room in there, but I can fit an Instax camera and a Leica rangefinder in there.
Build Quality
In my tests, I was very impressed and pleased with the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L. It survived a rain shower like it never happened and it’s incredibly comfortable. Some of their bags I never thought were great for those of us who enjoy a burger a bit more than the FDA recommends, but the expandable strap on this makes me think differently.
Ease of Use
The only thing you need to consider with the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L is how you want to configure the inside after you’ve adjusted the strap to being just the way you want it. In real life use, I found the angle of the main zipper to sometimes be a bit awkward for me to open. But I’d much rather this than someone trying to go into my bag. It just means that when opening it up you need to be more slow and thorough with your movements. However, it’s surely quicker than using a backpack.
It’s perfect for a mirrorless camera and perhaps a few lenses. It’s also great for an Instax camera and three or four packs of Instax. Plus, you can stuff a Leica M body in there and pack an unnecessary amount of film. Then you can divide it up based on what’s been used and not used. It’s a very convenient bag and also not very pricey.
Conclusions
I really, really like the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L. In fact, it’s the first bag from them that I thoroughly enjoy. I don’t use their Tote anymore because I feel like Manfrotto makes a significantly better product. Their Messenger bag and I never quite got along, and I have yet to test their backpack for a prolonged period of time. At the moment, both Vinta and Olliday have my heart for backpacks while Tenba, CRAVAR, Black Forest, and Hawkesmille dominate my life for messenger bags depending on the situation I’m in. But I don’t have a sling except for the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L. This sling is really nice and I’m looking forward to using it on bike rides when I finally conquer legal blindness.
The Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L receives five out of five stars.