I’ve used many digicam setups via my years as knowledgeable photographer. Nonetheless, one factor that has remained the identical for a very long time throughout a number of digicam setups is the digicam strap system I’ve been utilizing.
Since I first purchased my Peak Design Slide and Clutch digicam straps in 2015, I’ve been just about solely utilizing the Peak Design strap system throughout all my DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
I’ve primarily been field-testing my Peak Design digicam straps for round a decade. I’ve taken all of them around the globe, from far beneath zero temperatures photographing the northern lights to the new and humid jungles of Uganda on gorilla trekking and birdwatching journeys.
My Peak Design Slide digicam straps have been rained on, snowed on, lined in mud, stuffed in a digicam bag, and usually been via the wringer.
One has even been chewed on by a fox (extra on that later!).
In spite of everything that, I assumed it was about time I put collectively a evaluation of the Peak Design digicam straps, primarily based on my expertise truly utilizing it.
I’ll cowl the nice, the unhealthy, my expertise with Peak Design’s customer support, who the straps are for, the choices obtainable, and much extra.
Peak Design make quite a lot of straps for a variety of makes use of and digicam sizes. By the top of this evaluation, you need to have a good suggestion of whether or not or not this strap system is an effective choice to your digicam setup, in addition to which particular mannequin is likely to be best for you. Let’s begin with a fast introduction to Peak Design.
Who’s Peak Design?
Peak Design is a U.S. primarily based firm, based in 2010 by Peter Dering. The corporate launched its first product in 2011, a digicam clip system referred to as Seize, which continues to be obtainable right this moment.
Peak Design primarily creates merchandise that are designed to assist individuals manage, defend, pack, and use their images gear. These embody digicam straps and clips, digicam luggage, tripods, and so on.
Given their reputation, they’ve additionally launched some extra normal merchandise designs for vacationers and commuters, together with packing cubes, wash luggage, commuter backpacks, and cell phone circumstances.
They intention to create merchandise which look good and final a very long time. They arrive with a lifetime guarantee as normal.
Peak Design is understood for his or her revolutionary and trendy designs. Lots of their merchandise are additionally designed to work nicely collectively, so for instance you should utilize the strap to hold the tripod bag in addition to a digicam.
In addition they have strong environmental credentials, being totally carbon impartial, a registered B Corp, and so they additionally donate 1% of all their income to environmental nonprofits.
What’s so particular about Peak Design digicam straps?
Peak Design began when its founder, Peter Dering, was searching for a extra comfy digicam strap system after a protracted journey again in 2010. The corporate’s first merchandise have been their revolutionary digicam clips and straps, and it was these merchandise that originally made them well-liked amongst photographers.
The standout options of their straps, which I’ll cowl in additional depth, are their consolation, sturdiness, attachment system, supplies and guarantee.
Peak Design now make plenty of totally different merchandise and I believe get lots of buzz for his or her luggage. I do personal a number of different Peak Design merchandise. For instance, I at the moment have a Peak Design digicam backpack, some digicam packing cubes, and a Peak Design journey tripod.
Whereas I’ve favored lots of their different merchandise I’ve tried, I believe that their digicam strap system stays their hero merchandise for a lot of photographers resembling myself.
I first purchased a Peak Design Slide strap again in 2015 and have by no means used one other digicam strap system since. I now personal three of their Slide straps in addition to a Clutch strap, and proceed to suggest them to others primarily based on my expertise.
So, on this evaluation I’m going to concentrate on the Peak Design digicam straps and go over the varied straps obtainable and share my private evaluation and experiences with them.
Peak Design Digicam Strap Decisions
Peak Design make a number of straps, with the principle variations being the dimensions of the strap (width, weight and size), in addition to how the strap is designed to be worn.
These variations make the varied strap fashions appropriate for various functions, with some straps being extra suited to bigger digicam fashions and others suiting extra compact digicam fashions for instance.
Some straps are additionally nicely suited to different functions past being as digicam strap, resembling for binoculars or as a strap to your tripod or digicam bag.
Some Peak Design digicam straps are designed as a full physique strap to be worn over a shoulder, across the neck, or as a sling, while different straps are designed as wrist or hand straps.
The primary digicam straps that Peak Design supply are as follows.
Peak Design Slide Strap
That is the principle strap that I exploit for my cameras, I at the moment personal three of those straps. They’ve had slight tweaks through the years however the principle design is similar.
The strap is designed so you possibly can put on it in 3 ways, as a neck strap, a shoulder strap and a sling strap. My private favourite is carrying it as a sling strap.
The strap is made out of a powerful nylon webbing materials, which is actually fairly like a seatbelt strap in texture and really feel. The vast majority of the strap is clean and slides simply.
The realm which sits round your neck or shoulder (relying on the way you put on it) is padded internally for consolation. It additionally has a gripped floor on one facet to stop the strap from sliding round.
The strap is adjustable, with a fast launch deal with that allows you to shortly and simply modify how lengthy the strap is. The utmost size is 57″ (145cm) and the minimal size is 39″ (99cm).
The strap comes with an anchor mount, 4 anchor connectors, a hex wrench and a microfiber pouch. It could actually deal with gear as much as 200lbs.
That is the strap I’d typically suggest for carrying a bigger setup resembling an even bigger mirrorless or DSLR digicam in addition to bigger telephoto lenses. It’s additionally a good selection for those who simply favor a wider strap as the load is distributed extra evenly.
See extra in regards to the Peak Design Slide strap right here.
Peak Design Slide Lite Strap
The Slide Lite is actually similar to the Slide, it’s only a bit thinner. Nonetheless, it may deal with the identical weight load and has the identical options.
So you continue to get the anchor level system, comfy clean nylon webbing with padding and a grippy facet, and adjustability. You additionally get all the identical merchandise within the field.
Nonetheless, the strap is 1.3″ vast (32mm) in comparison with the 1.8″ (45mm) of the unique Slide. So for those who really feel the Slide is a bit chunky to your tastes, then the Slide Lite is likely to be for you. It nonetheless has the identical most size of 57″ (145cm) and minimal size of 39″ (99cm).
It could actually additionally assist the identical weight, however I’d suggest it for barely smaller mirrorless cameras, bridge cameras, and binoculars moderately than the most important of units.
This isn’t as a result of it may’t take the load, however moderately is extra to do with consolation over lengthy intervals of carrying the strap.
A barely thinner strap means the load isn’t distributed over as a lot space, so over time the Slide is prone to be extra comfy with significantly heavy setups.
See extra in regards to the Peak Design Slide Lite strap right here.
Peak Design Leash
If you happen to’re a minimalist however you continue to need a excessive performing digicam strap, then the Peak Design Leash is probably going the strap for you.
That is the thinnest common strap that Peak Design gives. As with the Slide and Slide Mild, it may be configured as a sling, neck or shoulder strap. You additionally get the padded webbing part with a grippy facet in addition to the anchor hyperlink system.
The primary distinction is that the strap is simply 0.75″(19mm) vast. The max size of 57″ is similar, however you possibly can truly make Leash shorter, right down to 32.6″ (83cm).
Leash is an effective choice if you need a extremely minimalist digicam strap. As with Slide Lite, I’d suggest it for smaller digicam setups, particularly for those who plan to hold them round for a chronic time frame.
See extra in regards to the Peak Design Leash strap right here.
Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap
Not everybody desires a protracted digicam strap that goes round their complete physique, and if you’re a type of individuals, Peak Design has you lined with a variety of choices. The primary of those is Cuff.
Cuff is a wrist strap which, because the title suggests, allows you to put your digicam on a strap which you safe round your wrist. And I do imply safe, as there’s an adjustable locking slider which helps you to cinch Cuff round your wrist so it may’t slip off over your hand.
After all, you don’t have to try this, nevertheless it’s in all probability a good suggestion for those who do.
When it comes to the strap itself, it’s product of the identical nylon webbing as Peak Design’s different straps. There’s no grip however there’s a spotlight space which works round your wrist, which is out there in both leather-based or a fabric referred to as Hypalon which is vegan. Width sensible it’s the identical as Leash, at 0.75″ (19mm).
The strap additionally has a magnetic clasp, which cleverly allows you to put on it as a bracelet when not in use as a digicam wrist strap, which is fairly neat.
When it comes to what it may carry, as a result of it makes use of the identical materials and anchor hyperlink system as the opposite straps, it may deal with as much as 200lbs (90kg) of drugs as nicely.
So, for those who don’t prefer to put on an enormous strap however nonetheless need to maintain your gear secure when it’s in your arms, Cuff is a wonderful choice.
I’d say it’s higher for folk who are inclined to put a digicam away in a bag and take it out once more repeatedly moderately than carrying a digicam over their physique on a regular basis.
See extra in regards to the Peak Design Cuff strap right here.
Peak Design Clutch Strap
Clutch is Peak Design’s hand strap. It’s mainly designed to take a seat on the facet of your digicam and goes round your hand if you end up gripping your digicam.
This provides you extra peace of thoughts when holding your digicam, particularly if you’re utilizing a heavier digicam with out a strap round you.
Clutch makes use of the identical anchor hyperlink design at one finish as their different straps, which attaches to the digicam’s base utilizing the included tripod suitable base plate.
I’ve had my Clutch for a similar period of time as I’ve had my Slide straps. I’ll admit that it took a little bit of time to regulate to utilizing it on my digicam as initially my hand wasn’t used to having a strap across the outdoors of it when holding my digicam. Nonetheless, I shortly received used to it, after which I discovered utilizing a digicam physique with out it felt odd!
I’ve truly had two variations of Clutch. The primary model I had for a very long time, however the strap the place it hooked up to the digicam wore via from friction through the years.
I contacted Peak Design and so they despatched me the newer model which changed the model I purchased. This includes a totally different kind of fabric on the level mine failed which I’m happy to report has not suffered from this difficulty.
General, I’d say if you’re searching for a hand strap for a bigger digicam, positively contemplate Clutch. It’s a bit of giant for smaller cameras, however clearly Peak Design has an answer for that difficulty within the type of the following product on this checklist!
See extra in regards to the Peak Design Clutch strap right here.
Peak Design Micro Clutch
Micro Clutch is mainly a smaller model of the Clutch strap. It’s designed particularly for smaller mirrorless digicam methods, with the concept being that as a substitute of placing your complete hand in it, you solely use it with between two and 4 fingers.
This leads to a small and unobtrusive strap that also offers you the safety of a hand strap.
This one doesn’t truly include the anchor hyperlink system, nevertheless the bottom plate does have loop attachment factors so you should utilize the equipped base plate with different Peak Design straps if you wish to combine and match.
General, Micro Clutch is a good suggestion if you need a extremely small strap for a smaller mirrorless digicam. It’s not appropriate for bigger cameras, however helpfully Peak Design has a digicam compatibility information for micro clutch which you’ll see right here.
You’ll be able to see extra in regards to the Peak Design Micro Clutch strap right here.
Peak Design Strap Options
As you possibly can see, there are a selection of Peak Design straps to select from. Now I’m going to undergo the important thing options of the straps.
Anchor Hyperlink System
The anchor hyperlink system is, for my part, what makes the Peak Design straps so distinctive and versatile.
The anchor hyperlink is the way in which that almost all of Peak Designs straps connect to your digicam, binoculars, bag, or no matter else you need to carry. After you have used it together with your gear it’s actually arduous to think about utilizing every other system.
The anchor hyperlink is a fast launch strap system which is made up of two elements.
The primary half is the short connector which is hooked up to the strap. Peak Designs straps all include the short connector already hooked up, however you can even purchase them to connect to any present digicam strap you personal.
The second a part of the system is the anchor connector. It is a small spherical tab with a nylon loop. These are designed to simply connect to a variety of merchandise, together with cameras, luggage, and the Peak Design fast launch tripod plate, which is how I connect them to my cameras.
Regardless of their diminutive measurement, the anchor system is rated to assist 200lbs (90kg) of weight, which needs to be greater than sufficient for even the heaviest digicam setup. I’ve used mine for years and by no means had a failure.
Clean Nylon Webbing
Most of Peak Design’s straps are constituted of a powerful nylon webbing, which is analogous in texture and really feel to a seatbelt strap. Seatbelt straps are clearly extremely robust, given their meant objective, and Peak Design straps are additionally extremely robust.
What I actually like about them is that they don’t appear to lose structural integrity for those who occur to break them barely.
For instance, I used to be capturing at sundown in cemetery in Glasgow, Scotland one night, and a curious fox came to visit to see what I used to be as much as.
I put one among my cameras down on the bottom and began taking footage of the fox, at which level he determined he needed to steal my digicam in case it was edible. He did this by grabbing the Peak Design strap in his enamel and dragging my digicam away.
Clearly, I ended him, however not earlier than he’d put some good sharp enamel holes in my strap!
I’ve continued to personal and use that strap for years for the reason that fox incident, and the outlet hasn’t impacted efficiency or gotten any larger. It’s only a neat reminder of a cool encounter I had as soon as!
Now, clearly I wouldn’t encourage anybody to break their strap to see the way it performs. However my expertise has proven that the straps proceed to carry out nicely even after prolonged use, and a few moderately uncommon injury!
The webbing on a lot of the straps even have a really grippy part which stops the straps from sliding round in your physique as you progress round.
Lifetime Guarantee
Peak Design gives a lifetime guarantee for his or her merchandise in opposition to manufacturing defects, and failures or breakages that render half or your whole product to turn out to be non-functional.
This doesn’t cowl beauty blemishes, scratches, stains, or put on & tear. Nor does it cowl failures or breakages because of misuse, neglect, or intentional injury.
In my case, I’m unsure the fox encounter could be lined, though provided that the strap works nice, that’s not been a problem.
I’ve had two events to make use of the lifetime guarantee, and in each circumstances Peak Design honored it. The primary was to switch my Clutch which wore via, and as I mentioned, they’d already recognized and addressed this downside with the newer model. You’ll be able to see the damage within the picture beneath.
The opposite difficulty I had was with a restricted version purple coloured model of the Peak Design Slide.
This one had a distinct kind of grip materials to different variations I’ve owned, which was a form of rubber compound.
This labored nice till I took it trekking within the Ugandan jungle searching for gorillas. Sadly, a mixture of warmth and humidity, coupled with lots of motion, brought on the rubber to primarily soften throughout my shirt.
The strap turned a sticky mess (though it clearly nonetheless labored positive as a strap). You’ll be able to see how this ended up within the picture beneath.
I contacted Peak Design about this, and so they dispatched a substitute strap to me freed from cost. In addition they let me know that they’d since modified the fabric used for the grip space, so this downside wouldn’t occur once more.
I’ve been utilizing the substitute strap for a few years now and I can affirm it has held up nicely with no meltdowns but, and the grip materials is certainly completely totally different.
Adjustability
Clearly, everyone seems to be constructed in a different way, so having a one measurement matches all strap isn’t going to work for everybody.
Peak Design’s straps might be adjusted. The precise mechanism and vary of adjustment varies barely relying on the strap mannequin, however the principle factor is that they are often adjusted to go well with the necessities of the person consumer.
Strap Colours
Peak Design supply their straps in quite a lot of colours. Colours differ relying on the product.
Within the case of Slide for instance, you at the moment have a alternative of basic black, sage inexperienced, midnight blue, ash gray, and coyote brown. In addition they often do particular version straps of various colours.
Relying on the kind of images you do, you would possibly favor a distinct strap shade.
For instance, wildlife photographers will in all probability just like the coyote brown shade because it blends in properly with camo model and pure colours. Black is a good shade that work nice for people who simply need one thing that may go along with the whole lot and matches most digicam our bodies.
Peak Design Digicam Strap Evaluation
I’ll now go into some extra element concerning my private expertise utilizing the Peak Design digicam straps, together with what I like, and areas I really feel may very well be improved.
What I Like About Peak Design Straps
The factor I like most about my Peak Design straps is the anchor hyperlink system. I believe it’s actually intelligent, and it makes attaching and eradicating straps tremendous straightforward.
Let me clarify why I prefer it a lot for my private setup.
The best way Jess and I usually put on our Peak Design straps is crossbody, like a sling. The strap attaches to the underside of the digicam, the place the tripod thread gap is.
It is a pretty widespread design function for sling straps, the place the digicam is inverted round your midsection space.
I discover this to be a snug strategy to put on a digicam for a chronic time frame, definitely far more comfy and sensible than having it bouncing round on a neck strap.
The issue with many sling model digicam straps that use the digicam’s tripod mount level is that they require you to place an attachment into the digicam’s tripod mount gap to connect the strap to.
This implies you possibly can’t connect it to a tripod with out totally eradicating the strap system.
The factor is, I all the time have a fast launch tripod plate hooked up to my digicam our bodies and telephoto lens collars. I exploit a tripod loads (see my explanation why you want a tripod right here for why), and for ease of use I solely use tripods which have a fast launch plate system.
Because of this I connect a particular tripod plate to the bottom of the digicam, which implies I can connect my digicam to a tripod very simply with out having to screw or unscrew issues.
So you possibly can see the conundrum. I need a strap system I can depart on on a regular basis, that makes use of the tripod mount level on my digicam, but in addition lets me use a fast launch tripod plate system.
Fortunately, the Peak Design system does simply that. Through the use of the tripod suitable Peak Design mounting plate on my digicam, I can connect my digicam to any Arca suitable tripod head (Manfrotto suitable plates are additionally obtainable) with out having to take away the strap system. It’s seamless and simple to make use of.
The flexibleness and ease of use of the short launch system can be nice. For instance, I even have a pair of enormous telephoto lenses, the place I favor to connect the strap to the tripod collar moderately than the physique of the digicam, as it’s extra balanced that method once I carry the digicam.
With the short launch anchor system, I simply have to have anchor connectors on the lenses tripod collar.
Once I change lenses from a large angle to a telephoto, I can shortly transfer my Peak Design strap from the digicam physique anchor connectors to the telephoto anchor connectors. I may even use a seperate strap, and simply carry the telephoto lens over my different shoulder if I would like.
After all, the pliability continues. You’ll be able to have anchor factors on the digicam’s prime strap connector hooks if you need. Just about each digicam on the market has normal strap connecting factors on the higher physique of the digicam the place the usual strap that comes with the digicam attaches.
So for those who put anchor connections right here, you possibly can go from carrying your digicam sling model, to carrying it the extra conventional method round your neck, or over your shoulder.
Okay, that was loads in regards to the Peak Design anchor system. What else do I like in regards to the Peak Design straps?
Nicely, clearly they’re actually comfy. The padded part of the strap is comfy, and I’ve actually worn mine for a lot of hours on lengthy hikes with out feeling uncomfortable or prefer it’s rubbing in any method.
If I’m capturing occasions, or every other scenario the place I would like quick access to a few lenses on the similar time, I normally put on two straps, crossbody. This provides me quick access to a digicam on every hip, reducing out the time wanted to vary lenses, which may very well be time the place I’m lacking a shot. That’s additionally extremely comfy.
I additionally like that the straps are straightforward to regulate, and that they simply work. My expertise with customer support has additionally been nice once I wanted it.
Clearly, no-one desires a product to have points, however for a corporation to rise to the event and clear up the issue as they’ve carried out each time, speaks volumes in my ebook.
How May Peak Design Enhance their Straps?
What I like about Peak Design is that they’re all the time enhancing on their merchandise primarily based on buyer suggestions. For probably the most half, the brand new model of the product replaces the outdated model of the product.
Most upgrades are iterative, so that you don’t essentially have to improve for those who already personal the product.
Nonetheless, if you’re a brand new consumer, you might be assured figuring out that you’re getting one of the best model of the product thus far. With my instance of the strap that melted into my shirt, that downside was addressed with a brand new materials.
Nonetheless, not all of the adjustments are essentially upgrades.
For instance, once I first purchased my Peak Design Slide straps, they got here with a tripod suitable plate. This meant that I may connect them to my digicam and use them with a tripod immediately.
Sadly, the vast majority of their straps now solely include an anchor mount which isn’t suitable with tripod fast launch plates. So, you need to purchase that half individually, with each an Arca suitable plate and a Manfrotto RC2 suitable plate obtainable.
Now, for those who occur to purchase a Peak Design journey tripod, this does include the required plate. So possibly now that Peak Design additionally make tripods, they really feel it makes extra sense to bundle the tripod plate with the tripod. Moreover, as they will’t inform what sort of tripod plate the end-user requires, sending them an incompatible plate isn’t an important buyer expertise.
Nonetheless, I favored it once I received my Arca suitable plate once I first purchased my Peak Design Slide strap because it let me use the strap straight with the tripod I had on the time while not having to fork out for extra equipment. So I want to see it as an choice maybe at checkout for a small improve price even when it’s not included once more.
One other space that has involved some customers of Peak Design straps is that the adjustment mechanism is a metallic loop, and I’ve seen reviews that these can scratch a digicam physique when packed in a bag. Personally, I’ve not had this downside, however my digicam our bodies get fairly banged up anyway!
Nonetheless, if it is a concern, you would possibly need to pack the strap individually.
Lastly, by way of enhancements, it is likely to be good to see a system for carrying two cameras that doesn’t contain simply having a “X” form of straps throughout my physique. Some digicam strap methods supply a twin carry system which is extra like a physique harness, and I’d have an interest to see if that’s one thing Peak Design may supply.
That’s simply an thought moderately than a criticism although as I’ve actually been comfy carrying the 2 straps crossbody.
Aside from the above, I’ve not received a lot else to say in regards to the Peak Design strap system that wants enchancment! Clearly, they’re comparatively costly as straps go, however I do really feel you’re getting a well-made and high quality product that may final a very long time.
Peak Design Digicam Strap Evaluation Abstract
As I mentioned firstly of this evaluation, I’ve been utilizing the Peak Design straps for a few years, throughout a number of digicam our bodies and lenses. In all that point they’ve saved my gear secure, which is the principle objective of the strap. I additionally discover them extremely comfy to put on even for lengthy intervals of time.
I believe they provide top-of-the-line strap methods available on the market, with straps which can be comfy and safe. Their lifetime guarantee can be one thing they stand by.
General, I believe the principle choice most individuals must make could be which strap to purchase. I’d say when you’ve got a heavier digicam setup, particularly if going to make use of telephoto lenses, to go for the Peak Design Slide. For smaller cameras and lighter set ups, for my part it’s a choice between Slide Lite and Leash.
Then, for those who favor a much less obtrusive setup, contemplate Cuff. And at last, if you need extra safety when gripping your digicam, take a look at Clutch and Micro Clutch.
Truthfully, I believe whichever product you select you’ll be pleased with its efficiency, construct high quality, and longevity.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my evaluation of the Peak Design strap system – I hope you discovered it useful. Earlier than you go, I needed to share a few of our different content material which we predict one can find helpful.
- I’ve an in depth evaluation of the Peak Design journey tripod
- Our evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
- A evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- We’ve a information to why you want a tripod, a information to selecting a journey tripod, and a round-up of our favourite journey tripods
- We’ve a information to the way to use a compact digicam, the way to use a DSLR digicam, and the way to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing the way to compose an important photograph is a key images talent. See our information to composition in images for plenty of recommendations on this topic
- We’ve a information to what depth of discipline is and if you would need to use it.
- We’re huge followers of getting probably the most out of your digital photograph information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in images to know what RAW is, and why you need to change to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digicam helps it.
- You’re going to want one thing to run your photograph modifying software program on. See our information to one of the best laptops for photograph modifying for some recommendations on what to search for.
- If you happen to’re searching for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, ideas for taking photographs of stars, and chilly climate images.
- If you happen to’re searching for an important present for a images loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our images present information,
- If you happen to’re out there for a brand new digicam, we’ve got an in depth information to the greatest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the greatest cameras for climbing and backpacking, the greatest compact digicam, greatest mirrorless digicam and greatest DSLR digicam. We even have a information to the greatest digicam lenses.
- If you would like a digicam or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digicam gear for some price range financial savings choices.
And that’s it! As all the time, when you’ve got any feedback or questions on this submit, simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we will!
