I’ve used many digital camera setups by means of my years as an expert photographer. Nevertheless, one factor that has remained the identical for a very long time throughout a number of digital camera setups is the digital camera strap system I’ve been utilizing.
Since I first purchased my Peak Design Slide and Clutch digital camera straps in 2015, I’ve been just about completely utilizing the Peak Design strap system throughout all my DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
I’ve primarily been field-testing my Peak Design digital camera straps for round a decade. I’ve taken all of them around the globe, from far under zero temperatures photographing the northern lights to the recent and humid jungles of Uganda on gorilla trekking and birdwatching trips.
My Peak Design Slide digital camera straps have been rained on, snowed on, lined in mud, stuffed in a digital camera bag, and usually been by means of the wringer.
One has even been chewed on by a fox (extra on that later!).
In any case that, I assumed it was about time I put collectively a assessment of the Peak Design digital camera straps, primarily based on my expertise truly utilizing it.
I’ll cowl the great, the dangerous, my expertise with Peak Design’s customer support, who the straps are for, the choices out there, and much extra.
Peak Design make a wide range of straps for a variety of makes use of and digital camera sizes. By the tip of this assessment, you need to have a good suggestion of whether or not or not this strap system is an effective choice on your digital camera setup, in addition to which particular mannequin could 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 digital camera clip system known as Seize, which remains to be out there at present.
Peak Design primarily creates merchandise that are designed to assist individuals set up, defend, pack, and use their images gear. These embrace digital camera straps and clips, digital camera baggage, tripods, and so forth.
Given their reputation, they’ve additionally launched some extra common merchandise designs for vacationers and commuters, together with packing cubes, wash baggage, commuter backpacks, and cell phone instances.
They intention to create merchandise which look good and final a very long time. They arrive with a lifetime guarantee as commonplace.
Peak Design is understood for his or her revolutionary and classy designs. Lots of their merchandise are additionally designed to work properly collectively, so for instance you need to use the strap to hold the tripod bag in addition to a digital camera.
In addition they have stable environmental credentials, being totally carbon impartial, a registered B Corp, they usually additionally donate 1% of all their income to environmental nonprofits.
What’s so particular about Peak Design digital camera straps?
Peak Design began when its founder, Peter Dering, was on the lookout for a extra comfy digital camera strap system after a protracted journey again in 2010. The corporate’s first merchandise had been their revolutionary digital camera clips and straps, and it was these merchandise that originally made them standard 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 a lot of totally different merchandise and I believe get a variety of buzz for his or her baggage. I do personal a number of different Peak Design merchandise. For instance, I presently have a Peak Design camera backpack, some camera packing cubes, and a Peak Design travel tripod.
Whereas I’ve appreciated a lot of their different merchandise I’ve tried, I believe that their digital camera strap system stays their hero merchandise for a lot of photographers reminiscent of myself.
I first purchased a Peak Design Slide strap again in 2015 and have by no means used one other digital camera strap system since. I now personal three of their Slide straps in addition to a Clutch strap, and proceed to advocate them to others primarily based on my expertise.
So, on this assessment I’m going to deal with the Peak Design digital camera straps and go over the varied straps out there and share my private assessment and experiences with them.
Peak Design Digital camera Strap Decisions
Peak Design make a variety of straps, with the primary variations being the scale 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 digital camera fashions and others suiting extra compact digital camera fashions for instance.
Some straps are additionally properly suited to different functions past being as digital camera strap, reminiscent of for binoculars or as a strap on your tripod or digital camera bag.
Some Peak Design digital camera 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 principle digital camera straps that Peak Design supply are as follows.
Peak Design Slide Strap
That is the primary strap that I take advantage of for my cameras, I presently personal three of those straps. They’ve had slight tweaks through the years however the primary design is identical.
The strap is designed so you may put on it in 3 ways, as a neck strap, a shoulder strap and a sling strap. My private favourite is sporting it as a sling strap.
The strap is made out of a robust 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 alter 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 may well deal with gear as much as 200lbs.
That is the strap I might typically advocate for carrying a bigger setup reminiscent of a much bigger mirrorless or DSLR digital camera in addition to bigger telephoto lenses. It’s additionally a sensible choice in case you simply favor a wider strap as the burden is distributed extra evenly.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Slide strap here.
Peak Design Slide Lite Strap
The Slide Lite is actually similar to the Slide, it’s only a bit thinner. Nevertheless, it could actually 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.
Nevertheless, the strap is 1.3″ extensive (32mm) in comparison with the 1.8″ (45mm) of the unique Slide. So in case you really feel the Slide is a bit chunky on your tastes, then the Slide Lite could be for you. It nonetheless has the identical most size of 57″ (145cm) and minimal size of 39″ (99cm).
It may well additionally assist the identical weight, however I’d advocate 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 could actually’t take the burden, however moderately is extra to do with consolation over lengthy durations of sporting the strap.
A barely thinner strap means the burden isn’t distributed over as a lot space, so over time the Slide is more likely to be extra comfy with significantly heavy setups.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Slide Lite strap here.
Peak Design Leash
For those who’re a minimalist however you continue to need a excessive performing digital camera 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 principle distinction is that the strap is barely 0.75″(19mm) extensive. The max size of 57″ is identical, however you may truly make Leash shorter, all the way down to 32.6″ (83cm).
Leash is an effective choice if you’d like a very minimalist digital camera strap. As with Slide Lite, I’d advocate it for smaller digital camera setups, particularly in case you plan to hold them round for a chronic time frame.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Leash strap here.
Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap
Not everybody desires a protracted digital camera strap that goes round their entire physique, and if you’re a type of individuals, Peak Design has you lined with numerous choices. The primary of those is Cuff.
Cuff is a wrist strap which, because the title suggests, permits you to put your digital camera 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 could actually’t slip off over your hand.
After all, you don’t have to try this, but it surely’s most likely a good suggestion in case you do.
When it comes to the strap itself, it’s made from the identical nylon webbing as Peak Design’s different straps. There’s no grip however there’s a spotlight space which matches round your wrist, which is obtainable in both leather-based or a fabric known 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 permits you to put on it as a bracelet when not in use as a digital camera wrist strap, which is fairly neat.
When it comes to what it could actually carry, as a result of it makes use of the identical materials and anchor hyperlink system as the opposite straps, it could actually deal with as much as 200lbs (90kg) of substances as properly.
So, in case you don’t wish to put on an enormous strap however nonetheless need to hold your gear protected when it’s in your palms, Cuff is a superb choice.
I’d say it’s higher for folk who are inclined to put a digital camera away in a bag and take it out once more commonly moderately than sporting a digital camera over their physique on a regular basis.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Cuff strap here.
Peak Design Clutch Strap
Clutch is Peak Design’s hand strap. It’s mainly designed to sit down on the facet of your digital camera and goes round your hand if you end up gripping your digital camera.
This provides you extra peace of thoughts when holding your digital camera, particularly if you’re utilizing a heavier digital camera and not using a strap round you.
Clutch makes use of the identical anchor hyperlink design at one finish as their different straps, which attaches to the digital camera’s base utilizing the included tripod appropriate 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 digital camera as initially my hand wasn’t used to having a strap across the exterior of it when holding my digital camera. Nevertheless, I shortly obtained used to it, after which I discovered utilizing a digital camera 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 digital camera wore by means of from friction through the years.
I contacted Peak Design they usually despatched me the newer model which changed the model I purchased. This contains a totally different kind of fabric on the level mine failed which I’m happy to report has not suffered from this subject.
Total, I might say if you’re on the lookout for a hand strap for a bigger digital camera, undoubtedly contemplate Clutch. It’s somewhat massive for smaller cameras, however clearly Peak Design has an answer for that subject within the type of the subsequent product on this record!
See extra concerning the Peak Design Clutch strap here.
Peak Design Micro Clutch
Micro Clutch is mainly a smaller model of the Clutch strap. It’s designed particularly for smaller mirrorless digital camera techniques, with the concept being that as a substitute of placing your entire hand in it, you solely use it with between two and 4 fingers.
This ends in 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, nonetheless the bottom plate does have loop attachment factors so you need to use the provided base plate with different Peak Design straps if you wish to combine and match.
Total, Micro Clutch is a good suggestion if you’d like a very small strap for a smaller mirrorless digital camera. It’s not appropriate for bigger cameras, however helpfully Peak Design has a digital camera compatibility information for micro clutch which you can see here.
You’ll be able to see extra concerning the Peak Design Micro Clutch strap here.
Peak Design Strap Options
As you may 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 link 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 digital camera, binoculars, bag, or no matter else you need to carry. After getting used it together with your gear it’s actually onerous to think about utilizing every other system.
The anchor hyperlink is a fast launch strap system which is made up of two components.
The primary half is the fast connector which is hooked up to the strap. Peak Designs straps all include the fast connector already hooked up, however it’s also possible to purchase them to connect to any current digital camera strap you personal.
The second a part of the system is the anchor connector. This can be a small spherical tab with a nylon loop. These are designed to simply connect to a variety of merchandise, together with cameras, baggage, and the Peak Design fast launch tripod plate, which is how I connect them to my cameras.
Regardless of their diminutive dimension, the anchor system is rated to assist 200lbs (90kg) of weight, which must be greater than sufficient for even the heaviest digital camera setup. I’ve used mine for years and by no means had a failure.
Easy Nylon Webbing
Most of Peak Design’s straps are made out of a robust nylon webbing, which has similarities in texture and really feel to a seatbelt strap. Seatbelt straps are clearly extremely sturdy, given their supposed function, and Peak Design straps are additionally extremely sturdy.
What I actually like about them is that they don’t appear to lose structural integrity in case you occur to break them barely.
For example, I used to be capturing at sundown in cemetery in Glasgow, Scotland one night, and a curious fox came visiting to see what I used to be as much as.
I put one in all my cameras down on the bottom and began taking footage of the fox, at which level he determined he wished to steal my digital camera in case it was edible. He did this by grabbing the Peak Design strap in his tooth and dragging my digital camera away.
Clearly, I finished him, however not earlier than he’d put some good sharp tooth holes in my strap!
I’ve continued to personal and use that strap for years because the fox incident, and the outlet hasn’t impacted efficiency or gotten any greater. 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 properly even after prolonged use, and a few moderately uncommon harm!
The webbing on many 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 warranty for his or her merchandise in opposition to manufacturing defects, and failures or breakages that render half or your entire product to develop into non-functional.
This doesn’t cowl beauty blemishes, scratches, stains, or put on & tear. Nor does it cowl failures or breakages on account of misuse, neglect, or intentional harm.
In my case, I’m undecided the fox encounter can be lined, though on condition 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 instances Peak Design honored it. The primary was to interchange my Clutch which wore by means of, and as I stated, that they had already recognized and addressed this downside with the newer model. You’ll be able to see the wear and tear within the picture under.
The opposite subject I had was with a restricted version crimson coloured model of the Peak Design Slide.
This one had a unique kind of grip materials to different variations I’ve owned, which was a type of rubber compound.
This labored nice till I took it trekking within the Ugandan jungle on the lookout for gorillas. Sadly, a mixture of warmth and humidity, coupled with a variety of motion, brought about the rubber to primarily soften throughout my shirt.
The strap grew to become a sticky mess (though it clearly nonetheless labored high quality as a strap). You’ll be able to see how this ended up within the picture under.
I contacted Peak Design about this, they usually dispatched a alternative strap to me freed from cost. In addition they let me know that that they had since modified the fabric used for the grip space, so this downside wouldn’t occur once more.
I’ve been utilizing the alternative strap for a few years now and I can affirm it has held up properly 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 dimension suits all strap isn’t going to work for everybody.
Peak Design’s straps may be adjusted. The precise mechanism and vary of adjustment varies barely relying on the strap mannequin, however the primary 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 a wide range of colours. Colours differ relying on the product.
Within the case of Slide for instance, you presently have a alternative of traditional 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 may favor a unique strap coloration.
For instance, wildlife photographers will most likely just like the coyote brown coloration because it blends in properly with camo type and pure colours. Black is a good coloration that work nice for people who simply need one thing that can go together with all the things and matches most digital camera our bodies.
Peak Design Digital camera Strap Assessment
I’ll now go into some extra element relating to my private expertise utilizing the Peak Design digital camera straps, together with what I like, and areas I really feel might 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 way in which Jess and I usually put on our Peak Design straps is crossbody, like a sling. The strap attaches to the underside of the digital camera, the place the tripod thread gap is.
This can be a pretty widespread design function for sling straps, the place the digital camera is inverted round your midsection space.
I discover this to be a cushty method to put on a digital camera 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 type digital camera straps that use the digital camera’s tripod mount level is that they require you to place an attachment into the digital camera’s tripod mount gap to connect the strap to.
This implies you may’t connect it to a tripod with out totally eradicating the strap system.
The factor is, I at all times have a fast launch tripod plate hooked up to my digital camera our bodies and telephoto lens collars. I take advantage of a tripod lots (see my reasons why you need a tripod here for why), and for ease of use I completely use tripods which have a fast launch plate system.
Because of this I connect a particular tripod plate to the bottom of the digital camera, which implies I can connect my digital camera to a tripod very simply with out having to screw or unscrew issues.
So you may see the conundrum. I need a strap system I can go away on on a regular basis, that makes use of the tripod mount level on my digital camera, but additionally lets me use a fast launch tripod plate system.
Fortunately, the Peak Design system does simply that. Through the use of the tripod appropriate Peak Design mounting plate on my digital camera, I can connect my digital camera to any Arca appropriate tripod head (Manfrotto appropriate plates are additionally out there) with out having to take away the strap system. It’s seamless and simple to make use of.
The pliability and ease of use of the fast 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 digital camera, as it’s extra balanced that approach once I carry the digital camera.
With the fast launch anchor system, I simply must have anchor connectors on the lenses tripod collar.
Once I swap lenses from a large angle to a telephoto, I can shortly transfer my Peak Design strap from the digital camera 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 flexibleness continues. You’ll be able to have anchor factors on the digital camera’s prime strap connector hooks if you’d like. Just about each digital camera on the market has commonplace strap connecting factors on the higher physique of the digital camera the place the usual strap that comes with the digital camera attaches.
So in case you put anchor connections right here, you may go from carrying your digital camera sling type, to carrying it the extra conventional approach round your neck, or over your shoulder.
Okay, that was lots concerning the Peak Design anchor system. What else do I like concerning the Peak Design straps?
Properly, 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 approach.
If I’m capturing occasions, or every other state of affairs 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 digital camera on every hip, slicing out the time wanted to alter lenses, which might 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 only 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 resolve the issue as they’ve carried out each time, speaks volumes in my e book.
How May Peak Design Enhance their Straps?
What I like about Peak Design is that they’re at all times bettering on their merchandise primarily based on buyer suggestions. For essentially 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 must improve in case you already personal the product.
Nevertheless, if you’re a brand new consumer, you may be assured realizing that you’re getting one of the best model of the product to this point. With my instance of the strap that melted into my shirt, that downside was addressed with a brand new materials.
Nevertheless, not all of the modifications are essentially upgrades.
For example, once I first purchased my Peak Design Slide straps, they got here with a tripod appropriate plate. This meant that I may connect them to my digital camera and use them with a tripod right away.
Sadly, the vast majority of their straps now solely include an anchor mount which isn’t appropriate with tripod fast launch plates. So, it’s important to purchase that half individually, with each an Arca compatible plate and a Manfrotto RC2 compatible plate out there.
Now, in case you occur to purchase a Peak Design travel tripod, this does include the required plate. So perhaps 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 incredible buyer expertise.
Nonetheless, I appreciated it once I obtained my Arca appropriate plate once I first purchased my Peak Design Slide strap because it let me use the strap instantly with the tripod I had on the time without 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 steel loop, and I’ve seen stories that these can scratch a digital camera physique when packed in a bag. Personally, I’ve not had this downside, however my digital camera our bodies get fairly banged up anyway!
Nevertheless, if this can be a concern, you may need to pack the strap individually.
Lastly, when it comes to enhancements, it could 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 digital camera strap techniques 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 concept moderately than a criticism although as I’ve actually been comfy sporting the 2 straps crossbody.
Aside from the above, I’ve not obtained a lot else to say concerning 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 can final a very long time.
Peak Design Digital camera Strap Assessment Abstract
As I stated at first of this assessment, I’ve been utilizing the Peak Design straps for a few years, throughout a number of digital camera our bodies and lenses. In all that point they’ve stored my gear protected, which is the primary function of the strap. I additionally discover them extremely comfy to put on even for lengthy durations of time.
I believe they provide among the finest strap techniques in the marketplace, with straps which can be comfy and safe. Their lifetime guarantee can be one thing they stand by.
Total, I believe the primary resolution most individuals must make can be which strap to purchase. I’d say when you’ve got a heavier digital camera 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, in case you favor a much less obtrusive setup, contemplate Cuff. And at last, if you’d like extra safety when gripping your digital camera, take a look at Clutch and Micro Clutch.
Actually, I believe whichever product you select you may be proud of its efficiency, construct high quality, and longevity.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my assessment of the Peak Design strap system – I hope you discovered it useful. Earlier than you go, I wished to share a few of our different content material which we predict you will see that helpful.
- I’ve an in depth assessment of the Peak Design travel tripod
- Our review of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
- A review of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- We have now a information to why you need a tripod, a information to choosing a travel tripod, and a round-up of our favorite travel tripods
- We have now a information to how to use a compact camera, how to use a DSLR camera, and how to use a mirrorless camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing how one can compose an incredible photograph is a key images ability. See our information to composition in photography for many recommendations on this topic
- We have now a information to what depth of field is and once you would need to use it.
- We’re large followers of getting essentially 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 photography to grasp what RAW is, and why you need to swap to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digital camera helps it.
- You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph modifying software program on. See our information to one of the best laptops for photo editing for some recommendations on what to search for.
- For those who’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights photography, long exposure photography, fireworks photography, tips for taking photos of stars, and cold weather photography.
- For those who’re on the lookout for an incredible present for a images loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our photography gift guide,
- For those who’re out there for a brand new digital camera, we now have an in depth information to the best travel cameras, in addition to particular guides for the best cameras for hiking and backpacking, the best compact camera, best mirrorless camera and best DSLR camera. We even have a information to the best camera lenses.
- If you’d like a digital camera or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to where to buy used cameras and camera gear for some finances financial savings choices.
And that’s it! As at all times, when you’ve got any feedback or questions on this put up, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll reply as quickly as we will!