I’ve used many digicam setups by means of 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 basically been field-testing my Peak Design digicam 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 journeys.
My Peak Design Slide digicam straps have been rained on, snowed on, coated in mud, stuffed in a digicam bag, and customarily been by means of the wringer.
One has even been chewed on by a fox (extra on that later!).
In spite of everything that, I believed it was about time I put collectively a assessment of the Peak Design digicam straps, based mostly on my expertise really utilizing it.
I’ll cowl the great, the dangerous, my expertise with Peak Design’s customer support, who the straps are for, the choices obtainable, and plenty extra.
Peak Design make quite a lot of straps for a spread of makes use of and digicam sizes. By the tip of this assessment, it’s best to have a good suggestion of whether or not or not this strap system is an efficient choice on your digicam 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. based mostly 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 as we speak.
Peak Design primarily creates merchandise that are designed to assist folks manage, shield, pack, and use their images gear. These embrace digicam straps and clips, digicam 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 circumstances.
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 progressive and trendy designs. Lots of their merchandise are additionally designed to work nicely collectively, so for instance you should use the strap to hold the tripod bag in addition to a digicam.
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 digicam straps?
Peak Design began when its founder, Peter Dering, was on the lookout for a extra comfy digicam strap system after a protracted journey again in 2010. The corporate’s first merchandise have been their progressive digicam clips and straps, and it was these merchandise that originally made them common 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 completely different merchandise and I believe get plenty 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 digicam backpack, some digicam packing cubes, and a Peak Design journey tripod.
Whereas I’ve appreciated 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 based mostly on my expertise.
So, on this assessment I’m going to deal with the Peak Design digicam straps and go over the assorted straps obtainable and share my private assessment and experiences with them.
Peak Design Digicam Strap Selections
Peak Design make a number 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 assorted 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 on 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 principle digicam straps that Peak Design provide are as follows.
Peak Design Slide Strap
That is the primary strap that I exploit for my cameras, I presently personal three of those straps. They’ve had slight tweaks over time however the primary design is identical.
The strap is designed so you’ll be able to 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 powerful nylon webbing materials, which is actually fairly like a seatbelt strap in texture and really feel. Nearly all of the strap is clean and slides simply.
The world 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 aspect to forestall the strap from sliding round.
The strap is adjustable, with a fast launch deal with that permits 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 could 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 sensible choice should you simply favor a wider strap as the load is distributed extra evenly.
See extra concerning 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 well 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 aspect, 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 should 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 could additionally help the identical weight, however I’d suggest it for barely smaller mirrorless cameras, bridge cameras, and binoculars moderately than the biggest of units.
This isn’t as a result of it may well’t take the load, however moderately is extra to do with consolation over lengthy intervals of sporting 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 notably heavy setups.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Slide Lite strap right here.
Peak Design Leash
For those who’re a minimalist however you continue to desire 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 aspect in addition to the anchor hyperlink system.
The principle distinction is that the strap is simply 0.75″(19mm) vast. The max size of 57″ is identical, however you’ll be able to really make Leash shorter, all the way down to 32.6″ (83cm).
Leash is an efficient choice in order for you a very minimalist digicam strap. As with Slide Lite, I’d suggest it for smaller digicam setups, particularly should you plan to hold them round for a chronic time frame.
See extra concerning the Peak Design Leash strap right here.
Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap
Not everybody desires a protracted digicam strap that goes round their entire physique, and in case you are a kind of folks, Peak Design has you coated with quite a lot of choices. The primary of those is Cuff.
Cuff is a wrist strap which, because the title suggests, enables 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 well’t slip off over your hand.
After all, you don’t have to do this, however it’s most likely a good suggestion should you 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 fits round your wrist, which is out there in both leather-based or a cloth referred to as Hypalon which is vegan. Width smart it’s the identical as Leash, at 0.75″ (19mm).
The strap additionally has a magnetic clasp, which cleverly enables 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 well carry, as a result of it makes use of the identical materials and anchor hyperlink system as the opposite straps, it may well deal with as much as 200lbs (90kg) of drugs as nicely.
So, should you don’t prefer to put on a giant 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 people who are inclined to put a digicam away in a bag and take it out once more recurrently moderately than sporting a digicam over their physique on a regular basis.
See extra concerning 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 aspect of your digicam and goes round your hand when you find yourself gripping your digicam.
This provides you extra peace of thoughts when holding your digicam, particularly in case you are 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 obtained used to it, after which I discovered utilizing a digicam physique with out it felt odd!
I’ve really 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 by means of from friction over time.
I contacted Peak Design they usually despatched me the newer model which changed the model I purchased. This incorporates a completely 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 in case you are on the lookout for a hand strap for a bigger digicam, positively take into account Clutch. It’s slightly massive for smaller cameras, however clearly Peak Design has an answer for that difficulty within the type of the subsequent product on this checklist!
See extra concerning 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 thought being that as an alternative of placing your entire 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 really include the anchor hyperlink system, nonetheless the bottom plate does have loop attachment factors so you should use the provided base plate with different Peak Design straps if you wish to combine and match.
General, Micro Clutch is a good suggestion in order for you a very 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 be able to see right here.
You may see extra concerning the Peak Design Micro Clutch strap right here.
Peak Design Strap Options
As you’ll be able to see, there are a variety 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 best way 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 along with your gear it’s actually onerous to think about utilizing another 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 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 spread 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 measurement, the anchor system is rated to help 200lbs (90kg) of weight, which ought 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 constructed from a powerful nylon webbing, which is analogous in texture and really feel to a seatbelt strap. Seatbelt straps are clearly extremely robust, given their supposed 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 should you 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 visiting to see what I used to be as much as.
I put considered one of my cameras down on the bottom and began taking photos 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 tooth and dragging my digicam 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 nicely even after prolonged use, and a few moderately uncommon injury!
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 guarantee for his or her merchandise in opposition to manufacturing defects, and failures or breakages that render half or your whole product to turn into 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 can be coated, though on condition that the strap works nice, that’s not been a difficulty.
I’ve had two events to make use of the lifetime guarantee, and in each circumstances Peak Design honored it. The primary was to interchange my Clutch which wore by means of, and as I stated, they’d already recognized and addressed this downside with the newer model. You may see the damage within the picture under.
The opposite difficulty I had was with a restricted version pink 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 plenty of motion, prompted the rubber to basically soften throughout my shirt.
The strap grew to become a sticky mess (though it clearly nonetheless labored positive as a strap). You may see how this ended up within the picture under.
I contacted Peak Design about this, they usually 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 verify it has held up nicely with no meltdowns but, and the grip materials is certainly completely completely different.
Adjustability
Clearly, everyone seems to be constructed in a different way, so having a one measurement 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 person.
Strap Colours
Peak Design provide their straps in quite a lot of colours. Colours range relying on the product.
Within the case of Slide for instance, you presently have a selection of traditional black, sage inexperienced, midnight blue, ash gray, and coyote brown. In addition they sometimes do particular version straps of various colours.
Relying on the kind of images you do, you would possibly 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 fashion and pure colours. Black is a superb coloration that work nice for those 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 relating to 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 simple.
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 characteristic for sling straps, the place the digicam is inverted round your midsection space.
I discover this to be a cushty approach 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 fashion 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’ll be able to’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 digicam our bodies and telephoto lens collars. I exploit a tripod lots (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.
Which means that I connect a particular tripod plate to the bottom of the digicam, which suggests I can connect my digicam to a tripod very simply with out having to screw or unscrew issues.
So you’ll be able to see the conundrum. I desire a strap system I can go away on on a regular basis, that makes use of the tripod mount level on my digicam, 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 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 straightforward to make use of.
The pliability and ease of use of the fast launch system can also 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 means once I carry the digicam.
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 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 flexibleness continues. You may have anchor factors on the digicam’s prime strap connector hooks in order for you. Just about each digicam on the market has commonplace strap connecting factors on the higher physique of the digicam the place the usual strap that comes with the digicam attaches.
So should you put anchor connections right here, you’ll be able to go from carrying your digicam sling fashion, to carrying it the extra conventional means 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 means.
If I’m capturing occasions, or another 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 digicam on every hip, reducing out the time wanted to alter 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 simple 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 remedy the issue as they’ve accomplished each time, speaks volumes in my e book.
How Might Peak Design Enhance their Straps?
What I like about Peak Design is that they’re at all times enhancing on their merchandise based mostly 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 should you already personal the product.
Nonetheless, in case you are a brand new person, you may be assured realizing that you’re getting the perfect model of the product up to now. 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, nearly all of their straps now solely include an anchor mount which isn’t suitable with tripod fast launch plates. So, you must purchase that half individually, with each an Arca suitable plate and a Manfrotto RC2 suitable plate obtainable.
Now, should you occur to purchase a Peak Design journey tripod, this does include the mandatory 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’ll’t inform what sort of tripod plate the end-user requires, sending them an incompatible plate isn’t an ideal buyer expertise.
Nonetheless, I appreciated it once I obtained my Arca suitable 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 while not having to fork out for extra equipment. So I wish 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 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, 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 digicam strap methods provide 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 provide.
That’s simply an concept moderately than a criticism although as I’ve actually been comfy sporting the 2 straps crossbody.
Apart 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 might be getting a well-made and high quality product that may final a very long time.
Peak Design Digicam Strap Evaluation Abstract
As I stated in the beginning of this assessment, 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 primary objective of the strap. I additionally discover them extremely comfy to put on even for lengthy intervals of time.
I believe they provide among the finest strap methods available on the market, with straps which might be comfy and safe. Their lifetime guarantee can also be one thing they stand by.
General, I believe the primary resolution most individuals must make can be which strap to purchase. I’d say you probably have 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 call between Slide Lite and Leash.
Then, should you favor a much less obtrusive setup, take into account Cuff. And eventually, in order for you extra safety when gripping your digicam, have a look at Clutch and Micro Clutch.
Actually, I believe whichever product you select you can 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 needed to share a few of our different content material which we predict you can see helpful.
- I’ve an in depth assessment of the Peak Design journey tripod
- Our assessment of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of standard use.
- A assessment of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- We’ve got 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 got a information to easy methods to use a compact digicam, easy methods to use a DSLR digicam, and easy methods to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing easy methods to compose an ideal photograph is a key images ability. See our information to composition in images for plenty of tips about this topic
- We’ve got a information to what depth of area is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re huge 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 images to grasp what RAW is, and why it’s best to swap to RAW as quickly as you’ll be able to in case your digicam helps it.
- You’re going to want one thing to run your photograph enhancing software program on. See our information to the perfect laptops for photograph enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
- For those who’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lights images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, ideas for taking images of stars, and chilly climate images.
- For those who’re on the lookout for an ideal present for a images loving pal or member of the family (or your self!), check out our images present information,
- For those who’re out there for a brand new digicam, we’ve an in depth information to the greatest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the greatest cameras for mountain 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 at all times, you probably have any feedback or questions on this submit, simply pop them within the feedback part under and we’ll reply as quickly as we will!
