Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L (V2) Review
Peak Design’s range of everyday sling bags are ideal for anyone wanting to have a camera on them at all times. They’re discreet enough to take anywhere, the perfect size for day trips, and are exceptionally comfortable to carry!
Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L – Key Features
- Ideal size for mirrorless camera + zoom lens + accessories
- Multiple, comfortable carry options
- Lightweight
- Weatherproof
- Sleek & sustainable design
As a full-time travel blogger and photographer, finding the right gear to accompany me on my work trips is a top priority. My travels often combine both city explorations and hiking in far-flung locales, so I need my camera gear to be versatile, comfortable, the right size to carry my gear, and most importantly, protect it while I’m out discovering new locations.
Recently, I’ve been trying out the Peak Design Sling v2 and it’s quickly become my grab bag for hiking, travelling, and basically any time I think I may want to have my camera with me.
In this Peak Design 6L sling review, I’ll explain why it’s the perfect companion, the various features I love, and who/what this bag is ideal for (along with who/what it isn’t) – plus how I combine it with other Peak Design gear when travelling.
Overview – 6L Sling Bag
Let’s quickly talk about what the Peak Design camera sling does best.
Firstly, the look. I love that this bag doesn’t scream “I’m a camera bag” – instead it looks like a sleek & stylish, unisex day bag. And while I have the ever-versatile black option, it’s also available in ash (grey) and midnight (navy blue). N.B. Black is the only vegan-friendly option if that’s important to you.
The sling bags are also very easy to adjust and wear. It can be worn on the back or front for easy access, as a waist bag, shoulder carry, hip pack/bum bag, or you can simply carry it by the handle.
The interior is well-padded to protect your camera, and the flexible dividers add extra protection inside the sling. Other benefits I found included secure waterproof (and flexible) zip pockets to store little additions such as your phone or wallet, and it even has extra security features, which I’ll get into later.
So, why choose the 6L sling bag over other camera bags? In three words – space, security and convenience. I can fit my Sony A7R IV camera inside plus two lenses, or the same camera body with a GM 70-200 lens stacked (with the hood inverted). There’s also enough room for spare batteries, memory cards, a mobile phone, a wallet, and my iPad!
Exterior Features
The Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L V2 has an updated ergonomic shape for ultimate comfort and the large front zippered access is great for wallets, keys and mobile phones.
It’s made from sleek waterproof recycled 400D shell fabric and comes with weatherproof ultra zips for extra durability. These zippers have an additional security mechanism (an external loop function) that helps prevent anyone unauthorised from getting into your bag. You can use a lock too, if you’re transiting through a high-risk area.
Want to take your tripod as well? You can easily attach it to the base of the bag via the included external carry straps. The Peak Design Travel Tripod (shown below) is small and light enough to carry easily under the sling without adding too much bulk.
If you want to swap out your tripod for a lightweight jacket or foldaway umbrella instead, they can fit too!
And another genius external feature – on both sides of the 6L Peak Design sling bag, there are mounts for Peak Design Capture Clips. If you’re travelling with two cameras, this opens up a whole new world of carrying possibilities.
It also frees up lots of storage space inside your bag for additional lenses and accessories. However, I will say this option is better for smaller camera setups, as it could feel a bit clunky to carry a heavier camera + lens attached to the side of your bag.
Interior Design
I was really impressed (and surprised) by the amount of space the main compartment of the 6L sling bag offered.
As you open it, there’s a handy organisational pouch in the top inside flap, and internal stretchy pockets that can hold everything from extra batteries to SD cards.
A separate magnetic pouch allows you to store an 11-inch iPad or tablet, and in the centre, there is expansive space for your DSLR or mirrorless camera, plus a couple of lenses.
The two origami-inspired FlexFold dividers in the bag bend and stretch to accommodate the shape of your camera accessories. If you don’t wish to use them, you can remove any or both of the dividers as they are attached to the sides by velcro points.
I “typically” use this sling to carry my Sony A7R IV camera and one or two lenses which easily fit inside the 6L, along with a smorgasbord of other accessories. It can also accommodate a camera body with a 70-200mm lens stacked.
Comfort And Fit
One of the main benefits I found while using the Peak Design Everyday Sling was just how easily and comfortably it fits your body. The shoulder strap is padded for extra comfort, and the bag comes with an easy three-point adjustment system to shorten or lengthen the straps to fit your size.
This gives you the versatility to adjust the way you’re carrying the bag at any given time, and you can tuck any excess strap into the bag so there are no loose ends.
Peak Design bags can be worn and carried in several ways. I normally wear it as a crossbody bag, for ease of grabbing my camera when needed – especially when hiking or walking long distances. But then tuck it up behind my back by shortening the cross-body strap with the quick adjuster, when I don’t need frequent access.
However, you can also carry it as a hip pack/bum bag if you don’t like the idea of the crossbody strap, or if you want to combine it with another bag/backpack.
You can also carry the bag as a small case if you prefer thanks to the sturdy carry handle. I’ve tried a lot of camera bags in my time, and this is by far one of the most versatile and comfortable!
Functionality And Use
Before getting my hands on this everyday bag by Peak Design, I’d normally set out on local adventures with my camera hanging on a sling (my go-to is the Holdfast Moneymaker Solo Sling). This has served me fairly well, except I’d always be left with the problem of how to carry my other “bits & pieces” like my phone, money, sunscreen, and any filters etc I may need for the day.
And you can forget about cycling comfortably with a camera hanging on your hip!
There were also many occasions when I just wouldn’t bother taking my camera on local trips as I didn’t want to be weighed down by a backpack, my regular handbag isn’t really suitable for the size of camera I typically use, and I didn’t want to have to wear the camera sling all day. With the Peak Design sling, you can use it in place of a handbag/man bag and always have your camera on you – discreetly.
Non-Photography Uses
I said earlier that this is a versatile bag – and I really meant it!
On a recent trip to New Zealand, I took both my Peak Design Everyday Sling and my Peak Design Travel Backpack as my carry-on luggage. I was able to pack my backpack to the brim (including camera, lenses, and laptop), while the sling was ideal for carrying the things you need quick access to on a long haul flight – i.e. passport, phone, noise-cancelling headphones, neck pillow, eye mask, wallet, and kindle! Plus, it’s perfectly sized to get away with being a “personal item” in addition to your carry-on allowance.
This is also a great bag to use for work (although you may want to opt for the 10L version if carrying a laptop or iPad Pro), on days out with friends, and for YouTube creators who will appreciate the space for a vlogging camera, mic, light, charging cables, an iPad or tablet, phones and journals.
My son has also been eyeing up the fact that it’s ideally sized to carry a Nintendo Switch console with all the accessories you need for gameplay on the go.
And when the new everyday sling bag isn’t in use, you can take out the dividers and lay it flat for easy storage too.
Who/What Isn’t This Bag Ideal For?
While I stand by my claim that every photographer will have good use for this bag – that doesn’t mean it’s going to fit every situation perfectly.
Oftentimes, I’ll need to carry more kit with me. I have two Sony bodies and three GM lenses that I typically want to carry on bigger excursions, plus a tripod and various accessories. When all my kit is needed, the 6L sling bag isn’t going to cut it. In these situations, the LowerPro ProTactic 350 AWII is my go-to for travel, or I may wear my Holdfast Moneymaker Dual Camera Strap with two cameras + lenses.
Other times, on longer hikes, or days out, when I need to carry food, a water bottle, and extra layers in addition to my camera kit, a backpack is going to be a better choice. In these situations, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L is the ideal solution! I typically combine this with a Peak Design Capture Clip and wear my camera on my strap for easy access.
Sustainability Features
In recent years, more than ever, I’ve been paying close attention to which companies I support with my business. Brand ethics and sustainable design play a part, but I also try to support companies that go a step further than just “doing no harm”.
This is another reason to choose Peak Design products. They pay their factory workers fair wages and ensure safe working conditions. And while their products aren’t made “in-house”, they work with their suppliers to meet the company’s Code of Conduct and Environmental Compliance Benchmarks.
They utilise recycled fabrics, BlueSign and FSC-certified materials, and have begun working towards transitioning all of their hardware to recycled aluminium.
They’re a climate-neutral company and are completely transparent about their emissions and how they offset these. They’re also a 1% for the Planet member- having donated over $4.5M to the environmental nonprofit to date. And they’re a Certified B Corp.
But aside from all these lofty claims, the Peak Design bags are high quality bags that are built to last, so you won’t be adding to the global waste problem by throwing your bag out after a few years of use. The company guarantees all of their products for life, and they commit to refurbishing broken items to keep them from ending up in landfills.
And if you do decide to part ways with your bag, you can join the Peak Design Marketplace to sell your used photo gear.
Comparison With Other Models
The Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L compares favourably to their 3L and 10L bags, especially if you’re always on the go and don’t want to carry too much or too little kit around. I also like that it fits perfectly into the Peak Design Travel Backpack – so it can double as a camera cube/protector.
If you only have a small mirrorless camera (such as the nifty little Sony A6400), you don’t need extra space for an iPad, tablet or extra lenses, the 3L sling may suit you just fine.
Photographers needing access to more kit on assignments may opt for the larger 10L bag. Although this one can’t be worn as a hip bag/bum bag, it can be transported via the sling or carry handles.
The benefits of the 10L include extra space that pro photographers need for pro zoom lenses/multiple lenses, up to 14” laptops, and a larger external front pocket. Here are a few quick comparisons between the different sizes to help you choose the right sling for you.
This is my preferred size bag. It’s compact enough to carry a camera with spare lenses, comes with a swivel strap, and quick-release adjuster, and it’s highly customisable externally and internally with two removable Flexfold dividers included. As an added benefit it can hold an iPad, kindle or tablet up to 11 inches in size and carry a tripod at the base. It’s a superb option for photographers who like to travel with a simplified kit, plus accessories.
This smaller size bag comes with one flexible interior divider but doesn’t benefit from laptop or tablet space like the other two sizes. The 3L bag, along with the 6L can also be carried as a hip bag, in sling mode and via the carry handle. It’s a handy choice for amateur photographers who haven’t yet accumulated lots of camera kit, or for those who simply want a lightweight, compact option to take on everyday shoots.
The 10L bag is more of a workhorse with additional space for a 14-inch laptop inside and two Flexfold dividers to keep cameras, longer zoom lenses and all of your accessories secure. It can’t be worn as a hip bag as it’s too large, but it’s a great choice for portrait, wildlife and landscape photographers, and to take on professional photo shoots.
Ideal for those who need to carry more batteries, cables, charging banks, zoom lenses, speed lights, lens filters, and a laptop in addition to everything the 6L holds. It’s also perfect for chunkier DSLR cameras.
Final Thoughts on the 6L Peak Design Sling Bag
I hope you’ve found this Peak Design sling (6L) review useful. I wasn’t sure if the design was going to suit my needs, or if it was going to be comfortable enough to use on longer adventures. But I can safely say it met all my expectations and exceeded them.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, versatile, sustainable camera bag (or minimalist everyday work bag), you can’t go wrong with the Peak Design Everyday Sling.
Disclaimer: The team at Peak Design sent me this sling to review; however, all opinions are my own.
