Over the years, I've had the opportunity to test a wide variety of camera bags. Some have been very nice bags, and some were, politely putting it... just not what I had expected. Honestly speaking, I thought the camera bag industry had gone on vacation. Now, I know they ALL didn't go on vacation. That's just my way of saying that there wasn't anything really exciting coming from this sector of the market. So, it was tough to get excited about new bags that were coming out each year.
That changed when Peak Design came out with their new Everyday Messenger bag. Let me put things into perspective for you...Each year I head up to the PhotoPlus show in NYC. This year, I was planning on attending the show 'lean and mean,’ meaning, I was going to leave my camera bag and D810 and Sony A7R at home. The only camera I was going to travel with was my trusty Sony a6300, a single 30mm lens, and my HandlePod. Long story short, I got my hands on one of these Everyday Messenger bags and had one of those "HOLY {blep, blep}" moments! Seriously... for the first time in a very long time, I was excited about a camera bag.
Here's why…
Pockets Galore
The Everyday Messenger is not just any messenger bag. Its main compartment can accommodate a full frame DSLR body, three lenses, and accessories like filters, an external flash, and a small tripod. Needless to say, I had plenty of room for my small contingent of gear! There’s a laptop pocket as well, so I had my laptop tucked nicely inside with the peace of mind that it was protected in a dedicated space inside the bag.
The Everyday Messenger’s zippered panels gave me easy access to my gear, and the color-coded stitching helped me keep my things organized (and helped me remember which compartment held what). Better still, the bag’s interior slip pocket was perfect for keeping my cash, and the two side pockets kept my phone and keys safe and sound. In that regard, this bag was an ideal travel companion!
Awesome Layout
As I noted earlier, I just wasn’t feeling that inspired by much of what was coming out in terms of camera bags. Part of the reason is that many bags seemed to have a layout that just didn’t make sense to me. TheEveryday Messenger certainly changed that for me, though. The quick-access top zipper gave me easy access to my gear so I could be sure to pull my camera out fast if a photo opportunity arose. The removable dividers inside the bag allowed me to custom-fit the spaces for the gear I had with me - and it meant that when I came home and went shooting with my D810 that I could adjust the spaces yet again to accommodate my gear. For someone like me that has several cameras and various lenses, that’s flexibility that I appreciate!
Top-Notch Construction
I’ve gone through my fair share of camera bags. It’s not that I don’t take care of my bags - it’s just that many of them haven’t been able to stand up to the bumps and bruises inherent in long days out taking photos. However, this won’t be a concern with the Everyday Messenger. The exterior is constructed of weatherproof waxed synthetic canvas, so not only it is strong, but if it ever rains here in Southern California I’ll be able to rest easy knowing my gear will stay dry!
Inside, the twill interior is soft and plush, and, combined with the high-density padding and EVA foam dividers, creates a protective layer that keeps my gear safe and secure. The woven straps are up to the task when it comes to heavy duty work, and the aluminum hardware ensures that the strap and the bag have a strong connection for years to come (and those aluminum accents look awesome!).
At the end of the day, I brought the bag to NYC with me, and the bag hasn't left my side! See what I mean by giving the Peak Design Everyday Messenger back a good, long look.