Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L Review

Why is it so hard to find the perfect bag to hold everything I need for a simple photo shoot? Many smaller camera bags make me choose between protection and bulk. I don’t want to sacrifice the cushioning and protection I need to keep my camera safe, but I also don’t want it to feel bulky if I’m on the move.

Enter the Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L. It not only looks and feels compact, but it also has the right amount of padding while staying secure and comfortable when I’m in action.

In short: The Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L securely fits a full-size DSLR and two lenses, plus assorted needs for a simple, quick shoot. A thick layer of padding on the inside protects your gear, while the outside shell maintains its shape. The swivel clips and padded strap make it easy to move the bag around for quick access to your lenses. On top of all that, it’s made of 100% recycled post-consumer material.

Compare the Peak Design Everyday Sling to the rest in our Best Camera Bags buyer’s guide.

Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L Review

First Impressions

I was eager to try out the Peak Designs bag for several reasons. It’s an all-around favorite for several professional photographers I follow online, so I wanted to try it out on some of my smaller photo shoots. Immediately, I loved the two different ways to wear it (cross-body or over the shoulder), which allowed easy access to my camera and provided room for many accessories.

As a photographer, I open, close, and rummage through my camera bag dozens of times each shoot, so I appreciate how the Peak Design sling keeps its shape no matter how many times I dig into it.

Even after a few months of heavy use, including several concerts, engagement shoots, and hikes, I am impressed with how the Everyday Sling’s shell holds firm and always bounces back to its original shape. It’s like shapewear for your camera! 

Favorite Features

While pushing through crowds and even being elbowed by an overly stubborn concert-goer, the 400D shell and padding protected my lenses. On hikes, the sling proved extremely durable and comfortable. Its weatherproof material kept the gear cool and prevented overheating in the hot summer sun. 

The swivel clips were one of my favorite features. They made swinging the bag around my body easy. I could move it to the front for quick access or behind me when trying to shimmy around something. All the while, the padded strap stayed comfortably in place on my shoulder. The quick-grab hooks also allow you to attach a small tripod to it.

Don’t let the small exterior fool you. The inside of the bag is just as impressive. It has adjustable shelf dividers that allow you to customize the interior depending on which lenses you want to bring. You can also remove them completely to use the sling for one bigger setup or travel. I easily fit my full-body DSLR camera and two lenses on either side of it while putting spare SD cards and batteries in the front pocket. 

The dedicated tablet sleeve is ideal for bringing along a small screen and has a magnet to keep it closed. I used it for my 6-inch by 4-inch camera monitor and didn’t worry about it getting damaged since the sleeve is thick enough to protect it from rubbing up against my other gear.

Critiques

Much like the bag itself, I only have small grievances. The outside pocket is a bit small and compressed, so it works best for flatter gear like a phone, SD cards, batteries, small cords, or lens cloth. I couldn’t get my camera blower to fit comfortably in it.

The two inner side pockets are not stretchy but perfect for small cords and straps. Don’t put anything too small in them, though, because you won’t be able to get your fingers far enough in to reach them easily.

Although it’s great that this bag retains its shape, it is a little stiff. I know that’s part of the appeal of a compact bag, but sometimes, I found it challenging to grab what I needed. This may become tedious for photographers needing fast, easy gear access.

At $120, it is a pricey compact bag. But no matter the size of a photography job, you want to keep your gear safe. When buying guaranteed protection for your expensive gear, this price is a small one. 

Conclusion 

The Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L was such a great bag to test that it earned an award for being the most protective camera bag in our buyer’s guide to the Best Camera Bags. It’s aesthetically pleasing, ultramodern, and sleek. Because it hugs your body well, it’s easy to slip through crowds and stay comfortable.   

It is perfect for everyday carry and discreet enough for street photography or travel. It’s ideal for small photo sessions, events, vacations, and hikes. The V2 series also comes in 3L, 6L, and 10L sizes. Given the quality and thoughtful features of this model, I look forward to testing the other sizes and any other bags from this solid brand.