Peak Design - Everyday Backpack V2 20L - Charcoal

This is a nice design but when I picked it up at REI, it was clearly dirty. Yes, dirty, like someone had already used the bag. I don't know whether to think the new "no bags" policy caused it to get really dirty in the backroom of the store. Or if someone had purchased it and returned it. I realized it right away but there were at least 20 people behind me in line. So I left the store with it. It is going back to REI, of course. It was really odd that the REI staffer did not do anything about it. I mentioned it. He just kept working on the transaction. I am sure the staffers were beat by the last day of the sale. I have tried to tell myself that I will be getting it dirty. But it is different to have someone else's dirt on a brand new bag. It has made me wonder if I ... MoreThis is a nice design but when I picked it up at REI, it was clearly dirty. Yes, dirty, like someone had already used the bag. I don't know whether to think the new "no bags" policy caused it to get really dirty in the backroom of the store. Or if someone had purchased it and returned it. I realized it right away but there were at least 20 people behind me in line. So I left the store with it. It is going back to REI, of course. It was really odd that the REI staffer did not do anything about it. I mentioned it. He just kept working on the transaction. I am sure the staffers were beat by the last day of the sale. I have tried to tell myself that I will be getting it dirty. But it is different to have someone else's dirt on a brand new bag. It has made me wonder if I got all of the dividers that are a part of the bag. The video looks like the front of the bag opens all of the way but it doesn't. You have to reconfigure the adjustable compartments from the side of the bag.

Upon buying this even on a 20% discount, I was like is the Peak Design side-open everyday backpack worth the money? Yes. Yes, it is completely worth it, and the unique features will remind you of that everyday. The big factors like the mag latch main pocket is easy and just super fun to use, and the side zippers just zip with a smoothness I have not seen before even when stretched with things inside the bag. Plus the side pockets stretch big enough to hold the hydro flask 64oz bottle just fine (inside separators need 1/3 bent in so internal space lost from bottle pressure), not a biggie to carry a double Nalgene sized thermos in the side pocket. The zipper pulls have a zipper lock feature++. The magnetic pockets internally are just so smoooooth. The straps are ... MoreUpon buying this even on a 20% discount, I was like is the Peak Design side-open everyday backpack worth the money? Yes. Yes, it is completely worth it, and the unique features will remind you of that everyday. The big factors like the mag latch main pocket is easy and just super fun to use, and the side zippers just zip with a smoothness I have not seen before even when stretched with things inside the bag. Plus the side pockets stretch big enough to hold the hydro flask 64oz bottle just fine (inside separators need 1/3 bent in so internal space lost from bottle pressure), not a biggie to carry a double Nalgene sized thermos in the side pocket. The zipper pulls have a zipper lock feature++. The magnetic pockets internally are just so smoooooth. The straps are easily hidden, super high quality, and very well designed like everything on this pack. With the internal separators I do a raincoat and rain pants lvl1, two person hammock in lvl2, small electronics bag (with batteries, cables, mem cards…) and emergency / medical kit lvl3, and open top space for lunch jacket etc… Amazing design, worth it for many years to come!

I bought this bag as a treat for myself, as a new commuter bag for a new job. I would typically never spend this much on something for my self, much less a backpack. But I fell in love with it in the store, gleefully took it home and watched a 30+ minute product video with all the features. I was smitten. Used it for 1 week at work, took it on a 1 week vacation, and apparently 2 weeks of use was too much for the top zipper. Can’t believe it, it’s jammed and very difficult to zip/unzip. Trying wrestling with it to no avail. Even after they spent a solid 12 mins in the video talking about perfecting this zipper. Glad I bought it from REI so I can return it and not be out $300 on a backpack that lasted 2 weeks.