Peak Design Everyday Sling question

[johnc_22]

Simple question, will one of these slings (looking at the 3L for my GX9 + 12-60 kit lens + some prime lens eventually) pack flat in a checked bag when empty? My intention would be to use it locally for hikes, etc, but I prefer using my Kata backpack for carrying camera equipment, laptop, Kindle, headphones, etc onto a plane (assuming I'll fly again). I'd want to take the sling for day trip use after arriving at a destination. I'm attracted to a sling as it seems more suitable for hiking than a shoulder bag while still keeping the camera easily accessible. My alternative is the ThinkTank Turnstyle 5. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Of course I could use the Kata for hiking but it seems overkill for my needs.

 

[CameraCarl]

No relevant text.

 

[D Lynch]

Simple question, will one of these slings (looking at the 3L for my GX9 + 12-60 kit lens + some prime lens eventually) pack flat in a checked bag when empty? My intention would be to use it locally for hikes, etc, but I prefer using my Kata backpack for carrying camera equipment, laptop, Kindle, headphones, etc onto a plane (assuming I'll fly again). I'd want to take the sling for day trip use after arriving at a destination. I'm attracted to a sling as it seems more suitable for hiking than a shoulder bag while still keeping the camera easily accessible. My alternative is the ThinkTank Turnstyle 5. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Of course I could use the Kata for hiking but it seems overkill for my needs.

I've had a bunch of slings.

Most recent purchase was the 6L PD sling. It replaced a 5L sling that wasn't big enough.

Before that I got a Think Tank MindShift 13 L sling. It replaced a TurnStyle 20 sling, carrying the same gear. The TS sling was more comfortable to carry. The MS 13 L is made with heavier material. And it carries a water bottle on the outside, and an iPad on the inside.

Others will say that you are carrying the load on one shoulder. That hasn't caused me problems. I carry less weight now than I used to do.

Every time I try and buy a bag/sling without bringing my camera gear to fit it on trial, I make a mistake.

Another mistake I make is to buy bags just big enough.

Please try a Turnstyle 10 or 20 before you buy the 5.

And consider how weatherproof your bag needs to be. If you need a weatherproof bag I suggest you look at the Think Tank Mindshift bags. 10L and 13L slings.

And consider how much clothing/water/food yu need to take hiking. Don't buy a bag that's too small.

 

[BBbuilder467]

Simple question, will one of these slings (looking at the 3L for my GX9 + 12-60 kit lens + some prime lens eventually) pack flat in a checked bag when empty? My intention would be to use it locally for hikes, etc, but I prefer using my Kata backpack for carrying camera equipment, laptop, Kindle, headphones, etc onto a plane (assuming I'll fly again). I'd want to take the sling for day trip use after arriving at a destination. I'm attracted to a sling as it seems more suitable for hiking than a shoulder bag while still keeping the camera easily accessible. My alternative is the ThinkTank Turnstyle 5. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Of course I could use the Kata for hiking but it seems overkill for my needs.

I can "smush" all my Lowepro bags and pouches to near flat, but with a similar shoulder pouch, it's easier to just pack it with clothing so it doesn't really take up any space.

 

[HRC2016]

Simple question, will one of these slings (looking at the 3L for my GX9 + 12-60 kit lens + some prime lens eventually) pack flat in a checked bag when empty? My intention would be to use it locally for hikes, etc, but I prefer using my Kata backpack for carrying camera equipment, laptop, Kindle, headphones, etc onto a plane (assuming I'll fly again). I'd want to take the sling for day trip use after arriving at a destination. I'm attracted to a sling as it seems more suitable for hiking than a shoulder bag while still keeping the camera easily accessible. My alternative is the ThinkTank Turnstyle 5. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Of course I could use the Kata for hiking but it seems overkill for my needs.

I've had a bunch of slings.

Most recent purchase was the 6L PD sling. It replaced a 5L sling that wasn't big enough.

Before that I got a Think Tank MindShift 13 L sling. It replaced a TurnStyle 20 sling, carrying the same gear. The TS sling was more comfortable to carry. The MS 13 L is made with heavier material. And it carries a water bottle on the outside, and an iPad on the inside.

Others will say that you are carrying the load on one shoulder. That hasn't caused me problems. I carry less weight now than I used to do.

Every time I try and buy a bag/sling without bringing my camera gear to fit it on trial, I make a mistake.

Another mistake I make is to buy bags just big enough.

Please try a Turnstyle 10 or 20 before you buy the 5.

And consider how weatherproof your bag needs to be. If you need a weatherproof bag I suggest you look at the Think Tank Mindshift bags. 10L and 13L slings.

And consider how much clothing/water/food yu need to take hiking. Don't buy a bag that's too small.

 

[johnc_22]

I've had a bunch of slings.

Most recent purchase was the 6L PD sling. It replaced a 5L sling that wasn't big enough.

Before that I got a Think Tank MindShift 13 L sling. It replaced a TurnStyle 20 sling, carrying the same gear. The TS sling was more comfortable to carry. The MS 13 L is made with heavier material. And it carries a water bottle on the outside, and an iPad on the inside.

Others will say that you are carrying the load on one shoulder. That hasn't caused me problems. I carry less weight now than I used to do.

Every time I try and buy a bag/sling without bringing my camera gear to fit it on trial, I make a mistake.

Another mistake I make is to buy bags just big enough.

Please try a Turnstyle 10 or 20 before you buy the 5.

And consider how weatherproof your bag needs to be. If you need a weatherproof bag I suggest you look at the Think Tank Mindshift bags. 10L and 13L slings.

And consider how much clothing/water/food yu need to take hiking. Don't buy a bag that's too small.

The MindShift 10 caught my eye because it does have a water bottle pocket on the side. I expect the most I'll carry is my GX9 + mounted lens + another small lens + spare batteries + filters. However, it's larger than I *think* I need but you could of course be right about not buying just enough.

My wife and our small dog and I go on 2-3 hour hikes, or without the dog could go for longer hikes or half day urban treks on vacation, etc. Possibly I could put my Platypus bag in a slot meant for a tablet? Just thought of that.... I'll never need to carry laptop or table into the mountains/woods/beach/city/etc.

 

[D Lynch]

I've had a bunch of slings.

Most recent purchase was the 6L PD sling. It replaced a 5L sling that wasn't big enough.

Before that I got a Think Tank MindShift 13 L sling. It replaced a TurnStyle 20 sling, carrying the same gear. The TS sling was more comfortable to carry. The MS 13 L is made with heavier material. And it carries a water bottle on the outside, and an iPad on the inside.

Others will say that you are carrying the load on one shoulder. That hasn't caused me problems. I carry less weight now than I used to do.

Every time I try and buy a bag/sling without bringing my camera gear to fit it on trial, I make a mistake.

Another mistake I make is to buy bags just big enough.

Please try a Turnstyle 10 or 20 before you buy the 5.

And consider how weatherproof your bag needs to be. If you need a weatherproof bag I suggest you look at the Think Tank Mindshift bags. 10L and 13L slings.

And consider how much clothing/water/food yu need to take hiking. Don't buy a bag that's too small.

The MindShift 10 caught my eye because it does have a water bottle pocket on the side. I expect the most I'll carry is my GX9 + mounted lens + another small lens + spare batteries + filters. However, it's larger than I *think* I need but you could of course be right about not buying just enough.

My wife and our small dog and I go on 2-3 hour hikes, or without the dog could go for longer hikes or half day urban treks on vacation, etc. Possibly I could put my Platypus bag in a slot meant for a tablet? Just thought of that.... I'll never need to carry laptop or table into the mountains/woods/beach/city/etc.

I have way too many bags.

I like shooter bags. I want my camera to be right at hand. Yes, I have some Domkes and some Billingham bags too.

I don't like storage bags. I find backpacks are storage bags. Put stuff in; it'll be there a long time so it doesn't matter that gear is hard to get out and use.

Enjoy your choice! I haven't had to use the rain cover on my MindShift 13. It's that well built. I have had a Peak Design 5L sling, and now a 6L sling. Using these I get nervous when the forecast says rain coming.

 

[johnc_22]

I have way too many bags.

I like shooter bags. I want my camera to be right at hand. Yes, I have some Domkes and some Billingham bags too.

I don't like storage bags. I find backpacks are storage bags. Put stuff in; it'll be there a long time so it doesn't matter that gear is hard to get out and use.

Enjoy your choice! I haven't had to use the rain cover on my MindShift 13. It's that well built. I have had a Peak Design 5L sling, and now a 6L sling. Using these I get nervous when the forecast says rain coming.

Yes, the Domke F-5XB has really caught my eye but I shied away from that style of bag because it looks like it might bounce around while hiking but I suppose the strap can be shortened to tighten it up. Also realize they sell belt mounted water bottle holders too so lots of options (too many?)

 

[D Lynch]

I have way too many bags.

I like shooter bags. I want my camera to be right at hand. Yes, I have some Domkes and some Billingham bags too.

Yes, the Domke F-5XB has really caught my eye but I shied away from that style of bag because it looks like it might bounce around while hiking but I suppose the strap can be shortened to tighten it up. Also realize they sell belt mounted water bottle holders too so lots of options (too many?)

I haven’t bought the F-5xb yet I keep looking at it too

it has a strap and a belt loop You could carry it with the strap Domke bags seem to mild themselves to you and carry better because of that Domke bags are hard to find here

So many bags So many choices

if you have a backpack you like you could look at a peak design capture clip and put it on a shoulder strap

 

[OriginalChris]

Simple question, will one of these slings (looking at the 3L for my GX9 + 12-60 kit lens + some prime lens eventually) pack flat in a checked bag when empty? My intention would be to use it locally for hikes, etc, but I prefer using my Kata backpack for carrying camera equipment, laptop, Kindle, headphones, etc onto a plane (assuming I'll fly again). I'd want to take the sling for day trip use after arriving at a destination. I'm attracted to a sling as it seems more suitable for hiking than a shoulder bag while still keeping the camera easily accessible. My alternative is the ThinkTank Turnstyle 5. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Of course I could use the Kata for hiking but it seems overkill for my needs.

I've had a bunch of slings.

Most recent purchase was the 6L PD sling. It replaced a 5L sling that wasn't big enough.

Before that I got a Think Tank MindShift 13 L sling. It replaced a TurnStyle 20 sling, carrying the same gear. The TS sling was more comfortable to carry. The MS 13 L is made with heavier material. And it carries a water bottle on the outside, and an iPad on the inside.

Others will say that you are carrying the load on one shoulder. That hasn't caused me problems. I carry less weight now than I used to do.

Every time I try and buy a bag/sling without bringing my camera gear to fit it on trial, I make a mistake.

Another mistake I make is to buy bags just big enough.

Please try a Turnstyle 10 or 20 before you buy the 5.

And consider how weatherproof your bag needs to be. If you need a weatherproof bag I suggest you look at the Think Tank Mindshift bags. 10L and 13L slings.

And consider how much clothing/water/food yu need to take hiking. Don't buy a bag that's too small.

Carrying a load on one shoulder hasn't caused you any problems yet.

I never use/recommend a sling. Not worth the risk of permanent neck injury (and losing the use of one hand).

Have to concur here. I'm in my 30s, fit and healthy yet on my last overseas trip, I had to buy a backpack at my destination because I got intense shoulder pain after carrying the Peak Design sling for just half a day. This was the 3L version with just one camera and two lenses. For me the usefulness of a sling is limited to total carrying time of no more than an hour per day.

 

[Malling]

I have the peak it’s carrying comfort is horrible, it might have an acceptable design for what it is. But as others have already stated it can lead to long term shoulder and neck injuries if used over longer periods of time at hours at a time, especially if you load them up, don’t use any bag that style over 3-4l!, carrying 6-10l capacity that way means you can carry a substantial amount of weight that is a bad idea.

If you get pain by using it, it’s a bad sign!

Even the horrible backpacks are better for you, these come in all seizes these days, but honestly not good for longer or heavier hauls, unless you have an exceptional short torso, bags is best at plus 50cm hight.

To answer the question, do it pack flat, well not really. especially not if you have dividers in it.

 

[johnc_22]

I have the peak it’s carrying comfort is horrible, it might have an acceptable design for what it is. But as others have already stated it can lead to long term shoulder and neck injuries if used over longer periods of time at hours at a time, especially if you load them up, don’t use any bag that style over 3-4l!, carrying 6-10l capacity that way means you can carry a substantial amount of weight that is a bad idea.

If you get pain by using it, it’s a bad sign!
Even the horrible backpacks are better for you, these come in all seizes these days, but honestly not good for longer or heavier hauls, unless you have an exceptional short torso, bags is best at plus 50cm hight.

To answer the question, do it pack flat, well not really. especially not if you have dividers in it.

Thanks for that info. I may just use the Kata backpack I already have though for short hikes it's overkill and predates when many backpacks started being made with dedicated water bottle pockets. It's got a vertical tripod pocket but it's a bit small for a bottle. Additionally accessing gear means stopping to take the pack off which is a nuisance I was hoping to avoid. Still looking....

 

[D Lynch]

I have the peak it’s carrying comfort is horrible, it might have an acceptable design for what it is. But as others have already stated it can lead to long term shoulder and neck injuries if used over longer periods of time at hours at a time, especially if you load them up, don’t use any bag that style over 3-4l!, carrying 6-10l capacity that way means you can carry a substantial amount of weight that is a bad idea.

If you get pain by using it, it’s a bad sign!
Even the horrible backpacks are better for you, these come in all seizes these days, but honestly not good for longer or heavier hauls, unless you have an exceptional short torso, bags is best at plus 50cm hight.

To answer the question, do it pack flat, well not really. especially not if you have dividers in it.

Thanks for that info. I may just use the Kata backpack I already have though for short hikes it's overkill and predates when many backpacks started being made with dedicated water bottle pockets. It's got a vertical tripod pocket but it's a bit small for a bottle. Additionally accessing gear means stopping to take the pack off which is a nuisance I was hoping to avoid. Still looking....

Yesterday I went on YouTube and watched a 17 minute video on the Peak Design Sling V2

Then I adjusted my strap properly. And I moved the partitions that someone in Henry's had pulled out and put back in poorly.

I'm happy with it now. BUT it won't carry a water bottle unless it's inside, and I won't do that. PM sent John...

 

[Malling]

I have the peak it’s carrying comfort is horrible, it might have an acceptable design for what it is. But as others have already stated it can lead to long term shoulder and neck injuries if used over longer periods of time at hours at a time, especially if you load them up, don’t use any bag that style over 3-4l!, carrying 6-10l capacity that way means you can carry a substantial amount of weight that is a bad idea.

If you get pain by using it, it’s a bad sign!
Even the horrible backpacks are better for you, these come in all seizes these days, but honestly not good for longer or heavier hauls, unless you have an exceptional short torso, bags is best at plus 50cm hight.

To answer the question, do it pack flat, well not really. especially not if you have dividers in it.

Thanks for that info. I may just use the Kata backpack I already have though for short hikes it's overkill and predates when many backpacks started being made with dedicated water bottle pockets. It's got a vertical tripod pocket but it's a bit small for a bottle. Additionally accessing gear means stopping to take the pack off which is a nuisance I was hoping to avoid. Still looking....

Yesterday I went on YouTube and watched a 17 minute video on the Peak Design Sling V2

Then I adjusted my strap properly. And I moved the partitions that someone in Henry's had pulled out and put back in poorly.

I'm happy with it now. BUT it won't carry a water bottle unless it's inside, and I won't do that. PM sent John...

I think you can have the bottle outside on the new Wandrd Roam Sling on KS, if you don’t take a Tripod with you, although it’s not exactly a water bottle pocket. The Tenba Solstice also offers something similar, but with a real water bottle pocket that can also be used for a tripod. Again none of these change the fact that your carrying the weight on one shoulder and across your back and all problems associated with that, but both look more comfortable.



Again it’s not an advice as I would never advice a sling or even worse messenger bag.

 

[spec68]

I know this thread is old and OP has probably bought a bag by now but I'll throw my .02 in here.

I have the Peak v1 10L sling -- B&H had a great price over the holidays and I needed a bag that could hold my Canon R5 attached to the RF 100-500 lens and it fit the bill. The combo takes up the entire lengh of the bag.

I've hike with the bag many miles w/ this combo and haven't suffered any muscle fatigue or strain. My shoulder get irritated after a few hours though. It's super easy pulling the camera out of the bag, putting it back in as I walk. Other bags I've used I've had to stop to wiggle the camera out because the opening was not as wide as the bag. I also love how the straps instanly adjust with just one ring pull.

On the negative side, (and again this is based on v1), the shoulder pad is thin and I wish it had more pockets, esp. and outer pocket for papers. It also would have been a nice touch if they had an outer pouch for a water bottle.

I really thing the 10L is the most versitile size -- big enough to carry a super-tele attached to a body, but not so big that it's clunky if you only wanted to carry a smaller lens.

 

[johnc_22]

Deciding on a camera bag is really difficult in the days of pandemics and dwindling brick & mortar stores to actually try gear. There are a ton of good options out there but as I looked my concept of an ideal bag shifted a bit and I wanted something that doesn't scream camera.

I finally decided on a bag, the Alpaka Go Sling Pro. It's a more compact sling than a camera-centric sling but does offer camera padded dividers for organizing the space.

I was able to get the forest green (favorite color) before it sold out: https://alpakagear.com/products/limited-edition-go-sling-pro-forest-green

I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival and hoping it will stow in my primary carryon backpack, assuming I ever fly again!

 

[D Lynch]

Deciding on a camera bag is really difficult in the days of pandemics and dwindling brick & mortar stores to actually try gear. There are a ton of good options out there but as I looked my concept of an ideal bag shifted a bit and I wanted something that doesn't scream camera.

I finally decided on a bag, the Alpaka Go Sling Pro. It's a more compact sling than a camera-centric sling but does offer camera padded dividers for organizing the space.

I was able to get the forest green (favorite color) before it sold out: https://alpakagear.com/products/limited-edition-go-sling-pro-forest-green

I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival and hoping it will stow in my primary carryon backpack, assuming I ever fly again!

Interesting choice! I seldom use my Peak Design 6L Sling.

--
DaveL
WSSA Member #468
Ontario, Canada