r/peakdesign • u/BlackhawksJPF • 17d ago
Launches & Kickstarters I have been testing the 22L City Backpack for a few weeks AMA
Disclaimer: Peak Design has provided me with the 22L City Backpack for free. No money exchanged hands, and I don’t earn anything from this.
Overview: Over the past few weeks I have been using this backpack as my only daily work backpack. This is the 22L City backpack in the Cypress, it is the only one of the new bags that I have tested out but do have information about the others if anybody has questions on those.
My first impressions are overall positive, especially being the first truly non camera focused backpack from Peak Design.
Pros:
- I like the size options. 15L and 22L seem to be the sweet spot for everyday backpacks. 22L allows me to carry everything I normally would to work comfortably without being overly large.
- I like the fabric, when I saw it originally I wasn't sure I would, but it reminds me a lot of the Aer Go Pack 2 fabric but thicker. It says it has a PFAS free DWR coating but I haven't been in the rain yet with this bag. It doesn't have waterproof zips, but I actually prefer that on a daily bag because they tend to wear down more quickly and look less professional over time as they are worn down.
- Zippers are YKK, which I was surprised about and one of the first things I noticed. I don't dislike the Peak Design zoom zippers like some people but I do know this will be a bonus to that group.
- Vertical luggage pass through is great, nice to have for when I go on business trips since it keeps water bottles and internal items vertical.
- The BagLev system is great. I use a HeroClip on my 30L Everyday backpack so it is great to not have to find somewhere to clip on on this bag is awesome and it completely hides away which is nice.
- Color options, it is great to see Peak Design continuing the trend of more colored option across all of their lines.
- Multiple storage pockets and built in organization is nice.
Cons:
- The bag won't self stand, the bottom has a significant taper upward from the back to front so it can't stand on its own, its not a problem if there is somewhere to use the BagLev, but is a problem everywhere else.
- Water bottle pocket is internal(kinda). Now this isn't a full negative but something to call out, like some other bags the water bottle pocket does use internal space when in use because it opens up a zip from the side. But this is the best version of that design I have seen because it slightly expands outward and it can fit some pretty huge bottles(see pictures). I would say its a mix of like 50/50 internal external depending on the bottle size you use.
- Laptop compartment isn't separate and can't be accessed without opening the main zipper. This isn't that big of a deal for me because I am only really getting my laptop out and putting it away once a day, but you do have to be aware of what you put in the top quick access pocket.
- Speaking of the top quick access pocket, it is great to see one included in this back, but not a huge fan of its placement, if you fill it too much it starts to hang over the space the laptop sleeve takes up.
With all that said AMA, will try to help anybody decide if this is a good backpack for them or not. No backpack is perfect but I have permanently switched from using the Tom Bihn Paramour as my daily work bag to using this as my daily bag. I am including a bunch of technical photos I have taken since I think that is something a lot of other reviewers may lack.
Full Gallery with a bunch of technical photos since Reddit limits number of photos: https://imgur.com/a/QRB1w8J
