How Peak Design Travel Pack 45L and Capture Clip improved my photography trips!
“Switching to the Peak Design ecosystem has made my photography trips so much more enjoyable. Where I used to have shoulder pain from the weight after a trip, I can now hike and photograph all day with ease”.
About Ruben Visser 't Hooft
Ruben is a third-generation photographer with over a decade of experience shooting for clients and friends from all over the world. From photographing models for lingerie brands in Marrakech to documenting athletes for renowned snowboard magazines. His passion for photography is a big part of his life, and every day is filled with creativity in one form or another.
My move to the Peak Design Ecosystem
Switching to the Peak Design Ecosystem has made my photography trips so much more enjoyable. Whereas before my shoulders were sore from the weight after a trip and it took unnecessary effort to get my camera in and out of the backpack, now I can hike and shoot all day with ease. I chose the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L in combination with the Peak Design Capture Clip. Spreading the weight of my gear across the front and back of my body gives me good balance when walking.
Looking for the best carrying solution for lots and lots of heavy gear
"For far too long, I have been carrying a bag that was less than ideal for carrying my photography equipment. A heavy body (Canon 1DXII), 4 lenses, a drone, a laptop and some other accessories added considerable weight. Especially on longer trips, the weight became very heavy. I've looked at a lot of bags that could be a possible alternative, but I've never gone through with it because "the bag is still good, and I'm a strong guy who should be able to lift some weight anyway."
"For far too long, I have been
carrying a bag that was less than ideal"
From Burden to Convenience: My experience with the Travel Back Pack 45L
When I finally put on Peak Design's Travel Back Pack 45L for a mid-week walk in the Ardennes, I knew I should have made this choice much earlier. The bag is designed so that I can comfortably carry the same weight. The hip and chest straps give me all the support I'm looking for. By attaching the Capture Clip with camera and lens to the front of the handles, I can also spread the weight of the bag over both sides of my body.
Long trips with heavy equipment are no problem at all
One day on the trip we went on a 15 km hike through the hills of Luxembourg. I had my camera body, lenses, drone, and the Peak Design Carbon Travel Tripod with me to record the walk. All in all, I think the bag must have weighed around 19 kg. I deliberately chose to do the walk with a heavy pack, just to test the bag (and my fitness). It took us 4.5 hours and on the way back I was still feeling fine. With my previous bag, I would have been wrecked and probably put my camera away at some point.
Lenses can be changed quickly and easily even in the snow
A week later, a weekend shoot was scheduled in Laax, Switzerland. On top of the mountain, photographing two snowboarders. Now I could test the equipment in even harsher conditions. Once again I was amazed at how easy it was to shoot. Especially in heavy snow it is important to be able to change lenses quickly and easily. I used to have a lot more trouble keeping my bag snow-free.
Peak Design Travel Tripod for behind-the-scenes shots
A nice feature of the Peak Design Carbon Travel Tripod is that I was able to attach my phone to it and take behind-the-scenes videos while taking photos. Very handy to have, especially when you're working alone.
The bottom line
All in all, I am very happy with these first experiences with my new Peak Design gear and look forward to my next trip.
