I bought a Peak Design Outdoor Sling 7L bag a while back and generally love it. However, I noticed a potential issue when I first got it, which is the weak buckle on the strap. I found out the hard way that my worries were not unfounded, and I made this video to 1) warn others of this issue, and 2) share a simple solution that might help to mitigate some of the risk created by the weak buckle.
I bought the Peak Design Outdoor Sling 7L bag few months ago and I actually really like.
The bag is seven liters in total, as the name indicates. The main pocket is rather large. In there you will find some pockets and another zipper with additional storage and even more pockets inside. There's a small pocket in the front with a clip where you can put your keys or something else you don't want to accidentally fall out. So, there is a lot of utility in the bag. It's made from sturdy material that is thin and lightweight. The strap is nicely padded and comfortable. You can wear it around your waist like a fanny pack or sling it over your shoulder so that it hangs across your chest, and that's how I tend to use it.
I like almost everything about this bag. However, when I first received it there was one thing which caught my eye that made me a little nervous. And that was the clip in the middle of the strap. For starters the clip material feels a bit cheap, but my bigger concern was that it comes undone very easily. If you just barely push on it, it completely releases.
After further consideration, I thought that since the bag was made by Peak Design, and they have a great reputation, they must know what they're doing. So I decided to trust them and not worry about the clip too much. I kind of forgot about it after that, but eventually learned the hard way that my initial Instinct was correct. Unfortunately, while out shooting photos one day the bag fell to the the ground without warning, and at the time I was carrying two lenses in with no protection on them. I had been adjusting the strap on my backpack, and while doing so I unknowingly touched the clip on this sling. Before I knew what had happened I heard the sound of my brand new lens crashing onto the sidewalk at my feet.
Through this post I wanted to share a word of caution about this issue and also a solution that works for me, for now anyway.
My solution is a very simple one, which is to add a backup connection on the strap so that the bag does not immediately drop if the clip comes open. You should see some links below to the bungee cord I used. That exact item is no longer available on Amazon (at the time of writing), but I linked some other options you might want to consider. The simplest option would be some sturdy string, but I decided to go with bungee cord instead, just to absorb a little energy if this backup is every required.
As I mentioned, I do like this bag, with the exception of this weak clip issue. If you have one, or decide to buy one, I hope this will help you to avoid making the same mistake I made.
Below are some links to the bag, the bungee cord I used, and alternative products including some suggested by viewers.
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