Today we take a look at Peak Design’s newly announced Field Pouch version 2, as well as the updated Cuff and Slide Lite camera straps.
Field Pouch v2
The Field Pouch started as a quick solution to carry extra equipment, such as batteries and cables, a quick grab bag of sorts. Made with the typical Peak Design attention to details, it still favored form over function, its shape making it bigger than strictly necessary.
During summer 2021, the company released version 2. Fully embracing the design, Peak Design now considers the Field Pouch as a miniature sling bag and tweaked it accordingly.
The Field Pouch is a wide organizer of adjustable height. When empty, the front is dominated by the large top flap, held in place by Velcro.
In its natural state, the Field Pouch offers about 1.5 L of volume. It can be compressed fully to stow it away, or expanded for up to 3 L of internal volume, no small feat! This is done by attaching the top flap lower or higher on the front. This expandability is par for the course for Peak Design, and makes the Field Pouch a versatile product.
Both sides offer attachment points for the company’s Capture Clip. This is a more logical position than the previous version’s single front mounting point.
The back also shows some similarities and some changes versus the previous version. The Field v2 still features a passthrough for a belt, but the two holes for the previously included Anchors have been replaced by the company’s Loops, which allow Anchors to be attached, but also offer an attachment point for a strap.
That’s a good thing, since a strap is now included! This strap is similar to the accessory straps included with the company’s larger bags (such as the Everyday Backpack). Contrary to those accessory straps, this one can be adjusted in length. It is thin and unpadded, but well matched to the Field Pouch’s small size, and easy to stow away.
The inside is probably where version 2 shows the most changes. The Pouch offers one big, main compartment, with a limited amount of padding.
The front includes three expanding mesh pockets. The back proposes a zippered sub-compartment, with extra pockets inside. The previous version offered more pockets, being intended more towards cables and small items organization, while the v2 is better tuned for larger items.
User Report
As usual with Peak Design, the materials are high-quality, waterproof and durable. There are a lot of details for such a small bag.
The Field Pouch is not for everyone. Many photographers, even those with compact cameras, will not feel comfortable leaving the house with such a small camera bag. People who just want an organizer might be better served by a more dedicated option, like the company’s Tech Pouch or the Moment Tech Organizer.
Those who embrace the idea of a multipurpose compact sling will find many uses for the Field Pouch. As a compact sling, it is actually very comfortable when matched with smaller cameras. It’s possible to leave home with the camera mounted on a Capture Clip, a small lens inside the Field Pouch, along with a spare batteries and other accessories.
As an organizer, the Field Pouch still suffers from an uneven shape and a large top flap. It’s slightly bigger than necessary. On the plus side, it can be compressed more easily than other organizers. Internal organization is convenient, but again users who expect to carry a lot of small items will be better served by a pouch with more divisions. For a smaller number of bigger items, the Field Pouch is excellent.
Cuff and Slide Lite Straps
Peak Design offer several strap options. During summer 2021, they updated their Cuff and Slide Lite to new versions, with new colorways.
The Slide Lite is closer to a standard strap. It is the smaller version of the company’s venerable Slide. The Lite version is thinner and unpadded, better suited for lighter camera systems. It still carries most of Peak Design’s hallmarks.
First and foremost, the Slide Lite is compatible with the company’s Anchor system. Using small circular Anchors attached to the camera, this system allows quick attachment and removal of the strap, and lets the user swap various straps depending on the need. A user can own several cameras but only one strap, or a few different straps, using whichever fits the situation.
The Peak Design Anchors are simple, reliable, and quick to attach and remove. Their webbing has been tested to support up to 200 pounds of stress. The are tapered on one side for easy insertion.
The Slide Lite has Anchor Clips at both ends to hold the Anchors. A simple pull will secure the Anchor within the Clip. To remove, press on the Anchor and slide it out. The process takes about two seconds.
The strap ships with four Anchors, as well as an Anchor Mount, a mini plate which fixes into the tripod mount of the camera. It won’t mount on a tripod, but will let the user loop an Anchor on either side. It’s marginally useful for users who frequently carry a tripod (those will prefer a tripod plate), but offers a useful and unobtrusive mounting option for those who never do.
On both sides along the strap are the company’s quick adjustment buckles. Lifting the buckle’s lever lets the buckle slide on the strap (hence the name) for very fast length adjustment. The smooth webbing of the strap (similar to car-seat straps) makes this possible. Since both sides have such a buckle, the length can be tuned as desired. It’s hard to overstate how simple and pleasant it is to adjust the length this way.
One side of the Slide Lite is completely smooth, while the other has a grippy section. One can simply flip the strap to use whichever side is preferred. The strap can be used around the neck, in which case the grippy surface comes in handy, or as a sling, in which case the smooth surface glides on clothes freely.
The Cuff is a different type of strap. It is worn around the wrist and attaches to the camera via a single Anchor (the Cuff ships with two Anchors). It seems pretty basic, but packs many tricks.
The first, and most important, relates to security. If the camera is ever dropped, the Cuff’s metal holder will slide up to tighten around the wrist, preventing a dramatic drop. Of course, it can be worn tight at all times, but this is not necessary.
The metal holder can also be pushed down all the way to lock it in place and prevent it from sliding.
Another hidden feature is a small magnet underneath the webbing. That magnet holds the Anchor Clip when no camera is attached. Worn that way, the Cuff becomes a decent-looking bracelet, ready to turn into a camera wrist strap in a moment. The magnet can be moved along the Cuff to position it according to each user’s wrist size.
Even with this relatively simple product, Peak Design made sure that all the details were well executed. For instance, this new version of the Cuff is made in such a way that it keeps its shape and remains wide open to slip on more easily.
At first, all Peak Design straps were black. A gray version appeared later (as well as light blue and red for the bigger Slide). The most recent versions also come in sage and “midnight blue”, as shown here.
User Report
Having been using the Peak Design Slide strap for many years, I appreciate that the Lite carries its best features, namely the Anchor Links and quick length adjustment. The smaller size and lack of padding makes the Lite easier to tuck away. It still offers good weight distribution and comfort. Except with heavy lenses, the lack of padding won’t be a problem even after several hours.
I prefer to use the Slide Lite as a sling, but it also functions well as a neck strap. It can even be used as a wider and more comfortable strap for the Field Pouch.
The Cuff is an excellent lightweight option that’s just as well made as other Peak Design products. The security of the sliding metal holder, as well as the option to wear it as a bracelet, are noteworthy features.
Conclusion
With the updated versions of these three products, Peak Design continues to support and improve their lineup. The compatibility and integration between the various products make this lineup robust and interesting for all photographers.
Peak Design products are always priced in the higher tier. The Field Pouch is priced similarly to other Tech organizers; anything beyond the most basic is always priced at around $50, whatever the manufacturer.
At $29.95, the Cuff isn’t overly expensive, especially considering its numerous features and lifetime warranty for comparison, Wanrd’s Wrist strap costs the same price.
The Slide Lite, priced at $49.95, is also on line with competing products, such as Wandrd’s Sling Strap, priced at $54, and Moment’s Neck Strap, also priced $49.99. There are cheaper options available on the market, of course, starting with the strap generally shipping with the camera, but these won’t offer quick connect options nor the same level of comfort and ease of adjustment.
