Founded in 2010 by Peter Dering, Peak Design has grown into a global leader in camera gear and travel accessories. With a reputation for innovation and functionality, Peak Design is beloved by photographers, adventurers, and everyday users alike. The company's success story is rooted in a simple desire: to make carrying a camera easier and more enjoyable, a mission that quickly expanded into revolutionizing how people transport and interact with their gear. Today, Peak Design offers a comprehensive lineup of products, from bags and tripods to mobile accessories, all crafted with thoughtful design and superior functionality.
The Beginnings of Peak Design Peter Dering, a civil engineering graduate from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, had always harbored a passion for inventing. However, like many aspiring creators, he set aside his dreams in pursuit of a more conventional career path. It wasn’t until a 4-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and India that Peter's dream of invention resurfaced with full force.
During his trip, Peter found carrying his DSLR camera to be cumbersome and frustrating. The standard camera straps were impractical, and he quickly realized that there had to be a better way. After returning to his apartment in San Francisco, Peter took a leap of faith—quitting his job and devoting the next 10 months to designing a camera-carrying solution that would be both efficient and easy to use. This dedication led to the creation of the Capture Camera Clip, a device that allows photographers to secure their cameras to any strap or belt, making their gear easily accessible while on the move.
Instead of seeking traditional investors, Peter decided to turn to Kickstarter, a relatively new crowdfunding platform at the time. He believed there were adventurous photographers out there, like himself, who would appreciate the innovative design of the Capture Clip. His instincts were right—the Kickstarter campaign was an overwhelming success, surpassing its funding goal and launching Peak Design into the spotlight.
Expanding the Product Line With the success of the Capture Clip, Peak Design quickly expanded its product offerings, creating a wide range of gear designed for photographers, travelers, and those looking for high-quality, functional carry solutions. Today, Peak Design's catalog spans five key product categories, each known for exceptional design, durability, and versatility. These products are thoughtfully crafted to make everyday adventures easier and more enjoyable, blending form and function seamlessly.
- Everyday & Travel Bags One of Peak Design's most popular categories is their Everyday & Travel Bags. These bags are designed to meet the diverse needs of photographers, commuters, and adventurers. The Everyday Backpack is the flagship product in this range, known for its stylish design, customizable internal organization, and ability to expand or compress based on the user's needs. Available in multiple sizes, the backpack features weatherproof materials, padded compartments, and easy access points, making it a favorite for photographers who need to quickly grab their gear.
For those who prefer more compact options, Peak Design offers messenger bags, slings, and totes, each designed with the same attention to detail as their larger counterparts. The Everyday Sling is particularly popular for users who need a smaller, more minimalist carry option, while the Everyday Messenger provides a sleek yet functional solution for photographers and urban commuters alike.
The Peak Design travel bag line also includes the Travel Backpack, a versatile and durable option for travelers. Available in 30L and 45L sizes, the Travel Backpack is perfect for short trips or long adventures. With a clamshell opening, modular packing cubes, and stowable straps, it offers incredible flexibility for different types of travelers, making it one of the best travel bags on the market.
- Bag Accessories To complement its bag range, Peak Design has developed a variety of bag accessories that enhance organization and usability. These include pouches, packing cubes, and camera cubes designed to fit seamlessly within their larger bags. For instance, the Packing Cube is perfect for organizing clothing in a travel backpack, while the Camera Cube provides protective storage for cameras, lenses, and accessories.
Peak Design also offers wash pouches and tech pouches, each featuring multiple internal pockets and thoughtful organization systems. The Tech Pouch, for example, is designed for organizing cables, chargers, and other small electronics, making it a must-have for tech-savvy travelers.
- Travel Tripods In addition to their bags and accessories, Peak Design is also known for their Travel Tripods. These ultra-compact tripods are designed to offer full-size performance in a form factor small enough to fit inside a water bottle pocket. Available in both carbon fiber and aluminum versions, the tripods are lightweight, durable, and perfect for photographers on the move.
The carbon fiber version is known for its super lightweight design without compromising strength, while the aluminum version provides a more affordable option with a slightly heavier but equally durable build. Both versions feature an ergonomic design that allows for quick setup, stability, and precise control, making them a favorite for both amateur and professional photographers.
- Mobile Accessories In recent years, Peak Design has expanded into the mobile accessories market, offering a range of clever and versatile products that enhance the smartphone experience. Their Mobile Ecosystem includes phone cases, mounts, and stands that are designed to work together seamlessly. The SlimLink technology, a magnetic-mechanical system, enables easy and secure mounting of phones to various accessories like car mounts, bike mounts, and tripod mounts.
The Everyday Phone Case is the core of the system, offering sleek protection with built-in compatibility for Peak Design mounts. Whether it's for mounting your phone to a dashboard, a bike, or a tripod, Peak Design's mobile accessories make everyday tasks easier and more efficient.
- Camera Accessories While Peak Design has expanded its product range significantly, the company has never lost sight of its roots in camera accessories. In addition to the Capture Camera Clip, which remains one of its flagship products, Peak Design offers a range of camera straps, lens kits, and other tools that make photography more accessible and enjoyable.
The Slide Camera Strap is a versatile and comfortable strap that can be worn as a sling, neck strap, or shoulder strap, making it ideal for a variety of shooting situations. The Clutch Camera Hand Strap provides a secure grip for DSLR users, offering quick access and stability when shooting in fast-paced environments.
Sustainability and Ethical Practices One of the key aspects of Peak Design’s philosophy is its commitment to sustainability. The company is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of all revenue to environmental nonprofits. Additionally, Peak Design ensures that all of its products are made from recycled materials wherever possible and strives to minimize waste in its manufacturing processes.
Peak Design is also known for its customer-friendly lifetime warranty, which guarantees that their products will last for the long haul. This focus on sustainability and durability aligns with the company's mission to create high-quality products that stand the test of time, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing environmental impact.
Peak Design’s Global Reach With its headquarters in San Francisco, Peak Design has built a global presence, with products available in over 100 countries. In New Zealand and Australia, Peak Design products are available through Rubber Monkey, a trusted retailer known for fast shipping and exceptional customer service. Customers can find the full range of Peak Design products, including camera accessories, travel gear, and mobile solutions, making it easier than ever to get hands-on with Peak Design's innovative designs.
Conclusion From its humble beginnings on Kickstarter to becoming a global leader in camera and travel gear, Peak Design has remained true to its mission of creating thoughtfully designed, highly functional products. Whether you're a professional photographer, an adventure traveler, or just someone who appreciates well-made gear, Peak Design offers something for everyone. With its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, Peak Design continues to set the standard for carry solutions around the world.
