Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 and Backpack Zip Comparison Review

External design, Everyday Backpack ZIP 20L

In many ways, the Everyday Backpack Zip (referred to hereinafter as the Zip) is similar to the Everyday Backpack with Maglatch. Indeed, it could be called a simplified version of the EDB and, to some extent, this is true. The Zip is still a full-featured backpack in its own right, and a complementary product to the EDB.

This section presents the external characteristics of the Zip. In many cases, we will emphasize the differences between the two bags instead of repeating what was written in the previous section.

The Zip is available in four colors: black, bone (an off-white tone, only offered for 15 liters), ash (light gray) and Midnight (blue). We are testing the midnight version.

The exterior of the Zip is more streamlined than the EDB. It appears as a single shell with few external features. The front is a straight surface, curving inwards at the top. The effect is amplified by the curved path of the side zippers. There is no Maglatch closure here. A leather accent is also found near the top.

While the Charcoal EDB uses a mix of gray fabric, black straps and leather accents, the Zip in its blue iteration only uses blue and tan leather (except for some zipper pulls which are black). This offers a more uniform look which works well with this color.

There is no hidden pocket at the bottom of the front to store external straps.

The Zip ships with two straps, as opposed to the EDB’s four.

These straps are stored inside the two side pockets. There is a total of 12 loops distributed on the backpack (the ones under the top flap of the EDB are missing here).

The side pockets are identical as those found on the EDB, except that, since the bag is smaller, the pockets are not as tall.

The difference is minimal and should have little impact in use.

The same elastic band with Anchor Link is found inside one of the pockets.

The main feature of the backpack is the internal access. Coherent with its name, the main compartment is accessed via a single zipper going around the sides and top of the bag. This zipper covers a whopping 270° and carries 4 zipper pulls.

In its standard configuration, the bag has one zipper pull at the bottom of each side, and two centered at the top. Access from the sides can thus occur by using either of the bottom zipper pulls or by using one of the center pulls. Top access is done by using the two center pulls.

The user can, however, position the zipper pulls anywhere along the length of the zipper, gaining access in any desired way. This gives a nice level of flexibility. In general terms, despite the long length of the zipper, the Zip operates closer to a standard backpack than the EDB with its Maglatch system.

The zipper also has the advantage of offering better water protection than the Maglatch’s top flap when the backpack is fully loaded.

Since there is only one zipper (albeit a long one) to access the main compartment, that zipper must operate smoothly and without catching. In this regard, the company’s UltraZip does not disappoint. Moving the pulls along the zipper is fluid and easy. The zipper path curves gradually, with no sharp corners. One-handed operation is never a problem. In this regard, the UltraZips deliver.

The laptop / tablet sleeve is identical to that of the EDB. The only difference is that, since the bag is smaller, it can only accept laptops up to 15 inches.

The top handle is located in the same place as on the EDB. However, while on the larger bag it mostly straight, on the Zip it curves towards the back to give easier access to the main compartment’s zipper.

The back panel is, for the most part, identical to the one on the EDB. It uses the same shoulder straps and the same chest harness. The luggage pass-through with magnetic closure and the provision for an accessory hip strap are identical.

The only difference is that the shoulder straps do not attach magnetically to the back panel. While we understand the desire to make the Zip a simpler and less expensive bag, this is one area where we would have like the EDB’s innovations to also apply.

The uniform blue coloring, even on the nylon straps and webbing, works particularly well on the back and straps. It creates a refined and pleasing look.

Verdict

The Everyday Backpack Zip 20 liters is, in some ways, a pared-down version of the Everyday Backpack. It comes with two external straps instead of four, does not offer the magnetic bottom pocket or the magnetic shoulder strap attachment.

On the other hand, the Zip is lighter, more compact, and still offers most of what the EDB has. The Zip is an excellent bag in its own right, and its more streamlined looks will probably be more aesthetically pleasing to some.