Thank you Peak Design
for providing us with products to review, free of charge.
These are our own honest opinions. 

I’m a huge fan of Peak Design camera accessories. I already reviewed for you their Leash, Cuff, and Capture System so I was excited to have the opportunity to offer you a sneak peek of the all new Slide, Clutch, and Anchor Links. They are not even on the market yet so I received one of the few available to demonstrate their versatility to you. All products are available on pre-order through Peak Design’s kickstarter campaign. You can help fund their project and as a bonus you can get these great products at a reduced price. The campaign ends August 15th so don’t miss your chance to get your hands on these one-of-a-kind practical camera accessories.

Meet The Slide:

The Slide is a camera strap, similar to the Leash which I reviewed before. The Slide is THE best camera strap I’m tried. It can transform from a regular neck strap to a sling strap, to a shoulder strap in an instant. It can also be removed in seconds (I’m not joking, it literally takes only 2 seconds!) so if you don’t need your strap or don’t want to get in the way, you don’t have to fumble with it for 10 minutes. It’s equally easy to put it back. That’s because Peak Design created a unique anchor system that is super strong and durable yet it can be released with just the pressure of a thumb (see image below).

The camera can be placed in different position and can be adjusted length-wise by pulling the buckles gently. What’s nice about this is that no matter your preferred position, your camera will stay put because the strap attaches at 2 different points on the camera (whereas some other straps attach to a single point which allows the camera to move around). There are also grips on the one side of the padded portion so can be sure that the strap will stay in place which is especially important if you use it as a shoulder strap. Because of the way the anchors are designed, you can easily flip your strap from the smooth to the grippy side without getting all tangled up!

The Slide comes with 4 anchor links, one plate and a small allen wrench to screw the plate in place. The plate simply replaces your ARCA-type tripod head so you don’t have to remove it and replace it with your tripod’s every time you want to use it. The anchor links can be placed on either side of your camera (where your original strap attaches) to allow you to wear your strap as a neck and shoulder strap. You can also attach a link under your camera, on the plate so you can wear your strap as a sling. If you want to switch the position of your camera, simply release the anchors with your thumb and attach your strap to other links. (You do not need to move the anchors.)

The Slide is very comfortable. It has a thick layer of padding which means no matter how you decide to wear it, it will never get painful for your neck or shoulder. That’s a great feature, especially for those who have a heavier DSLR camera. This was, in my opinion, the drawback of the Leash because it was narrow and didn’t have padding. It’s great to see that Peak Design now offers both padded and non-padded straps.

If you are totally in love with your strap but would like some of the versatility of the Slide, you should take a look at the new Anchor Links set. Anchor links allow anyone to get the benefits of their fast and safe connection system without changing their actual strap. It includes 4 anchors and 2 links. The links can be attached to virtually any camera strap (up to 12mm wide) to transform it into a secure yet easily removable strap.

Meet The Clutch:

The Clutch is an adjustable hand strap. It can easily by tightened and loosened by pulling or releasing a buckle. It allows me to safely hold my camera in one hand, then I can loosen it a little to access to my controls when I want to take photos. The Clutch works with or without battery grips. It is designed to be slim but has a bit of extra padding for maximum comfort even for those who use a heavier camera.

The Clutch uses an anchor link that attaches to a plate (this plate is included with the Clutch and it attaches where your tripod head would be and replaces it). The upper part of the Clutch attaches to the camera itself – not an anchor – where your original strap typically attaches. To attach it, you need to loop the strap around your camera’s metal loop then you slide it into the metal carabiner-like piece on the strap itself. Okay, the explanation is complicated but when you see it, it’s really obvious.

Now, I don’t know if it’s because I got spoiled with the anchor links or maybe I just have poor dexterity but I find the process of clipping and unclipping the upper part of the strap a bit frustrating. I have to use both hands and I usually need a couple tries before it’s secure. It’s still a simpler process than the other hand straps I’ve seen though. It might be unique to the metal hoops on my camera but I also found that I have to remove the anchor on that loop in order to place the Clutch. I would have loved to be able to leave it there so if I wanted to attach my Slide, I could do it almost instantly. Once the Clutch is in place though, it’s really great. I love how easy it is to adjust and it’s perfect for those times you don’t want your Slide.

Buy It: Head over to Peak Design to see for yourself the selection of cool and practical camera accessories they offer. Don’t forget to support their Kickstarter and get your hands on the all new Slide, Cluth, and Anchor Links before their official release. They are offered at a special discounted rate as a pre-order. Hurry up though, their project funding campaign ends August 15th.

Connect: Don’t forget to like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for all the latest news and promotions.

Rachel