Over the years, I have discovered that having the right equipment for the job is essential. This doesn’t just mean cameras and lenses, but also ancillary equipment like tripods and straps. I decided to give both Peak Design’s excellent Slide and the Slide Lite a try to see which would suit me best.
The other thing I have discovered is that the adage “you get what you pay for” is usually true. There are plenty of cheap tripods and straps to be found on Amazon, but they rarely meet expectations.
Of course, there are also expensive things that don’t live up to their price tag. Expensive cameras can fall apart. One well-known brand of strap has an issue with the camera attachment becoming unattached. “Reassuringly expensive” is not always true. However, I’ve been very impressed with Peak Design’s gear so far, and that experience and their reputation for great quality, well-thought-through products got me wondering whether their straps were what I was looking for.
A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Peak Design Leash. Fabulous though it is, I found that when it came to using a big lens it was a little too thin. Having been impressed with the Leash, would the Slide and the Slide Lite live up to my high expectations? Also, which would be best for my long lens?
Like the Leash, the two straps come in neat cardboard packaging. Peak Design is a certified climate-neutral company, as well as a member of 1% for the Planet. It is also a certified B Corporation; I had to look that one up!
- Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing our risk review. Multinational corporations must also meet baseline requirement standards.•
- Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
- Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
There’s a lot of greenwashing by camera companies, but Peak Design is one of the few that are making a real commitment to protecting the environment. This is an increasingly important issue for many photographers.
What Are the Differences Between the Slide and the Slide Lite?
Both straps are supplied with four Anchor Links. These are low-profile buttons that attach to the camera via a loop. The bottom then slots securely into the ends of the strap via a secure quick-release mechanism. The anchors are designed to carry up to 200 lbs (90 kg) of weight. The new three-layer design of the anchors makes them easy to inspect because below the outer black sheath is a second yellow layer. Inside that is a red-colored core. Consequently, it is easy to see if they are damaged or becoming worn.
The webbing on the straps is similar to that which you would find on a seat belt. Set at their longest, both straps can be used by a tall person to carry comfortably a camera or binoculars over the shoulder and across the body in a sling style. The maximum length of the Slide is 58” (149 cm) and the Slide Lite is slightly shorter than that at 57” (146 cm).
The length of the straps is fully adjustable, so they can be used hooked over one shoulder or as a neck strap. At their shortest, the slide is 40” (101 cm) and the Slide Lite is 37” (95 cm). That’s short enough for a child to use. Usefully, the strap length of both can be adjusted single-handedly.
At 1¾”, the Slide is wider than the Slide Lite, which is 1¼”. Both straps are reversible, having a silicone grip on one side, while the other is smooth and runs for freely.
Adjusting the length of both models is achieved by opening either of the quick-release buckles and then sliding that buckle up and down the webbing, which it does with ease.
Unlike the Slide Lite, the Slide has a stiffened section that helps spread the load of heavier camera and lens combinations, so it’s not pulling tightly around the neck.
Both models also come with an anchor mount that can be attached to the tripod screw hole at the base of the camera. That gives the option of attaching one end of the strap to the base of the camera. There’s also an Allen hex key for securing that. Handily, it also fits my tripods’ QR plates.
Also, both packages included a storage pouch.
The Slide Lite in Use
Besides my medium format film cameras and 35mm SLRs, I have two camera bodies in constant use. One is the OM System OM-1 and my backup camera is an OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The older camera I often carry in my pannier when I am cycling, with the diminutive 40-150mm 1:4 PRO lens attached.
The Leash has been a perfect companion for that short-term use. It’s perfect too for smaller cameras. However, I did feel the need for something a little wider when carrying either of the cameras for any length of time. Especially so in the summer when I was wearing a single layer.
The Slide Lite is the perfect solution for that. It’s wide enough and comfortable when in a t-shirt and not too bulky for those.
The quick-release anchors are ideal when I want to use my tripod and don’t want to have a strap blowing around in the wind. Single-handedly adjusting the strap length from over the shoulder to around the neck was quick and easy.
I also tried the Slide Lite with my binoculars, and it worked well, I found the adjustable length useful so I could wear them at my side when walking.
The Slide in Use
I am a big fan of small, light, and high-quality equipment. Consequently, the Slide would probably be overkill for my needs. Indeed, my OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens is too light to curve the stiffened back of the strap around my neck or shoulder.
However, I have recently bought the OM SYSTEM M. Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25 IS PRO Lens. Although still comparatively light, the slide strap was perfect for carrying that combination that weighs a little under 5½ lbs (just under 2.5 kg) and could easily support much larger cameras.
Which Strap Should You Choose?
I found that using a system under 2 lbs (approximately 1 kg), the Slide Light is perfect. Above that weight, it is still perfectly comfortable to use, but when you start to reach a lens and body combination of around 3 lbs (approximately 1.5 kg) the Slide is definitely a more comfortable option.
I think there is an overlap between 2-3 lbs where both are suitable. If your maximum camera/lens combination is 2½ lbs (approximately 1.1 kg), then the Slide Lite will suit you.
Because of the wide range of weights of my lenses, everything from a tiny 0.3 lbs (136 g) to a large 4.4 lbs (1.88 kg), I’ll use both straps, except, that is, when I am cycling. Then, I’ll still use the Peak Design Leash.
What I Like About the Slide and Slide Lite and What Can Be Improved
What I Liked
Everything I found exceptionally good was common to both straps:
- Fully adjustable
- Exceptionally strong
- Light
- Easy to attach and remove from the camera
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to put on and take off
- Reversible with a grip on one side
- Environmentally sound
- The improved design makes it easy to see if the anchors are worn and need to be replaced
- They are not plastered with bold brand advertising
- They are available in a range of color
What Could Be Improved
I am really pushed to find anything to dislike. However,
- Some photographers might prefer a thicker, padded strap, but that would be at a cost of flexibility
- There isn’t a two-camera version
- Slightly longer Anchor Mount loops would be good for easier attachment to the larger anchoring points on big lenses
- Guidance about the weight of the system they are designed for would help customers choose the correct model for them
In Conclusion: They Are a Great Accessory
There is a lot to be liked about these products. They are functional and easy to use. You do need to pick the right strap for the camera and lens combination and might need more than one strap if you have a wide-ranging system like mine. Peak Design is living up to its name. You can buy the Peak Design Slide here, and the Slide Light here.
