Hands up who gets unreasonably excited about efficient and innovative ways to carry stuff? Those crafty, adaptable products that optimise space and arrange gear so that the thing you want is always right where you want it. Carryologists, we see you – and so do the folk at Peak Design.
Based in San Francisco, the bags, pouches and accessories that come out of Peak Design are proper marvels of form and function – streamlined, good-looking and impeccably organised. Founder Peter Dering launched his first product on Kickstarter in 2011, and the company still crowdfunds new lines rather than seeking outside investors – letting them take bigger risks and stay close to their customers. They love to tinker with their designs and they've absolutely nailed that feedback loop with real-world users.
And this urge to develop better stuff extends to the way they do business too. Dedicated to creative activism and social justice, Peak Design has full B Corp status, and as members of the 1% for the Planet scheme, they've donated over $4,600,000 to environmental causes since 2016. The brand even has its own dedicated supply chain sustainability manager, with responsibilities that include working with partner factories in Vietnam, China and the Philippines to negotiate fair pay and safe working conditions.
Serial award-winners at both product and company level, Peak Design were Carryology Brand of the Year 2020, with the judges noting that 'They really do it all, from excelling in product design, to sustainable business practices, social awareness and inclusivity.'
