Peak Design

Last updated
Peak Design
IndustryConsumer goods
Founded2010;15 years ago (2010)
FounderPeter Dering
HeadquartersSan Francisco, CA
Number of locations
4
ProductsBackpacks, Capture camera clip, camera accessories
Website peakdesign.com

Peak Design is an American design and manufacturing company specializing in travel gear, camera accessories, and lifestyle products. It was founded in 2010 by Peter Dering and started with a Kickstarter campaign for its Capture clip device. Peak Design is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Contents

History

Peak Design was founded in 2010 by Peter Dering. Its first product, the Capture Camera Clip, was launched on Kickstarter in 2011, raising over $360,000. [1] Since then, Peak Design has launched multiple products through crowdfunding platforms, including the Everyday Backpack and Travel Tripod. [2] [3] [4] The company is notable for it's continued reliance on Kickstart (it's 14th campaign launched in March 2025) for funding new product launches as a way to avoid the typical venture capital route that many other successful crowdfunded companies take. [5]

Peak design received its B-Corp certification in 2019. [6]

Products

An example of a Peak Design bag Peak Design Everyday Messenger (29718605773).jpg
An example of a Peak Design bag

Peak Design offers a range of products designed for photographers, travelers, and everyday users. Its key product categories include camera accessories, travel bags, tripods, and mobile accessories. [3] [7] [8]

Kickstarter campaigns
KS #Campaign NameLaunch DateBackersTotal USD
1Capture Camera Clip SystemMay 2, 20115,258$364,698
2Leash and CuffNovember 22, 20123,108$215,721
3Capture Camera Clip v2June 29, 20138,090$819,108
4Slide Camera Sling and Clutch Hand StrapJune 16, 20149,455$861,164
5The Everyday Messenger: A Bag For Cameras & Essential CarryJuly 22, 201517,029$4,869,472
6The Everyday Backpack, Tote, and SlingJuly 12, 201626,359$6,565,782
7Camera Carry, Reimagined: Capture v3, Slide, and Slide LiteNovember 6, 201712,196$1,330,583
8The Travel Line: Versatile Travel Backpack + Packing ToolsJuly 23, 201813,752$5,206,611
9Travel TripodMay 21, 201927,168$12,143,435
10Mobile: A phone case that does more, with zero bulk.October 19, 202014,169$2,000,497
11Micro Clutch: Never drop your mirrorless camera againMay 16, 202311,310$1,492,392
12Motorcycle Phone Mounts with Ripping Fast Qi2 ChargingJuly 9, 20241,509$273,024
13The Outdoor LineSeptember 3, 202410,170$3,438,028
14Roller Pro Carry-On LuggageMarch 4, 2025

Sustainability

Peak Design emphasizes environmental sustainability in its operations. The company became carbon neutral in 2018. [9] Many of its products are made using recycled materials, and its lifetime warranty policy promotes product longevity. [2] [3]

In 2020, Peak Design co-founded the Climate Neutral Certified label, encouraging companies to measure, reduce, and offset carbon emissions. This initiative has grown to include hundreds of companies globally. [10] [11]

Recognition

The company has received multiple design awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, and ISPO Award, for its products. [12] [13] [14]

Controversies

In 2021 Peak Design accused Amazon for creating a copycat version of their Everyday Sling bag called, "Amazon Basics Everyday Sling". [15] [16] Amazon later changed the name of the bag. [17]

After the killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of Peak Design, Peter Daring reported to police that the suspect was carrying a Peak Design backpack. [18] Daring and Peak Design received death threats after this reporting. [19] [20] According to Dering, no private customer information was provided to the police. [21]

References

  1. Mandelbaum, Robb. "How Peak Design Used Crowdfunding To Kickstart Its Business Model". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  2. 1 2 "Shopify - Peak Design's Crowdfunding Strategies That Raised Over $34 Million".
  3. 1 2 3 Dwoskin, Jon (2020-06-29). "THINK Business Podcast: Jon Dwoskin Interviews Peter Dering, Founder and CEO at Peak Design and Co-Founder of Climate Neutral". The Jon Dwoskin Experience. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  4. Greathouse, John. "This Company Just Broke The Record For The Most Money Raised On Kickstarter - Over $32.4M". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  5. Mandelbaum, Robb. "How Peak Design Used Crowdfunding To Kickstart Its Business Model". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  6. "PEAK DESIGN - Certified B Corporation - B Lab Global". www.bcorporation.net. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  7. Toit, Wouter du (2017-11-23). "Fstoppers Review the Capture Pro Clip From Peak Design". Fstoppers. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  8. Crawford, Arlo (2023-09-07). ""This Isn't About Dying. This Is About Living."". Huckberry. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  9. "Peak Design | A Climate Neutral Certified Brand". explore.changeclimate.org. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  10. Arvesen, Amelia (2019-09-24). "Peak Design and Biolite Create New Climate Neutral Certification". Outside Online. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  11. Carter, Clint (2019-10-14). "Can This Carbon Neutral Label Save the Planet?". Men's Journal. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  12. PurpleOrangePR (2024-04-16). "Peak Design Wins Red Dot Award for Innovative Product Design". Outdoor Sportswire. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  13. "Outdoor Backpack 45L by Peak Design | Product Review - ISPO Award". www.ispo.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  14. "iF Design - PEAK Messenger bag-backpack". ifdesign.com. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  15. Palmer, Annie (2021-03-04). "Amazon accused of copying camera gear maker's top-selling item". CNBC. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  16. Schneider, Jaron (2021-03-03). "Peak Design Calls Out Amazon for 'Copycatting' the Everyday Sling Bag". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  17. Campbell, Ian Carlos (2021-03-03). "Peak Design congratulates Amazon for copying its signature sling bag so well". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  18. Cramer, Maria (2024-12-05). "A Backpack Maker Believes He Identified the Shooting Suspect's Bag". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  19. Batey, Eve (2024-12-15). "Luigi Mangione Backpack Maker Distances Itself From UnitedHealthcare CEO Homicide Investigation". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  20. Berkowitz, Ben (2024-12-13). "Maker of Luigi Mangione's backpack says his employees got threats". Axios. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  21. Sato, Mia (2024-12-13). "Peak Design denies snitching on Luigi Mangione". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-03-09.