Peak Design Capture Clip System – Gear Review

Peak Design Capture Clip System

A camera mounting system…? Gear?! As someone who always carries a bulky camera into the backcountry the Peak Design Capture system is critical to my hikes. In fact, I could say it has been life-changing for me. I carried my camera in a fanny-pack prior to using the Capture Clip System. It wasn’t unheard of for my camera to fall out of fanny pack and hit the ground. The last time that happened, in the Dolly Sods, it proved fatal to my camera. It also cost me $600 to repair the camera.

Capture Clip System – Components and Operation

I think my Peak Design Capture Clip System is a ‘version 1’ (original) design. The picture to the left is the actual Capture Clip System I am still using currently. The picture on the bottom is a stock photo of the current V3 Capture system. The basic design still looks nearly identical. The key components of the system are a mounting plate and the Clip. 

The mounting plate is attached to the camera using the tripod screw hole. The Clip is attached to either a backpack shoulder strap (as I do) or the waist belt. You slide the mounting plate (attached to the camera) into the Clip from the top. When the plate is engaged in the Clip the locking mechanism will engage with a distinctive ‘click’. When you hear that click you know the camera is safely secured. Once the camera is in the Clip it will not release until you press the release button.

My Peak Design Capture Clip System looks a bit more worn than a brand new unit. My Clip has received a ton of use in the field over the last five years, and it still works perfectly. The black paint has worn through in the mounting area, but that has not had any impact on functionality.

ARCA-Compatible Mounting System

To mount the Clip two screws that hold the front and back body pieces together are loosened. Once loosened the body sections are rotated apart. This is enabled by a slot cut into one side of the Clip. The Clip is then attached where desired. The body halves are rotated back in place and the screws tightened. The red button is the lock system release – press it to release the camera.

Price and Comfort During Use

I was initially surprised by how comfortable it is to carry even a relatively heavy camera using the Capture Clip System. The main issue I’ve had in terms of comfort is that my shoulder gets a bit sore after many hours of carrying a pack with the camera attached to that strap. I think this is a result of the relatively significant load imbalance with the camera attached to one strap. On my most recent trip, the 2022 Great Smoky Mountains hike, I adjusted the Clip a bit higher on my shoulder strap and I had very little soreness. It is more of a nuisance but I thought I’d mention it.

In terms of mounting security, once you hear that click you can rest assured the camera isn’t coming out until you press the release button to release it. I have NEVER had a problem with the camera coming out of the Capture Clip System. The V3 Capture Clip System currently sells for $74.95 directly from Peak Design. For anyone carrying a camera into the backcountry that wants to be able to carry the camera hands-free and securely, I highly recommend the Peak Design Capture system.