Unboxing and packing Peak Design 20L backpack

LOS ANGELES - I’ll be attending the huge CES convention in January, and hauling cameras, audio gear and a laptop all day long.

I need a really good backpack to replace the grueling Target jobbie that’s been playing havoc with my back the past few years.

I reached out on Facebook for suggestions on potential backpacks for review and heard from two possibilities: Peak Design, and Brevite.

The Peak Design bag showed up first--so have some fun and watch the Unboxing and packing video here.

Peak, a company targeting photographers and their ever-growing collection of awesome gear--sent in the 20L, which sells for $259, to test out.

You can see me slip in a 15-inch Apple laptop, Sony RX10II camera, GoPro Hero 4 Silver, two sets of Sony lac microphones, an iRig HD mic, the Mavic Pro drone, the Belkin Rockstar charger and many cords and cables.

The plan is to wear the Peak design model and the Brevite Rolltop ($185) on alternating days at CES, and let you know which one I like best.

With 180,000 people roaming the floors, I can’t get away with a roller bag--that would be a real traffic stopper. I’d like something on my back, even though it’s generally painful, due to all the gear needed for podcasting, making videos, taking photos and writing articles--but most efficient. (Note to self--don't forget to throw in the extension cord too!)

When watching the video, remember that I was new to the Peak Design bag--I clearly didn’t pack well, but I'm eager to learn and do it better before I hit the convention.

My immediate verdict is that the 20L is probably too small for me--the $289 step-up 30L probably would do a better job fitting everything. Then again, wearing the 20L was heavy--would I survive eight hours a day of walking around the convention center with it on my back?

Who knows?

I’ll fill you in in January with the answer.

Readers: What’s your favorite backpack for an assignment like this? Send your suggestions to @jeffersongraham on Twitter, and let me know. Don’t forget to subscribe to the daily #TalkingTech podcast on iTunes and Stitcher, and leave your reviews, comments and suggestions.