Peak Design Micro Clutch Review

Peak Design launched its 11th Kickstarter campaign on May 16, 2023. This time, it was for their Micro Clutch, a hand grip they claim will change how you hold your mirrorless camera. Featuring their trademark sleek look, rugged materials, and cross-compatibility with other Peak Design gear, we were amped to get our hands on it. We’re curious if it’s worth the hype or if you’re better off with a classic camera strap. Let’s find out!

The Rundown

The Peak Design Micro Clutch is a modern take on a camera hand strap. Because cameras have gotten so much smaller, it’s hard to find a strap that still works while enabling you to fully and flexibly use the buttons on the top, back and side of the camera. The Micro Clutch is a hand strap designed for smaller cameras with no or very small hand grips.

Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that Peak Design is 100% carbon neutral, guarantees their products for life, is a 1% For The Planet member, and is a Certified B Corp. We’ve thoroughly tested dozens of Peak Design products here at Pack Hacker and can vouch that they’re a top company making quality products.

Regarding materials, we’ve come to expect top-of-the-line from Peak Design, and the Micro Clutch is no different. The strap is a durable Hypalon, which has a unique feel. There’s a microfiber cushion to back it up, adding comfort and enabling you to wear the grip for hours without your hand getting sore. The plate is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. We’ve noticed a few bumps and knocks on the metal, but nothing that’ll stop you from using it. The screws that hold everything together are stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about rust as much as if it weren’t stainless. Plus, it’s corrosion-resistant.

All of that is fine and dandy, but high-quality materials don’t make a product better. How does it all come together?

This is an excellent place to mention that this product has two variations. There’s the L-bracket and the I-bracket. The L-bracket is for cameras with a small hand grip, like a Fuji X-T series. The I-bracket is for cameras with no hand grip, like the Fuji X100 series. You can use the I-bracket on either camera, but the extra width prevents most cameras with a hand grip from tumbling over when sitting on a flat surface. With the I-bracket, the weight of the lens and hand grip can cause it to fall forward slightly. If you want to use this on two cameras, one with a hand grip and one without, we recommend going with the I-bracket. The L-bracket looks silly on a camera without a hand grip, and once you’re used to the I-bracket tumble forward, it isn’t a huge issue. Some cameras aren’t heavy enough to cause it, either.

Using the Micro Clutch is daunting at first; however, things move fairly quickly once you get the hang of it. First, grab the plate and the short screw (the ‘short fastener’). Screw the fastener a few turns, then slot the plate through it. If you’ve got the L-bracket, center it with the camera. For the I-bracket, align it with the edge of the camera. The plate hides a screwdriver called the ‘Integrated Flat Tool,’ you release it by pushing in on one end and pulling out on the other. Use this to screw in the fastener the rest of the way.

Before we attach the upper half, let’s chat about the tripod mount, which they call an ARCA plate. The package has a Tripod Plate that works with Peak Design tripods and other accessories. It uses magnets to snap into the plate, and you then secure the plate and tripod mount with the included longer fastener. With this attached, it doesn’t sit well on flat surfaces but is easy to connect to your Peak Design tripod and other accessories.

Now, for the top of the Micro Clutch. If your camera has a triangle split ring already attached, you’re in luck. Just slide the strap through it and slot in the keeper stud when you get to your desired tightness. You can feed any extra length into the padded part of the strap. If you don’t have a split ring already, one is included. There’s a split ring tool, too, to help screw it on your camera. Once it’s on, do as directed above, and you’re ready to go!

On the backside of the Micro Clutch is a small eye where you can attach Peak Design’s Anchor to be compatible with more of their gear. We didn’t find this necessary, but we think it’s an excellent addition. You can attach a lot of different non-Peak Design accessories here, too.

The bracket covers most camera battery doors, so you must remove it to change the battery. This is inconvenient; however, it’s quick and easy to do, and once you get used to it, you don’t even think about it. However, for those who shoot a lot and have old batteries, it might get old quickly.

Overall, the Micro Clutch is comfortable and easy to slip in and out of. It gets a bit sweaty with extended use, and you’ll want to take your hand out to stretch it. However, for its size and weight, it’s extraordinarily comfortable for shooting, whether you’re a professional or a beginner.

Packability

Since you likely won’t be traveling with this plate disconnected from your camera, let’s talk about how it changes the size of your body. It won’t help you lose or gain weight, but…wait, wrong body.

The Micro Clutch adds 0.76 cm (.299 inches) to your camera’s height when using just the plate without the ARCA tripod attachment. That’s practically nothing, and it’ll add 51 grams (1.8 oz) for the I-bracket and 60 grams (2.11 oz) for the L-bracket. That is more than nothing, but it isn’t much. We didn’t notice the weight enough to be fatigued by it, which is ideal for a grip like this.

Adding the Arca tripod plate and the longer screw will add a few more grams, but not enough to worry about. The height added by the plate is similar to that of leaving a tripod mount attached to your camera, which we’ve all done at one point or another. Add the Arca plate, and you’ve got a little more height, but it doesn’t get in the way. It should still fit inside your camera sling or daypack.

Quick Comparison

There aren’t many things we can compare the Micro Clutch to, and even fewer that we have here at Pack Hacker HQ. However, there are probably a few products you’ve heard of that we can discuss.

The Micro Clutch is a smaller version of Peak Design’s larger Clutch Camera Hand Strap. This has been one of their staples for years; however, as cameras have gotten smaller, they decided to redesign a new version to meet the demand for mirrorless camera accessories.

Compared to the larger Clutch, the Micro Clutch has more parts. The original didn’t have a plate along the bottom, just a tripod mount attached to a hand grip. It took up less space but made the camera less stable when sitting on a flat surface. The handle on the Clutch was much larger because it needed to cover more ground. Both are comfortable, but the Micro Clutch feels more intuitively designed and lightweight.

If you’re new to the world of Peak Design, welcome! This all might seem confusing; however, it’s not. We promise!

Compared to a standard camera strap, the Micro Clutch makes you both more and less mobile. You can be ready to shoot much faster because your camera is attached to your hand. With a strap, you have to grab it and then go, which takes longer, and the bird you were trying to take a photo of might be gone. On the other side of the coin, with a camera attached to your hand, you’re less mobile with your arms. If you make a funny joke and a stranger tries to give you a fist bump, you’re out of luck. Of course, you could use your other fist, but you get the point.

The Micro Clutch is an excellent choice for shooters who like to be ready to roll at a moment’s notice. This equipment is perfect for people already in the Peak Design ecosystem because most of their gear works together. However, the Micro Clutch might not be for you if your arms tire quickly and you don’t have a good way to set the camera down while exploring a new city.

Overall, we think it’s a great way to quickly access your camera, stay comfortable while shooting, and make your gear easier to use. Plus, it’s the perfect gift for the photographer in your life.

Quick, don’t miss that bird!