Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Black
Average customer rating
4.8
(1,126 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 1,126 reviews
5 Stars
947
4 Stars
130
3 Stars
34
2 Stars
9
1 Star
6
96%of customers recommend this product.
(
625 out of
652)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Black
Customer Rating
3
Great -- but not built for short torsos
on December 18, 2019
Posted by: Anonymous
I bought the travel bag for an 11 day trip through Japan with four city hops and a light but fair amount of walking. This bag was incredible in so many ways: tons of storage, the exact right amount of pockets, able to fit a ton of gear plus enough space to fit cold weather clothes.
The only problem is that I experienced a fair amount of back and shoulder pain, because I couldn't get the bag to sit on my body right. I'm 5'5, 115 lbs, and I've been on multiple backpacking trips where I'm carrying a similar amount of weight 5-10+miles per day. While my torso is pretty long for someone my height, the only conclusion I can come to is that this bag is just not for shorter torsos. I couldn't pull the shoulder straps tight enough to be balancing the weight across my hips while relying on my shoulders for stability, even with the chest strap (which don't even get me started on the boob-bruising that strap caused).
I really love this bag and wanted it to work, but I just don't know that it was made for me.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Near Perfect All rounder bag
on December 11, 2019
Posted by: Darius
I was looking for a new bag I could use everyday to carry my camera gear and potentially a bit extra. I was pleasantly surprised even after watching all the review videos. I can definitely see myself using it for all kinds of situations from everyday carry to traveling on holiday. That being said I don't mind how big it is (even when compressed) while I can imagine others may find it too big for everyday carry.
The only critique I would have is I wish it could be compressed smaller just as an option but that is asking a lot as it is intended as a travel bag.
Overall a very versatile bag that gives me a lot of options for my freelancer lifestyle ^_^
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Almost perfect.
on December 11, 2019
Posted by: Anonymous
Incredible bag for travel and photography. I took it for a week in Italy where it showed its one weakness - it's almost TOO big, and the button closures that shrink the bag were nearly impossible to actually use. I agree with another review that it doesn't exactly feel premium to the touch (I have the Sage version) but it feels durable - like it will last, certainly hold up better than other nylon bags I've had. It's also an excellent pure photography bag. I take it out on hikes with a Mamiya RB67, an extra lens, tripod, film, filters, along with the hiking essentials, and with the hipbelt, it carries 20+ lbs very comfortably, all while being easy to get on and off and gain access to for photos. I recommend the bag to anyone looking for a "one bag fits almost all" solution.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Plein Air Painters Dream
on December 5, 2019
Posted by: Anonymous
After searching for the perfect backpack, and many unhappy purchases of other backpacks, I finally found the PERFECT backpack for my outdoor painting adventures! As a Plein air painter, you carry lots of gear to get to the perfect spot for your painting and this backpack is lightweight, strong, comfortable and roomy enough to pack it all in! When I saw how others were using it for camera gear I thought this had to be the one. You should consider advertising this to the Plein air painting community! I will certainly spread the word. Thanks for making such a great backpack!! My hunt for the perfect one is over!!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
I ran it over
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: Anonymous
After weeks of searching for the perfect travel/camera bag I came across this beast. I'd been using it for a few months and had it loaded with my laptop, clothing, and some other electronics. I got back from a trip and set the bag down leaning on the rear tire of my 4-door Jeep Wrangler, with a few hundred pounds of gear in the back. Without thinking I hoped in the driver seat and started reversing. I went right over a massive bump, and after a clueless second I realized I'd run over my peak design bag. With a few grand worth of gear inside. I ran outside and looked at the bag, which was only slightly deformed. I threw it in the Jeep and opened it, to find my laptop perfectly intact. I turned it on and IT WORKED. The only damage sustained by the bag being ran over by my personal Abrams tank was a slightly bent metal frame rod in the bag, which I managed to bend back. I'm convinced this bag could take a direct hit from a ballistic missile. It is DURABLE. Not to mention if you're in the Navy, it fits perfect inside the rack upside down. Like it's meant for it. Solid deployment bag. 5 stars.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Love it
on December 3, 2019
Posted by: Alvin Sun
I love the bag , I just wish the strap for the waist has a better padding.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Solid entry but not as magical as the everyday backpack.
on December 3, 2019
Posted by: Felipe
There's a lot that PD got right about this backpack and you'll no doubt see it all here, this review is about what it didn't get right.
The travel backpack does what the name says, it goes traveling. For day to day use it's too big and too cumbersome.
Access to the main compartment is awkward via the side panels which don't flip open completely and don't zip/unzip smoothly when the backpack is in 35L mod. Opening the back panel requires you to lay the backpack on a flat surface.
The materials feel different not in a good way. Everything has a cheaper, more plasticky feel to it. Prob has to do with more enviro-friendly recycled materials, which is commendable. I just wish I could have responsible materials that felt premium. Specially for this price.
Also the nylon outer shell scuffs very easily (I have the black one) and the shoulder straps feel... cheap.
The laptop compartment doesn't feel secure enough, I would have liked an additional internal zipper or something a bit better than a bit of velcro. If you have a thick laptop you will clearly feel it on your back. Additional cushioning would've been nice.
The modular system is interesting but I don't believe the small camera cube to be a good fit here. It takes up a lot of space while the vertical clip option that allows you to access its contents via one of the side panels is very awkward and makes it hard to pack other stuff around it and shifts the weight of the backpack to one of your shoulders.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
45L everything I needed and more
on December 2, 2019
Posted by: Robert
I searched for a couple months (reading reviews/watching videos) trying to find the best bag for my needs. Well I found it! The 45L with the camera cube and a small cube worked perfectly for my camera and mavic pro. I out on a boat 90% of the time taking photos and needed something to handle al my gear in one bag.....and that was weather proof. This bag hasn't let me down. I am able to carry my camrea with a telephoto lens, all my camera accessories, all my drone accessories, my laptop, and all my go pro accessories with no problem. This is the perfect bag for my needs. It also makes a great over night travel bag.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design