Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Sage Green
Average customer rating
4.8
(1,124 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 1,124 reviews
5 Stars
943
4 Stars
132
3 Stars
34
2 Stars
9
1 Star
6
96%of customers recommend this product.
(
623 out of
650)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Sage Green
Customer Rating
4
Hefty, bulky, but spacious
on April 6, 2025
Posted by: Energizerbunny
from California, USA
I packed my Peak Design 45L backpack with 4 days of clothes and undergarments (which fit into my 1 Small and 1 Medium Peak Design travel compression cubes), a pair of sandals (fit into a Peak Design shoe bag), and a Peak Design wash pouch (the larger version).
With this setup, there was room to spare in my compression cubes, but the Small and Medium cubes would fit pretty much the entire interior if instead jam-packed with clothes (for me, this amounts to about 8 sets of clothes and undergarments). I opted for 4 changes of clothes instead so I could also take the other bags (Wash Pouch and Shoe Pouch).
As a 5'4" female, I found the 45L Travel Backpack pretty darn unwieldy. If sitting (e.g. on public transportation), the backpack on my lap comes up slightly past my chin, which is slightly uncomfortable. The backpack is also quite heavy with just the 4 sets of clothes and pouches I filled it with (note: with room to spare!). It took effort with momentum to swing it over my back every time, and was always SUCH a relief to put down.
I love the many pockets and the considerable interior space. I also appreciate the strong zippers and thick construction, but it really is a significant trade-off with how excessively weighty the entire package is. I really want to thank the designers for including the thoughtful waist straps that hide back into the magnetic back cover. They really save my shoulders a ton of strain. I'm not as enthusiastic about using the top chest strap, since it appears that it'd pull at the thread and fabric by design. Overall, I do appreciate all the features of this backpack. I just wish it were lighter (on it's own) by a good amount.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
can’t go wrong
on April 5, 2025
Posted by: Noah.jpgs
bought this for a documentary trip and traveling in general, quality is surpreme as always
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
*heart eyes emoji*
on April 2, 2025
Posted by: jsunshines
I've been using this bag for about four months as my daily driver to the office, which I know sounds ridiculous, but hear me out. :) I was tired of juggling a medium-sized backpack full of stuff, plus a lunch bag and two drink containers that wouldn't fit in it. This holds my lunch bag, tech pouch, large water bottle, protein shake bottle, letter-size notebook, and iPad, plus an umbrella, my wallet, a couple pouches with first aid–type items, and various other bits and bobs all in the Standard, non-expanded configuration. I have definitely gotten some "dang that's a big bag" comments from people in the office (I'm 5' 3", so it takes up my whole back and then some, lol), but it's totally worth it to have my hands free!
I do agree with the folks who have mentioned that the compression snaps do not stay connected to keep it looking a bit more streamlined—they pop open with the slightest pressure—but this isn't a big deal to me.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
The perfect back pack for my needs
on March 11, 2025
Posted by: Petroff
from Atlanta, GA
This bag is great. I carry it every day riding to work. And the best part is how well it adapts to my needs. The bag can adjust so well to carry a little or a lot. I love this bag!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Straps don't hold up, LOOSEN often
on March 10, 2025
Posted by: MinTavelerPIX
from Canada
I initially loved this bag when I was gifted it, but after using it, I started noticing some major design flaws. The biggest issue is that the straps simply don’t hold up. The sternum/chest strap loosens within minutes, and unfortunately, all the other straps do too. When my bag is fully loaded with a laptop, one camera body, three lenses (12-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm), a tripod, and my travel essentials, the straps fail to stay secure. Even when carrying just my camera gear, they constantly come loose, which is incredibly frustrating.
Another major design oversight is the lack of external straps to secure a tripod or other gear. I learned this the hard way when my Peak Design Carbon Fiber tripod slipped out and hit the ground as I bent over to take a quick photo—damaging an expensive piece of equipment I needed later that day.
Comfort is also a concern. After just a few hours of walking around the city, the shoulder straps started rubbing against my neck, causing irritation and discomfort. It became so bothersome that I couldn't fully enjoy my day.
Overall, while this bag had potential, its poor strap design and lack of essential features make it a disappointing choice for serious photographers or travelers. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone carrying a significant amount of gear.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
30ltr Travel Backpack. Total genius companion
on February 26, 2025
Posted by: Paul
from Somerset UK
I bought the 30L Travel Backpack a couple of years ago. As a frequent flyer who also likes to take along a camera from time to time, this pack has been a perfect companion over many flights around Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. When traveling for work, this is the only bag I pack for a week away. My work laptop and iPad are safe in the internal pocket, and I use a selection of packing cubes to make a secure and tidy load.
I use a large packing cube for my shirts and work trousers, along with a couple of t-shirts for the evenings. A small packing cube contains all my electronics, charging cables, razor, power brick, etc. (you need to remove all electrical items for screening in India, so this makes it very easy). The back pocket of that cube holds my non-liquid bathroom items. Another small cube contains my underwear and pyjamas. This all fits nicely in the 30L without it being expanded. Using the cubes means nothing falls out if I have to open it at the airport.
I have the tech pouch and the wash bag, but they are not so compatible in size and, while very nice, just don't fit with the system. When traveling in the cold, I wear a compressible down jacket and either stuff it under the magnetic flap of the bag for temporary stowage or undo the expansion zips and pop it inside the bag under the packing cubes. When I travel with my camera for a short hop, I substitute the large cube with a small camera cube that fits my Sony mirrorless and an extra lens nicely. I use a small packing cube for clothes in this setup.
I’ve been working this way for a couple of years, and it has been great. I am off on a vacation that will involve a bit more photography, so I just purchased a smedium camera cube. The reason I bought this is because I am flying with EasyJet, who are pretty strict on their carry-on allowances. The 30L Travel pack is technically too big to qualify on EasyJet. Their limit is 30cm tall, and the 30L is 34cm tall. Now, I’ve taken the bag many times on EasyJet and not been called out, but I don’t want to risk having to check a bag full of expensive camera gear. For this trip, my 30L Travel backpack will hold a bunch of additional lenses in the smedium photo cube while my camera will live in a PD 6L Sling, which will be my personal item. If EasyJet does become unEasyJet and force me to check the 30L Travel pack, I can remove the camera cube and just bring that as my carry-on item.
Oh, and another great finding with the 30L is that the smedium cube along with the 6L sling are a perfect fit. Now that is just genius design!
I use a large packing cube for my shirts and work trousers, along with a couple of t-shirts for the evenings. A small packing cube contains all my electronics, charging cables, razor, power brick, etc. (you need to remove all electrical items for screening in India, so this makes it very easy). The back pocket of that cube holds my non-liquid bathroom items. Another small cube contains my underwear and pyjamas. This all fits nicely in the 30L without it being expanded. Using the cubes means nothing falls out if I have to open it at the airport.
I have the tech pouch and the wash bag, but they are not so compatible in size and, while very nice, just don't fit with the system. When traveling in the cold, I wear a compressible down jacket and either stuff it under the magnetic flap of the bag for temporary stowage or undo the expansion zips and pop it inside the bag under the packing cubes. When I travel with my camera for a short hop, I substitute the large cube with a small camera cube that fits my Sony mirrorless and an extra lens nicely. I use a small packing cube for clothes in this setup.
I’ve been working this way for a couple of years, and it has been great. I am off on a vacation that will involve a bit more photography, so I just purchased a smedium camera cube. The reason I bought this is because I am flying with EasyJet, who are pretty strict on their carry-on allowances. The 30L Travel pack is technically too big to qualify on EasyJet. Their limit is 30cm tall, and the 30L is 34cm tall. Now, I’ve taken the bag many times on EasyJet and not been called out, but I don’t want to risk having to check a bag full of expensive camera gear. For this trip, my 30L Travel backpack will hold a bunch of additional lenses in the smedium photo cube while my camera will live in a PD 6L Sling, which will be my personal item. If EasyJet does become unEasyJet and force me to check the 30L Travel pack, I can remove the camera cube and just bring that as my carry-on item.
Oh, and another great finding with the 30L is that the smedium cube along with the 6L sling are a perfect fit. Now that is just genius design!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great SCUBA Travel Backpack
on February 24, 2025
Posted by: neodenium
from San Diego, CA
I just took this bag on a three-week SCUBA trip, and it was great! It helped me stay organized and had enough space for all my gear and accessories. It was a breeze to get through airport security, even when the TSA wanted to examine it. During the trip, several friends asked about it and were impressed with how much it held and how good it looked.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great design
on February 24, 2025
Posted by: Maku
I've had this backpack for a month and taken it on a few trips. The design is well thought out, making it very functional. If you're using it as a carry-on, you'll likely hit the weight limit before it’s full. Highly recommend!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design