I travel extensively for work, and the flexibility of this bag is what makes it for me. Having the option of a large, open bag for packing cubes often means no in-built organization, but this bag still gives you quite a few smaller, zippered compartments. The quality is standard Peak Design, which is to say flawless. No loose stitches, flimsy materials, or sloppy craftsmanship to be found.
My only complaint is the shoulder straps could be a bit thicker and wider. Fully loaded it's not quite as comfortable as my similarly sized Lowepro 45l. I know there are definitely engineering tradeoffs with how smartly engineered the strap stow system is, but for longer walks it gets a bit uncomfortable.
This is the best carry on travel bag. We use them all the time. Space for everything including all our tech. Combined with the packing cubes it is perfect. We have been impressed by every Peak Design bag and accessory we have bought.
My husband and I each bought one of these backpacks and the packing cubes for an 11-day trip to Spain. Our main goal was to avoid checking luggage and to keep it light for traveling around a lot. This backpack nailed it. We had a ton of room in our bags even after they were fully loaded up with clothes and toiletries; I even had space for an extra pair of shoes. It was the perfect size for a carry-on bag and the multitude of handles made super fast and easy to grab it out of the overhead compartment and get the heck off the plane. I'm definitely recommending this backpack to anyone who wants to travel without the hassle of a suitcase.
I purchased and took the Peak Design Travel Pack 45L on a 10 day trip to Europe and it was very comfortable and extremely well built. Design work was perfect and zippers are very sturdy.
The Travel Backpack 45L is great for 3-5 day trips
on June 23, 2023
Posted by: KevHiker
from Bowling Green, Ky
I haven't used it much yet, only having it for a couple months, but it has plenty of space to pack for a 3-5 day trip. There are lots of storage options with zipper pockets, some meshed see-through, others not. Lots of areas of entry which is helpful when you need quick access. The straps aren't very cushiony and the bag can get super heavy when loaded, so keep that in mind. The straps do have the innovative feature to tuck in the back panel which is super handy. The laptop pocket is big enough for my 16" MacBook and safe and secure. It opens clamshell to the main packing area, but the bag has to be placed on its front to access the full back which can be awkward at times. I have yet to travel with it on plane, but it says it's rated for carry on storage. It's not a backpack I would use for a day trip or on a short hike, but for a longer trip where you have to pack 3-5 outfits and maybe a camera and other small items, it's great!
I bought this a few months ahead of a two-week trip through France, and it’s fantastic. I used compression bags to stuff enough clothes for a week, a suit, toiletries, 2 pairs of shoes, and small electronics. The pack held up very well, and everything was accessible in multiple ways thanks to all of the zippers and cool features.
Because of all the pockets and zippers though, the pack does feel heavy. Backpackers may want to take note. For travelers like me who want a durable pack to avoid checking luggage, this is a great investment. This is my main travel pack going forward, and I can’t wait for many more trips with it!
I haven't used the bag for travel yet but I'm excited for it! Plenty of space and options for managing everything in your bag is great. One thing I had noticed and am hoping will change as it wears in is the material is fairly stiff. My old bag is quite flexible and easy to open at the top whereas this bag is a bit difficult or uncomfortable to reach into from the top in the main compartment.