Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Sage Green
Customer Rating
5
Thoughtful and clever design!
on December 4, 2022
Posted by: KCo
While the travel backpack is designed with traveling photographers in mind (I'm not), I was won over by the versatility and adaptability of this pack. Big pros are the magnetic stow-away shoulder straps and the easy compression/expansion options. If I had to give a criticism, I would say that the ID card is hard to pull out and is concealed too well- can I really expect a baggage handler to examine my lost bag closely enough to find my info? Probably not. Not a big deal, I just attached a more noticeable tag.
In my efforts to be a better and lighter traveler, I recently purchased several items from Peak Design, including the Wash pouch, Shoe Pouch and Travel Backpack 45L all in sage. All items are more than satisfactory and very high quality, but I especially love the Travel Backpack. Firstly, I love the sage color, abundance of pockets, and that the backpack can be expanded and collapsed easily according to my needs. It was comfortable wearing it as a I commuted to the airport by train and was very easy to stow away in the overhead bin. I have since purchased the 35L Travel Duffle in sage and am waiting for the Packable tote to come in sage. I am really satisfied with my color coordinated set, the quality of the products and the clever designs.
There are so many good points but still i would like to see some improvements / changes for V2: - Shoulderstraps should be wider / thicker - Thicker and more structurized backpanel - As the overall used fabric has some kind of protection included; the usage of the camera cubes sometimes feel like a overkill. I would suggested a thinner structure minimizing the weight and make the Backpack overall more flexible. Reducing the bulckyness when using as edc + small camera setup. - Change the compression mechanismen. The snaps for compression aren't really reliable. - Extend size of the front pocket
I received my travel bag as a birthday gift more than a year ago, and I have used it every single day ever since. I am quite picky about my backpacks, and very often I find that most backpacks just lack all or some of the features that I need and want. Well, this backpack simply has it all: place for a laptop, a large/spacious main compartment that can be expanded, a small easy access pocket on the top, side pockets for water bottles or other things, side access zippers, very durable shoulder straps, practical organization spaces.... and a very robust material and design. Originally, I had planned to use this bag for traveling only (as soon as I got it, I went on a month-long trip in Asia). But I liked it so much that I started using it for my regular daily needs. Now I take it to work every day, and I simply love it. I must say, it has taken the toll of daily use incredibly well, because after more than a year of heavy use, it is in perfect condition. It has seen rain, snow, beach, mountains, frequent grocery shopping, biking, football training... I mean, it is really good. Some people complain that it is a bit too large for a daily backpack, but to me this is actually a great feature. I need the space for daily things. I use local transportation to go everywhere, and I need my stuff with me. One true downside is that it tends to be heavier than a regular backpack. But due to its robustness, I happily take that tradeoff. Bottomline, I absolutely recommend it!
I used this pack for short and long term business travel, before we embarked as a family on a year-long trip around the world. It functioned perfectly for business carry-on, able to stow with room to spare gym gear and trainers, alongside business wear, laptop, cables etc.
But it was really purchased with the round-the-world journey in mind. We are travelling hand baggage only so everything I need for four seasons, as well as laptop, cables and adapter for the whole family are transported and protected in the Peak Design Travel Backpack. It has performed perfectly, with every chameleon-like aspect of the design being used and becoming vital. Backpack straps and waist belt have been stowed for boarding planes, trains, busses and taxis. The multiple grab options have been invaluable when rapidly existing public busses. The expandable bottle pockets don't intrude into the main volume, meaning they have swallowed anything from water bottles to damp swimming gear and more. Lash straps have secured damp towels.
The pack has proved durable too. On the couple of occasions it has had to be checked into prop plane holds it has shown no wear. And it even stood up to being used as ballast for the clothes line in the Omani desert. Is there nothing this bag can't handle?
Some of the best gear just functions well. This pack functions so well that it is enhancing the journey.
I’m wanted a bag that I could use for work, travel and play, this bag is perfect. The ability to scale up and scale down the capacity is fantastic as I use less for commuting compared to long distance travel. The quality is excellent and it just feels great overall. You will find with this bag that all of the attention to detail and quality make it a great bag to own. I am happy that I spent more than I usually would for the quality that is provided.
Took it on a sailing trip, then on a land safari, and ended up camping with it, all on the same vacation. Strapped my tent and sleeping bag to it. Kept all my stuff organized and dry. Loved being able to tuck away the shoulder straps when not using them. The perfect light travel backpack. Thank you Peak Design!