Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Black
Average customer rating
4.6
(310 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 310 reviews
5 Stars
221
4 Stars
61
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
7
1 Star
6
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
234 out of
257)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Black
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 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
Customer Rating
5
Since 2019
on February 17, 2025
Posted by: Salil
I have the black 45L bag and it may go to every time I travel. It’s been to India thrice, Japan, Italy, Switzerland and countless local trips in California. It can easily be your bag for a 1-2 week trip.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Worked as a personal item on a plane
on February 14, 2025
Posted by: New Zealand Bro
I bought this "30L" backpack as a carry on personal item in it's 27L form for a one month trip to New Zealand. It fit under the airplane seat and although it's technically oversized no one looked twice at it. It also carried my 16 inch Mac Pro with plenty of room. It worked well with the PD toiletry kit and large gadget bag. You cannot get much into the bag without being well over the airline's ludicrous weight restrictions, but no one checked the weight of either carry on at any time. I also wanted a backpack that opened like a suitcase. The downside is that it is definitely not waterproof and some of my stuff got wet. I personally like that it keeps it's shape and can be expanded from 27L to 35L. Also the luggage pass through was a must as I also had a wheeled carry on.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Regional jet to widebody, it fits them all
on February 14, 2025
Posted by: Tom S
from Charlotte, NC
I picked this up a couple years ago and it's been on dozens of trips, both domestic US and abroad. I honestly have no complaints. It just works. If you're the "one bag" kind of person, I've found that this is entirely sufficient for travel beyond a week at a time.
RJ's, mainline narrow-bodies, long haul wide-bodies—it fits on a very wide variety of aircraft. In the zipped down condition it will fit under-seat on any aircraft I've been on. At that size it will also just barely squeeze into CRJ bins. At the expanded size it will fit overhead on just about any mainline aircraft, including the small bins on very old Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Really a solid product, I'd recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Travel Bag
on February 13, 2025
Posted by: Jake
from Kingston, ON
This backpack served me well on my week long eurotrip. Unfortunately one of the plastic shoulder strap retainers broke off. I would recommend replacing these with metal hardware. I also would like a replacement.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Brown color materials are frail and comes apart
on February 11, 2025
Posted by: Nick V
from Seattle WA
I bought the backpack about a month ago and I see that material (brown/gold) is frail and starts to come a part little by little on shoulder straps. And it's after very gentle use to office and back. I own same one in sage(green) color and it comes built with different materials, and I have no issues with it. I traveled half the planet with that backpack and still look good. If you are looking to purchase this backpack I would suggest to pick other colors/materials. This one in brown definitely not sturdy and won't last long for you.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Great design, great adaptability, great product!
on February 9, 2025
Posted by: Indra
from Andorra
Great bag for hybrid situations between travels and possible daily usage thanks to a much smaller footprint than the 45L. Very comfortable, at least for my body type, easily adjustable and great features and design.
I just miss some of the features of the 45L (full back access, side access, hip attachment).
I just miss some of the features of the 45L (full back access, side access, hip attachment).
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design