Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Black
Average customer rating
4.6
(313 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 313 reviews
5 Stars
225
4 Stars
60
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
7
1 Star
6
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
236 out of
259)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Black
Customer Rating
5
Love it! Thank you!
on January 12, 2024
Posted by: Wanderer
The reviews while trying to decide between this size and the larger 45 were really helpful so I want to add my impressions, both for thanks to the Peak Design crew :) and others for whom it might be useful.
I compared so many minimalist style travel backpacks! Years ago I had a Tom Binh convertible duffel but there were too many pockets I didn't need. I wanted a "clamshell" style opening with few to zero extraneous pockets inside and out. But I am going on 70 and most styles read "backpacking trip" or else influencer.
I was fortunately able to compare this in person at REI, alongside the Coxapaxtl and Osprey models. It is, as others noted, about as unobtrusive and simple as a backpack can be! Also, at 5'2" the 45l in any model looked huge on me.
I have an early summer easy-moderate level hiking and some city stays 3 week trip to Europe planned and believe this will work beautifully. The pack itself weighs about 3 and 1/2 pounds and could, maybe, potentially squeeze under an airplane seat if not expanded? But I plan for it to be my 18lb Lufthansa carryon.
It's very thoughtfully designed, seems very well-constructed and definitely durable. You could easily, as I believe it's intended, hang all sorts of random gear from the many little loops and there's also two included straps for attaching something bigger (?) across the back. I won't do that. But the cool design for the two side "water bottle" pockets will fit an extra pair of shoes for me.
I also purchased the medium size packing cube- it's great- fills about 2/3 of the bag.
I compared so many minimalist style travel backpacks! Years ago I had a Tom Binh convertible duffel but there were too many pockets I didn't need. I wanted a "clamshell" style opening with few to zero extraneous pockets inside and out. But I am going on 70 and most styles read "backpacking trip" or else influencer.
I was fortunately able to compare this in person at REI, alongside the Coxapaxtl and Osprey models. It is, as others noted, about as unobtrusive and simple as a backpack can be! Also, at 5'2" the 45l in any model looked huge on me.
I have an early summer easy-moderate level hiking and some city stays 3 week trip to Europe planned and believe this will work beautifully. The pack itself weighs about 3 and 1/2 pounds and could, maybe, potentially squeeze under an airplane seat if not expanded? But I plan for it to be my 18lb Lufthansa carryon.
It's very thoughtfully designed, seems very well-constructed and definitely durable. You could easily, as I believe it's intended, hang all sorts of random gear from the many little loops and there's also two included straps for attaching something bigger (?) across the back. I won't do that. But the cool design for the two side "water bottle" pockets will fit an extra pair of shoes for me.
I also purchased the medium size packing cube- it's great- fills about 2/3 of the bag.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Top quality and innovative
on January 10, 2024
Posted by: theactuary
from Canada
This backpack is well thought out and optimally designed to fit as much as possible and look as small as possible on you.
One area they could improvement quickly is to have more padded straps and a zip in the bottom front pocket (where you store the straps) to allow it to act a secure pocket if ever needed.
Lastly, weight can be trimmed down further. If this bag was lighter by just 0.5lbs the competition would be close to 0 vs this bag.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Best pack I ever bought -10/10!!!
on January 6, 2024
Posted by: OldGrant
from Calgary, Canada
I bought this pack as a replacement for my well used Lowepro camera back pack. It was “broken on a trip to SE Asia involving 9 flights and endless vehicle trips.
I was totally blown away by the utility and performance of the backpack and would have written this without out the incentive to win something extra.
Overall it’s less conventional and a bit different to pack but after watching the Peak video on the product it didn’t take me long to make a paradigm shift as to how a backpack should function and how it should/ could be used.
The pack is neat and easy to travel with even totally loaded/stuffed, it fit the dreaded airline overhead bin sizing jig. Moreover the magnetic arrests on the shoulder strap ended the problem of the straps dragging on airport floors or, even worse, getting unknowingly caught on the arms of airplane seats while making my way down the endless economy aisles on a plane thereby causing me suddenly to jerk and contort. 🙂
Carrying it was a joy because of the three nice handles which allowed travel options vs on shoulder - they are placed so the pack is nicely balanced.
I also liked that a couple of tech pouches fit snugly in the bag - one for filters and camera stuff, one for electronics, batteries, etc. The side pouches were great for my rain jacket and an extra socks, etc. I used the back pocket to hold travel docs and my iPad.
I have not one regret in buying this. Not cheap but using it proves it is great value and a joy to own.
The only unfortunate issue is that some good hearted bellboy or carrier luggage handler managed to separate the chest strap, which has gone AWOL.😐
I was totally blown away by the utility and performance of the backpack and would have written this without out the incentive to win something extra.
Overall it’s less conventional and a bit different to pack but after watching the Peak video on the product it didn’t take me long to make a paradigm shift as to how a backpack should function and how it should/ could be used.
The pack is neat and easy to travel with even totally loaded/stuffed, it fit the dreaded airline overhead bin sizing jig. Moreover the magnetic arrests on the shoulder strap ended the problem of the straps dragging on airport floors or, even worse, getting unknowingly caught on the arms of airplane seats while making my way down the endless economy aisles on a plane thereby causing me suddenly to jerk and contort. 🙂
Carrying it was a joy because of the three nice handles which allowed travel options vs on shoulder - they are placed so the pack is nicely balanced.
I also liked that a couple of tech pouches fit snugly in the bag - one for filters and camera stuff, one for electronics, batteries, etc. The side pouches were great for my rain jacket and an extra socks, etc. I used the back pocket to hold travel docs and my iPad.
I have not one regret in buying this. Not cheap but using it proves it is great value and a joy to own.
The only unfortunate issue is that some good hearted bellboy or carrier luggage handler managed to separate the chest strap, which has gone AWOL.😐
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Versatile but with some limitations
on January 5, 2024
Posted by: James
from Essex, UK
I bought this bag for travel, work, and weekend trips, and have used it daily for 3 months. The empty space of the main compartment is great, particularly when paired with other PD products, like camera cubes and packing cubes. The expansion facility is also useful when you need the occasional extra space. It's also comfortable, but you will want the hip belt if regularly filling it up completely.
The side waterbottle pockets work well. The accessory straps are OK, but sometimes fall out. The top pocket isn't big enough or secure enough - the bag would really benefit from some more organisation, especially on the outside. The outer fabric shows up marks to start with, but these seem to fade and no major signs of wear in 3 months. The lay flat to pack design is good when outdoors, but not so good in an office, and the base seems to kink, making packing harder. I'd have appreciated a laptop storage solution more like PD's Everyday Backpack.
Unless you need a smaller (or larger) backpack, I would choose this model over PD's Everyday Backpack or their 45l Travel Backpack. Overall, I was happy with it and now my trip is over have converted it to a photo bag, showing how versatile it is - with some inevitable compromises and a few quirks/kinks.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Travel bag - sage
on January 2, 2024
Posted by: Zachary
from TN
Just got this a little while ago, but am loving it so far! I’ve been using it with the medium camera cube. The medium takes up about 2/3 of the inner space and the extension must be unzipped to use a camera cube. This is a great size for me, as I just wanted something for day hikes where I could bring my camera(s) and still have space for other stuff like blankets, books, snacks etc. as always, excellent quality.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Very well designed
on January 1, 2024
Posted by: Lisa
from Pennsylvania
Just received this item but love the thoughtful design and a place for everything !
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Nice Bag
on December 31, 2023
Posted by: SDM
from Dubai
I bought this bag a month a go due to its compact size, its beautiful and elegant.
This bag is perfect as a day bag but for weekend trips proper packing plan has to be done to be able to fit all what I need.
The exterior zipped pockets is just enough for a wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses.
What I would like to have in this bag is to have deeper external front pockets with zipper or extra pockets with a zipper.
This bag is perfect as a day bag but for weekend trips proper packing plan has to be done to be able to fit all what I need.
The exterior zipped pockets is just enough for a wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses.
What I would like to have in this bag is to have deeper external front pockets with zipper or extra pockets with a zipper.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great replacement to my old Tumi bag
on December 27, 2023
Posted by: DM
from Metro Detroit
I recently got the 30L. Exceptional craftsmanship and design. The quality really shows and I expect this to last over a decade with constant traveling—as my Tumi backpack survived over ten years of international travel.
I am realizing this is a very special backpack with only one exterior pocket and the clam shell design. A design decision that fits my pursuit for less clutter which gives my better mental clarity. My current Tumi has 5 exterior pockets… But I have learned over the years that five pockets encourages me to carry a lot of unnecessary stuff. I did a few audits of my backpack content over the last few years and realized that over half of the stuff I was carrying (besides notebook and laptop) was not being used. So, before getting this 30L, I had already started moving to less stuff in outside pockets, which are only the immediate essentials (ear pods, business cards, gum/mints, sunglasses, work access badge). Everything else can go in the main compartment.
There are a couple of zippered pouches inside the clam shell main compartment. I have found that I can easily access the upper mesh interior pocket without having to open the entire clam shell. This is great because this design allows for a few more easily accessed items like passport and moleskin notebook (with a pen loop on notebook).
I did get the compression cubes and will be using them for 1-2 day business trips. I will also use the bag for my DSLR setup with pro lenses.
I did get the compression cubes and will be using them for 1-2 day business trips. I will also use the bag for my DSLR setup with pro lenses.
I am certainly enjoying the bag so far and look forward to a long 10+ year relationship with it. I think it can handle it. The trade offs with the bag are right for me and meet my desire for an everyday carry that can do a little more when needed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design