Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Sage
Average customer rating
4.6
(270 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 270 reviews
5 Stars
196
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
4
1 Star
6
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
205 out of
225)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Sage
Customer Rating
3
Good space, but the shoulder straps are terrible.
on October 25, 2025
Posted by: Michael
from Medway, UK
I bought the sage travel backpack in March at the Photography show. First, let's talk about the positives of the bag. The most noticeable thing about the bag is the look; it is easily one of the best bags I have seen, and the sage really suits the bag. The build quality is also very good; it feels expensive and built to last. Inside the bag, the space is impressive, and the fact that you can zip and expand the bag from 27 litres to 33 litres. I also like the laptop pocket, which is really practical.
For all the positives, unfortunately, the backpack is let down for a couple of reasons. The first is the hooks for the carry straps. Generally, it is nice to have them, but the 2 hooks at the bottom of the bag rub against my lower back, which is annoying. Also, I find the sternum strap pretty useless; it doesn't store particularly well and is always dropping out of its stored position.
The main issue, though, is the shoulder straps, which are absolutely awful. When I tried the bag out, it was empty, and the bag is OK, right up until you fill the bag up with equipment and books for university, the thin straps just put so much pressure on my shoulders that I have to take the bag off.
So whilst the bag has good space, I have to be so wary of what I put in the bag, because I can't carry around anything really heavy, which is pretty useless for a lot of what I would want to use the bag for.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Good bag but some part should be improved
on December 30, 2022
Posted by: Katan
from Hong Kong
Things to be improved:
Expandable water bottles pocket( too small now)
Small and midsize cameras cube can’t fit well for the clipping points
Large camera cube doesn’t fit( even expanded )
Should have side access
Should have bigger quick access in the front
Bigger ID pocket
Add more little pocket at the side/ back for small things ( key, cards, wallet
Expandable water bottles pocket( too small now)
Small and midsize cameras cube can’t fit well for the clipping points
Large camera cube doesn’t fit( even expanded )
Should have side access
Should have bigger quick access in the front
Bigger ID pocket
Add more little pocket at the side/ back for small things ( key, cards, wallet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Buy only if you can accept poor quality products.
on May 26, 2025
Posted by: Warren
from Singapore
Purchased in 2022, used the bag approximately once or twice a year when I go on long trips.
1. One zip handle tore.
2. Silicon mesh pocket flaked very badly
3. Material covering/protecting the zip broke
1. One zip handle tore.
2. Silicon mesh pocket flaked very badly
3. Material covering/protecting the zip broke
I do not handle my bag roughly and when I travel I use this bag to supplement my large full size luggages.
Read raving reviews about the bag and how some used it for years before I purchased it. The breakdown of materials started occurring less than 2 years during my once or twice yearly long trips.
Read raving reviews about the bag and how some used it for years before I purchased it. The breakdown of materials started occurring less than 2 years during my once or twice yearly long trips.
Note: tried to attach photos to this review however unable to do so.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Poor quality
on December 15, 2024
Posted by: hay22
from Columbus, OH
I bought this backpack 6 weeks ago and the quality is definitely not as good as I expected. Already falling apart
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
I'm in love - even after 6weeks in Europe
on October 1, 2022
Posted by: Minimalista
from San Francisco, CA
I brought just this backpack to Europe for 6weeks and I'm never traveling without it again. Pockets for every accessory. Expandable when I wanted to fit gifts for family. Rugged with the waist attachment to do 100 miles around Mont Blanc. Looking cool in stylish cities like Copenhagen. I paired the pack with the large clothes compression bag and the waist belt. I love lay flat opening. The zippers are strong and reliable. The rotating shoulder straps are useful when stowing the bag at a hostel, airplane or car. I always get compliments. As an engineer and designer myself I really appreciate the attention to detail and elegant execution of this bag. I highly recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Nice travel bag, but some nits...
on September 30, 2022
Posted by: Bradbort
from somerville, ma
I've used this bag for 2-3 day trips, and even bought the small camera cube and optional hip belt. It is very well thought out, and stows under normal airliner seats, mostly. I like the shoulder straps a lot as well. Adding a small camera cube, and I can still use it for an overnight trip. Frankly, I could probably go five days without the cube.
I'm not, however a big fan of the sternum strap and the optional hip belt. Both will work once they are connected, but the non-standard connector means I have to actively look at them to buckle them up. I'm assuming Peak went with their design to make them easier to stow, but there is a useability hit.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
My home for the past 5 years
on November 25, 2024
Posted by: Mr Soly
from Montreal, Canada
I am a 35 years old nomad, and I've been a nomad since my childhood (thank you, mom and dad!). So you can imagine that I’ve gone through my fair share of travel gear. But five years ago, I made the switch to this backpack, and let me tell you: it changed the game!! This isn’t just a bag; it’s my life in carry-on form.
We’re talking everything: clothes, two laptops, cameras, wires, other electronics, toiletries, you name it... I even managed to attach a tripod and camping tent on the front face for a while. (Who even designs something that versatile? Genius!!!)
I am not the most careful person with my belongings, so backpack has seen it all. I’ve flown on airlines across every continent, and not once did it get issues using it as a carry-on. Okay, there was that one tiny plane where it wouldn’t fit in the overhead bin. But I found an easy solution: I pulled out my laptops, slid this backpack under the seat, and we were good to go. (Sure, the flight was cramped, but blame the plane, not the backpack 😂)
It’s not just about the space, though. This bag is comfy to carry for hours, perfectly balanced, with multiple carrying options and a sternum strap that’s somehow both lightweight and super durable. And yes, it’s heavier than my previous bags. But I can't complain, because it’s built to last. Five years of travel (and trust me, my trips are not gentle), and it still looks like I just bought it. No scratches, no tears, not much wear (you can see it in the pic, although the backpack was super dirty on one of those pics lol).
And I loooove the water resistance. This thing has survived downpours that left me drenched while my gear stayed dry. Mind you, I have my stuff inside plastic bags inside my backpack, just in case. But the last few times, nothing inside got wet anyway. I haven’t tested it recently, and I know that the water resistance may decrease over the years... but from my past experiences, it’s never let me down. (I’ll update this review if that ever changes)
If you’re on the fence because of the price, but you are looking for something to use for years, let me save you some time: just get it. After five years, I can’t imagine using another backpack. It’s my ultimate travel companion, and if ever it breaks, I would buy another one for sure.
I hope this helps someone!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Well made but ......
on December 15, 2022
Posted by: Bequiman
from Devon UK
I bought this to see if I could do without my wheel on small suitcase. Sadly for me it has some design deficiency's. Biggest problem is no front opening zip pocket for easy access to travel documents when on the move. Inside the zip up side pouches are too small for small items like boxes of medicines to safely stow them into. A combination of the toiletries and small photo cube take up over half the space of the 30 litre leaving just enough for limited overnight wear. The side water bottle pockets are very tight even for a small plastic bottle of water. That said its well made and quite comfortable to wear with a 9kg load on board.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design