I thought these bags were designed for photographers by photographers, I don't know what feather light equipment they put in it (maybe a point and shoot pocket camera), but when I put my Nikon FX set in it the shoulder straps dig in after a few minutes. I believe most photographers have equipment like mine as a posed to a pockets camera that they can put in there shirt pockets. PD fix the problem already there are a lot of reviews pointing this out once you start checking.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Almost Perfect
on July 4, 2023
Posted by: PapaChop83
from Wiesbaden, Germany
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.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding and versatile
on November 29, 2022
Posted by: Jimbo
from The Road
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 would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Too heavy
on May 11, 2020
Posted by: Cedric
I like to leave honest reviews so I wait until I've used the product a lot.
I was an original backer of the Travel Backpack and have been using it for over a year now.
I love the engineering that went behind the design and I love all the features that this bag has to offer. It is truly second to none.
However, there is one thing that keeps me from having this bag as my default travel backpack: weight. This bag is incredibly heavy by itself. I am an ultralight traveler and I never take a suitcase with me when I travel the world. I wanted to make this backpack my travel companion but unfortunately its deadweight makes this impossible.
So I end up using it for grocery shopping, sports, etc, which makes it an incredibly expensive bag for the task. And I continue traveling with my Gregory backpack and the camera goes in wrapped up in a scarf...
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Holds shape, fits as a personal item or carry-on
on November 12, 2022
Posted by: Mr.Anderson
from Dallas,TX
I bought this a couple months ago for my trip through Central America and a few sailing adventures I had planned. I am six weeks in and it has held up perfectly. The only complaint I have is the main divider layer just got in the way, so I unzipped it and kept it rolled up the entire time. It would be nice if Peak Design could make it detachable? I use the little pockets to stash little things like money, chapstick, keys, phone, passport etc. and they are very secure and out of sight. It holds my rain jacket, computer, chargers, umbrella, drone bag, the Peak Design toiletry bag, medium size compression PD bag which holds my 10 shirts, 4 shorts and 1 pair of pants. It also holds the small PD compression bag with 8 pairs of undies and 7 pairs of socks. These could probably hold more clothes inside them honestly. It rained so much in Central America, however the material held up and everything remained dry inside. It does weigh more than hiking-specific bags and the shoulder straps don't have any elastic cushion/shock absorption, so they aren't the most comfortable. It does get quite hot in the sun, but other than that it has served me quite well. I never had to use the expansion zippers. If I were back-packing in nature, carrying gear such as a tent, hiking/climbing gear etc, I would go with a more light weight pack. Since I stayed in hotels and hostels and sailboats, it was perfect for my situation. I plan to keep using this for the next few months while I continue traveling to different countries. 10/10 would recommend for regular travel, business travel and to school/work!!!
The last picture with the blue neck pillow attached was when I first packed it before leaving my house. The rest were taken yesterday at the airport.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Amazing bag. Needs attention to the straps
on May 6, 2020
Posted by: Anonymous
I have been a fan of Peak Design since the beginning and have 3 bags, camera pouches, and some of the other little pouches. One thing that is common are the straps and how they adjust. For the Travel backpack, the chest strap and the straps that go across the front of it are not fixed to the bag. I lost the chest strap on an airplane and one of the front straps fell out of the magnetic pouch on the bottom. Kind of a bummer. I think there is an opportunity to look at the Osprey straps and configure them similarly. Saying all of this, I am a huge Peak fan and their quality of the bags and functionality is like no other.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
One more step will be perfect
on March 22, 2020
Posted by: Anonymous
I got a travel backpack 45L, 7 day trip with my family including 2 two years old kids form Hong Kong to Japan. I made the small camera cube to my baby stuff cube and it works great that help me a lot in trip. Just 2 suggestion i would like to mention. 1. It would be great if travel backpack 45L V2 will have some organizatioer inside the side open area, just like every day backpack for keys or little stuff. 2. It would be nice if you guys great team can design some cubes or drivers for Daddy/mommy or gaming user.
You know, the most important things is, It can be use again or always.
Big thanks for reading this=]
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Best Travel Bag!
on January 1, 2020
Posted by: Zack
I am preparing for a 5 month travel through Central Asia, and I wanted a bag that was small enough not to cloud my experience but large enough to not leave me without my essential. I spent several hours and purchased the 4 best bags in this category. The other bags were great but this bag was the most well rounded. The quality of the material, design intelligence, and esthetics are amazing. The pack works great with the packing cubes which I also found to be some of the best on the market. The whole system is costly and I would love it if the expansion zippiers felt a little more durable.
Other bags considered (GoRuck 40L, Nomatic 40L, Timbuktu)