Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Coyote
Average customer rating
4.8
(1,077 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 1,077 reviews
5 Stars
912
4 Stars
121
3 Stars
32
2 Stars
6
1 Star
6
96%of customers recommend this product.
(
590 out of
614)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Coyote
Customer Rating
2
great bag with horrible comfort
on October 31, 2024
Posted by: xxx
one year with it and i can't use it anymore because of that horribly painful straps. If they could just redesign that back part prioritizing comfort (like the tortuga backpack, for example), they could have the perfect bag but right now, at least for my body, it's unusable.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
3 years / 100 Countries
on May 22, 2025
Posted by: Full time traveler
from Idaho
I traveled with and tried several packs before settling on the Peak Design 45L three years ago. It is one of very few pieces of gear I haven’t traded out. I travel with it almost exclusively in the 35 L configuration but the ability to expand it to the 45 on occasion when I acquire gifts I need to ship home has been a great asset. The pack itself is almost bulletproof. The only issue I’ve had is the plastic coating on the mesh interior pocket, flaking away and the mesh fraying. I’m confident Peak will fix this anytime I was to submit it based on their impressive warranty. Outside of this, the bag looks almost new, shocking given the rather hard life it has seen.
Even fully loaded, the bag is comfortable and the hip belt does a great job of distributing weight. Carry time exceeding 45 minutes will make you feel the shoulder straps, but this is a travel bag and not a hiking pack. The looks are fantastic and make it easy for carry-on even when the bag has exceeded weight limitations. I have traveled exclusively, carry-on, and never been required to check the pack.
For being such a rugged pack, it has great aesthetics, making you feel good carrying it into even the nicest hotels. I do carry a rain cover but solely for when we tuck it into dirty areas as the pack itself is so water resistant there really is no need outside of keeping it clean. Inside there are more pockets than I would prefer, but it is great for those who want them for organization. We found the water bottle pockets to be outstanding. Even after three years of use, they lie flat when when empty and securely hold multiple sizes of bottles. Just as an aside, the small zipper pockets concealed within the water bottle pockets are very handy. My wife and I travel with only these packs and no other bags. The ability to use the zipper configurations to access different parts of our gear without opening the entire pack is one of those small things which makes travel easier, particularly airports. Although I don’t carry a laptop, I found the laptop compartment to be perfect for my Zero Trail sandals and the lockable zippers are a must have on any travel pack though I’m shocked at the number of companies who don’t include them.
I am 6’2”, 205lbs and the pack fits perfectly. It was too large for my wife, but she now carries the 30L model, which has been great for her (she is 5’3”, 130lbs). I will note the straps on the 30 L model are narrower, less comfortable, and have shown some fraying. They are definitely a different type of material and not up to the standard of those on the 45 L.
These are not the lightest packs on the market, but I believe they are the best built and have some of the nicest aesthetics. The detail work which has gone into all the little things like handle, comfort, access, hidden pockets, hideaway, straps, anchor, points, etc.. clearly comes from both an eye for detail and experiencing using them for travel. You won’t go wrong with this pack. Peak design, my thanks for making a product which is contributed so much to ease of travel.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Awesome Backpack!
on April 7, 2021
Posted by: Anonymous
I recently used my travel backpack on a week-long trip to San Diego, and I had more than enough space to fit everything. Even when packed very full, the bag fit perfectly under the seat on the plane (the small seats in coach). Great pockets to organize smaller items, and great overall design for easy travel!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Not the perfect backpack they claimed but close
on November 15, 2021
Posted by: secateurs
from Alice Springs, Australia
I have had this backpack for a few months now. As you can see, I give it 4 stars and I really like the bag. Most of the features of the bag I really like. I won't go into them here because they have been covered by other online reviews.
However, I do have a few niggles that you don't hear much about online:
* The top carry handle is too small (doesn't stick up enough) so it is hard to grab the bag from the top, especially from beside the bag. For example, when grabbing it off the passenger side seat when I jump out of the car. I didn't think I'd use side grab handles much, but they're good for this - as long as I don't have anything in the side pouches. Even carrying the bag from the top carry handle can be annoying/painful because of the lack of clearance to the padded rear section of the bag. But maybe if it were bigger it would rub on your back/neck when wearing it as a backpack? I don't know.
* the buckles look like they will last a lot longer than the plastic ones on most other bags, but what's the point if they don't work? They are too slippery on the seatbelt-like material of the straps so they tend to loosen. This is especially annoying on the shoulder straps. If you let them get to the biggest setting it is difficult to tighten them up again as you can't get your finger in the loop to pull hard. This means you must take the backpack off to adjust the shoulder strap if it gets too loose.
* Similar issues with the sternum strap. It loosens way too easily. It's also more annoying than a normal sternum strap with a plastic buckle because all the length of the strap is on one side, so with the metal buckle hanging off it, it can really get annoying swinging around if you don't want to hook it on like it's designed to. It can also be difficult (but not impossible) to undo the strap with one hand (whereas a plastic one can be easily undone with one hand).
* The shoulder straps tend to slide off my shoulders if the sternum strap is not done up. I'm not sure whether it's the shape of the strap or whether they're too widely spaced for my shoulders, but this makes the finicky sternum strap even more annoying.
* The press studs at the top of the bag to reduce the volume of the bag are a great idea! Too bad they don't work. They don't hold strongly enough and eventually pop back open.
* The magnets on the front/bottom holding in the straps are spaced too widely or are too weak and a couple of times the straps have come out. I don't use those straps very much so for me it would be better to just have them zipped in. For others who get them out all the time maybe the magnets are more convenient, i don't know.
*ID pouch: Would anyone find it? I doubt it.
* Internal durability: I question whether the internal compartments will last the distance. They are made from very thin material.
However, I do have a few niggles that you don't hear much about online:
* The top carry handle is too small (doesn't stick up enough) so it is hard to grab the bag from the top, especially from beside the bag. For example, when grabbing it off the passenger side seat when I jump out of the car. I didn't think I'd use side grab handles much, but they're good for this - as long as I don't have anything in the side pouches. Even carrying the bag from the top carry handle can be annoying/painful because of the lack of clearance to the padded rear section of the bag. But maybe if it were bigger it would rub on your back/neck when wearing it as a backpack? I don't know.
* the buckles look like they will last a lot longer than the plastic ones on most other bags, but what's the point if they don't work? They are too slippery on the seatbelt-like material of the straps so they tend to loosen. This is especially annoying on the shoulder straps. If you let them get to the biggest setting it is difficult to tighten them up again as you can't get your finger in the loop to pull hard. This means you must take the backpack off to adjust the shoulder strap if it gets too loose.
* Similar issues with the sternum strap. It loosens way too easily. It's also more annoying than a normal sternum strap with a plastic buckle because all the length of the strap is on one side, so with the metal buckle hanging off it, it can really get annoying swinging around if you don't want to hook it on like it's designed to. It can also be difficult (but not impossible) to undo the strap with one hand (whereas a plastic one can be easily undone with one hand).
* The shoulder straps tend to slide off my shoulders if the sternum strap is not done up. I'm not sure whether it's the shape of the strap or whether they're too widely spaced for my shoulders, but this makes the finicky sternum strap even more annoying.
* The press studs at the top of the bag to reduce the volume of the bag are a great idea! Too bad they don't work. They don't hold strongly enough and eventually pop back open.
* The magnets on the front/bottom holding in the straps are spaced too widely or are too weak and a couple of times the straps have come out. I don't use those straps very much so for me it would be better to just have them zipped in. For others who get them out all the time maybe the magnets are more convenient, i don't know.
*ID pouch: Would anyone find it? I doubt it.
* Internal durability: I question whether the internal compartments will last the distance. They are made from very thin material.
All right, all right. So a few things I DO like about the bag then (I can't help myself!):
* cavernous side pouches. They just consume water bottles, no matter how large.
* laptop pouch. in the perfect position. feels very well protected, pretty easy to access
* Size: This bag is massive. I haven't even expanded the expansion zips yet!
* Weight is not an issue for me. For what it is, how big it is, and all the organisational pouches, it's a good weight.
* External durability: So far so good. I'm not gentle on the bag, putting it down wherever I need to. No scuffs or visible wear on the outside of the bag so far. Even after rubbing it against rocks and cement walls as I walk past (because it's so big)
* Security features
* cavernous side pouches. They just consume water bottles, no matter how large.
* laptop pouch. in the perfect position. feels very well protected, pretty easy to access
* Size: This bag is massive. I haven't even expanded the expansion zips yet!
* Weight is not an issue for me. For what it is, how big it is, and all the organisational pouches, it's a good weight.
* External durability: So far so good. I'm not gentle on the bag, putting it down wherever I need to. No scuffs or visible wear on the outside of the bag so far. Even after rubbing it against rocks and cement walls as I walk past (because it's so big)
* Security features
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
The Perfect Travel Pack?
on December 23, 2021
Posted by: Rappo
from Arizona
I purchased this backpack to replace a North Face "Overhaul 40" pack. Just returned from a 6 day trip where I only carried my Peak Designs Travel Pack. Wow! I was very impressed with how this pack was able to accommodate everything I needed for a six day trip. The outer slip pockets on each side of the pack were great for holding an umbrella and large water bottle. I found the layout of the pockets and compartments to be well organized. I also purchased a couple of Peak Design packing cubes for use with this pack. I was surprised how well designed the cubes were. The compression feature allowed me to pack the cube full and then zip it down for a more compact fit. The cubes let you pack a lot of clothes into this pack. I purchased a small rubber net online that easily secures to the tie down loops on the outside of the pack. This makes for a quick way to carry a light jacket or items you want to have rapid access to. Another thing I like about this pack is the quality. It is very well made and will likely survive years of travel. BTW... On my last trip the pack easily fit under the airline seat.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Overall OK, some design flaws
on February 8, 2022
Posted by: RedBaron
from Atlanta, GA
I have been using this bag for over a year on many trips. It is overall ok and once you get used to its quirks you really appreciate it more.
The good:
-High quality materials that look very sleek, are sturdy, and easy to clean.
-The inside is very spacious with many compartments and pockets.
-Compresses down to a smaller size and can confirm that it passes as a personal item on Spirit flights when compressed.
-It stands upright by itself.
-Side access is great.
-Being able to tuck the straps in is nice to keep everything looking organized.
-High quality materials that look very sleek, are sturdy, and easy to clean.
-The inside is very spacious with many compartments and pockets.
-Compresses down to a smaller size and can confirm that it passes as a personal item on Spirit flights when compressed.
-It stands upright by itself.
-Side access is great.
-Being able to tuck the straps in is nice to keep everything looking organized.
The bad:
-Bag is heavy.
-The sternum strap is a pain to use. It looks nice but functionally it is hard to engage, and to disengage you need both hands, not ideal when traveling when one hand is most likely holding something else.
-Hip supports are pretty much useless.
-Straps are not the most comfortable and the back is not well ventilated, so it will get hot.
-The compression clips come undone easily, especially if the bag is fully loaded and you grab the side handles.
-Side pockets are too tight. Getting a water bottle in is hard and is a two handed operation.
-Bag is heavy.
-The sternum strap is a pain to use. It looks nice but functionally it is hard to engage, and to disengage you need both hands, not ideal when traveling when one hand is most likely holding something else.
-Hip supports are pretty much useless.
-Straps are not the most comfortable and the back is not well ventilated, so it will get hot.
-The compression clips come undone easily, especially if the bag is fully loaded and you grab the side handles.
-Side pockets are too tight. Getting a water bottle in is hard and is a two handed operation.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
In dire need of an update
on April 17, 2022
Posted by: MyMemesAreTerrible
from Melbourne,Australia
I bought a 20L Everyday Backpack (V2), which for the most part, I'm super happy with it. I figured that this would be of similar quality, both in features and in materials, and while the materials are like always top notch, the features I found weren't very useful a lot of the time:
For one thing, there's the grab handles on nearly every side of the bag. great feature, but the lack of padding on what should be the most used handles (sides and front) make it really difficult and uncomfortable to hold. the straps are stiff, wide, and almost cut into your hand when you hold it via these three handles. I can understand why the bottom handle is unpadded, but the other three just doesn't make sense.
The top handle is padded, which is nice, but not to the same level of the Everyday Bag, and the shoulder straps aren't padded nearly as much as they should be.
What's probably my biggest gripe, however, is the laptop/tablet compartment. enough space to easily fit any laptop, but for the tablet compartment, you don't get to fit anything larger then an 11" iPad Pro, which even that is a struggle. Its held together with velcro, which just feels cheap when compared to the magnet/zipper combo on the Everyday bags.
That's another thing worth mentioning, the zipper and magnet situation just doesn't feel as nice as the Everyday line either, which considering the price, is a little disappointing. The Bottle holders, while generally staying flush with the bag, don't have that satisfying click that the magnets give, and there are often zippers or velcro where magnets could and should be.
The zipper pulls also don't have that same level of quality or comfort, and the side access flaps aren't nearly as useful as packing tools take up most of the bag space, and they don't have any pockets on the flap like the Everyday Backpack does.
Maybe I'm being picky here, but even the tether points don't have that same level of satisfying resistance. They still click, but not as tightly as the Everyday V2 series bags.
Overall I guess the general issue here is that it still feels like a V1 product, which in fairness, it is. The bag just feels like its greatly in need of an update, and for that reason alone I just can't justify the crazy high price tag that it commands. If a V2 travel line comes out I'd be eager to give it a fresh shot, as I have a good feeling that Peak Design will nail it
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Fullfilling its potential!
on June 9, 2022
Posted by: Charles
from Steilacoom, Washington
I love Peak Design and I love this travel camera pack. I love the strap on the back of the bag for slipping it on top of my luggage. It is light and I have even managed to figure out how to carry my Sony 600mm in this pack! There is one feature of the pack that could easily be improved and make it much more useful. The hip strap and buckle design is flawed. It is not strong, difficult to slip on connector innto the other strap/buckle, and does not support weight in the pack on anything over a short walk. Use a wider strap and, especially please, a buckle that is a legit buckle, and that can be tightened to carry the weight of the pack on the hips.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design