Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Ocean
Average customer rating
4.4
(106 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 106 reviews
5 Stars
80
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
5
1 Star
6
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
72 out of
84)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 45L - Ocean
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
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
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
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
1
Privacy issue
on December 14, 2024
Posted by: Luuuigi
from New York, NY
This company easily releases your private data and information to anyone, including authorities, without a court order or subpoena. Please do not purchase if you would like your privacy.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Best travel bag, but weight heavy
on November 29, 2024
Posted by: A.K.
from Tokyo
This one bag is all you need for a 3-4 day trip. It's incredibly durable but unfortunately, it's also quite heavy.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Stitches
on December 14, 2024
Posted by: FurryCotton
A company without ethics but they do make good looking stuff.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design