Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L review

Peak Design's Travel Backpack 45L is the most accessible bag here, in the literal sense: zippers open the top, sides, front and back, so you can reach a jacket or camera without unpacking. Peak Design says it meets international carry-on size requirements, expands to 45 liters when you need to haul gear and compresses to 35 liters for daily use, which it calls unmatched for one-bag travel. The shell is 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas with a 900D bottom liner, and the #8 and #10 UltraZips are weatherproof with abrasion-resistant thread. Inside, a zippered mesh sleeve divides the main cavity into two compartments, and padded sleeves hold a laptop and tablet. Shoulder straps and the hip belt tuck away. It is designed around Peak Design's own Camera Cubes and Packing Cubes, which cost extra. The page we fetched showed only euro pricing, so we could not confirm the US price, and it did not list the bag's weight.

Who it is for

Photographers and gear-heavy travelers who want access from every side and camera cube compatibility.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Expands to 45 L and compresses to a 35 L day bag
• Top, side, front and rear access through weatherproof #8 and #10 UltraZips
• 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell with a 900D bottom liner
• Padded laptop and tablet sleeves and a main cavity divisible into 2 compartments
• Tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belt, 360-degree grab handles

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Access from four sides
• Strength: Works with Peak Design Camera Cubes and Packing Cubes
• Strength: Fair Trade Certified and carbon neutral, per Peak Design
• Weakness: USD price could not be confirmed from our location
• Weakness: Cubes and pouches are sold separately
• Weakness: Weight not shown on the page we checked

Key facts

• Volume: 35 to 45 L
• Shell: Recycled 400D nylon canvas, 900D bottom
• Access: Top, side, front and rear
• Carry-on: Meets international carry-on size requirements, per Peak Design
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Where it ranks

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is No. 6 in our Best Travel Backpacks verdict.