Pack Hacker is reader-supported. However, I still use the 30L travel backpack daily now and rarely notice this inconvenience anymore. Discount will be shown on final checkout screen and will not work with other coupons or deals. Apart from the looks, the Travel Backpack 30Ls robust build and structuredness still feel very confidence-inspiring. You've clicked a link that gets you a special discount at checkout. You'll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Near the top of the Travel Backpack is the front compartment that acts as the sole quick-grab pocket of the bag. However, the ideal use for these is to secure one of Peak Designs Camera Cubes inside, further highlighting the companys camera-focused philosophy. Also worth noting is that opening a sideways backpack is a lot trickier than opening one thats sitting vertically. Mind you, all of this structuredness is achieved without compromising carrying comfort. Again, Peak Design applies the same harness system they designed for the larger 45-liter version of the Travel Backpack. However, with a rear opening backpack, wherein the back panel flips up, if you pack correctly then whenever you open the pack, youll have to dig past the large items, like tablets and notebooks, to get to the smaller items buried underneath. All of them are well-padded, and the ones at the sides even get the same texture that blends well with the body. Theres a set of five memory card slots stitched into this pocket, highlighting the camera-focused nature of Peak Design. In the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack, the laptop sits in its own pocket, which is essentially a sleeve sewn into the main bag compartment. If we have any nitpicks with this laptop sleeve, its that it can feel a bit deep for smaller laptops. Meets international carry-on size requirements in expanded (33L) and compressed (27L) form. Clearly meticulously designed with amazingly stylish accents, and tough features (rivets, reinforcements, and heavy duty steel/webbing in the right places), Clean, efficient design makes for minimal dangling straps, Dedicated laptop compartment easily accessed via back panel, Rear opening back panel design makes packing for day use and accessing items difficult, compared to how items are normally packed in a backpack and takes some getting used to (, I wish there was a better divider between the laptop and packed goods (for protection) (, 400 denier Durable Water Resistant coating treated outer keep water out, Large, weather shielded zippers, keep water out, Quick access tech pouch (up top, in front), Rear access design and wrap around zip back panel great for security, HUGE main bag compartment lined with zippered mesh pockets to keep everyday gear organized, Dual expansion zips, add 10L of capacity expanding the bag from 35L to 45L, Tough, sturdy grab handles on top, bottom, sides, and back, Zippered internal pockets line the interior of the main compartment, Built with weather resistant, durable materials and solid quality construction, Secure zippers all around the backpack with weatherproof seams, Collapsible side pockets and water bottle sleeves accommodate a standard Kleen Kanteen or slim water bottle. It sits on hooks just fine, however. A rear opening design isnt inherently bad for travel backpacks, but in a daily carry backpack, rear loading takes some getting used to heres why. Yes, the Peak Design Travel bag is worth it. Plus, the mesh gives them some room to expand. Do you want to re-subscribe? Thoughtful nylon haul points dot the corners of the exterior of the bag so you can either 1) strap large or quick access items to the outside of the bag, like a tripod or rain jacket or 2) strap the bag to something else, like a motorbike or the top of a duffelbag. 13 in x 20.9 in x 7 in (33 x 53.1 x 17.8 cm), standard | Expanded: 20.9 in x 13 in x 7.9 in, Nylon, Aluminum, Hypalon, Polyurethane, DWR Coating, YKK Zippers, Zoom Zippers. For the past few months Ive also been lucky enough to test the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack as a daily carry when wandering by motorbike, and a weekend adventure bag when exploring new places and islands by boat, plane, and any other way I can find. We dig that these are see-through mesh because it means everything inside of them is easily visible. Regardless, there is plenty of space, plus there are pockets all around in case you need more granular organization. The full wrap around zip backpanel opens to reveal zippered mesh pockets on every square inch of the inside of this bag and the padded laptop and tablet sleeve. Any trip worth taking requires flip flops or solid travel ready sandals, and shoes, which means youll need a space to carry the pair youre not wearing. The pack is comfortable enough for all day wear, yet sturdy in design and construction for years of use. Kindly try again later or contact our support at info@peakdesign.com, Have a question or need advice? Every square inch of the inside of this pack is covered with well organized, zippered mesh pockets, and strap points for organization, allowing me to carry not just the basics of a laptop, cell phone, tablet, and extra clothes, but pens, paper, well hidden cash, sunglasses, surf trunks, and anything else I obssessivel carry while keeping it all organized. Visit the Peak Design discount page to learn more, Peak Design warranties all of its bags with a no rhetoric, lifetime guarantee. Straight from Peak Design: If any part of your Peak Design product* becomes non-functioning or defective, we will repair or replace it with a fully-functioning item in the same or better condition, Click here to see full details of the Peak Design no hassle warranty. BTR-30-SG-1 (Sage) Speaking of sitting around at the airport, on the upper left side of the back is an ID or luggage tag pocket; the same one is featured on the larger 45-liter Travel Backpack. It easily swallows our 16-inch MacBook Pro with tons of room to spare. Ive tested tens of bags and broken more than a handful, so I can tell a bag with a limited life very easily from a tough built, sturdy, buy it for life bag. Need help choosing the right bag? The immediate idea that comes to mind would be to use these for hold-down straps to keep clothes from sloshing around. With a bag this packed to the gills with features, its almost unavoidable that some will feel less stellar than others. With the front expanded, its possible to stack another layer of cubes. In good packing, the flat items and heavy items should be closer to your back, allowing the load to sit close to your spine, and avoiding the risk of the heavy things (laptop) crushing the small things (cell phone) while you wear the backpack. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Surprise! closer to your spine, when you open your bag the large items will be on top of your smaller items. Peak Design Accessories for Photographers to Consider. DWR impregnated and double poly coated for water resistance. Its not quite as secure as a travel padlock, but its more secure than having them loose and visible like usual. A lack of compression straps and daisy chain webbing, common in other bags, actually improves the look of this bag, making for a more sleek appearance and fewer loose bits to get snagged on random objects while commuting. Clamshell opening backpacks, that fully open while lying flat are by far the best for travel, as they allow for quick and easy packing with packing cubes and easy access to everything in the bag while traveling. Yes, there are a few misses, but most of them are nitpicks, and theres so much more to like than to dislike about the Travel Backpack 30L. Though the pricetag is steep, the materials, craftsmanship, function, and expected durability make it a bag you will use, often, and for life, making it a great investment for travelers, commuters, and nomads. **Hidden within the front panel is a nifty storage spot for shoes or flip flops. However, Peak Design says theyve developed a close working relationship with Zoom for custom-made zippers and insist that they meet their standards. In our eyes, Peak Design has always been on point with their aesthetics. Some bags handle compression and expansion features less elegantly, so were glad to see something as neatly integrated as this because it does lend the interior a fair bit of extra space. All thriller, no filler. Signup to receive updates from Peak Design. Thus, here we are with the Travel Backpack 30L. Throughout this pack, Peak Design does achieve peak aesthetics resulting in backpack that looks as good as it performs. Another nice touch is the elastic strap keepers that keep the extra slack in check. The bigger downside is that the zippers hit passport-sized items that are in the liner pockets near the sides. Like our award-winning 45L Travel Backpack, the 30L is designed to bring you sanity amidst the strenuous pace of travel. Weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas external shell. This is noticeably inconvenient during the first few uses, if youre obsessive about your backpacks like I am, as you will have to dig to get to your smaller items. Our technique is to zip both zippers all the way down below the bag and to interlock the pulls to the bottom handle. But its smaller form makes the 30L perfect for everyday use as well. Not really a huge deal; it just means we have to access the front and main compartments independently and not at the same time. Underneath the main back panel, theres a small pass-through thats lined with loop and hook fasteners. from rain and the elements, Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack is a great, comfortable, wandering friendly everyday packand it just might be the bag for you. One small nitpick we have with the top handle is that since it sits below the top edge, its hard to use for hanging the bag on something like our pegboard. Alternatively, you can put your passport in the middle of the compartment instead. Besides, the compression system Peak Design has here is really clean and subtle. Even under heavy daily loads (30lbs+). Two wide liner pockets are flanking a small narrower one towards the back of the compartment. The laptop sleeve padding is fine for most uses, however, beware if packing oddly shaped, hard objects with corners. Learn more, Get up to 10% off Peak Design Join Pack Hacker Pro. Ive received more than a handful of complements on the look of this backpack, and trust me, that doesnt happen often. If the built-in handles and luggage pass-through isnt enough, the Travel Backpack also has a number of attachment points for accessory straps. That said, were happy to report that none have jammed or broken in our testing so far. The water resistant, weatherproof fabric and water protected zippers have performed well, protecting my laptop and documents in the surprise rainstorms that happen in Bali often while Im exposed on my motorbike. Even at this smaller size, the Travel Backpack 30Ls laptop sleeve is still pretty large. Get access to brief summaries of our reviews so you can browse and make decisions more efficiently. Its fairly easy to do since the Hypalon pulls are attached via snap fasteners. Get your questions about the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L answered from our team and the Pro Community right here on the page. Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. For example, you can use a pair of straps to attach a tripod to the bottom-most loops at the front and back of the bag. Overall for daily life, the 30L Travel Backpack is a win. The weatherproof #10 UltraZip can withstand decades of use thanks to its proprietary abrasion-resistant thread. The foam rubber wrapping of the shoulder straps and backpanel isnt as soft and comfy as some backpacks, like the super padded shoulder straps on the Tortuga Outbreaker*, but are perfectly fine if you dont plan on trekking 10 miles with 65 pounds. Quick access top pocket, with tons of organization for pens, cards, cash, glasses, phones, etc. Fair Trade Certified and 100% carbon neutral. We dont have the hip belt accessory on hand to test, but honestly, we didnt find a need for it. Look closely at this backpack an you realize it was actually design with with a sturdy fabric skeleton, with storage attached (with aluminum rivets and heavy stitching) and coated with foam rubber for comfortable. Heres why. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Were skeptical about Zoom zippers since we have experience with them breaking. So, Consider grabbing the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L size and the Peak Design Travel Duffel (65L size) for a perfect long term travel setup, From my months of use, I can definitely say the Everyday Backpack is suited very well for a few types of users. The aluminum rivets attaching the shoulder straps to the just as tough backpanel are even stronger. Be the first to get our new guides & reviews. It helps keep things nice and cool by raising the backpack just a bit away from your back, but it also allows you to stow the shoulder straps away neatly and easily behind the flaps. This is my one complaint about the bag rear opening panel design just isnt the best for daily carry backpacks, and quickly accessing smaller items in the bag. The sleeve does offer a bit of protection a ~2mm sturdy foam rubber pad but I would be weary of the protection if I had a hard, oddly shaped object in my main compartment poking the laptop. One scenario where it could prove useful is if youre taking the Travel Backpack while biking; we tend to get move-y when were cycling uphill. Theres actually quite a lot of options in terms of secondary means of carrying the Travel Backpack. The verdict: for minimalist travelers, especially those with tech they need to protect (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) STOCK IS LIMITED! Before we forget, we also appreciate the tiny bit of fabric at the tips of the padded portion of the shoulder straps that shrouds the aluminum hardware. We werent the biggest fans of it since its fairly easy to miss, which kind of defeats the purpose of an ID. Additionally, most of the great zippered mesh pockets inside the pack line the front panel, meaning youll have to dig under everything to get to those pockets. Peak Design delivers globally for very cheap. BTR-30-BK-1 (Black) Volume for these pockets is great since theyre made from a stretchy mesh material. You can attach a decent amount of accessories to these loops, and theres even one on each of the aluminum adjusters in case you need more. Your mileage may vary, of course, depending on what clothes, cubes, and pouches youre rolling with. The added bonus is that it transitions perfectly to being a weekend travel backpack. The GORUCK GR3 and GR2 backpacks were my first backpacks with that feature, and now I insist on wrap around zippers and fold open design with even my daypacks. This, in turn, makes it tricky to access the front compartment. This means that if you pack your backpack with the flatter, heavier items (laptop, notebooks, etc.) Tough Drag handles cleanly line the top, bottom, sides, and back of the bag, allowing for a quick suitcase style carry when needed, and without getting in the way the rest of the time. Removable and adjustable straps that easily hook onto and detach from the haul points make it possible to carry wet or extra gear outside of your bag, At 53cm x 33cm x 20cm (20.9 x 13 x 7.9), the Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack is small enough to fit as a carry on for most international airlines, as well as budget airlines like Air Asia (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) and Ryanair (22 in x 16 in x 8 in/55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm), Large main compartment lined with zippered mesh internal pockets and a laptop sleeve, Top zippered compartment with organized storage for smaller items, Internal anchor points and included straps allow you to compress gear from inside the backpack to make sure everything stays in place. Yes, at its standard form, the Travel Backpack 30L isnt actually 30 liters; its 27 liters. Im lucky enough to live my life as a full time traveler and digital nomad based in Bali, Indonesia, and every aspect of my life and making the most of it involves being on the move and staying on the move. Fortunately, thats not the case here, and the sternum strap remained firmly in place where we positioned it. Padded laptop + tablet sleeves. Okay, the Travel Backpack in this 30-liter version doesnt necessarily look like it breaks the mold. It looks like you're browsing from Canada. Whether I leave at sunrise and get back before midnight after dropping into cafes and working at coworking spaces, or simply exploring the mountains, hills, lakes and surf spots, having a versatile backpack to keep everything I need close is essential. Thanks to the comfort and organization, the backpack is not only great for travel, but daily life, as Ive learned firsthand. An Ultimate Western Rise Apparel Review: A Guide to the Best Performance Clothing for Travelers, Outdoorsy Adventurers, and Minimalists, An Ultimate Peak Design Travel Duffel Review (65L & 35L): Perfect for Nomads, Slow Travelers, and Collapsible Storage, About A Brother Abroad | The Origin Story, Pros of the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack, Best Use of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, Quick Rating of the Peak Design Travel Backpack, My Experience with the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack, Function By Function Review of the Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack, Tortuga Outbreakers laptop and tablet pocket, The 59+ Best Carry-on Backpacks for Travel: A perfect bag for every traveler, 27 Great Packable Daypacks: Day bags that tuck away easily when not in use, An Ultimate Guide to the Best Backpacks for Digital Nomads, 5 Easy Steps to Getting an Indonesia Driving License (SIM C) for $14: Cheap, easy, and no agent necessary, 73 Awesome Canggu Cafs: An Ultimate Guide to Balis Coolest Caf Scene, An Obsessive Peak Design Travel Backpack Review: A 30L backpack, perfect for daily life, travel, and more, Comfy shoulder straps, with solid webbing wrapped in cushion, quickly and conveniently stowable, Sturdy build great stitching, solid shoulder straps, heavy duty premium weatherproof exterior zippers, Great, durable, weather-resistant materials, Tons of zippered mesh pockets inside make keeping organized easy, whether for long term travel or everyday use. After months of testing, hundreds of days of use, and hours upon hours of wear, I can confidently say the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a comfortable, tough, and functional daily use, commuter, and travel backpack that I highly recommend. One tradeoff with this clamshell opening is that you need to have the bag laid down to open it. You can lock the O-rings together with a travel lock, or you can loop the Hypalon pulls together. It was by no means perfect, with some concerns regarding the Zoom zippers, sternum strap, and side handles. Each strap has a Hypalon loop at the top of the sternum strap rail, then one nylon loop at the bottom as well. Padded, dedicated laptop and tablet sleeves, Axial strap attachments provide all-day comfort for all body types, Weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell, Ultralight padded foam provides security and structure around entire bag, Designed to fit Peak Design Packing Cubes (fits 3 units). Lashing loops and strap points at all corners of the bag make it strap extras to the outside of the bag (rain jackets, camera tripods) via access axial strap attachments or strap the bag to a bicycle or motorbike. Digital nomads, on the road for months or years, and basing out of a single location for months with short trips throughout, consider pairing this 30L travel backpack with the 65L Peak Design Travel Duffel for enough space to contain your entire life and still travel easily, and the functionality you need in a daily carry and weekender backpack. This is why good laptop pockets are just behind the backpanel. With the help of a few packing cubes I can fit in everything I need for a trip and stay organized, with enough dedicated space and protection for my all essential laptop. Over the past few months, Ive toted this obsessively designed 30L travel bag on week long adventures exploring the best that Indonesia has to offer, by motorbike, with everything I need tucked in this bag and strapped to my bike. Ultimately, I enjoyed using the Peak Design 30L travel backpack, I highly recommend it, and Ill continue to use it in the future. Though I really love the comfort, storage space, design, and functional minimalism of the Peak Design Travel Backpack, nothing is perfect and I have 2 points I would love to see improved in the bag. But what about those times youre sitting around at the airport? Tough, durable, and comfy shoulder straps attached to the bag with lightweight yet tough anodized aluminum make for a bag that can handle heavy loads, is comfortable to carry, and will last a long time. This middle ground pack is perfect for the needs of digital nomads that often base in a single big city for months on end, such as Tulum, Chiang Mai, or Lisbon, and take smaller trips for a weekend or a week to nearby locales to make the most of their location independence. The front, zippered kangaroo pouch pocket has even more meticulous storage to keep small frequent use items accessible like sunglasses, wallet keys, pens, cash, etc. The Travel Backpack wears as fluently as we expect, that is to say very comfortably. We just dig how well they fit and blend into the fabric of the Travel Backpack; you probably wouldnt notice them right away. We noted on the 45-liter version that the base has a heavier 900D nylon canvas fabric, and that seems to be the case with the 30-liter version since theres a noticeable difference in textureso far, so familiar. At ~$230, the Peak Design Travel Backpack seems like its not cheapbut buy cheap, buy twice. Peak Design Everyday Backpack is an excellent, durable, and stylish expression of what it aims to be a clean organized everyday pack thats got enough room and organization for travels for a weekend, or a week+ for minimalist packers. But hey, at least the options there in case you need to stow away something bulkier than a pair of straps. An enlarged top pocket is subdivided with stretch and zip pockets for keys, glasses, passport, etc. Expansive side pockets for water bottles, tripods, and more. We'll never share your email with anybody, and we don't send garbage. Click here to learn more about the Peak Design shipping policy. By contrast, whenever I open my GORUCK GR1, which has a front opening clamshell design, smaller items are naturally on top and larger items on bottom, making everything very accessible. For Travel, the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack holds its own for weekend adventures. So which are they? Equally important is how well-structured the sides are. Your carry-on personal item: fits more easily under airline seats. For the most part, we dont have too much trouble keeping the straps stuffed inside. Like most travel backpacks, Peak Designs also has a luggage pass-through on the back panel. The Ultimate Nomad Travel Setup is the 65L Peak Design Duffel Bag, Paired with the 30L Travel Backpack. Interestingly, this pocket is quite deep and spacioustoo spacious for just a pair of accessory straps. You can also hook both ends to one rail when its not in use, or you can detach the sternum strap altogether. That said, we still think a simple buckle arrangement is much simpler and easier to use than this hook-on system. Of course, the absence of drastic change isnt an inherently bad thing. Let me be clear, though Im not a fan of these two features, they are absolutely not deal breakers and I still really like this bag for daily use and weekender travel. Fits Peak Design Camera Cubes, but only in its expanded form. The very ends of the straps are even stitched into triangular tips, so theyre easier to re-thread through the aluminum hardware. All of them are now Zoom ones, with no YKKs in sight. Luggage pass-through for roller bag carry, Padded shoulder straps stow under magnetic flaps for worry-free bag-checking, Expansion zips for fitting more or compressing your load, External carry straps stow beneath a magnetic flap, Hugely expandable side pockets for water bottles, tripods, more. This cool storage spot allows for that storage while maintaining the small overall footprint. If we put it side by side with its bigger sibling, the similarities are more apparent; theres nothing major to report in terms of aesthetic changes. In my experience Ive discovered that Peak Designs everyday carry travel bag is meticulously designed to be your single travel backpack for adventurous wandering, yet suited to be the bag you take out every day, wandering cities, bouncing between coffee shops and coworking spaces, and taking full advantage of the opportunity to travel and wander.