peak design travel backpack 30l uk

• Camera Gear
• Backpack Zip
• Field Pouch
• Range Pouch
• Backpack 30L
• BACKPACK 45L
• DUFFELPACK 65L
• Packable Tote
• SMALL WASH POUCH
• PACKING CUBES
• CAMERA CUBES
• Corporate Gifting
• CAPTURE (CLIP ONLY)
• Micro CLUTCH
• ANCHOR LINKS
• CAMERA CUBE
• Replacement Parts
• Everyday Case for iPhone
• Everyday Case for Samsung
• Everyday Case for Pixel
• Nomad Rugged Case for iPhone
• Universal Adapter
• Offroam Mount
• Universal Bar Mount
• Out Front Bike Mount
• Motorcycle Bar Mount
• Motorcycle Stem Mount
• Ball Mount Adapter
• Wireless Charging Stand
• Mobile Tripod
• Mobile Wallet
• Creator Kit
• Wall Power Adapter

Build Your Kit

30-Second Mobile Kit Finder Quiz

• Shop pre-owned
• Shop Last Call
• Sell your gear
• Support Center
• Lifetime Warranty
• Product Registration
• Our Mission
• Sustainable Strategy
• Field Notes
• Retail Stores
• #FindYourPeak
• STORE LOCATOR

Select Currency

• AUSTRALIA AUD ($)
• CANADA CAD ($)
• DENMARK DKK (kr.)
• EUROPEAN UNION EUR (€)
• UNITED KINGDOM GBP (£)
• JAPAN JPY (¥)
• NEW ZEALAND NZD ($)
• UNITED STATES USD ($)
• DK DKK (kr)
• STORES STORES
• FREE U.S. SHIPPING OVER $99  • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS 1% OF EVERY SALE GOES TO ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFITS
• Crowdfunding
• San Francisco
• Ask a Gear Expert
• Find a PD Retailer
• Kickstarter
• Social Justice
• LOGIN LOGIN

You've clicked a link that gets you a special discount at checkout.

Discount will be shown on final checkout screen and will not work with other coupons or deals.

Sub-Total: $0.00

You left something

in your cart!

GET YER GOODS!

Travel Bags

Get up to $40 off when you buy a bag and 2+ packing tools..

Travel Backpack 30L New

Rugged, versatile carry-on travel backpack.

var chrismark = 0; $229.95 Sold Out

Travel Backpack 45L

Travel backpack with unmatched versatility, access, organization and aesthetics.

var chrismark = 0; $299.95 Sold Out

TRAVEL DUFFEL 65L

Peak Design’s take on the classic duffel bag.

TRAVEL DUFFEL 35L

Travel Duffelpack 65L

Gear-hauler duffel with maximum comfort, expansion, and payload.

var chrismark = 0; $219.95 Sold Out

Packable Tote New

Ultralight packable tote bag for everyday and travel.

var chrismark = 0; $19.95 Sold Out

Packing Cube New Colors

Compressible, feature-rich packing organizer for travel.

var chrismark = 0; From $29.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V2

Protective, easy-access photo/video gear organizers for travel.

var chrismark = 0; From $49.95 Sold Out

Small Wash Pouch New

Versatile toiletry bag for travel

var chrismark = 0; $49.95 Sold Out

Expandable, thoughtfully-designed dopp kit and toiletry bag.

var chrismark = 0; $59.95 Sold Out

Brilliant easy-access organizer for tech items and travel essentials.

Shoe Pouch New Colors

Ultralight packable shoe bag for travel.

var chrismark = 0; $24.95 Sold Out

Field Pouch V2 New

Versatile & expandable roll-top pouch with removable strap.

Waterproof, packable rain cover for the Travel Backpack 45L.

var chrismark = 0; $29.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V1 Dividers + Pockets

Replacement Camera Cube Dividers.

var chrismark = 0; From $4.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V2 Dividers + Pockets

Sternum Strap // Backpack (V1 & Travel)

Replacement Sternum Strap for our Everyday Backpack

var chrismark = 0; $9.95 Sold Out

Travel External Carry Strap

Replacement Travel External Carry Strap

FIND A PD RETAILER

What's it like to use the most thoughtfully designed gear in the world? See for yourself.

The Peak Design Marketplace is currently only available to customers in the U.S. Click here to return to Peak Design's main site.

I'm in the U.S.      Continue to our main site.

You've clicked a link that gets you a special discount at checkout.

Discount will be shown on final checkout screen and will not work with other coupons or deals.

• Shop Pre-Owned
• PD Homepage
• FAQ + Support

Login to Peak Design

Forgot your password?

Reset your password

We will send you an email to reset your password.

Create Account

Travel Backpack 30L

Marketplace guarantee.

All gear bought on the Marketplace is guaranteed for life by Peak Design. We also guarantee that the seller has accurately represented the item's condition, or you may return the item for a full refund.

Got a Peak Design product to sell? Start here .

Assuming the seller has accurately represented their item, all marketplace sales are final sale .

Color: Black Condition: PD Certified

--> Ships from: Chicago, IL

Seller Note:

This product is PD Certified, meaning that it's an open box, gently used, or refurbished item sold by Peak Design and shipped from our refurbishment facility near Chicago. Unlike other products on the PD Marketplace, the images in this listing aren't of the exact item you'll receive. But don't worry, because PD Certified products have passed a stringent in-house inspection. They may show very slight non-functional cosmetic wear, but work (and often look) as good as new. Cosmetic wear may include scratched hardware and zippers, scuffed fabric, and other surface abrasions indicative of previous use.

Color: Sage Condition: PD Certified

Color: Midnight Condition: PD Certified

• PD Certified

• CUSTOMER SERVICES

• Camera Lenses
• Tripods and Heads
• Photography Flashguns
• Camera Bags
• Memory Cards
• Photographic Printing
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Film
• Discontinued Products
• Mirrorless Cameras
• Digital SLR Cameras
• Digital Cameras
• Bridge Cameras
• Medium Format Cameras
• Rangefinder Cameras
• Instant Cameras
• 360 Degree Cameras

• Mirrorless Camera Lenses
• Digital SLR Lenses
• Micro Four Third Lenses
• Medium Format Lenses
• Rangefinder Lenses
• Lens Converters
• Lens Adapters
• Lens Accessories

• Clip Filters
• Protector Filters
• Polarising Filters
• Close Up Filters
• Filter Accessories Kits
• Twin Pack Filters

• Photography Tripods
• Photography Monopods
• Photography Tripod Heads
• Tripod Accessories

• Camera Flashguns
• Camera Ring Lights

• Camera Backpacks
• Camera Messenger Bags
• Shoulder Bags
• Roller Cases
• Camera Hard Cases
• Camera Pouches
• Camera Cases

• SD Memory Cards
• Micro SD Memory Cards
• CF Memory Cards
• CFast Memory Cards
• CFexpress Memory Cards
• XQD Memory Cards
• Memory Card Readers

• Photographic Printers
• Photographic Paper

• Camera Batteries
• Camera Battery Chargers
• Camera Battery Grips
• Camera Hand Grips
• Camera Remotes
• Instant Camera Accessories
• Camera Cleaning Products
• Camera Warranty

• Polaroid Film
• Single Use Cameras

• Gift Vouchers
• Photography Seminars
• Photography Courses

• Video Cameras
• Videography Lenses
• Camera Drones
• Studio Production
• Video Tripods and Heads
• Gimbals and Supports
• Continuous Video Lighting
• Field Monitors and Recorders
• Video Memory Cards
• Videography Accessories
• Handheld Camcorders
• Enthusiast Camcorders
• Professional Camcorders
• Action Cameras
• Mirrorless Video Cameras
• Digital SLR Video Cameras
• 360 Degree Video Cameras

• Cine Lenses
• Micro Four Third Video Lenses
• Mirrorless Camera Video Lenses
• Digital SLR Camera Video Lenses

• Drone Aircrafts
• Drone Cameras
• Drone Lenses
• Drone Lens Filters
• Drone Memory Cards
• Drone Accessories
• Drone Warranty
• Enterprise Drones

• External Recorders
• Microphones
• WindShields
• Boom Pole Clips
• Audio Adapter Cables
• Audio Accessories

• Blackmagic Studio Production

• Video Tripods

• Gimbals and Stabilizers
• Camera Cages
• Shoulder Rigs
• Gimbal and Supports Accessories

• Continuous LED Lighting Panels

• Field Monitors
• Recording Monitors
• Monitors and Recorder Accessories

• Video SD Cards
• Micro Video SD Cards
• Video CF Cards
• Video CFast Card
• Video CFexpress Cards
• Video XQD Cards

• Action Camera Accessories
• Videography Accessory Kits
• Video Baseplates
• Video Camera Batteries
• Video Camera Battery Chargers
• Video Camera Housing
• Video Camera Bags and Cases
• Video Camera Cables

• Telescope Accessories
• Astroimaging Accessories
• Vaonis Telescopes
• Computerised Telescopes
• Newtonian Reflector Telescopes
• Cassegrain Telescopes
• Refractor Telescopes
• StarSense Explorer Telescopes
• AstroMaster Series Telescopes
• Astro Fi Series Telescopes

• Astronomy Telescope Tripods
• Imaging Adapters and T-Rings
• Power Supplies
• Telescope Bags
• Telescope Eyepieces
• Telescope Fans
• Telescope Filter Kits
• Telescope Lenses

• Astroimaging Cameras

• Sporting Optics
• Birding Scopes
• Digiscoping
• Optic Supports
• Optic Accessories
• Image Stabilised Binoculars
• Mounted Binoculars
• Laser Rangefinders
• Wildlife Cameras
• Thermal Imaging Cameras

• Spotting Scopes
• Draw Scopes
• Modular Scopes
• Scope Eyepieces

• Digiscoping Adapters
• Digiscoping Phone Holders

• Spotting Scope Tripods
• Spotting Scope Tripod Heads
• Optic Tripod Adapters

• Birding Books
• Wildlife Books

• Optic Adapters
• Optic Bags and Cases
• Optic Balance Rails
• Optic Batteries and Chargers
• Optic Cleaning Kits
• Optic Clothing
• Optic Eyecups and Covers
• Optic Extenders

• Photographic Flashguns
• Studio Lighting
• Lighting Control
• Lighting Accessories
• Ring Lights
• Flashgun Diffusers
• Flashgun Triggers
• Flashgun Batteries
• Lighting Battery Chargers

• Studio Flash Heads
• Studio Flash Kits
• Studio LED Lighting
• Studio Power Supplies
• Studio Flash Triggers
• Light Meters
• Studio Replacement Bulbs
• Studio Lighting Stands

• Lighting Umbrellas
• Lighting Softboxes
• Lighting Octaboxes
• Lighting Beauty Dish
• Lighting Reflectors
• Lighting Diffusers
• Lighting Snoots
• Lighting Barndoors

• Flashgun Accessory Kits
• Lighting Cables
• Lighting Bags and Cases
• Lighting Speedrings
• Lighting Flash Shoes
• Lighting Ring Adapters
• Lighting Power Supplies
• Lighting Brackets

• Mobile Phone Supports
• Mobile Audio
• Mobile Charging
• Mobile Phone Cases
• Mobile Phone Straps
• Mobile Digiscoping
• Mobile Printers
• Mobile Phone Gimbals
• Mobile Tripods
• Mobile Selfie Sticks
• Mobile Phone Mounts

• Boya Mobile Audio
• Rode Mobile Audio
• Samson Mobile Audio

• Wireless Chargers

• Peak Design Mobile Phone Cases

• BlackRapid Mobile Phone Straps
• Mobile Digiscoping Adapters

• Portable Mobile Printers
• Home Mobile Printers

• Computer Peripherals
• Memory Storage
• Computing Bags and Cases
• Professional Printers
• Instant Printers
• Printer Inks
• Photographic Printing Paper
• Paper Cassettes
• Film Scanners
• Photo Frames
• Photo Albums

• Capture One Software
• Camera Control Software
• Screen Calibration Software

• Editing Consoles
• Laptop Hood
• USB Card Readers

• Micro SD Cards
• CFexpress Cards
• Portable HDD Drives
• Sandisk Portable HDD Drives

• Laptop Bags and Cases

• Used Photography
• Used Videography
• Used Optics
• Used Lighting
• Used Tripods
• Used Cameras
• Used Camera Lenses
• Used Camera Lens Filters
• Used Camera Accessories
• Used Camera Bags and Cases

• Used Action Cameras
• Used Video Cameras
• Used Camera Gimbals
• Used Camera Drones
• Used Video Accessories

• Used Binoculars
• Used Scopes
• Used Scope Eyepieces
• Used Telescopes
• Used Optic Accessories

• Used Flashguns
• Used Studio Lighting
• Used LED Lighting
• Used Lighting Accessories

• Used Tripod Kits
• Used Gimbals
• Used Tripods Heads
• Photography Clearance Deals
• Videography Clearance Deals
• Computing Clearance Deals
• Astronomy Clearance Deals
• Lighting Clearance Deals
• Optics Clearance Deals
• Camera Clearance Deals
• Camera Lens Clearance Deals
• Tripods and Heads Clearance Deals
• Filter Clearance Deals
• Camera Bag Clearance Deals
• Camera Accessory Clearance Deals

• Camera Drone Clearance Deals
• Audio Clearance Deals
• Videography Accessories Clearance Deals
• Continuous Video Lighting Clearance Deals
• Gimbals and Supports Clearance Deals
• Printing Clearance Deals
• Telescope Accessory Clearance Deals
• Lighting Accessory Clearance Deals
• Studio Lighting Clearance Deals
• Digiscoping Clearance Deals

• Award Winning Service
• Finance Options Available
• Official UK Stock

• Photography
• Peak Design Camera Backpacks

Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L - Black

Key Features

• Carry-on compliant
• Expansion/Compression zips
• Rear access via burly #10 UltraZip
• Handles on all sides
• Padded 15-inch laptop sleeve
• Weatherproof
• 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell

Product Promotions

Bundled items.

• Product Overview
• Related Accessories

Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

Peak Design has brought out their new range of bags ideal for storing your items while on a weekend jaunt or just on a day trip out. The 30L Travel Backpack is a slightly smaller version of the award-winning 45L Tavel Backpack , making it a great, versatile carry-on size Backpack.

Designed to be carry on compliant

The new travel backpack can store up to 30L of equipment and has been designed to be carry on compliant. With handles found on all sides, you can easily orientate this bag to suit any required space. 

Easy rear access available 

Added rear access allows you to have secure access to all of your items when you are on the move. 

Made with 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell

The new Travel Backpack has been constructed with a 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell. Increasing its weatherproof capabilities.

Pick a colour to match your style

This backpack is available in three colours Sage, Black and Midnight. Allowing you to find a compact day bag to suit your style.  

Additional comfort and support is available

An additional removable padded waist belt (sold separately) can be used for added comfort when carrying this travel backpack.

Capacity for 15" laptop

Easily carry up to a 15” laptop in the padded laptop sleeve. With the addition of expansion/compression zips, there is room in this backpack to hold a camera and a lens in a travel pack. Great if you want to keep it minimal when travelling. Or, add in a Large Camera Cube to fill the bag with camera equipment.

Versatile top pocket for personal items

A large versatile top pocket allows you to store your other items like your phone, wallet and keys. 

An ideal backpack for spontaneous travel

Ultimately this Peak Design Travel Backpack has been designed for spontaneity. Peak Design takes travel seriously, and they have used their knowledge to bring you a backpack that can be quickly packed up ready for your next adventure.

Key Features:

• Padded 15" Laptop sleeve
• Removable padded waist belt (sold separately)

View full specifications here >

What's in the box?

• 1 x Travel Backpack 30L
• 2 x Cord Hook external carry straps
• 1 x Stowable sternum strap

Want to know more?

Check out our review of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L here >

What size laptop does this bag fit?

The Peak Design 30L Travel backpack can fit a 15" laptop securely.

Is this bag carry-on compliant?

Yes, this bag should fit within the parameters of most carry-on luggage. We would recommend checking with your airline before your flight to double-check what their own carry-on parameters are.

• Peak Design Travel (16)

Don't miss out on our email newsletter

Get offers & events information that only subscribers will find out about. Simply enter your details into the form.

Customer Service 

• Camera Financing Deko
• Clifton Cameras Affiliate Program
• Events & Workshops 2024
• Part Exchange
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy & Cookies
• International Orders
• Good Service Award

Other Pages 

• Print Services

Our Contact Details

Clifton Cameras Ltd is a credit broker, not a lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 728300) We do not charge you for credit broking services. Finance is introduced through the Deko platform from a carefully selected panel of lenders. Deko is a trading name of Pay4Later Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 728646). Deko is a credit broker, not a lender and does not charge you for credit broking services. Whichever lender Deko introduces you to, Deko will typically receive a commission from them (either a fixed fee or a percentage of the amount you borrow). For your reassurance, all of the lenders Deko works with could pay commission at different rates, but the commission received does not influence the interest rate you will pay. You will be offered the best rate available from Deko’s partner lenders, based on the lenders’ decision policies.

© 2024 Clifton Cameras. All Rights Reserved.

Category Menu

• Trail Cameras
• Drop In Filters
• Square and Rectangular Filters
• Colour Filters
• Filter Accessories
• Camera Bag Accessories
• Camera Straps
• Camera Clips
• Camera Accessory Kits
• Hasselblad Camera Accessories
• Camera AC Adapters
• Camera Adapters
• Camera Battery Chamber Covers
• Camera Battery Holder
• Camera Body Cap
• Camera Cables
• Camera Case Weights
• Camera Correction Lenses
• Camera Eyepiece
• Camera GPS Units
• Camera Rain Covers
• Camera Receivers
• Under Water Housing
• Camera Screen Protectors
• Camera Strap Adapters
• Camera Strap Pads
• Camera Shoe Covers
• Camera Viewfinders
• Camera Wireless Transmitters
• Soft Release Buttons
• Video Camera Wireless Adaptors
• Video Battery Grips
• Video Handgrips
• Videography Lens Adapters
• Inspire Series Telescopes
• FirstScope Series Telescopes
• Smartphone Adapters
• Vaonis Telescope Accessories
• Visual Filters
• Optic Guards
• Optic Stay On Cases
• Optic Straps and Holsters
• Studio Lighting Accessories
• Lighting Spot Lights
• Lighting Honeycombs and Grids
• Lighting Gels and Filters
• Lighting Filter Holders
• Lighting Water Guards
• Lighting Studio Sand Bags
• Lighting Flash Panels
• Lighting Flash Adapters
• Lighting Flashgun Stand
• Flashgun Battery Holders
• Lighting TTL Units
• LED Lighting Bluetooth Adapters
• Lighting Boom Poles
• Lighting Display Props
• Lighting Adapter Screws
• Lighting Transmitter Bands
• Printer Accessories
• Portable SSD Drives
• USB Flash Drives

Please indicate your Billing Address location

Non-UK Billing

Used Equipment Enquiry Form

Mint (Like New. Minimal Signs of Use. Optics clean and unmarked) Excellent (Very Good. Light Signs of use. Optics clean from scratches) Good (Obvious Signs of Use. Optics clean from Scratches) Well Used (Heavy Signs of Use. May have dust in optics. Fully Working) Heavy Use (Extensive wear but working)

Box Body Cap Cable(s) Case Charger Lens Cap(s) Lens Hood Manual Objective Covers Rainguard Software Strap Other

Subscribe & get your free guide to going abroad!!

An Obsessive Peak Design Travel Backpack Review: A 30L backpack, perfect for daily life, travel, and more

Finding a single backpack perfect for “one bag” travel but still solidly suited to be an everyday bag is a tough task. Few travel bags have the storage space, organization, zippered pockets, comfy yet stowable harness system, and other perks that make a good travel bag – while still being small and manageable enough to use as an everyday backpack. The 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack is the exception to the rule – a great bag equally suited to travel as it is to everyday carry.

In my experience I’ve discovered that Peak Design’s 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. On those weekend jumps between cities this backpack is an easy carry on travel backpack

Peak Designs smaller more manageable travel pack expands to 30L to fit enough for weeks of travel, and contracts back to 27L to be used as a perfectly daily carry backpack with enough room to store everything you need for the day.

Over the past few months, I’ve 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.

In between, I’ve used the pack for long days of working at coworking spaces, exploring hill country by motorbike, squeezing in a workout, and ending with a sunset dip in the ocean, carrying everything I need for the day of work and impromptu adventure.

The verdict : for minimalist travelers, especially those with tech they need to protect (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) from rain and the elements, Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack is a great, comfortable, wandering friendly everyday pack…and it just might be the bag for you.

Read on to discover what makes this pack such an awesome travel bag option in this obsessive Peak Design Everyday Backpack review.

This article contains affiliate links

Contents of this Peak Design Travel Backpack Review

Quick Review

Pros of the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

Cons of the peak design travel backpack.

• Best Use of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Quick Rating of the Peak Design Travel Backpack

Quick verdict, full review 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.

• Appearance and Aesthetics
• Comfort and Carry

Materials and Build

Dimensions, weight, & specifications.

• Carry-On Compliance
• Storage and Organization

Packing and Accessibility

Durability & testing.

• Price, Value for Money, and Discounts
• Final Verdict
• 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
• Grab handles in very convenient places
• Tons of zippered mesh pockets inside make keeping organized easy, whether for long term travel or everyday use
• 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.
• Looks great
• 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 ( Click here to read more )
• I wish there was a better divider between the laptop and packed goods (for protection) ( Click here to read more )

Neutral points to know about the (30L) Peak Design Travel Backpack

• This travel backpack seems like an expensive backpack, however, when you account for the high quality materials, great design and craftsmanship, and versatile use, this is a “buy it for life” purchase that delivers function and value commensurate with its pricetag

Best Use of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack: Perfect for Long Term Nomadic Travel (as a weekend bag and daily carry), Paired with The Peak Design Duffel

The Everyday Backpack, the smaller sibling to the 45L Peak Design Travel bag, is packed with all the features you need fro “quick travels” and fits a perfect middle ground that makes it perfect for travel and trips that you pack lightly for – such as weekend trips, or climates where you can pack light – and used as an everyday carry backpack, for work, wandering, and adventure.

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 Peak Design Everyday Backpack is just as perfect for daily use, as a nomad working in co-working spaces and coffee shops, as those leisurely trips out of town.

However, for long term travelers, especially those carrying laptops, tech, and the clothes to thrive in any city or climate, a single everyday backpack 30L big won’t be sufficient for carrying the gear necessary for months, or years of comfortable travel. So, for long term, nomadic travelers, basing in a single city with adventurous trips on the side, I recommend pairing the Peak Design Travel Duffel * with the Peak Design Everyday Backpack for a perfect travel setup .

In reality, most nomadic travelers tote a lot of gear (understandably) that they only move every few weeks or months, making a duffle bag a great option for the other bag to bring for carrying most gear for those bigger moves as checked luggage, to a new base. In between those big moves, for shorter travel and daily life, a solid, versatile bag for daily carry and weekend travel bag is more essential than you think.

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

Highlight Features of the Peak Design Travel Backpack

• Premium materials throughout
• Ultra clean aesthetics
• 400 denier Durable Water Resistant coating treated outer keep water out
• Large, weather shielded zippers, keep water out
• Stowaway Shoulder Straps
• 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
• Tons of zipper pockets to stay organized
• Collapsible side pockets and water bottle sleeves accommodate a standard Kleen Kanteen or slim water bottle
• Quick access top pocket, with tons of organization for pens, cards, cash, glasses, phones, etc.
• Lots of hidden pockets for valuables (passport, credit, cards, lots of cash )
• Stow away external straps that lash in an “X” pattern across the front of the bag, so you can carry more and lash more essentials (camera tripod, rain jacket) to the outside of your bag adds huge external carry capacity
• Integrated luggage carry makes the everyday backpack suited to pair with roller carry on luggage, or a duffle bag *
• Protected laptop pocket styled as a padded laptop sleeve

Materials and Craftsmanship Highlights

• Weatherproof 400 denier nylon canvas outer made from recycled plastics – for water resistance, abrasion resistance, and durability, protecting your valuables from weather and making a bag that will last for years
• Huge, tough zippers have weather covers , to protect your goods and your tech from rain and moisture
• Fair trade certified
• 100% carbon neutral
• Guaranteed for life by Peak Design

Who Is the Peak Design Everday Backpack For?

From my months of use, I can definitely say the Everyday Backpack is suited very well for a few types of users

• Daily commuters and wanders with plenty of gear: Ample size, great organization, and comfortable wear making it great for carrying a day’s worth of goods for work, gym, and leisure without returning home
• Weekend travelers, or lightly packed week-long trips: The 30L is a perfect short travel bag or a week+ if packing for a single climat, and paired with packing cubes * can quickly be emptied to use as a daypack
• Digital Nomads: A quickly accessible laptop compartment, durable yet comfy shoulder straps to handle the weight, and storage for all of the techy accessories make this a great everyday carry bag specifically for digital nomads
• Photographers as a camera bag: The comfort, weatherproof design, and Peak Design’s modular camera storage make the Everyday Backpack a solid camera bag for keeping photography gear safe and comfortably carried

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

• Design: 4.5/5 – The inconvenience of a rear opening pack for daily carry gives a slight “ding” to the score
• Durability: 5/5 – Durable materials and high quality build throughout
• Style: 5/5 – Clean, minimalist, and sleek design elements add up to a very stylish bag
• Comfort: 4.5/5 – Though the Peak Design has a durable build, the tough straps may not have enough padding for some people
• Value: 4.5/5 – The great function you get and the fact that it will last for years make this bag a great value – but the initial purchase may still sting a little…but it’ll be worth it

Peak Design Everyday Backpack is an excellent, durable, and stylish expression of what it aims to be – a clean organized everyday pack that’s got enough room and organization for travels for a weekend, or a week+ for minimalist packers. 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.

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

I’m 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. 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.

For the past few months I’ve 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.

Along the way, the Peak Design Travel Backpack has not only met my expectations for a good travel backpack, but exceeded them. Here’s why…

This backpack is meticulously organized.

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.

The materials and craftsmanship are awesome.

I am not only insanely hard on bags, dropping them from moving bikes, overstuffing them more than their stitching and zippers may like, and I’ve literally broken (the seams and straps) of several bags. At the same time, I’m cheap and a minimalist – once I buy something I don’t like to buy that item again. “Buy it for life” is my policy.

After wearing this bag for hundreds of hours I can feel how every bit of fabric, all of the straps, all of the handles, all of the stress point stitches, and all of the rivets are sturdy, durable, top notch quality, and made to last a lifetime, as evidenced by Peak Design’s Lifetime warranty .

The pack is comfortable enough for all day wear, yet sturdy in design and construction for years of use

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. The shoulder straps use the same nylon webbing common in seat belts that is commonly built to withstand 1000’s of pounds of force. The aluminum rivets attaching the shoulder straps to the just as tough backpanel are even stronger.

And the fabric is tough and top notch too, with weatherproof 400 denier nylon all around and the bottom doubled up with 900 denier waterproof fabric.

The foam rubber wrapping of the shoulder straps and backpanel isn’t as soft and comfy as some backpacks, like the super padded shoulder straps on the Tortuga Outbreaker *, but are perfectly fine if you don’t plan on trekking 10 miles with 65 pounds. More importantly to me, the straps can comfortably carry a bag full of weighty tech – laptop, smartphone, tablet, notebooks, etc.

Not only does the backpack feel good and look good, but its tough. Which leads to the next point, the look and design on this backpack is amazing.

Looks good due to great design

I’ve received more than a handful of complements on the look of this backpack, and trust me, that doesn’t happen often. The clean lines, lack of dangling straps, earth toned fabric, and high quality accents (leather branding badges, stamped aluminum hardware) add up to a bag that delivers function with the sleek aesthetic of a speed boat or airplane.

Rear loading main compartment: The only downside for me

I’ve fallen in love with clamshell opening style backpacks, essentially bags that have wrap around zippers that allow the bag to open fully. 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. However, the Peak Design Travel backpack is the first daily carry backpack I’ve tried with a rear opening panel design.

A rear opening design isn’t inherently bad for travel backpacks, but in a daily carry backpack, rear loading takes some getting used to – here’s why…

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. This is why good laptop pockets are just behind the backpanel. However, with a rear opening backpack, wherein the back panel flips up, if you pack correctly then whenever you open the pack, you’ll have to dig past the large items, like tablets and notebooks, to get to the smaller items buried underneath.

This is my one complaint about the bag – rear opening panel design just isn’t the best for daily carry backpacks, and quickly accessing smaller items in the bag.

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.

Thanks to the rest of the extremely positive points of the Peak Design Travel backpack – great materials, good craftsmanship, organized storage, great style – opening style mismatch for daily carry isn’t a deal breaker, and I still happily use the backpack daily. I actually have it with me now as I sit at a coffee shop.

Overall for daily life, the 30L Travel Backpack is a win

Thanks to the comfort and organization, the backpack is not only great for travel, but daily life, as I’ve learned firsthand. The added bonus is that it transitions perfectly to being a weekend travel backpack.

For Travel, the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack holds its own for weekend adventures

On the many impromptu trips I’ve taken, whether I’m cruising on a motorbike, hopping a plane (and taking this carry on), or hopping a quick ferry to another island, this bag is still solid. 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.

The Ultimate Nomad Travel Setup is the 65L Peak Design Duffel Bag, Paired with the 30L Travel Backpack

For the crazy people like me out there, that love to “nomad” from place to place for weeks or months and carry more luggage than a good carry on backpack * allows, a great option is admitting you have quite a bit of luggage and taking a duffel bag to transport your who life, and using the 30L travel backpack for those beautiful week long vacation trips away, exercising your location independence, and daily at your cafes and coworking spaces.

The Bottom Line on My Experience with the Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack: A solid, well designed bag, for daily life, weekend adventures, and nomading

Ultimately, I enjoyed using the Peak Design 30L travel backpack, I highly recommend it, and I’ll continue to use it in the future.

Appearance and Aesthetics: Clean design, modern, and sleek

Throughout this pack, Peak Design does achieve peak aesthetics resulting in backpack that looks as good as it performs.

The durable, weather and abrasion resistant fabric has a heathered look that combines a touch of classic styling with the modern look and design that makes up the rest of the bag.

All haul points (handles straps) use nylon webbing which gives toughness and durability but looks thinner and cleaner.

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.

Ultimately the style and look of this bag is great – clean, minimalist, and understated in a stylish and great looking way.

The potential pitfalls: Rear opening design and I wish there was a more substantial laptop divider

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.

Rear opening back panel design makes packing for day use and accessing items difficult, compared to how items are normally packed in a backpack

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.

All of my preferred daily carry bags (like the GORUCK GR1 , the GORUCK GR2 , and the REI Ruckpack 28 ) are clamshell style opening, however all of these open from the front. This allows you to stack the heavier, flatter, larger items close to your spine for the most stable packing and most comfortable wear.

However the Peak Design Travel Bag is rea opening. This means that if you pack your backpack with the flatter, heavier items (laptop, notebooks, etc.) closer to your spine, when you open your bag the large items will be on top of your smaller items.

This is noticeably inconvenient during the first few uses, if you’re obsessive about your backpacks like I am, as you will have to dig to get to your smaller items. Additionally, most of the great zippered mesh pockets inside the pack line the front panel, meaning you’ll have to dig under everything to get to those pockets.

If you’re obsessive about your packs (like I am) it will take a few uses to get used to. However, I still use the 30L travel backpack daily now and rarely notice this inconvenience anymore.

I wish there was a better divider between the laptop and packed goods (for protection)

Most backpacks with a dedicated laptop sleeve or laptop pocket store the laptop just behind the back panel – such as the GORUCK GR1’s bombroof laptop pocket and the Tortuga Outbreaker’s laptop and tablet pocket . However, both of those bags offer a more substantial bit of protection between your laptop and the goods in your bag.

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. 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. The laptop sleeve padding is fine for most uses, however, beware if packing oddly shaped, hard objects with corners.

Let me be clear, though I’m 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

Comfort and Carry: Sturdy yet comfy shoulder straps, and sturdy handles on all sides

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.

• Each shoulder strap is made from tough, tubular nylon webbing (the stuff used in rock climbing to hold 1000’s of pounds) wrapped in soft, comfortable, and durable foam rubber for a sturdy yet comfortable carry
• The shoulder harness system stows away quickly and smartly, rotating at the metal rivet to stash behind the back panel padding, to quickly allow for a suitcase style carry
• Adjustable sternum strap, made of the same tough nylon webbing, has the tough and stylish anodized aluminum accents as well

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.

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 .

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

• Outer Cloth: Weatherproof 400 denier nylon canvas treated with two water repellant methods and made from recycled sources
• Bottom Cloth: Waterproof 900 denier nylon along bottom of the pack
• Straps: Tough nylon webbing
• Rivets and hardware: Anodized aluminum rivets and hardware
• Stamped anodized aluminum hardware as rivets at shoulder straps, clips on straps, adds style and lots of durability
• Weight: 1.44kg (3.17lbs)
• Dimensions – Standard: 53cm x 33cm x 18cm (20.9″ x 13″ x 7″)
• Dimensions – Expanded: 53cm x 33cm x 20cm (20.9″ x 13″ x 7.9″)
• Laptop Pocket: 40cm x 29.5cm x 4cm (15.75″ x 11.6″ x 1.6″) Fits Macbook Pro 16″
• Tablert Pocket: 24cm x 19cm x 1.5cm (9.5″ x 7.5″ x 0.6″)

Carry-On Compliance: Fits most international airlines and budget airline carry on restrictions

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)

Meticulous and Clean Storage and Organization: Large open main compartment, lots of internal zip pockets, top pocket, and water bottle side pockets

Large main compartment lined with zippered mesh internal pockets and a laptop sleeve

• Internal zippered mesh side pockets
• Internal zippered mesh pockets on back panel
• Lightly Padded and protected laptop sleeve style laptop pocket
• External water bottle side pockets

Top zippered compartment with organized storage for smaller items

• Soft zippered stretch pocket – for sunglasses or the like – with MOLLE webbing storage
• Soft, small pannel compartment storage to keep smaller items organized

Internal anchor points and included straps allow you to compress gear from inside the backpack to make sure everything stays in place

And a water bottle pocket that fits the slim Klean Kanteens or a smaller water bottle, but don’t expect to fit your wide mouth Nalgene here.

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.

The wrap around compression zip easily unzips to increase storage by 3L

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.

**Hidden within the front panel is a nifty storage spot for shoes or flip flops

Any trip worth taking requires flip flops or solid travel ready sandals, and shoes, which means you’ll need a space to carry the pair you’re not wearing. This cool storage spot allows for that storage while maintaining the small overall footprint.

Its been a few months and the feel of this bag is super durable and rugged.

There hasn’t been a single loose stitch or popped thread.

The straps and and shoulder harness show zero stretch, and the rivets that hold the shoulder straps to the main bag show zero weakness. Even under heavy daily loads (30lbs+).

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 I’m exposed on my motorbike.

I’ve 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. From my experience, the Peak Design Travel Bag is a tough bag that, even with heavy, hard use will last a long time, longer than I expect from most backpacks.

Price, Value for Money, and Discounts: Not cheap, but a good value

At ~$230, the Peak Design Travel Backpack seems like its not cheap…but buy cheap, buy twice. If you look at this bag as a daily carry and travel bag (when paired with a good duffle for extra space*) that has a lifetime warranty and expected to last for life, you won’t need another bag, making this bag worth the money.

This travel backpack isn’t cheap, but it is a great value

Peak Design offers discounts to military, first responders, hospital workers, and students, via its discounts page. Visit the Peak Design discount page to learn more

Peak Design Lifetime Guarantee: What Kind of Warranty Does Peak Design Offer?

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

Shipping: Does Peak Design Ship their Bags Internationally?

Peak Design delivers globally for very cheap. Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and more.

Click here to learn more about the Peak Design shipping policy

FINAL VERDICT

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.

Travelers will not be disappointed.

Nomads, I highly recommend pairing the 30L or 45L Peak Design Travel Backpack with 65L Peak Design Travel duffle, for a versatile and near perfect travel and adventure friendly luggage system.

Compare Similar Products

• Peak Design Duffel Bag *

Essential Peak Design Travel Accessories and Packing Tools to Consider

Sold separately but very worthwhile

• Hygiene bag : To keep your toiletries organized and tidy, and protecting your gear from toothpaste explosions *
• Packing Cubes *
• Tech Pouch : A toiletries bag style organizer, specifically designed to organize your cables and peripherals as a tech pouch

Peak Design Accessories for Photographers to Consider

• Camera Cubes and Camera Cube System to keep your camera gear organized and turn your daily carry into a camera backpack.

More great articles on other travel backpacks to help you find the perfect bag and packing system

• 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

Is peak design bag worth it?

Yes, the Peak Design Travel bag is worth it. Meticulous design, durable materials, and weatherproof build make this daily carry a solid travel bag that will last for years, making it well worth the price tag.

Is Peak Design a good brand?

Peak Design lives up to its name, leveraging extremely good backpack design to deliver function and durability.

Does peak design travel backpack fit under airplane seat?

The Peak Design 30L Travel backpack will fit under most airline seats, with dimensions of 18″x14″x8″, but the 20″ length of the Peak Design Travel backpack will stick out just a few inches.

What is the most comfortable travel backpack?

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is a contender for the most comfortable and durable travel backpack, but the Tortuga Outbreaker’s cushy thick foam rubber shoulder straps beat out the Peak Design Travel backpack while slightly sacrificing shoulder strap durability compared to the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlos is a nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.

• PlayStation 5

Add Extra Protection? Check if this cover meets your needs

• DEMANDS AND NEEDS: This insurance meets your demands and needs if you wish to protect your new or Amazon renewed product against accidental damage and breakdown (not covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee). For full product description, please read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy terms by following the links provided.
• WHAT'S COVERED: Immediate protection against accidental damage, along with cover for breakdowns and faults not covered by the seller/manufacturer warranty. KEY EXCLUSIONS: The following are not covered - Theft, loss, cosmetic damage, intentional or malicious damage, not taking reasonable care, improper use (as defined in IPID), accessories not included with the product when purchased, electronic virus or software problems, or the contents of your product (e.g. data, photos, videos, contacts).
• CLAIMS: No excess to pay. Upon a successful claim, if your product can't be repaired it will either be replaced or we'll issue an Amazon e-gift card to the value of a replacement. Upon replacement or e-gift card settlement your policy will end. 98% of claims accepted (avg. Apr-23 to Feb-24).
• RESTRICTIONS: Covers a single product purchased on Amazon as new (with a manufacturer guarantee of at least one year) or Amazon Renewed. If you are unable to provide the insured product at point of claim for inspection it will be classed as lost and not covered. We will perform a maximum of 3 repairs in any 12 month period. Cover is for UK residents (excluding Channel Islands and Isle of Man) aged 18 years and over.
• CANCEL ANYTIME: Full refund if within 30 days and no claim has been made. Otherwise pro-rated refund based on remaining term less claim costs.

Your Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial includes:

Unlimited Premium Delivery is available to Amazon Prime members. To join, select "Yes, I want a free trial with FREE Premium Delivery on this order." above the Add to Basket button and confirm your Amazon Prime free trial sign-up.

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, you will be charged £95/year for Prime (annual) membership or £8.99/month for Prime (monthly) membership.

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. For a full refund with no deduction for return shipping, you can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition.

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 30 L, Black

Purchase options and add-ons

• 0818373022785
• BTR-30-BK-1

Similar item to consider

Frequently bought together

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)

Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies the percentage of recycled content and tracks it from the source to the final product.

Product details

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 38.1 x 53.09 x 34.04 cm; 1.44 kg
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ 13 Feb. 2022
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Peak Design
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09RZH77DP
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ BTR-30-BK-1
• Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex
• 276 in PlayStation 5 Consoles

What's in the box?

Product description.

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• UK Modern Slavery Statement
• Sustainability
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Sell on Amazon Launchpad
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect and build your brand
• Associates Programme
• Fulfilment by Amazon
• Seller Fulfilled Prime
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Instalments by Barclays
• Amazon Platinum Mastercard
• Amazon Classic Mastercard
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Payment Methods Help
• Shop with Points
• Top Up Your Account
• Top Up Your Account in Store
• COVID-19 and Amazon
• Track Packages or View Orders
• Delivery Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Amazon Mobile App
• Customer Service
• Accessibility
• Conditions of Use & Sale
• Privacy Notice
• Cookies Notice
• Interest-Based Ads Notice

What are you looking for?

2024 peak design 30l travel backpack review [unbiased].

I’ve travelled a lot, both domestically and internationally, and have tried my fair share of travel backpacks.

If you’re also a travel and photography enthusiast, you may have heard of Peak Design and their ever-innovative bags.

Although known for their awesome camera bags, their Travel Backpack is no less amazing!

I’m excited to say that I’ve tested this bag out and (spoiler alert) absolutely loved it.

Today, I’ll talk about my honest review of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L .

This includes the pros and cons, as well as the main features I love about it.

A versatile expandable backpack for everyday use and travel.

Rating: 9/10

Let's go!

Travellerspoint

PEAK DESIGN YOUTUBE REVIEW

Who exactly are PEAK DESIGN?

Peak Design’s origins date back to 2010 on Kickstarter and have made waves since then.

From everyday and travel bags to camera accessories and various organisers, Peak Design’s products are functional and innovative while still appearing beautiful.

They’re fully carbon neutral and donate 1% of their revenue to environmental nonprofits, which I think is always reflective of a company’s values!

Where can you buy the Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack?

The best place to buy the 30L Travel Backpack by Peak Design is through their website .

For US addresses, you can get free and fast shipping on orders above $99.

Meanwhile, shipping outside of the US is just as fast and at an affordable rate.

Their website is also a great place to look for discounts, sales, and coupons !

One benefit of buying Peak Design’s bags is its lifetime warranty , which includes manufacturing defects and breakages that cause part/all of the product to be non-functional.

Quick overview: Technical Specifications

• Price: $229.95
• Weight: 1.44kg (3.17lbs)
• Dimensions: 20.9" x 13.4" x 7" (expandable to 20.9" x 13.4" x 7.9")
• Material: 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas external shell, 900D waterproof bottom liner, UltraZips with abrasion-resistant UHMPE thread, etc.
• Color Options: Black, sage, midnight
• Warranty & Guarantee:   Lifetime Warranty with conditions
• Capacity: 27L (expandable to 33L)

Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack review

Before even testing this bag, I fell in love with its materials and style. It is simple and does not lose its shape; the rugged shape provides a premium feel that brings you comfort in knowing that your belongings are completely safe inside.

Note that Peak Design also has a gorgeous Everyday Backpack that’s geared more towards carrying a camera!

How well-made is the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L?

So, let’s discuss the materials…

This Peak Design bag is made from weatherproof, 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell with DWR coating, rugged 900D waterproof bottom liner, and ultralight padded foam that surrounds the bag. 

We have got Zoom zippers engraved with the Peak Design logo instead of the usual YKK zippers.

What I love is how the bag doesn’t lose its shape when you zip it open. It curves with the bag instead, making it easy to look inside and organise your stuff.

There’s Hypalon throughout the bag for reinforced stress points. This ensures the durability of the bag.

How comfortable is the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L?

Though there’s not much padding on the back, it’s still highly comfortable overall.

I like the adjustable and padded shoulder straps, which feel solid and don’t really cut into your shoulders.

Plus, this bag comes equipped with axial strap attachments and a stowable sternum strap.

The sternum strap is aluminum and more high-end compared to the basic kind of buckle clips you get.

Not to mention the 360-degree grab handles, so you can carry the bag from whichever angle and position that’s most comfortable.

What makes the 30L Peak Design bag a great travel backpack?

1. great capacity and expandable.

The bag itself is 30L but it can compress to 27 Litres.

You can also expand it out which would bring it to 33 L..

I love the fact that the expansion here isn’t overly done.

In terms of comparing to the Knack bags , they have a bigger expansion, which is great but there was no in-between mark like you have here.

You can fit up to 3 Peak Design packing cubes very comfortably inside.

2.  Clam opening 

I think a clam opening is key for this type of all-in-one travel backpack.

Packing is an absolute breeze, especially when you’re using it for travelling and need to be super organised.

I love that you can easily find what you need without rummaging through the other content and making a mess of everything.

3. Organisation pockets are JUST RIGHT

I’m not a fan of overly built-in organisation pockets. They can be great, but I also prefer the freedom of storing my belongings where I want instead of in some ridiculously specific compartments.

BUT I can appreciate pockets when I want to.

This bag doesn't overwhelm you with that and allows you to organise the bag as you please while giving subtle directions in where you can place things. Especially if you want to use your own packing cubes.

Bonus point, Peak Design actually made the bag to fit camera cubes that you can get, essentially turning it into a camera bag! The very front pocket also has built in slots for your memory cards.

The very front pocket on top of the bag has space for extra stuff you need quicker access to.

There’s a side pocket for ID, although I’m not a fan because someone could easily steal from there.

Finally, here’s a drainage hole where your water bottle might be. It fits my 500ml water bottle well!

4. Padded laptop and tablet sleeves

The 15-inch laptop compartment has padded sleeves, which is something I appreciate in terms of keeping my laptop safe. It’s pinned down with a velcro strap. 

The bag is suspended from the bottom. So, should you drop your bag accidentally, your laptop and other belongings will be protected.

Inside the laptop compartment, there’s another pocket for your tablet or notepads.

5. Multiple grab handles

There is a hidden hip strap at the back, which makes it not only comfortable for wearing but also handy for placing under the seat in front of you or overhead on a flight.

There are plenty of handles to switch it up with whatever style or mode you wanna put it into.

For example, the back handle allows you to place it over a suitcase. On this note, the fact that the suitcase strap is horizontal makes it a bit of a hassle to get things out when the bag is on top of the suitcase, but this isn’t a big deal.

There are also loops on the exterior for you to hang things like your travel pillow or shoes. Talk about being designed for travel!

6. Simple and classy design

I always love a travel bag that’s not too flashy or touristy, as it lets you blend in with the locals.

Peak Design creates sleek functional practical bags that are undeniably reliable but also not in-your-face in terms of branding and design.

On that account, the 30L Travel Backpack comes in two other colours (sage and midnight) with the brown tag at the top.

I have the black color, which doesn’t has the brown tag. I know I was saying I don’t want it obvious, but I would’ve loved the same tag just to set it apart from other generic brands, albeit subtly.

Who should get the Travel Backpack 30L?

All in all, this backpack is pretty versatile and multi-purpose, so anyone could benefit from it.

Whether you’re an avid traveller, amateur photographer, or just someone who needs a reliable backpack for your everyday errands, this might be what you’re looking for.

In terms of pricing, it may not be the cheapest option, but I do think it’s a worthwhile investment as the build is strong and rugged.

If you’re like me and like to hit the gym, this is also a great bag where you can hang your barbell pad!

Peak Design Travel Backpack, 30L VS 45L

Should you get the 30L or 45L version?

Here’s how the 30L backpack compares to its larger counterpart:

• Simplified access: a single rear zip vs side and front access on the 45L
• Larger top pocket: internal stretch and zip pockets (45L has a smaller, undivided pocket)
• No hip belt: 45L has a built-in hip belt , while the accessory is optional for the 30L version
• Less camera-oriented : the 30L can fit PD Camera Cubes when expanded, but I’d recommend the 45L for heavier cameras
• No removable internal divider

Cons of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

My minor complaint is that the front material attracts hair and dust quite easily. My hair sometimes sticks to the bag!

The water bottle compartment could do with more room.

I feel like it could do with a bit more anti-theft features, considering it’s mainly intended for travel. Yes, you can loop your zippers and click it around, but I’ve seen better security design for a front pocket and side ID pocket.

While the attachment for a hip strap is cool, it would have been cool to include it with the purchase like with the 45L version!

Another main drawback for me is that the waterproof claim… is up for debate.

Whilst water flows off easily, nylon is water resistant but not fully waterproof, so this is something to keep in mind. 

Although, I’ve personally tested this and found that although the material soaks up a little bit of water, it doesn’t really affect the interior as most of the water runs off.

So, while your valuable will be protected as all the pockets are inside underneath this waterproof material, my thing is that nylon does hold moisture, so I’m not sure how that would  affect the front part of the bag over time…

Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack: Performance over time

Here are my impressions in bullet points after using it for the first time vs two weeks.

• Very strong
• Sibling to the well known 45L from Peak Design
• I love the clamshell opening, making it adaptable and diverse 
• Expands to 33 L and compresses to 27L
• No padding on the back but comfort level is high

After 2 weeks:

• Still feels strong
• Makes for a great all-in-one bag designed for any adventure, from gym and work to travel and more
• When packing, I don’t really use the mesh pockets in the clam shell opening as they bulk out the bag more than intended. It’s better to use packing cubes (check out Peak Design’s here! ) or organise it yourself as it fits more
• Shape and structure remain even when empty
• The straps can be tucked away, which is nice when putting under the seat in front of you on a flight to avoid damage

6 Month Review:

• Remains to be a great travel backpack for those wanting a strong reliable backpack
• Only having one top loading pocket at the top can become limited for space and find myself wanting more space and organisation
• condition remains amazing, made up with great reliable, durable materials

Overall verdict: Are Peak Design bags worth buying?

If you need a quick answer to this question, you’re at the right part.

Should you buy the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L?

My answer is yes!

As a bonus point, this backpack is also sustainable: it’s fair trade certified and 100% carbon neutral.

What else does Peak Design sell?

Peak Design is also popular for their other products and bag accesories.

Everyday Messenger

This messenger-style bag is more than meets the eye! It’s designed with renowned photographer to organise your camera, drone, and other gear.

It can of course be used for everyday use, with sleeves for a 13-inch laptop, tablet, and plenty of internal pockets.

Everyday Toteback

A tote bag and backpack in one, this is the perfect on-the-go bag if you want something more stylish (I love the bone color).

It comes with weatherproof zip, dual access points, multiple pockets, and even FlexFold internal dividers for better organisation.

Everyday Sling

This is the smallest bag in Peak Design’s Everyday Line. With 3L up to 10L size options, you can still fit up to a pro DSLR and small laptop in this bag!

It’s also fit for hiking and biking, thanks to the weatherproof shell and quick-adjust straps.

That’s all for my in-depth review of the Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack.

Don't forget that you can get your bag here.

Check out these other gear reviews:

• Stubble & Co The Roll Top Backpack
• DRiiBE CITYC Laptop 2 In 1 Travel Backpack
• Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think.

5 million people can't be wrong

How Secure Are the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L and Camera Cubes?

After years of not owning a camera bag, I now have the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L. I used it for traveling because of its security; unusually, I was transporting a lot of expensive gear. Here's what I concluded about it.

I live in a very picturesque part of the UK, a little fishing port called Amble by a river estuary, on the coast of Northumberland. I’m about an hour’s drive from the Scottish border. Amble used to be one of the little secret places to escape to when I moved here nearly 20 years ago, nobody had heard of it. Now, it’s appeared on TV shows and this area has been identified as one of the best places in the UK to both live and visit. Consequently, we get a fair number of tourists here and retired people moving from farther south who are seeking a quieter life and benefiting from the much lower house prices.

“What has this got to do with photography and my backpack?” I can hear you ask. Well, many of those who come here do so because of the photography. You can spot them from afar because they are usually bent forward under the weight of their bags so they resemble tortoises trying to stand upright. Their bags are stuffed full of gear ready to change lenses just in case they are going to miss a shot.

Like everywhere else, crime happens here, although it is unusual. Nevertheless, camera bags do identify people as targets for crime. They advertise to the world that you are carrying expensive gear.

I rarely carry more than I am going to use. If I am robbed, I still might lose maybe $4,000 worth of kit. However, on my recent trip to Finland, unusually, I had the best part of $12,000 worth of equipment with me. Finland is a safe country. Nevertheless, I didn’t want to advertise what I was carrying.

Beware Baggage Handlers

I also didn’t want to entrust it all to the baggage handlers and the plane’s cargo hold. Just as well too, as at Schiphol Airport, they failed to get my luggage to my connecting flight to Helsinki. One thing that concerned me is that airlines are becoming fussy about the size of the cabin luggage. I have seen people have their hand luggage sent to the plane’s hold because it was slightly too large, and they have been charged for it. Furthermore, recently an airline changed its rules, and people returning from holiday had to check in their bags that were okay for the outbound flight, and they were charged extortionate fees for doing so.  

Furthermore, looking out of the plane window, I could see the handlers throwing the bags onto the conveyor belt with no care for the passengers' possessions.

That Is Why I Traveled With a Peak Design Travel 30L Backpack

The Peak Design Travel 30L Backpack is low-key and it being a camera bag is not obvious.  Moreover, it offers some very secure features.

The standard external dimensions are 20.9" x 13.4" x 7" (53 cm x 34 cm x 18 cm), and when you unzip the expansion section 20.9" x 13.4" x 7.9" (53 cm x 34 cm x 20 cm). KLM’s maximum allowable size at the time of writing is slightly larger at 21.5” x 13.5” x 10” (55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm.) These are the internationally agreed carry-on restrictions, but not all airlines offer the same, so do check who you are flying with.

The Bag's Features

The 30L title is a clever misnomer as that is the average size between its unexpanded (27 L) and expanded (33 L) sizes; the expanded size is still okay for planes’ hand luggage.

On first inspection, it clearly has a high-quality build. It’s rugged and littered with lots of fabulous features that have been well thought through for usability and security. Here follows a guided tour of the bag.

The Rear-Facing Front Panel

I've read confusingly different descriptions of backpacks. Some call the side that faces outwards and away from you when you wear it the front of the bag, and some call it the back. I'm calling it the front panel.

At the top is a large double-zipped padded pocket. The zips are heavy duty, and their pullers are attached with wide metal rings. Those are big enough to attach a padlock.

The rear-facing panel of the case also has four strong eye loops that can be used for attaching straps for carrying extra stuff on the outside or securing the bag in a boat or canoe, using the supplied compression straps. Then, at the base of the panel, is a deep upside-down sleeve held closed by magnets. This would be good for carrying a cagoule, tissues, or a rain cover for the bag, but nothing too bulky or heavy.

The Side Panels

Each side features a reinforced open pocket at the base just large enough to take the legs of a travel tripod or a water bottle. Another eye loop further up can be used to attach the supplied compression straps to stop the top of the tripod from shifting. I did think these pockets would have benefited from being a little deeper. However, that would have compromised the functionality of the carrying handle that each side also sports.

The sides mirror each other, which means that both left and right-handed people benefit from the design when accessing their gear.

The Base Panel

This is reinforced by an extra layer of a thick, waterproof fabric, ideal when sitting the bag on a wet surface. There’s another carrying handle down at that end too.

The Rear Panel

A thick padded section that sits against your back makes it comfortable to wear. A clever feature is the spaces on either side of that section and the bag. These make it possible to hide the shoulder straps away. That’s a good idea if you do need to check the luggage into the cargo hold as straps can get caught in the conveyer belts.

A narrow Velcro-sealed pocket on the side is designed for a name and address label. A small ribbon loop could be used to facilitate attaching that. I saw one review where that pocket was used for a credit card, but I don’t think I would use it for that purpose as the Velcro seal is small and it would be easily accessed by a pickpocket.

Besides the two shoulder straps, the back panel has yet another two carrying handles and, at the base, two more eye loops.

Carrying the Bag

The straps’ quick-release buckles didn’t slip at all in use and pulling the buckle upwards did release and loosen them easily. To tighten them again, I just had to pull down on the tails. I would have preferred the sewn-over ends of the tails to be just a tiny bit longer to make them easier to grab when wearing gloves.

The shoulder and chest straps can be stowed away to prevent getting tangled with the environment.

No matter how you want to carry that bag, there will be a handle that facilitates it. Besides the shoulder straps, there are five unobtrusive external carrying handles. The long top handle is big enough for the handle of a roller bag carrier to fit through.

Inside the Bag

One thing I look for in a backpack is secure access to the main compartment. Years ago, in Nairobi, I had something stolen from a backpack while I was wearing it. It happened without me noticing. The thief even zipped the bag up afterward.

Accessing the main compartment is via a very strong double-zip that runs around the rear of the bag. These zips can be padlocked together. Inside it is light grey, making it easy to see within.

A lot is going on in the bag; Inside are four mesh pockets and webbing loops. However, the main compartment is an open space because it is designed to take Peak Design’s Camera Cubes and the loops are designed to secure those. There are numerous options for how to divide the compartment up using the Cubes. Mel Martin wrote an excellent review of these back in October last year, so I won’t go into full details.

I packed mine with two of the Smedium Camera Cubes , which was sufficient to carry two bodies, three lenses – including a large telephoto – and I squeezed a gimbal in too.

Using the Cubes makes the system very flexible. If you needed to send the backpack into the plane’s cargo hold, you could remove one or more of them with your most precious possessions and carry them onboard into the cabin.

Cubes are supplied with clips to attach them to the bag. When the bag is open, it is lying on its back and the Cubes stay put anyway, but the clips would stop a thief from grabbing a cube from your bag.

I removed the Cubes’ padding from the pocket in the lid. That was redundant anyway because of the ample amount in the top cover of the bag.

Like the top pocket, the bag’s main interior is lined with a rip-stop material and has four internal mesh pockets and is light gray.

Inside the lid is a double sleeve that will take a 16” laptop and my tablet.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack In Use.

I found the  Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L  comfortable to wear, and the design was unobtrusive. With a cursory glance, it is not obvious it’s a camera bag. For traveling, it is easy to use with confidence, and you do not have to fumble with it to access the contents. Appearing unsure of yourself and your baggage can make you a target for thieves.

The way it is designed with your camera gear behind several layers of rip-stop nylon makes it hard for a thief to quickly slash through the bag and grab your gear. Similarly, the lack of side and rear openings makes it less accessible to someone with their eye on your valuable cameras.

The Camera Cube inserts and the well-thought-through pockets make it easy to organize and access gear.

What I Liked and What Could Be Improved for Travelling Securely

Fstoppers writers have reviewed this bag and the Camera Cubes  before. They've mentioned all the environmental advantages of using the Peak Design equipment. So, this review is considering it purely from a security perspective.

What I Liked

• Strong build.
• Unobtrusive design, especially the black model.
• Robust zips can be locked.
• Lots of carrying handles making it easy to hold.
• Strong 400-denier nylon with a waterproof 900-denier base.
• Multiple layers help prevent a thief from cutting through the fabric.
• Plenty of places to hide an Air Tag.
• Space to fit 2 x Peak Design Smedium Camera Cubes.
• Works with The Peak Design Travel Rain Fly , although designed for the 45-liter bag, will still fit.

What Could Be Improved Next Time?

• Kevlar or a steel wire in the strap would prevent the bag from being cut from one’s shoulders.
• Similarly, a slash-proof material in the most vulnerable areas would give it even greater protection. Perhaps a slash-proof rain cover?
• Stronger magnets or Velcro on the upside-down pocket would make it safer.

In Conclusion

Although I don’t use a camera bag every day, I have owned them in the past, including some premium models, and this was better than any of those. After I returned from Finland I did try it for carrying my gear around that I wasn't going to use, and I found it comfortable. For that purpose though, I would recommend the optional Hip Belt.

It could carry more equipment than I needed. It’s also discrete, secure, and easy to use. I found this an excellent backpack and its higher-than-average price is reflected in the quality. It was the perfect solution for traveling with a lot of expensive camera gear and for those who like to carry all their equipment with them.

Nevertheless, in the future, I won’t often be carrying as much camera equipment as I did on my last expedition. But the versatility of the Cube system will still make this the ideal bag for my cabin luggage.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack currently retails at $229.95 .

The Peak Design Rain Fly cover and the Hip Belt v2 are both retailing at $29.95.

Earning a living as a photographer, website developer, and writer and Based in the North East of England, much of Ivor's work is training others; helping people become better photographers. He has a special interest in supporting people with their mental well-being through photography. In 2023 he became a brand ambassador for the OM System

Pacsafe bags are a good bet, they have 2 stainless steel wires in the straps and a mesh in the bottom of the bag.

Off topic a bit, but hand baggage is becoming a bit of a lottery, at least with BA, who are a bit generous with size, but on a couple of recent flights between Bologna and Heathrow, there is a good possibility that your hand luggage will end up in the hold.

At Heathrow I was coming back after my mothers funeral with a few bits and bobs, including some china. At the boarding gate I was told that my hand luggage would go into the hold. Luckily I convinced the Cockney chief baggage handler to turn a blind eye and let me board with my bag. My last flight from Bologna, I got to board early as they wanted volunteers to put the hand luggage in the hold. I had just cloths, so it was fine.

So think carefully when taking camera gear within your hand luggage. The boarding staff are pretty inflexible. You may need to stuff your camera gear into a carrier bag or briefcase.

Yes, that's a good point. KLM was asking for volunteers at Schiphol, and I declined. If it had been unavoidable, I would have removed the Cubes from the bag and I would have carried one on and my wife the other. Sitting by a window and watching the baggage handlers throwing the bags onto the conveyor belt, there was no way I was going to entrust my gear to them. Thanks for the great comment.

I think off loading the cubes is a good idea.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-IEw3aO2T40

Good grief.

Pack Hacker is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

🔥 Get up to 10% off Peak Design • Join Pack Hacker Pro

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) Review

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) is packed with thoughtful design details that work well for camera kits, EDC, and minimal travel—in that order.

Video Review

Our verdict.

Save time. Get access to brief summaries of our reviews so you can browse and make decisions more efficiently.

Join Pack Hacker Pro or, Sign In

• High-quality materials and thoughtful design throughout
• Versatile organization using Peak Design’s origami dividers
• Plenty of ways to access the bag's main capacity
• Bag is only 30L when fully expanded
• Top is not secure when using the highest MagLatch
• Sternum strap is not easy to adjust or customize

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 102/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

Total size depends on which MagLatch is used

Weight (lb)

3.88 lb (1.8 kg)

Without dividers

20.5 in x 14.2 in x 7.8 in (52.1 x 36.1 x 19.8 cm)

Using the bottom MagLatch

Notable Materials

Recycled Nylon, DWR Coating, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polyurethane, YKK Zippers, Aluminum, Leather, Zoom Zippers, Hypalon®

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Peak Design Lifetime Product Warranty

Buying Options

Pros get up to 10% off

Join the Co-op and earn a lifetime of benefits.

Pros get up to 15% off

Full Review

Get up to 10% off Peak Design • Join Pack Hacker Pro

Versatile and packed full of thoughtful details, the latest iteration of Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack 30L is a strong contender for photographers, videographers, and commuters alike.

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) is part of the California-based brand’s Everday Line refresh —hence the “V2” in its name. This new version has all of the features we dig about the original, plus some updates that make it even better. In addition to the 30L pack we’re reviewing, this revamped Everyday Backpack also comes in a 20L version .

Now, this bag is a camera bag first—built around “access, organization, expansion, and protection.” But we’ve also found that it’s solid for daily carry (especially if you carry a lot of tech) or minimal one-bag travel.

We’ve been testing the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) for the last three weeks in Detroit, Michigan, both as a camera bag and an everyday carry backpack.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Materials & Aesthetic

Peak Design makes some pretty slick-looking bags, and this one is no exception.

At the time of this review, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) comes in three different colors: Black, Charcoal, and Midnight (dark blue). Each colorway except for the black is made of 100% bluesign®-approved recycled material, which lines up well with Peak Design’s Climate Neutral initiative.

The main fabric on the backpack is a 400D double-poly coated, DWR-impregnated nylon canvas. Basically, that just means it’s some pretty tough stuff. The fabric’s ripstop qualities make it more durable, while the DWR coating helps with weather-resistance and gives it a slightly more rubbery feel.

Overall, we think the new material feels better than the coarser Kodra that was used on V1. And it’s been holding up better during our testing (we’ve found fewer scuffs and marks, so far). We made a whole video comparing the Everyday Backpack V1 and V2 , so if you want more nitty-gritty details, make sure to check that out.

From a visual and branding perspective, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) has a small Peak Design logo on its front tab, plus a logo on the back leather strap. You can also see the PD mark on other minor components of the bag, including the aluminum hardware.

Most of the team at Pack Hacker HQ is digging the Everyday Backpack’s sleek, modern aesthetic. We checked in with our Instagram audience and you (mostly) agreed.

Okay, are you ready for some brief Zipper Talk? This backpack features Peak Design’s proprietary UltraZips, which they developed with Zoom Zippers. These UltraZips not only look great (those beveled edges!) but are smooth to operate. They glide around the corners of this pack effortlessly—and that’s not something we can say for a lot of bags.

We have our concerns about the durability of Zoom Zippers, but we’ve had no issues so far during testing this bag and others from Peak Design’s new line. Only time will tell how they continue to hold up—don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated in the Usage Timeline below.

Wrapping up the rest of the materials on the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2), you’ll find aluminum hardware on places like the sternum strap and shoulder strap adjusters. There’s also some nubuck leather on the handle and other design accents. Finally, Hypalon is used on the zipper pulls and reinforcement areas like the back of the strap.

Exterior Components

As per usual with Peak Design, there’s a lot of external components hidden in a sleek package. There’s a lot to cover. So, get comfy, we’re going in.

Let’s start with the harness system—it’s been a hot topic in the Pack Hacker community. To summarize our findings, Peak Design has improved the harness system on the Everyday Backpack (V2) quite a bit compared to V1, but it’s still not the best harness system out there.

At the top of the harness system, there are swivel points that make the shoulder straps easy to move. You can swing the bag out in front of you to access the side pockets or main compartment (more on this later) to grab any gear you may need without skipping a beat.

The shoulder straps themselves are dense, spongy, and comfortable, which is the biggest improvement when compared to the V1 line. The stretchy mesh on the back of the straps has more of a ripstop design, compared to the ballistic-style straps of the V1. We’ve heard some reports that the back of the straps on the original Everyday Backpack get chewed up and start pilling—this small design change should help with that. Of course, time will tell.

Moving down the shoulder straps, there’s nubuck leather that not only looks good but can serve as an attachment point for a carabiner or other small items. At the bottom, some smaller nylon webbing can function in basically the same way.

Between those two points is the removable sternum strap, which offers three different areas for adjustment. The aluminum hardware is great to look at (are we the only ones who get googly-eyed over beautiful buckles?) and the design is unique, but unfortunately, we do have some concerns with its functionality.

After three weeks of use, it still takes a lot of effort to fasten and unfasten—definitely longer than a traditional Duraflex buckle. We expect this will break in over time and/or get easier to use once you get the hang of it, but so far, it’s still pretty tight. Also, there isn’t a permanent style of attachment here, so there’s a chance it could get lost. At least the stiffness helps with that, right?

To adjust the height of the sternum strap, you can pop the aluminum clips into one of the three slots. Most bags offer at least four adjustment slots. Some of the best sternum strap adjusters we’ve seen have a sliding rail that allows you to put it wherever it fits best on your body. So, this sternum strap is fine, but it’s not the best we’ve seen.

Almost done with the straps—we told you there was a lot to cover. The hardware at the bottom of the Everyday Backpack V2’s shoulder straps is super easy to adjust. Just grab the small nylon loop and pull—the straps glide like butter.

Finally, the shoulder straps on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) have magnets in them. Those magnets line up with magnets in the back panel so you can criss-cross and stow them—not exactly a necessary feature, but we always like the option to stay low-profile and keep straps out of the way, especially when jamming the bag under an airplane seat or in crowded places and where they could get snagged.

Speaking of the back panel, it’s decently padded and will help with airflow to some degree. Behind the back panel is a luggage passthrough, which is also magnetized—a sophisticated improvement over the velcro used in V1. This new version feels a lot cleaner.

Behind the back panel is another improvement over V1 of the Everyday Backpack—a small, velcroed slot at the bottom that allows you to slide in a removable hip belt. A hip belt for a bag this size isn’t necessary, but if you’re hauling around a bunch of heavy lenses and camera gear, it can be nice to have.

The first version’s hip belt was more like a waist strap. With this attachment point, the new hip belt should be more functional and comfortable to use. Although we haven’t tested it yet, the way it’s structured makes a lot more sense than what Peak Design had going in V1.

Overall, we believe the harness system on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) is a big improvement on the original—especially when it comes to the straps. They’re more robust, cushy, and seem more durable. Still, this isn’t our favorite harness system that we’ve ever tested.

Next up, the Everyday Backpack’s water bottle pockets. There’s one on each side the bag that lay flat with magnets (are you sensing a theme?). They stretch out nicely thanks to the elastic loop at the top, and mesh along the back allows you to have a little bit more room. We’re digging that these water bottle pockets lay flat but can stretch out if you want to fit bigger bottles or accessories like a tripod.

At the bottom of each side pocket, there’s a drain hole. Now, a drain hole is a nice feature, but we’re surprised that there’s no eyelet or additional reinforcement here.

Without that reinforcement, we’ve found that these holes can stretch out and become misshapen—which has already happened to some degree in our three weeks of testing, even with the 400D fabric being pretty robust. It’s a super-minor detail, but still surprising given all the other design considerations and attention to detail going on with this bag.

We’re totally nitpicking—but hey, that’s what we’re here for. That said, the side water bottle pockets are great overall.

There are three handles on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2). The two on the sides are functional, nicely padded, and easy to grab—although if you have a taller water bottle or a tripod on the side, you may not be able to take full advantage of the side handle.

The top handle is also padded and easy to grab. And we dig that nubuck leather accent. Some of the color combinations may seem a bit clashy (is that a word?) when you factor in these leather and Hypalon accents, but it’s a matter of personal preference.

If you like security, you’ll probably appreciate that every external zipper on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) is lockable thanks to the Hypalon pulls and small attachment loops around the bag. Simply unhook the zipper pull, thread it through a loop, and hook it back together.

If you have zippers at the bottom of the laptop pack , they can attach to a small loop near where the strap meets the bag. If you have zippers positioned toward the top, there are loops up there as well. You can also fasten the laptop compartment zipper to one of the main zippers for some added security.

While you can also lock down the top flap with TSA-approved locks at the lash points, we’re surprised Peak Design hasn’t created an integrated way to secure the top flap as they have with the zippers. There may be a way to do this integrated with the bag, but, at the time of this review, we haven’t been able to spot it.

Two lash straps deploy from a magnetic pocket at the bottom of the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2). You’ll also get two other lash straps included in the side pockets on the interior of the bag. The front lash straps can be used to attach something like a jacket, and the bottom ones for something like a tripod. These detachable straps are an effective way to keep a minimal and clean look on the outside, while still adding some additional carry functionality to the bag should you choose to use it.

A bungee-like stretchy key leash also comes with the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2). We have to say, we prefer the V1’s material for this key leash—it was a robust seatbelt-like nylon webbing that felt sturdy. The V2 key leash feels a little, well, cheaper and more like an afterthought since it’s not integrated with the bag at all.

Inside the Pack

Alright, folks. We’ve made it inside the pack. If you need to take a break, we totally get it. Still with us? Let’s dive in.

The laptop compartment sits at the back of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) and features a pretty slick adjustable laptop sleeve—it’s like a laptop hammock. You can reposition the height of the sleeve to fit different size laptops. Lower it for a 15″ laptop, for example, or adjust it up so a 13″ laptop sits higher in the pocket.

This laptop sleeve can be a little tricky to adjust and the velcro tends to get stuck, but once you set it you can pretty much forget it—unless you get a new laptop. We like that the laptop is suspended in the back, protecting it from unexpected drops of the bag.

In the laptop compartment, you’ll also find a tablet sleeve and a stretchy mesh section that’s great for your tech accessories. The tablet sleeve closes with (you guessed it) magnets to keep your tablet or documents in place.

The stretchy mesh drop pocket has two divider pockets made from the same material—which feels soft and strong. This pocket is a good place to stash your phone, wallet , keys , and any tech accessories that you carry on the daily. Just keep in mind that the more you fill up this tech pocket, the more it will cut into the main compartment of the bag.

Whew, okay. It’s (finally) time to get into the main compartment of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2). There are three ways to access the main compartment—the top flap that opens up in a top-loader style and the two side zips.

Starting at the top, we dig the MagLatch design on this bag. It’s slick to use and fast to access. Pull down on the metal loop to disengage the magnet and open the bag. When you’ve got what you need, simply pull that loop below the desired rung and let the magnets do the rest. Plus, if you find yourself waiting in the airport lobby or stuck on a long bus ride, it’s great to fiddle with.

Now, you should know that although Peak Design calls this Everyday Backpack the 30L version, it’s actually only 30L when the MagLatch is fully at the top. The brand’s marketing is a bit misleading in this regard—it’s kind of an unsexy way to use the bag if the MagLatch is always at the top.

Also, when the MagLatch is attached in the top position, the fabric on the top of the bag can stick out on the sides and potentially allow rain, snow, or sneaky pickpockets inside. The weather-resistance of the Everyday Backpack’s material is great, but it doesn’t do too well if it’s left open.

We found this gap to be a problem with V1 as well. While V2 is an improvement (the gap is a lot smaller), it’s still an issue. We’ve found the Maglatch is best used on the lowest bar—so if you truly have a full 30 liters worth of stuff, you might want to consider a slightly larger bag.

Like we mentioned at the beginning of this section, you can also access the Everyday Backpack’s main compartment from either side of the bag. Remember those UltraZips we talked about earlier? Well, there are four of them (yeah, four) around main access of the pack. With the four zippers, you can keep one the top and one the bottom on each side. That way, you’ll have easy access to both sides, the top, and the bottom of the main compartment.

If you’re using the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) as a camera bag, this feature is awesome. You can have all your travel camera gear organized inside (more on this shortly), swing the bag around to your front, and get exactly what you need—without taking everything else out of the bag.

Each side flap opens up to reveal some simple, solid organization. A pocket on top that closes with—yep, more magnets—and a zippered pocket below. Both are made with that same stretchy material.

Inside the bottom zippered pockets, you’ll find two small divider pockets which are a good size for SD cards, dongles, or other smaller bits. This is also where Peak Design stashes the other two lash straps that come with the bag.

Both side flaps are the same, with one small exception. The stitching used on the top pocket is gray on the wearer’s right side and black on the left. Why? So you can keep your charged batteries on one side and your dead ones on the other. Whether or not that’s useful is totally up to you, but we like it. You can use those colors to organize your bag, keeping a mental note about what’s in which pocket—whether it’s camera batteries, sunglasses , a power bank , or anything else. And the black and gray looks cleaner than the red and blue stitching in V1.

The Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) comes with three of Peak Design’s signature FlexFold dividers. These origami dividers can be put in all kinds of positions so you can fit your lenses, camera bodies, and any other accessories exactly how you want them. If you’re an organization nerd, you’re going to love these things. They’re great for travel—specifically travel with a camera kit—but they work for your everyday carry needs as well.

We’ve been using a divider in the middle of the bag as a shelf and separator between the top and the bottom of the compartment. The top flap can be used to access anything on the top, and the side zippers for anything from the bottom compartment.

The front and back of the interior are lined with velcro, so you can secure the FlexFold dividers just about anywhere. And they stay in place really well. We also dig the lines on the inside paneling, which help you line things up and get the dividers straight across. It’s the little things, you know?

Finally, there’s one pocket on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) that’s so sneaky we almost forgot to write about it. It’s basically a smaller version of the stretchy, magnetic pockets on the top of the side panels—but this one is tucked into the inside of the front flap. This secret pocket is perfect for something like a small notebook , passport, or your wallet . It’s similar to the pocket found in V1 but designed a little better and nicer to use.

Actually, while testing V1 of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, our founder Tom forgot his passport in this pocket, lent the bag to another tester who took it on a trip around the U.S.—his passport was still tucked in there when they returned after a month without even knowing about it. We aren’t kidding when we say this pocket is easy to forget (though we recommend keeping better track of your passport).

Durability & Testing

We’ve been testing the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) around Detroit, Michigan for the last three weeks as both a camera bag and an everyday carry backpack. It’s a versatile bag that can be used in a lot of different situations, however, we think it’s best for video and photo equipment.

Using this bag for travel depends on your style and how much you want to bring along with you. Our friend Jon, who we interviewed over in the Pack Hacker Travel Styles section , has used the original Everyday Backpack 30L as a one-bag travel backpack long-term—and it’s worked great for him.

We think most people will get the best use out of this bag as an everyday carry backpack or paired with a smaller piece of luggage, or Peak Design’s duffle .

Throughout our testing and usage, we’ve been impressed with the Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) overall—especially all of the little design details that go along with it.

We’ve had no durability issues with the bag itself, but we’ve found a lot of loose threads and fraying edges on included FlexFold dividers. They’ve been getting a lot of use—switching around camera gear and organizing the pack—but still, we’re shocked. It’s never a good sign to see this much wear and tear after such a short testing period. We’ll make sure to keep you updated in the Usage Timeline below.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• Tons of great organization all over this bag
• Smart use of magnets on this bag keep straps and flaps tight to the bag
• Harness system is greatly improved from the original Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L

The bag is solid, but we’ve already noticed a lot of wear and tear on the edges of the FlexFold Dividers—not a good sign after only a few weeks of testing.

Get your questions about the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L (V2) answered from our team and the Pro Community right here on the page. Plus, join discussions with other members about gear, guides, and more.

Sign up to get our 5 Minimalist Travel Hacks Guide. Plus, a weekly digest of our newest content in the newsletter.

Connect in a new country with an eSIM. Check it out →

Shopping | ES Best Home | Health & Fitness | Accessories | Bags

Best travel backpacks: Cheap, hostel-ready and hard-wearing bags that are ideal for where your trip takes you

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for hot deals, best buys and expert reviews

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice .

The world is open. Holidays and long weekend breaks are back on the schedule, and we’re excited to explore places, food and people beyond the island we call home.

For some, this post-pandemic world could present the first opportunity to do some real travelling in years, whether it’s finally pressing go on a stalled gap year, making the decision to go on a career break or dreaming of a sabbatical in the sun. This coming summer may be the first time you go to a festival.

If you’re planning to do some long-term travelling or cram in many destinations over a short period, there are some things you’ll need before you hit the road.

Top of the list? A decent backpack that can hold all your possessions comfortably (with space for a few choice souvenirs of course) as you crisscross continents or green fields.

What size backpack is best for backpacking?

Anywhere between 60 - 70L is a decent volume for backpacking, giving you enough space for a trimmed-down travel wardrobe, an extra pair of trainers and some creature comforts to make life while you’re away from home more enjoyable. If you’re going in the winter, you might want to up that number to account for the bulkier and heavier clothing you’ll need.

What to look for in a good backpack

• Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or automobile, you’ll want a bag that’s comfortable to carry for long periods, so look for wide padded straps and make sure you know how to adjust it before you set off. Strapping it on correctly using the hip belt - with the bulk of the weight firmly on your hips - will ease the pressure off your shoulders.
• Compartments are your new best friend. Look for a design with a few exterior pockets to make reaching for essentials like your passport, tickets and travel tech easy. They will also help organise your bag so you don’t have to upend the entire contents when you need something specific.
• Look for something that offers easy access to the main compartment, like a main zip that goes all the way around or one that lets you access things from the bottom so you don’t have to root through to find your things. Packing cubes are also helpful to keep similar items - pants, tops, shorts - in one place.
• A backpack with a smaller bag attached to it is a useful extra and means you’ll have an option for day trips once you’ve reached your main destination.

Choose wisely and you’ll have a backpacking backpack that will last many years and many miles.

To help you find the one, we’ve put together a list of the possible contenders.

Shop the best backpacker rucksacks below

Best mini underseat cabin bags that fit beneath an airline chair

Best packing cubes to organise and make the most of suitcase space

Best luxury luggage brands: Stylish suitcases for weekends away or longer trips

Mountain Warehouse Nevis Extreme 65 + 15 Litre Rucksack

With a wide zipped entry into the main compartment, this backpack is perfect for travel, allowing you full access without having to dig your stuff out of the bottom. The 65L main bag comes with a 15L mini day back attached, boosting capacity when you need it and also acting as an extra backpack for day trips.

Both feature plenty of pockets and straps to store and secure the design to you, making it as easy as is possible to cart around. We like the fact that the side of the main bag features handles, making it easier to grab out of a luggage rack. The rip-stop fabric works to stop minor nicks and cuts from ruining the entire design and there’s even built-in cable access to plug in your headphones when your device is securely packed away.

If you’re remote working while you’re travelling a dedicated laptop sleeve will keep your tech safe until the next shift. Comes with a rain cover.

Lixada Hiking Backpack 60L

There’s no danger of missing this backpack on the luggage carousel: the bright orange will scream for attention from miles away.

The large capacity backpack is light at 1.12kg empty, leaving more space for all your stuff, but it’s a strong bag too with details like breathable mesh padding, a wide hip belt with zipped pockets and adjustable straps to keep things comfortable when you’re on the move.

There are zips and pockets galore, with the one on the top able to expand overall capacity. There’s even a rain cover to protect your things in case of a downpour. As well as backpacking, it’s an excellent option for camping, hiking and festivals too.

Also available in the less exciting colours of black, blue and green.

Forclaz Women’s Symbium 50 + 10L Rucksack

Make the decision to travel light and you’ll be rewarded with less stuff to lug around on your voyage. This pale blue backpack is loaded with zip entries and pockets with extra storage in the hip belt to keep necessities close to hand. It’s originally designed for female trekkers but there’s no reason it wouldn’t work for longer-term backpacking too. The carrying system makes it easier to bear heavy loads when you’re getting from A to B.

OEX Vallo 70 Rucksack

This design is made for long-haul backpacking adventures with up to 70L of precious space to make use of. The lightweight pack splits its capacity with a 10L pocket at the top and the rest in the main compartment, safe under a durable and water resistant shell that can handle short showers (for serious downpours, reach for the integrated rain cover).

This blue whale has all the bells and whistles that you could hope for in a serious backpack, from spongey straps and adjustable harness system to u-shaped zip pullers that are easy to use even if you’re wearing gloves.

Osprey Women’s Renn 65 Rucksack

A seasoned backpacker’s essential, Osprey delivers innovative and ergonomic technology in every product. The Renn 65 has been crafted to contour the body with the help of a sophisticated, adjustable and breathable mesh back panel. Complete with side ventilation and suspension which evenly distributes the weight of your load, it’s made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a 60 litre/ 14-18kg capacity.

What’s more, the backpack is equipped with dual hip belt pockets and a large top lid pocked for easy access to essential equipment. Plus, it comes with an integrated raincover. The male equivalent is the Rook 65 , which is equally as trim and stylish.

Doshwin 70L Backpack

It’s a case of access all areas with this backpack from Doshwin. Store the bulk of your clothes in the drawstring-close main compartment, and use the top, side and side mesh pockets to stash important documents, water bottles and keep currency close to hand. There’s even a dedicated pocket to hold shoes, perfect to stop them dirtying the rest of your clothes. The overall capacity is 70L, a good option for up to six months travelling with careful and considered packing.

Patagonia Altvia Backpack 28L

This is one of the most versatile backpacks we’ve come across. It’s got a 28L capacity, but if you’re travelling light, its drawstring closure means it’s easy to tuck any excess fabric away. This was one of our favourite features. By plumping for a drawstring opening, Patagonia has reduced the chances of dirt and damp working its way inside the bag when it’s placed on the ground.

It also feels incredibly secure, something which is often a higher priority on camping trips, especially when there might be moments backpacks are left unwatched in tents for short periods of time. Add an ultra-breathable back panel and strap cushioning where we needed it most, and this might just be the most comfortable backpacks we’ve come across.

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 60 - Luggage

There are multiple ways to carry this 29 x 59-84 x 28cm brightly coloured duffel bag/ backpack from Eagle Creek, something your future self will thank you for if your shoulders start aching from the weight.

It can carry a maximum of 66L all in one central compartment, although there is a slim side pocket to hold papers, tickets and cash, lending itself well as a top candidate for your travel adventures.

In fact, the makers are so confident it will go the distance, this bag comes with a lifetime warranty. Another plus: it’s made from recycled polyester, a much better choice for the planet.

Best smaller travel bags for day trips, weekend breaks and festivals

Red adventure waterproof backpack 30l.

True adventurers need a solid, weatherproof backpack. This life-proof day and overnight pack has an impressive 30-litre capacity and will take you from commute to Duke of Edinburgh-style campaign with ease. It’s crafted from Armour Tech recycled fabric and features a handy roll-top closure to keep your precious belongings safe and sound at all times.

One of our favourite features is the detachable padded laptop sleeve which is brilliant for day-to-day use but can be easily removed for extra packing space. The backpack also functions as a portable lifeguard, as it’s complete with reflective detailing and a built-in emergency whistle.

Rains Rolltop Rucksack

Best for: Scandi design

For something unique, take a look at Danish company Rains. Touted as a great option for cycling, the Rolltop Rucksack is classically Scandinavian: simple, striking and uniquely cool.

Rains is known for its splashproof designs so if you’re heading somewhere currently going through a wet season, this is a great option. As the name suggests, it comes with a roll top, so you can adjust the amount of space you need depending on how much stuff you’re carrying but will have to forgo more sophisticated fastening and compartment options available on other bags.

Ultimately, this one is a no-frills option but is practical enough to be worth consideration - it comes with both a front and laptop pocket, back padding and adjustable shoulder and chest straps.

Plus, with its unique design and four earthy colourways to choose from, it’s stylish as well, meaning you’re more likely to get decent use out of it even whilst not travelling. Great for commuters.

TOPO DESIGNS Mountain Pack 28L Walking backpack

Widely lauded as one of the best carry-on travel backpacks around, the Topo Travel Bag weighs just over 1kg and can carry up to 28 litres, making it one of the lightest fully-functional backpacks on offer.

Say hello to ample storage as the main clamshell zipper opens into two main compartments. There are several other organisational pockets too, including one for your laptop (fitting up to a 15 inch screen) and one with a key fob clip inside, ensuring your most valuable items are kept safe.

One of our favourite elements of this one is the heavy duty YKK zips that come with toggles, making them much easier to open and close than others. The back panel, shoulder and hip straps come with extra padding and with a chest strap included too, this one is well set up for carrying over uncomfortable terrain or longer distances. Including a duffle strap, it can be carried over one shoulder too.

Inateck 40L Travel Bag

If you like to keep things simple by just having one do-it-all bag that works for hiking, longer and shorter trips, the Inateck Backpack checks all the boxes.

If you get to the point where you’ve had enough of carrying it like a rucksack, it can be flipped on its side and carried life a briefcase with the multiple handles. With a 40 litre capacity and a built-in toiltries bag, all wrapped in scratch-resistant fabric, even the least conservative packers will find that it can hold enough clothing for a couple of weeks whilst still giving you enough space to store your laptop and other gadgets in the dedicated padded sleeves.

The design is simple but not unappealing - though on the boxy side, it’s sleek enough to be inoffensive and, most importantly, the padded shoulder and chest straps make it comfortable to carry too.

Kapten & Son Bergen

Those seeking something more sophisticated will love the Kapten & Son Bergen backpack - a heavenly homage to sleek Scandi style design. Made from a buttery vegan leather in a choice of sandstone or black, it’ll look particularly smart on a city break or business trip.

At just 11 litres and with a 15 inch laptop pocket, this one is on the smaller side, but comes with a special padded laptop compartment as well as two interior pockets and a larger exterior one. With both shoulder straps and carrier handles, it can be used as either a backpack or a tote. Of course, if you opt for the lighter option, it’ll show up dirt more easily but if you’re just planning to use it to explore a new city, you should get away with this - especially as the material can be wiped clean.

What it lacks in practicality it certainly makes up for in style, so if you want something that’ll look good on the ‘Gram, this is the one for you.

Eastpak Strapverz S

With a clamshell zip system, two mesh-separated compartments and a handle and wheels, this backpack is a cabin size suitcase hybrid.

As such, the design makes it easy to pack clothes into and thanks to the canvas-style flexible fabric, can hold enough for a few days away. The compression straps are easy to manoeuvre, so even if you’ve overstuffed it, you can secure the back into a more compact shape and with material and zips that feel reassuringly sturdy. It makes you trust that it won’t fall apart in transit.

Perhaps one of its greatest features, though, is the variety of handle options you can call upon depending on the situation: padded shoulder straps to sling it over your back; an extendable telescopic trolly handle for carrying it like a suitcase. When empty, it also shrinks down to be completely flat, meaning it can easily be stored away without taking up the space of a suitcase.

The bag can hold up to 42L and the TSA lock is great if you’re looking for that extra bit of security.

Antler Chelsea Overnight bag

Best for: the stylish traveller

A tiny bag, that, with the right packing methods, can see you through enough outfits for four days, Antler’s Chelsea Overnight bag is a pretty remarkable thing. The £70 price tag is on the pricier end of the scale, but when you consider add-on baggage costs, it will quickly pay for itself. There are pockets inside for organisation and an adjustable carry-strap to allow you to wear it cross-body.

Measures 41.5 x 26 x 18cm and available in a variety of muted colours.

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Like all of Away’s luggage, the The Everywhere Zip Backpack is sleek and aesthetically pleasing, so if you’re someone who likes your luggage to look as good as it moves, it’s certainly worth considering.

Though relatively small on sight, it’s capacity is surprising - you can fit a large laptop (which has its own padded interior sleeve), several books, a bag of carry-on liquids, your travel essentials and a water bottle in and still have room to stuff in a jumper (trust us - we’ve tried). A panel on the back allows you to slip it over the hands of a suitcase (though not as wide as others it still does the job well) and also conceals a hidden pocket that’ll fit a wallet, phone and passport, that sits against the back.

Previous iterations didn’t have mesh panels, but this updated design comes complete with a mesh back, which is helpful if you’re visiting a humid country. It’s generously sized for quick and easy packing whilst still being small enough to stow under the seat in front on the plane. Made from nylon, it can be wiped clean, too.

Antler Chelsea daypack in taupe

Those looking for a pack with an air of sophistication can’t go far wrong with the Chelsea backpack - a vision in ergonomic design and sleek black fabric.

It’s made from a premium durable nylon that is both water-resistant and finished in an attractive matte black. With a 12 litre capacity and at 37x26x12cm in size, it fits within most airlines’ carry-on specifications and even comes with a backstrap to slot over a suitcase handle, in case you’re planning on carrying more than one piece of hand luggage.

With padded laptop or iPad pockets (up to 13-inch) as well as three divided compartments, this is well-suited to business trips or for use as a day pack for outings, rather than an all-in-one piece of carry-on luggage.

It gets extra points for being particularly smart to look at and supremely comfortable to carry - even with several gadgets and heavy documents in tow, it didn’t dig into the shoulders at all.

Comes with a lifetime warranty.

Gomatic Travel Pack 20L - 30L

With a 20L capacity, with the possibility to expand the bag up to 30L, and a padded compartment for a 17 inch laptop, this Gomatic design has a lot to offer - especially for business travelers.

There are pockets galore: a large clamshell opening for storing clothes as well as two inner mesh sections - one containing a transparent washbag. There is also a padded laptop sleeve (though this sits in its own outer zipped compartment - not quite as secure as an inner one) and a hidden pocket that sits flush against the back.

The backpack is made from water-resistant and durable materials and features magnetic water bottle pockets and RFID pockets. Along with the buckled chest straps and padded side and top handles, it’s got a solution for virtually every travel need or scenario.

Peak Design Travel Backpack

At the very top end of the price range is the Peak Design Travel Backpack - a longstanding favourite within the backpack community (if there is such a thing). This one has been made with photographers in mind and has several specially designed compartments for stashing your camera gear.

With a dedicated sleeve for your laptop, passport, water bottle and various other pieces of kit, it’ll help you ensure your most precious items stay safe and easy to find whilst the weatherproof zips and hard wearing material will ensure it’s all kept dry even in the most aggressive of downpours.

Despite opening in a clamshell style, one of our favourite things about this design is that, even when empty, it’ll hold itself up so if you prefer to pack it from the bottom up, you can do that. The shoulder straps and hip belt can all be stored away and replaced with a duffle style strap if you prefer.

The only thing this one is really missing is a side strap to make it easier to lift into the overhead cabin.

Fjallraven Re-Kånken

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of – or at least seen – the iconic Swedish Kånken backpack by Fjallraven. Loved by adults and school kids alike, the Kånken is a true all-rounder that comes in a variety of styles, known for its ability to evenly distribute the weight of its contents across both shoulders so that it feels like you’re barely carrying anything.

This special edition Kånken is made entirely from polyester recycled from eleven plastic bottles. Very precise. Utilising the novel SpinDye technology, Fjallraven has drastically reduced the amount of water, energy and chemicals used throughout the production process. Like the Kind Bag, it’s also ready to be recycled again in the very distant future.

For the eco-conscious lot who are always on the move, the Re-Kånken comes with a removable seat pad that is stored in the inside back pocket, which also works to add some extra protection between your back and the contents of the bag.

Osprey Osprey Sojourn Porter Pack 30L

Going interrailing or city hopping around the EU? You may not need something seriously bulky in that case. Look to Osprey where you can find this duffel/backpack that’s more than up to the job. The shell-like design has a roster of standout features, from a front pocket to keep your passport and tickets in order, a padded slot for your laptop and quick access to the main compartment with lockable zips. StraightJacket straps work like shapewear to compress your bag down to a smaller, compact size.

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack - Del Día

Best for: easy organisation and a weatherprooof cover

For colour enthusiasts, this Cotopaxi backpack packs a punch both in terms of style and practicality. Though once again on the pricier side, this travel pack is a top-of-the-range, cabin-approved piece of kit that will serve you for many years of travels to come.

If you’re already a fan of the Cotopaxi range, you might be thinking - isn’t this just their classic Allpa pack? What’s the difference? For the eco-conscious, the Del Día version of the Allpa Travel Pack is made from re-purposed fabrics, making each and every model unique.

What sets this travel pack apart from the crowd for us is the fact that it has a suitcase-like, full-wrapper zipper which covers the entire circumfrence of the bag. This means that you can open up your backpack like a book, for easy organisation and even easier re-packing if you’re on the move.

With a weight-distributing harness system for pain-free carrying, four reinforced grab handles, padded sleeves for smart devices and laptops, internal mesh compartments, security YKK zippers and so much more - you simply can’t go wrong.

Built for Athletes Small Black Gym Backpack

Best for: the capacity to double as a weekend bag

Despite its rather military exterior, this backpack has indeed been crafted with athletes in mind. Offered in 25L and 45L models, this is about as close as you’ll get capacity-wise to a cross-country backpacker’s kit, without the cumbersome size. Featuring two side bottle holders capable of holding 750ml each, this backpack is also equipped with an adjustable sternum and waist straps for hiking and camping.

Our favourite feature is the fact that this backpack opens flat to 180 degrees for easy packing and unpacking. A brilliant option for commuters who take the train in from outside the city, or those who cycle to work and require a change of clothes once they’re in the office – the water-resistant and rip-proof design will keep your belongings safe no matter how far you travel.

The Best Backpacks of 2024

A backpack isn’t just the bag on your back — it's a mobile home, a traveling office, and a ticket to see the world. After shouldering the best — along with the rest — we’ve found the greatest backpacks for any task.

A good backpack is what stands between you and looking like a traveling junk show. And while backpacks come in a blizzard of different shapes, sizes, and uses, the hallmarks of a good backpack are generally the same: comfortable, spacious, well-organized — with a little style thrown in.

Across all disciplines, our experts have tested hundreds of backpacks across a decade of experience — from months-long thru-hikes to minutes-long commutes across town. We packed them full for quick day hikes in the North Cascades, even fuller for backpacking trips in Alaska, and tried to skirt under carry-on limits internationally.

Whether you’re looking for a do-it-all bag, or a specialized pack for the trip you take once a year, we’ve pulled them all together here. During testing, we focused on challenging these bags at what they do best, tested their carrying capacities, and long-term durability, and even sought fashion opinions from strangers.

Below is our selection of 12 of the best backpacks from across the spectrum — from blitz-around commuters to backpacking-ready load haulers, urban grocery-getters, and packs made to travel the globe with. If this is a strange new world to you, consider diving into our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide section for the low-down. Our FAQ and Comparison Chart sections will also lend a little light — otherwise: saddle up your bindle and let’s go.

• Best Overall Backpack: The North Face Recon 30L
• Best Budget Backpack: Dakine Campus 33L
• Best Hiking Daypack: Deuter Speed Lite 25
• Best Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45
• Best Laptop Backpack: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L
• Best Campus Backpack: REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack
• Best Backpacking Backpack: Osprey Aether & Ariel 55

The North Face Recon 30L Backpack

• Capacity 30 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Dimensions 11.6'' x 7.5'' x 19.3''
• Compartment access Zippered top access to three compartments
• Material 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC DWR finish
• Electronic storage 19'' x 11'' laptop sleeve, internal organizer pockets

• Comfortable and adjustable FlexVent suspension system carries weight well
• Fleece-lined pocket for sunnies or glasses
• External compression straps that don’t interfere with zippered access
• Versatile feature set means the pack can be used for everything from hiking to campus
• Women's- and men's-specific versions available
• When fully loaded, smaller internal pocket robs space from the larger main compartment
• Laptop sleeve isn’t quite suspended enough for full protection
• Only comes in one volume

Is it an urban daypack? Or a campus-to-trail bindle? The North Face Recon 30L ($109) is comfortable existing in the interstitial spaces between backpack categories, and that’s exactly why it lands atop our line-up of backpacks — pure versatility. 

Made to pretty much do it all, and do it all well, the Recon is a classic design from The North Face, and our testers loved it for everything from bopping around town to grabbing for a quick jaunt in the hills. The 30 liters of capacity is just about perfect for fully loaded days on campus and is split up into smart compartments to keep your kit organized.

At the rear of the pack, a separate laptop sleeve backs up to the uber-padded back panel and doubles as a water reservoir sleeve. In front of this is the main compartment, which easily swallows books or binders, and is augmented by the secondary pocket in front of it, which is studded with organization. These organizer sleeves vary from padded to fleece-lined to stretch mesh, making them tailored to pretty much anything you want to stuff away.

Carry on the Recon is sweet as — one of the most padded in our testing outside of backpacking packs — and is supported with articulated shoulder straps and a curved back panel. While the American Chiropractic Association certification on the suspension seems gimmicky to us, you at least can feel assured that you won’t fold like a lawn chair while wearing this pack.

Laptop users will likely want to use a sleeve for their hardware, as while the Recon sports a well-padded laptop sleeve, it is only suspended from the bottom of the pack by about ½” — not quite enough in our books to warrant full protection. And as a jack-of-all-trades pack, the North Face Recon has a busy exterior look that might not appeal to those looking for a sleek commuter or work bag.

Comparative daily-driver packs include the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L, as well as the Mystery Ranch District 18 — both bags that aren’t afraid to take the scenic route to work. The Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack also makes a compelling comparison, but in our opinion, it has a less-refined internal organization compared to the Recon, and puts a higher premium on being stylish over jamming in functionality.

Dakine Campus 33L Backpack

• Capacity 33 L
• Weight 1 lb., 10.6 oz.
• Dimensions 20.5" x 13" x 8"
• Compartment access Zippered top access
• Material Depending on print type, can be 600-denier recycled polyester, 420-denier recycled nylon, 630-denier recycled nylon, or 1,200-denier recycled polyester

• Cheap price
• Available in many different fabric prints
• Unique insulated cooler pocket
• Not many travel-specific features
• Straps don’t pack away

Available out the door at $75 (and often less on sale), the Dakine Campus 33L earns its keep in our travel backpacks category for its excellent value. The tough 600-630D exterior fabric speaks to a pack worth much more, and for the money, we think the Campus makes the grade for a number of different uses.

While its internal organization isn’t quite as robust as the Recon from The North Face, the Campus still offers up a handful of pen, phone, and notebook sleeves, as well as a padded laptop sleeve that will tote a 14” computer. The 33 liters of volume is just about dead-on for what we consider optimal in an everyday pack, and the bag carries the weight well.

Unique to the Campus, there’s also an insulated (read: not waterproof) pocket at the front of the pack to keep a snack chilled while you make your way to work or school. Slim ice packs are the key here, and while we typically carry a dedicated lunch box for this, we ended up enjoying the integration into the pack. It won’t be for everyone, however.

The fit and finish of the Campus is greatly aided by the tough fabric it’s hewn from, which is either a 600D recycled polyester or 630D recycled nylon, depending on the print (of which there are 14 to choose from.) The budget price point has got to make some sacrifices somewhere, and in this pack one of the places it’s apparent is the zippers, which feel lesser quality and run a little loose.

On the exterior of the pack, the side water bottle pockets are kept low-profile with a panel of stretch-mesh, though this does limit the size of the insulated bottle you can carry to more slim vessels. For those looking for just a bit more functionality, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack adds on a good bit more for only $25 over the Campus.

Sometimes you just need a pack to toss your stuff in and run, and the Dakine Campus 33L has no problem making the run with you. With just enough organization to keep us sane, a comfortable carry, and plenty of different patterns and colors available, it’s a pack that is more workhorse than a show pony — and all at an undeniable value.

Deuter Speed Lite 25

• Capacity 25 liters
• Weight 1 lb., 9 oz.
• Dimensions 21.6" x 11.4" x 7.4"
• Material 100D and 140D high-tenacity 100% recycled polyamide
• Electronic storage N/A

• Carries weight well
• Bluesign-certified body fabric
• Frame limits packability for travel
• Shoulder pocket a bit too small to hold phone

In a sea of worthy hiking daypacks , our testers narrowed in on the Deuter Speed Lite 25 ($120) as the one that made it out on the trail more often than the rest. There must have been a pretty clean cutting room floor at Deuter when they brewed up this pack, as it leaves little functionality behind and carries like a dream.

The running vest style is becoming increasingly popular in light daypacks, and we can dig it. These broad and padded shoulder straps pair excellently with the minimal hip fins, and transfer motion well when the hiking pace picks up. That suspension system is mated to a Delrin U-frame, which creates a supportive structure to port your kit around on and differentiates the pack from simpler stuff-sack-style daypacks like the REI Co-op Flash 22 . 

Internal storage is pretty plain jane, which is common in smaller daypacks, but thankfully there are a few internal storage pockets to stash away essentials like your keys or wallet. Emphasis is instead put on accessibility while moving, and the stretch-mesh pockets on the shoulder straps make the perfect spot to store your phone, snacks, and sunglasses.

That’s all rounded out with three mesh pockets on the back and side of the pack (perfect for stashing a wet rain jacket), as well as the functionality to carry trekking poles and ice axes. Zooming out, the materials on the Speed Lite are made of 100 and 140D polyamide that is post-consumer recycled, meaning it is made of material that would have otherwise been industrial scrap.

The 25 liters of internal space is just about right for most day hikes, but for space to carry more layers, you’ll want just a bit more. For that, we recommend both the Patagonia Black Hole 32L and REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack , which both have a bit more space and more traditional strap systems.   

The fit and finish of the Deuter Speed Lite 25 is decidedly action-packed , and as such it’s a bit much to cut around town with casually. But get it out on the trail where it’s made for, and it shines — perfect for day hikes into the hills. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better daypack than the Speed Lite 25.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45

• Capacity 45 L (collapses to 35 L)
• Weight 4 lbs., 8 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 13" x 9.5"
• Compartment access Back panel clamshell design with #10 zipper
• Material Weatherproof, 100% recycled 400-denier nylon canvas shell; 900-denier waterproof bottom
• Electronic storage 16" laptop sleeve

• Compresses down to maximum airline carry-on size, and then expands once you’ve hit your destination
• Burly construction
• No details are overlooked in the design
• Side-carry handles are offset in an awkward position

Dialed to the last stitch, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L ($300) is a round-trip-ready pack that we’ve carried on international flights to Iceland, national hops to Utah and California, and even lost (and been reunited) — all without a scratch. It easily topped our travel backpack category , and otherwise makes a great backpack for everyday hauling — especially if you are a photographer.

Made to high specifications and using quality materials, the fit and finish on the Travel Backpack is undeniable. Using aluminum hardware, burly 400-denier nylon canvas, seatbelt-like webbing, and chunky #10 zippers, the buy-once, cry-once is strong with this pack, and it’s made to withstand years of luggage carts, baggage carousels, and rough handling. 

More than most any other travel bag, the Peak Design offering embodies the 1-bag travel ethos by expanding to a full 45-liter loader hauler that meets international carry-on size requirements, but also collapsing to a 35-liter day bag that can scoot through crowded public transit once you’ve reached your destination. Genius.

That space is split up into two main compartments: a larger main area for storing the majority of your items, and a second sleeve at the front that sports multiple pockets and sleeves all of kinds for in-depth organizing. Access is gained by the large clamshell main zippers, or side access for snagging those gotta-have-it items packed away in deep.

While boarding an international flight to Keflavík, Iceland, we found two things to be true: European airlines aren’t as accommodating to American-sized carry-ons, and the strap storage system on the Peak Design pack deftly makes this a non-issue. Two foam panels on the back of the pack pivot away to enclose the straps behind them, secured in place by magnets and creating a slick package.

No doubt about it, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is certainly expensive (only the likes of full-on backpacking packs top it), but based on the torture tests we’ve subjected it to already, we’re fully confident that the bag still has years of fight left in it. Those who will be carrying their pack long after landing might be better served by the Osprey Farpoint and Fairview , but for everything else, Peak Design has it.

Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L

• Capacity 24 liters
• Weight 3 lbs., 1.6 oz.
• Dimensions 18” x 7” x 11.5”
• Compartment access N/A
• Material 840D ballistic nylon 6 exterior with DWR coating, 420D nylon interior
• Electronic storage 17” laptop sleeve

• Super-protected laptop compartment
• Aluminum stay reinforces the side-carry
• High-quality materials
• Interior pockets made to be accessed with bag upright or on the side
• Higher price

The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L ($279) was the laptop backpack of choice for our remote working testers, and it’s easy to see why — this bag is heavy on smart functionality, and light on over-wrought appearances. Sporting one of the most protected laptop sleeves we’ve ever seen in a backpack (seriously — there’s an aluminum stay protecting it), this pack is made to tote your laptop and everything else you’ll need for a day of work abroad.

Based on the materials and attention to detail on the CPL 24, it’s clear that someone put in some serious effort in designing it. The exterior fabric is an 840D ballistic nylon 6 material that simply doesn’t care what you do to it — it’s not going to wear or tear easily. Two main compartments on the inside of the pack divvy up the space, in addition to the padded laptop sleeve.

That laptop compartment is the star of the show here, and is fully suspended like many other laptop bags, but is also protected from the back by an HDPE frame sheet, as well as thick foam supports to cradle it. We had no qualms about toting our electronic livelihoods around without their laptop sleeves, which is saying something.

Rounding out the carry of this pack are Zote EV50 foam shoulder straps that are differentially cut to wrap around your shoulders, as well as top and side carry handles for toting around on the go. We found the side carry on the CPL 24 to be especially noteworthy, as there is a full-length aluminum stay backing it up, making for a very supported pack.

Is it pricey? Yeah — and we have worse news: It’s absolutely worth it, and you’ll feel validated having spent every cent. For a laptop backpack that leaves a bit more in your pocket, however, the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” ($125) and The North Face Recon ($109) both make good sense. If you’re going to be putting some serious mileage on your remote work set-up, however, it’s hard not to suggest going with the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L .

Read Review: Low-Key Looks, High-Key Functionality: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L Review

REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack

• Capacity 28 liters
• Weight 1 lb., 12 oz.
• Dimensions 19.5” x 11” x 9”
• Compartment access Zippered top access + zippered side access
• Material Recycled ripstop nylon
• Electronic storage Minimal laptop sleeve

• Bluesign-approved recycled materials
• Hidden daisy-chain loops stay out of sight when not needed
• Trail-to-town style is perfect for any type of day
• Laptop sleeve is on the lighter-duty side, and requires laptop cover to be used
• Raincover storage takes up a bit too much internal space

We’ve come a long way from book straps, and the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack ($100) is proof of that. A good school bag needs to not only get your textbooks from point A to point B, but carry the rest of your daily essentials, and be up for some extra-curriculars after class as well. The Ruckpack balances all this well and is our choice for an education-ready backpack.

The pack doesn’t quite have the luxe look that the Osprey Aoede Airspeed does, but instead leans more into the hike-to-campus vibe, and hosts functionality to back that up: The ripstop nylon exterior is coated with a DWR finish that’ll shoulder some light precip. On the front of the pack, trekking poles loops deploy when needed and tuck away when not. And the laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration bladder sleeve. Slick.

For on-campus organization, the Ruckpack tucks away a side-access pocket with organizers from things like pens, chargers, and the like. A zippered pocket on the top of the pack also keeps frequently needed essentials close at hand. And if 28 liters isn’t big enough to carry your full workload, the Ruckpack is also made in a 40-liter version.

Not often seen in packs outside of daypacks and backpacking bags, the Ruckpack series is available in gendered strap styles, which are shaped differently to accommodate differently shaped torsos. This can be key for dialing in on a pack that fits you perfectly, and our testers really appreciated this fact.

While the included rain cover is novel (a feature that none of our other reviewed packs offers), we did find that it takes up valuable real estate on the interior of the pack, and that more often than not we left it behind — defeating the ‘there-if-you-need-it’ aspect. For most light showers, we found the DWR coating on the pack to be sufficient. The laptop sleeve on this pack was also a bit minimal, and we found we needed to use a laptop sleeve to feel fully confident. 

If ramen noodles are on the menu more often than not, check out the Dakine Campus 33L ($75) as a great alternative school bag. The North Face Recon also can’t be counted out as a go-to pack for hitting the quad, and we found that it has a good bit more organization than the Ruckpack, but not quite as much hiking functionality. Well-rounded for all-semester use, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 makes the grade in our book.

Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55

• Capacity 65 and 55 liters
• Weight 5 lbs., 2 oz. (Aether), 4 lbs., 12 oz. (Ariel)
• Dimensions 33.4" x 15.7" x 11" (Aether), 29" x 15" x 10" (Ariel)
• Compartment access Top drawstring + access panels
• Material 420D nylon packcloth; 210-denier nylon

• Customizable sizing
• Extremely durable
• Lots of options for outside storage
• On the heavier side
• Not a lot of upper-body mobility

Haul a week’s worth of supplies, two ropes, and a full rack of cams… heck an entire basecamp — the Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55 ($320) is the mighty workhorse for the job. Packed with features and thoroughly well-designed, the functionality and comfort of the Aether make it a solid contender as one of our favorite heavy haulers.

When long miles with absurd base weights are on the docket, this is the steed we slide from the closet. Its stellar suspension system, luxe cushioning, and fully loaded feature set make this the Lamborghini pack of your dreams. If you’re willing to turn a blind eye to its scale reading.

If the Aether had a minimal weight, it’d be downright difficult to ding it — but dang five pounds is a hard pill to swallow. Some ultralight nuts are winnowing their entire base weight to just over five pounds, which makes it hard to justify a pack that weighs an equal amount on its own. For that reason, we rarely saddle up in the Aether for difficult backpacking trips. It has instead found its lane as our partner in crime for gear-intensive climbing missions, or as a “tote everything to basecamp” pack mule. For these excursions, it’s about as good as it gets.

Although this pack is a classic-style top-loader, a large front zippered access point allows you to get into the depths of your gear without having to fully unpack. We like that Osprey has combined some tried-and-true backpack design elements with clever and innovative features of its own creation. For quick access to bits of essential gear, this pack offers dual-zippered hip belt pockets, stretch-mesh water bottle pockets, and a front “shove-it” pocket.

The Aether also features the ability to fine-tune its fit for a variety of different shapes and sizes, including an adjustable torso length, as well as Osprey’s Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt and shoulder straps.

Other noteworthy features include an internal hydration bladder sleeve, dual ice axe loops, and a versatile compression system that offers additional exterior storage.

Although Osprey also makes a 65L version of the Aether we like the 55L version for its compact profile and slightly reduced weight. For long weekend trips, this pack will offer plenty of space for most users.

While we personally wouldn’t pack ’er up with an ultralight kit and head out on a fast and light thru-hike, we’re always grabbing the Aether when giant loadouts need to be schlepped over gnarly terrain. This thing is ultra-reliable and feels stable and balanced on the trail. If you’re looking for a burly, dependable pack that will last for years, this may be the perfect fit.

Read Review: Osprey Aether 55 and Ariel 55: The Cadillac of Backpacks

Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack

• Capacity 21 liters
• Dimensions 18.7” x 11.6” x 8.6”
• Material 840D ballistic polyester with a PFAS-free DWR treatment
• Electronic storage 16” laptop sleeve

• Unique ‘kickstand’ tech helps the back to stand upright while being loaded or unloaded
• AirSpeed back panel keeps your back cool
• Soft fleece-lined pocket keeps phones and glasses protected
• Interior liner is a mixed mélange fabric that looks great
• Weatherproofing covers over some exterior zippers inhibit zipper opening
• Simple shoulder strap construction, with no load lifters, sternum strap, or hipbelt

The new Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack ($140) lifts some lines from one of our favorite carry-on travel backpacks, the Parsec 26, but done up in a much cleaner aesthetic to create a slick-looking pack for urban touring. Our testers loved the tough 840D exterior paired with seatbelt-like webbing, and the AirSpeed back panel carries as well as any other Osprey pack equipped with it. 

At 26 liters, the Aoede is right on the money for daily carry, and is split up into a large main compartment, middle admin pocket, padded laptop sleeve, and a fleece-lined stash pocket for items like sunglasses or phones. That large interior space is smart, too, as it sports an internal ‘kickstand’ hoop that spreads the bottom of the pack in order to stand the pack up on its own. Smart.

The exterior is urban-ready and clean, even down to the molded zipper pulls, and was one of the highest rated by our testers when it came to overall style (though the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader gives it a run for its money.) “I’d have no problem using the Aoede as a business bag — pack just plain looks good.”

The strap system is decidedly more minimal than many other Osprey packs, but they’re backed up by the impressive AirSpeed back panel — a tensioned mesh trampoline that provides air space behind your back and contours to your back. We found that when fully loaded the strap system was sufficient, though we did want at least a sternum strap for a little extra security.

As a more urban-minded pack, the Aoede will feel a bit undergunned for taking into the wilds. For this, we recommend more of an all-arounder such as the Patagonia Black Hole Pack, or the Mystery Ranch District 18. Both packs are more amenable to outdoor travel, though at slightly higher price points.

For pure city-slickers, however, the Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack is the ticket, and we used it with great success cutting around Seattle during our testing.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L

• Capacity 32 liters
• Weight 1 lb., 11 oz.
• Dimensions N/A
• Material 300D recycled polyester with TPU-laminate exterior, 200D PU-coated polyester interior
• Electronic storage 15” padded laptop pocket

• Impressively burly exterior TPU fabric shrugs off dirt and water
• Broad access zipper to laptop compartment
• Back panel and shoulder straps are just OK
• Lack of hipbelt at 30+ liters puts strain on shoulders

The Black Hole line from Patagonia has been around for a while, and for good reason: these tough packs just go and go. The Black Hole Pack 32L ($169) is no different and is built around the newly updated burly Black Hole fabric — a polyester ripstop coated with a recycled TPU laminate that makes this pack darn near life-proof.

Excellent as a capital B backpack , the Black Hole Pack takes on most everything with ease from the trails to the coffee shop, and has the internal and external organization to accommodate both a remote worker headed to a new locale, and the day hiking 10 essentials. There’s a padded laptop pocket, a large main compartment with zippered storage, as well as stash pockets on the front and top of the bag.

The foam back panel and shoulder straps on the Black Hole Pack are fairly boilerplate but comfortable enough to lug around the pack when it’s full. There’s even a back handle tucked away here that makes the pack rolling-luggage friendly for when you want to get airborne. The Black Hole pack has been featured on our travel backpack guide for years now, but we were impressed at just how much else it excels at.

That’s not to say there aren’t a few things we’d change, however. The laptop pocket doesn’t come with the integrated padded sleeve that the similar Refugio pack does (for this reason we recommend the Refugio for more tech-minded users), but it will still accommodate a 15” computer.

Keeping with the trail-to-town idea, it also would have been nice to see a hydration hose port and hanging loop on the Black Hole Pack (such as on the REI Ruckpack), but you’ll have to make do with the two stretch pockets on the exterior for your water bottles. As with any all-around backpack, however, there’ll always be some weighing of the scales and choices made.

The Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L does weigh those scales well for most things, however, and for those who are looking for a generalist bag, this is one that won’t disappoint. 

Mystery Ranch District 18

• Capacity 18 liters
• Weight 2 lbs., 9.6 oz.
• Dimensions 17” x 11.2” x 8.5”
• Material 420D Cordura recycled nylon, 200D nylon liner
• Electronic storage 15” padded laptop sleeve

• Very smart quick-access front compartment
• Main compartment accordion opening is huge, with foam-padded dividers
• Burly 420D Cordura exterior
• A bit heavy compared to other generalist bags on our list

The Mystery Ranch District 18 ($159) is yet another all-around backpack that has little problem slotting into pretty much any activity you’ve got planned day-to-day. An impressively wide-opening main compartment is split up with a few accordion folds, that then even detach completely for a full clamshell opening. And that’s not even the half of it.

At the front of the pack, a slick quick-entry system employs Velcro and a button snap to allow fast access to the storage within. In practice, this can be very fast to open up and have instant access to anything in the pocket. It’s these novel entry solutions that Mystery Ranch is known for ( see their unique 3-Zip designs ) and our testers loved the smart application here.

Cordura and Mystery Ranch go hand-in-hand, so it’s unsurprising to see a burly 420D weave of the proprietary nylon make up the exterior of this pack. That burl factor does come with a little weight penalty (the thick foam back panel and straps add to this) but that comes with the territory, and we were happy with the trade-off during use.

The carry is also unsurprisingly robust, with a pre-curved spacer-mesh foam back panel mated to thick shoulder straps studded with oversized hardware. We found that only The North Face Recon pack has a better padded back panel, but only just. Load-lifters round out the carry system, which are much appreciated and help keep heavier loads close to your back.

Stacked up next to your Patagonia Black Hole Packs , your North Face Recons , and your REI Co-op Ruckpacks , the Mystery Ranch District 18 pack stands tall as another worthy daily driver backpack. We loved the materials, innovative internal storage design, and overbuilt carry system. This is a pack that’ll be around for just about as long as you need it.

Fjallraven Kanken 17″ Laptop Pack

• Capacity 20 liters
• Weight 1 lb., 1.6 oz.
• Dimensions 16.5” x 11.8” x 7”
• Material Vinylon F material on exterior, 70D polyamide lining
• Electronic storage 17” padded laptop sleeve

• Classic style available in many different colors
• Different-sized packs available for different-sized laptops
• Removable foam sit-pad
• Not much structure to the pack
• Minimal shoulder straps

With an undeniably classic profile and look, the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” ($125) brings a touch of modern tech-forward design to a simple backpack for work, school, or travel. Touring the streets of Reykjavík, Iceland recently, we were struck by how many Fjallraven packs we could tally up, and the Kanken is the most classic among them. 

Available in 13”, 15”, and 17” sizes (the rectangle only slightly expands with each), the laptop version of the classic Kanken adds a padded sleeve at the rear of the pack to accommodate your mobile desktop. The shoulder straps are also padded in this version, to better carry the additional load.

The interior of the pack is otherwise pretty simple: one big compartment to swallow all your books, layers, or as one tester pointed out, even baby supplies. Outside of that is a medium-sized zippered pocket on the exterior (perfect for essentials), and a couple of side bottle sleeves. Certainly not the most organization in a pack, but enough to secure things where we know we can find them quickly.

Those classic good looks, unfortunately, don’t translate to much of a structured pack, however, and the Kanken Laptop relies on the included foam seat pad to form a back panel. This is a novel solution (apparently born out of the needs of Swedish school children), but compared to packs that make use of a lot of internal foam for shape, the Kanken is decidedly… squishy.

But for the looks, we’re willing to forgive and forget. This pack was highly rated by testers as being among the most stylish, and sometimes beauty requires sacrifice. The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” makes a killer town bag, and we’re starting to think those Icelanders knew before we did.

Aer Go Pack 2

• Weight 1 lb., 4.8 oz.
• Dimensions 17” x 11” x 5.5”
• Compartment access Zippered clamshell
• Material 210D Cordura crinkle nylon exterior
• Electronic storage 16” suspended laptop sleeve

• Packable travel-friendly design
• High-end materials meet beautiful design
• Luggage handle pass-through loop
• Not much structure or support

Not every travel backpack needs to just barely skirt in under carry-on compliance limits, and the Aer Go Pack 2 ($99) is an excellent example of that. Made to be tucked away in larger bags and deployed on the ground, the Go Pack 2 leans on a supremely nice set of materials rather than a bulging feature set to win you over — and win us over it did.

The exterior material is what catches your eye first, and it’s a boutique-looking Cordura crinkle nylon that has a real luxe feel to it. Aer is among the upper crust of backpack manufacturers (among Nomatic, Evergoods, and Tom Bihn), so we’re sure the choice was carefully considered. The rest of the pack is equally decked out, from the Hypalon zipper pulls to the magnet-assisted buckle that closes off the front pocket.

The interior is decidedly simple, with a single large compartment that hosts the laptop sleeve, as well as a single zippered pocket for collecting small items. On the exterior, an easy-access front stash pocket is secured with that magnetic buckle, and all of our gotta-have-it items found their way into this pocket. This is flanked by two water bottle pockets, sized to fit most slender bottles.

The smaller stature will mostly prevent you from carrying too much in the Go Pack 2, but it should be said that super heavy items should find a more supportive bag to ride in — this is a minimal pack through and through. The shoulder straps are well padded, however, and even fully loaded we had no problem with it.

Other excellent “personal item” backpacks include the TimBuk 2 Never Check Expandable Backpack , as well as the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 , which are both just as materials-forward as the Go Pack 2, just with a few more bells, whistles, and space. Neither will be as packable as the Aer Go Pack 2 however, and if you’re traveling with exploration in mind, it’s the pack we’d suggest finds its way into your carry-on.

Backpacks Comparison Chart

How We Tested Backpacks

Likely more than just about anything else, GearJunkie knows backpacks. We’ve tested them on the trail, on the train, and on the taxiway. Across our various backpack categories, we’ve likely tested north of a few hundred, and our knowledge comes together here to help guide your next backpack purchase.

The testing team for this guide is led by Nick Belcaster — a multisport athlete based in the Pacific Northwest who has a couple of thousand miles notched on his belt wearing packs of all stripes. His gear closet has now reached critical mass, spilling forth with thru-hike-worn ultralight packs , avalanche airbags, mountain-biking hydration packs, and more.

When we tested travel backpacks , our globe-trotting testers hit the tarmac and racked up their air miles — over 10,000 in the last year alone. They lived out of their packs for weeks on end, stuffing them full and challenging any baggage handler to do their worst.

While testing backpacking backpacks , our Senior Editor Chris Carter led the charge — leveraging his experience as a Triple Crown thru-hiker and boots-on-the-ground testing in Appalachia to find the best pack to disappear for the weekend with. At the opposite end of the seasonal spectrum, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton charges headlong into the snow as our winter categories editor, shouldering ski packs of all kinds in the refrigerated mountains of Colorado.

Similar high praise can be heaped on Miya Tsudome, a seasoned gear-tester stationed at the margins of the High Sierra and contributor responsible for our hiking daypack testing, as well as Meghan LaHatte, the remote worker extraordinaire who put the hours into finding the best laptop backpacks available today. 

In order to better test organization, we assembled an average ‘everyday carry’ — an assortment of daily-used kit — and used it to gauge the small-scale management these packs were capable of. We also loaded them down with the maximum, traded notes on style, and generally tried to run them into the ground in our quest to find the best of the best backpacks.

And as sure as new packs come out every year, we’ll continue to stay on the hunt for the best among them, and add them to our lineup. 

Testing History

For our first foray into the world of backpacks in 2024, we assembled seven of our favorite packs from the major styles: travel, laptop, daypacks, and backpacking. Testing for these bags took place across the country, and with gear testers who considered them against like-bags in their respective categories.

In addition to that, we gathered a number of different generalist packs — bags that do it all and do it well — to round out our look at the broad world of backpacks and provide some options for those who want a daily driver. These bags were tested over a summer and fall in the Pacific Northwest, making runs into dense city centers, co-working spaces, and coffee shops.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Backpack

More than just about anything else, intended use is going to be the biggest consideration when choosing a new backpack. Luckily, there’s a bindle for just about everything these days, and once you’ve nailed down what adventures you’d like to into with it, the pieces fall into place.

While some packs can be used for a number of different things, there’s good use in going with the right design for the activity. Most all will be tailored with something in mind, and when you might be carrying it for hours on end or living out of it while traveling, the little details add up to equal a successful camping weekend, trip to France, or quick run to the store.

Once you’ve hammered that out, you can begin to dig into overall volume (just how much stuff you’ll want to tote around) as well as how that volume is organized, and any added functionalities you’ll need. Below, we’ve dug into the dirty details surrounding backpacks to lay plain what makes a backpack just good, and what makes a backpack great. 

By the end of this guide, it’s our hope that you’ve got the understanding needed to make your next pack purchase a breeze — best to save your energy for the next big hill climb.

Types of Backpacks

Everyday/campus backpacks.

Your capital B “backpacks” — everyday packs are made to tote around a little of everything and aren’t too fussy about where you take them. Most often moderate in size, these daily drivers like The North Face Recon or REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 will offer up functionality to appease both hikers and students.

Commuter-styled packs are often styled to be business casual, making use of higher-end materials and a simpler exterior design to fit into your office space. Folks who commute via cycle should look for bike-specific functionality such as blinky light mounts, U-lock harnesses, and waterproof exteriors.

Campus backpacks need to be stout enough to carry a full load of textbooks and binders, but not so cumbersome that you get jammed up in the hallway. They also need to sport a good bit of internal organization, often in what pack manufacturers will call an admin pocket.

While your destination might not always be the same, you can generally rely on the best daypacks as being versatile enough to meet whatever the day brings, whether that’s hiking, biking, trail running, or just kicking around.  

Daypacks are the Swiss Army knives of the pack-o-sphere, typically sporting a number of different functionalities to aid you in whatever you’re getting after. This includes hydration-bladder sleeves and accompanying hose ports, integrated rain covers, trekking pole and ice axe tethers, helmet securing systems, and more. 

Most daypacks land at around the 15-30 liter range, with smaller packs having just enough space for the basic 10 essentials, and larger packs being able to carry more layers for colder climates, or more water for arid ones. While they can be used for shorter hikes, backpacking bags are typically overgunned for shorter day-long excursions.

Certain running-inspired daypacks, known as hydration packs , shrink down the overall volume to only the essential handful of liters needed to carry quick calories, and are often more vest-like than packs. Still, some like the Ultimate Direction FastPack 20 offer up a good amount of space for longer runs. These packs often revolve around the hydration bladder they carry, and are poised to provide hydration quickly through smart hose routing.

Laptop Backpacks

The center of the laptop backpack is unsurprisingly, the laptop, and more importantly, the manner in which it’s carried and protected. Laptop sleeves integrated into backpacks are padded areas made to safely port your mobile desktop around, and good versions will suspend the bottom of the sleeve off the bottom of the pack for protection.

Most often smaller to moderate in size, these laptop packs also lean on a good bit of internal organization to keep things tidy, stashing away journals, pens, chargers, and the like. A broad, supportive base is also handy in order to have a pack that stands up on its own, making rifling around in it easier.

Like some commuter bags, travel backpacks typically lean toward the high-polish side of the spectrum, and can be made with durable and good-looking materials such as seatbelt-like webbing, metal G-hooks, waterproof zippers, and durable thick-denier fabrics.

The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L represents one of the best of the best in our opinion and protects your laptop behind walls of foam, HDPE plastic, and an aluminum stay. The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop pack brings a bit of classic flair to the equation, and our testers greatly appreciated the tech-focused functionality of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack .

Travel Backpacks

It’s all about the miles for travel backpacks . Part luggage, part tourism instrument; travel packs have to be modular in order to meet the demands of the savvy traveler, and more often than not are shaped by the parameters placed on them by airlines. You’ve got your carry-ons (almost always near 40-45 liters) and your personal items (closer to 20-25 L). 

Made to also be versatile in their carry, these packs also often sport a variety of different handles, straps, luggage handle pass-throughs, and even strap storage options — meaning you can carry them in whatever way makes sense for the day. They also will be pretty minimal on the exterior, making for a clean profile to get into overhead bins.

Packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L can be collapsed down to a 30L size for daily adventures at your destination and then maxed out to fully take advantage of airline carry-on limits. Comparatively, bags like the TimBuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack and Aer Go Pack 2 nestle in under the seat in front of you.

Backpacking Packs

Backpacking packs are built around the load they’re made to carry, whether that’s an ultralight load-out or an entire NOLS-course worth of kit. Typically built from the frame-out, these bags are made for extended overnight travel and are some of the most complex packs out there. From hydration sleeves to suspended trampoline suspensions, floating brains, and internal dividers, the features can be dizzying.

Because the weight you’ll carry in a backpacking bag is more than most any other pack, sizing is much more important, and these packs are offered in the largest size ranges available, as well as in different gendered suspension systems to accommodate different shaped frames. Consider getting sized by a retail professional, or have a friend measure you up to get the best fit.

For most weekend-ready backpacking packs, an overall volume of 50 to 70 liters should be enough to carry everything you’ll need. For single overnights, many can often get away with 35 to 40 liters. Be mindful that often times the number advertised on backpacking packs may only include the internal volume of the main compartment, leaving some additional space in the exterior pockets and floating lids.

Bags like the Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55 offer the full complement of features, and sport supportive frames that will carry a fully weighted down pack. We also have found great success with REI Co-op, Gregory, and The North Face packs.

Specific-Use Packs

For the outer realms of sport, there are specialty packs that are refined for specific tasks, and while many backpacking packs can often cover a good spread, they often lack the sport-specificity to truly excel in their niche. 

Climbing packs are made to be rough and tumble and tote around heavy (and sometimes sharp) equipment and are often split into approach and on-route packs, with the former aiming to tote your whole climbing rack and rope, and the latter just what you’ll need on the wall.

Skiing is particularly tough on equipment, and packs made for skiing need to be equally tough to make it to the end of the tour. Specific storage compartments for avalanche rescue equipment are essential, and some even incorporate inflatable airbag systems to stack the deck toward survival in an avalanche.

Packing out large ungulates isn’t easy, and the best big-game hunting packs have robust metal frames in order to shoulder the weight. They also need to be made from quiet materials, with silent-running zippers and soft-faced fabrics to keep from spooking your quarry.

Dialing in on the perfect pack size depends on a few things: how much you’re planning on carrying in it, and how far you’ll be traveling with it. Sure, you could commute with a backpacking pack or travel with a daypack, but you’d quickly find yourself greatly under (or over) prepared for the task. 

In our lineup, packs range from the svelte 18-liter Mystery Ranch District to the 65-liter load-hauling Osprey Aether. In general, we’ve found the following breakdown to describe the volumes of most packs out there:

• 10-20 L: Most daypacks, small personal-item travel bags, and cycling hydration packs. 
• 20-30 L: Most day-hiking backpacks, daily-driver packs for commuting or campus, and larger daypacks for more intensive adventures. Many laptop backpacks also land in this volume range.
• 30-40 L: Most overnight backpacking backpacks. Many carry-on travel backpacks will also land in the 40-45 liter range — about the maximum allowed by most airlines. This is also where dialed ultralight backpacking packs begin.
• 50-60 L: Most weekend-sized backpacking packs, as well as many climbing packs. Sized for 2-3 days.
• 60-70 L: Appropriate for extended backpacking trips where you’ll be packing extra food and fuel, or winter trips that demand bulkier sleep gear and clothing. Sized for 4-7 days.
• 70+ L: Most expedition-sized backpacks for mountaineering, equipment-intensive backpacking, or big-game hunting packs.

Many packs of all stripes will incorporate some type of compression system, which both lowers the internal volume of the pack for when you aren’t carrying as much and keeps the load closer to your back where it’s better supported. 

A functionality unique to travel packs is an expandable volume, made possible by zippered gills that add space to a pack to meet carry-on size limits, and then collapse when you’ve hit your destination to be a more manageable day bag. The Peak Design Travel Backpack is an excellent example of this.

Frames and Suspension

While smaller volume (~10-15L) packs can get away with little to no frame, most packs will need some sort of support system to properly carry their load. The simplest frames are found in daypacks and use a sheet of foam to transfer some load from the shoulder straps to the hip belt. Packs like the REI Co-op Flash 22 , Arc’teryx Aerios 15 , and Fjallraven Kanken all use frames like this to support smaller loads.

As the volume and load increase, so does the need for a more robust frame system. Because many laptop backpacks are moderately sized but often carry heavier tech, they incorporate stronger frames such as those made from HDPE plastic sheets, which not only increase carrying ability but also protect the laptop inside.

Further frame tech comes in the form of tensioned struts, which act as a sort of spring between the hipbelt and shoulder straps to suspend the weight. Packs like the Deuter Speed Lite make use of simple bent wire hoops, compared to the more static aluminum stays of travel and laptop backpacks (like on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader.) 

Tensioned mesh panel back panels are big in backpacking packs, with Osprey being an early innovator with their AirSpeed and AntiGravity back systems, and other manufacturers following suit. These suspension systems make use of a supportive trampoline as a back panel, which greatly increases ventilation on long hikes.

Some ultralight backpacking packs eschew a frame entirely, instead relying on an ultralight base weight and some creative packing to form the internal structure of the pack. Care is needed to not over-pack these bags, but when your base weight is less than 5 pounds, going frameless opens up a world of possibilities.

Finally, frames and packs can come in different sizes to suit different body sizes. Typically only seen in larger packs (and a handful of daypacks,) different torso lengths help you get the perfect fit, and can be user-adjustable on the pack itself.

In our lineup of best backpacking backpacks , almost every pack comes in both men’s and women’s sizing (save for some of the smaller cottage-industry brands) with the Osprey Aether & Ariel 55 and Gregory Men’s Katmai 55 & Women’s Kalmia 50 packs landing high on our list.

Shoulder Straps and Hipbelts

Just as important as the frames are the shoulder straps and hip belts that interface with it. These straps are the connection between yourself and the pack, and are important considerations when carrying large loads, or carrying the pack for extended periods. Working together; a frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt are a system for support.

Shoulder straps are typically made in three different styles: J-style straps, which are the OG, S-style straps, which fit people with larger chests, and running-vest style straps — typically only seen on trail-running-styled vests and some daypacks (we love their inclusion on the Deuter Speed Lite packs.) Correctly tensioned, your shoulder straps should take the lesser of the load and instead aim to carry more of the weight on your hips.

Load-lifters are straps that run from the middle of your shoulder straps and connect to the top of your backpack’s frame, which aids in pulling the load in closer to your body. Most lower-volume packs won’t need the added support provided, but they add a good amount of relief to larger backpacking packs. 

Hipbelts connect the majority of the load with your hips, where your body will best be able to support the weight. More of a consideration in larger backpacking packs, be sure to size your pack so that your hip belt lands just about at your iliac crest (the top of your hipbones) for the best load transfer. 

Like different torso sizes, straps are also often available in different gendered sizes, with “Men’s” packs suiting folks with broader shoulders and narrower hips, and “Women’s” packs working better for people with narrow shoulders and wider hips. The straps and padding may also be shaped anatomically for the best fit.

Organization

Some packs are spartan and simple tubes, while others break up the space with a flurry of pockets, sleeves, dividers, secret compartments, and false bottoms. If you are living out of your pack for weeks on end, a good organizational system is paramount to staying sane. Your use case will largely direct how organized you want your backpack to be, but there are a few important things to note.

If you’re looking for some more information on how to best pack a backpack, check out GearJunkie’s How-To where we lay it all out (literally).

Main Compartment

Most every pack on the market will access the main compartment through either an opening in the top of the pack (known as top-loaders) or through panel openings that release a side of the pack (known as clamshell or panel-loading). In the case of packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack , the U-shaped zipper extends far enough to fully separate the back panel, which can be important for TSA screenings of laptops.

Packs made for daily use (such as commuters, campus, and laptop backpacks) will sport more internal organization than bags made for purely load hauling. These come in the form of divided internal space, frequently of a more simple open compartment, and then one with more pockets and sleeves. Often seen in work or laptop bags, “admin or valet” pockets are meant to harness your pens, chargers, and journals, and generally provide quick access to this kit in an organized way.

Travel backpacks are often much more like luggage internally, and will offer up a large internal compartment, along with some sub-dividers and internal compression straps to keep things in place. We greatly appreciate travel packs that offer some type of “dirty laundry” compartment like the Thule Aion or Gregory Border Traveler bags, which make living out of the bag much more civilized. 

While packs designed for backpacking are typically less involved internally to facilitate easy packing, some will feature a dedicated sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the bag. This helps to keep your bag cleaner and drier, but in most cases, we find the division to be unnecessary and limit our ability to make use of all the space.

Exterior Pockets

Made for quick and easy access, exterior pockets are ideal for snagging frequently accessed items such as keys, phones, or wallets. They typically come in a few different variations:

• Hipbelt Pockets: Located on the waistbelts of larger packs, these pockets are an excellent place to park the items you want to access without taking off your whole backpack. 
• Floating Lid/Brain: Another feature of backpacking packs, floating lids are affixed to the pack body with straps, and feature a few internal zippered pockets where small items like headlamps, maps, or GPS devices can be stashed.
• Stretch Stuff Pockets: Stretch or dump pockets on packs make retrieval easy, and can accommodate water bottles as well as wet layers like a rain jacket. Very often seen on outdoors-oriented packs such as backpacking bags and daypacks, but less so on laptop or work bags.

Accessory Attachment

For everything that won’t fit on the interior of your pack, there is likely a means of wrangling it onto your pack with an accessory attachment system. One of the most standard is daisy-chain webbing loops, which can be clipped to with carabiners or tied off to fasten gear down.

Other options include elastic cords and toggles for fastening down trekking poles or ice axes, adjustable webbing straps for lashing down bulky kit, or integrated loops for affixing cycling lights. Your use case will greatly influence what attachment systems you may need, so take stock of the items you’re looking to tote around outside of your pack before swiping your card.

Understand also that attachment systems like these will add some complexity to your backpack, and you’ll end up paying a little more for them both out of your wallet and on your back.

Materials and Durability

We always recommend buying a backpack built with high-quality materials, which will not only improve your day-to-day use but also the pack’s longevity.

The fabric denier — a measure of the density of its fibers — is the best quick measure of durability, with higher numbers reflecting a tougher fabric. On our list, fabric deniers range from 140D to 840D, with reinforced areas of up to 900D. Different areas of packs may receive different applications of fabric in order to up their durability in high-wear areas, such as pack bottoms and back panels.

When packs don’t need ultra-tough materials, such as in lightweight daypacks, they often make use of lighter denier nylons and polyesters in their constructions. These can often be shored up by using different weaving techniques to create ripstop or ballistic fabrics, and we greatly appreciate this in rough-and-tumble packs but don’t see much of a need in commuters and laptop bags.

These fabrics often have a durable water repellant (DWR) finish applied to them, which is most often a hydrophobic coating that resists rain and prolongs soaking your backpack but can also be a polyurethane coating as in the case of the Patagonia Black Hole Backpack , or a waxed canvas. Even if we don’t plan on using our packs in the great outdoors, we still highly prefer a pack with some type of waterproofing.

Consider also that your backpack will need to close in some way, and that’s where high-quality zippers, buckles, and webbing come into play. These are the finer details, but still important and a busted piece of hardware can render your bag defunct. Zippers in particular say a lot about the thought put into a backpack, and going with reputable slides from YKK or Riri will keep them sliding into the future.

In terms of long-term durability, one of the best things you can do for your backpack is to keep it clean. For an in-depth look at pack hygiene, check out GearJunkie’s How-To on the subject.

Sustainability

Finally, be mindful of the impact your new backpack will have on the environment — all the way from beginning to end. A great way to limit this is by purchasing packs that are made with recycled materials, which either use industrial scrap that otherwise would have been thrown away, or source it from post-consumer sources such as plastic waste.

Thankfully, many companies are now going further and incorporating PFC-free DWR finishes into their pack builds. Perfluorinated chemicals — also known as forever chemicals — are particularly nasty to the environment, as well as pervasive, and we’ve found eco-alternatives to be just as good at keeping our packs dry.

Different supply chain certifications can also lend some good insight into what exactly went into creating your backpack, including the labor practices used. Bluesign-certified labels let you know that the materials used met stringent standards for eliminating chemicals of concern and that the factories producing them met emissions and labor safety standards.

Fair Trade Certification is earned by meeting standards set by Fairtrade International, an international nonprofit that works to ensure greater equity for agricultural and textile workers. These standards often require meeting a standard minimum wage, ensuring the right to join in collective bargaining, and that buyers pay a minimum price in order to cover the costs of sustainable production. 

Another under-sold way to limit your pack’s footprint is through brute longevity. Packs that last longer stay out of landfills longer, and investing in a pack that will go the distance (and can be repaired) helps avoid early retirement. The buy once, cry once adage rings true here, and we recommend investing in equipment that will stick with you for many years to come.

When considering the style of the packs in our lineup, we first surveyed our testing team, before turning to the general public and soliciting opinions. Style can be a subjective thing, but we all generally agreed on a few important facets that made certain bags stand out in our testing.

For one, we all found that laptop and campus bags were generally more simple in their exterior styling, while holding a great amount of complexity inside the bag. Backpacking packs are the opposite, with relatively simple interior spaces, but cluttered exteriors. ‘Less is more’ certainly applies here, and for a bag that’ll fly on the metro or in the office, keep it simple. Bags like the Fjallraven Kanken rank high in this regard. 

We also all appreciated high-quality materials in the build of our backpacks, including on the exterior. Waterproof zippers, leather accents, custom buckles, and seatbelt-like webbing all gave a classy look, and it made packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack look every bit of its $300 price tag. 

Finally, know that some packs will be available in multiple different styles, such as the Osprey Aoede which is offered up in a backpack , a messenger bag , and a brief-pack style of pack.

Backpacks can vary wildly in their intended use, and also in their pricing. Simple around-town bags may only cost you a fistful of bills, but larger volume backpacking bags and certain high-quality travel packs can demand hundreds of dollars. Certainly, you get what you pay for with much of this, but it’s good to understand exactly what you’re paying for.

Budget-Minded Backpacks:

Typically the realm of campus, daypacks, and everyday bags, more budget-minded packs won’t break the bank but may make some concessions in order to hit that price point. First off, there’s no escaping the fact that more material costs more to produce, and thus smaller-volume bags are going to cost less than their larger cousins.

Cheaper packs may also leave out some functionalities found in more expensive packs, such as multiple internal organizers, adjustable suspension straps, and expandable volumes. This keeps the price of these packs at around $60 to $120, and for the money, you’ll see more traditional builds rather than complicated access systems. For example, the Dakine Campus ($75) is a pretty recognizable shape for a school bag, but still gets the job done.

While they typically cost a good bit more, there are still budget backpacking and travel packs, such as the REI Co-op Flash Packs ($199) and the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack ($170) — both perfectly serviceable in their respective niches.

Mid-Range Backpacks:

Mid-range packs thankfully make up the majority of backpacks and mean that just about anyone can get their mitts on a pack that’ll both do what they need it to, but won’t ask for an arm and a leg in doing so. For about $150 to $200, you’ll get a pack that is specialized for the task at hand: whether that’s commuting, hiking on the weekends, or traveling internationally. 

These packs will make use of quality materials, including often higher denier fabrics in typical wear areas. Adjustability, too, enters the equation at this price point, and that extends to both the suspension system, as well as in volume-expanding pockets and folds that’ll make your pack bigger.

Packs like the Deuter Speed Lite 25 ($120), Osprey Farpoint / Fairview ($185), Osprey Exos 58 ($260), and Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L ($169) all excel in their lanes and come in below the truly spendy versions that jam in all the bells and whistles.

Premium Backpacks:

Because of their feature-packed builds (and the amount of material required to make them), backpacking packs typically command higher price points than other backpack types. The average across all of the packs we tested was ~$270, with some cottage industry packs like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest ($349), and Zpacks Arc Blast ($375) coming in a good bit above that.

High-end travel backpacks with large volumes, too, will cost you more, with the upper crust going for more than $250, though their prices are typically more due to their build quality than total volume. Packs like the Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350) and Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) both jam in features into smart layouts that leave little to be desired. 

There can also be premium everyday bags as well, such as the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) which is made out of ultra-premium materials and is customizable and handmade to spec. If you’re a fan of the best materials possible, this is your pack.

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to do with it. The form should follow function, and whether it’s a backpacking pack, a travel-ready carry-on, or a svelte daypack, you’ll want a bag that’s been designed for what you want to do.

Once you’ve narrowed in on the style you’re after, begin to consider how much stuff you’re aiming to carry in it, as almost every backpack is available in a few different volumes. Generally, 20-30 liters will suffice for weekend-long adventures, with less than that being ideal for daily carries, and more working better for backpacking adventures.

Finally, consider the small niceties of a backpack, such as the style, color, and accessories offered. These details can help be the tie-breaker in otherwise difficult decisions over which pack to pick up.

While JanSport still holds a stranglehold on the educated masses, there are a number of different college-ready backpacks available that we’ve come to enjoy and recommend. 

The North Face has a number of different backpacks that are keen on being used for study sessions, such as the Recon and Jester packs. Both incorporate well-padded back panels, protected laptop sleeves, and a clean look that we enjoy for cutting around campus.

The Dakine Campus is also aptly named, and it doesn’t demand much out of your pocket to boot. And for anyone looking for a classic and stylish bag, the Kanken from Fjallraven would not disappoint.

How much you’ll pay for a good backpack will largely depend on the style of the pack. We find that most decent daypacks will run you around $100 to $150, depending mostly on their size, as well as complexity when it comes to the frame system they employ. The Deuter Speed Lite 25 has many die-hard supporters around these parts, as do the REI Co-op Flash 22 and REI Co-op Trail 25 .

Laptop and travel backpacks often get a bit more of a luxe treatment, meaning they can demand a little bit more for the high-end materials they are made from. $150 to $200 will generally net you a bag that will stand up to the abuse of constant daily use and international travel. At $185, the Osprey Farpoint / Fairview packs make a perfect travel companion.

And in terms of backpacking packs, $250 is about the bullseye to aim for in terms of packs that will stand up to entire seasons of living outdoors. These packs will sport enough padding and adjustability to be comfortable over miles of trail, and be made of durable enough materials to kick around outdoors without much care.

For an average daily-driver backpack, aim for an internal volume of around 20 to 30 liters. This will allow you to store everything that you might need for work, school, or exploring a new city, but also incidentals such as extra layers, or some fresh produce from the farmer’s market.

For weekend trips where you’ve got to carry your home on your back, most will need a backpack between 50 and 70 liters. This provides enough space to lug your sleep system, as well as the food and water you’ll need to support yourself over 2-3 days.

Bunking in the hostel on vacation? You can certainly get away with a pack between 30 and 40 liters — which is enough space to bring along a few extra layers and maybe a book or two.

The quality of a backpack has a lot to do with the materials that it’s made with, as well as how it’s been made. Considering the best packs in each of the respective categories, we looked for builds that emphasized durability in the regular wear zones, had good internal or external organization for the specific use, and had suspensions and padding that fit us well and could be adjusted.

Packs on the lower end of the ‘worth-it’ strata will make some compromises, and typically that comes in the form of left-off features, thinner fabrics, and overall less specification for any one activity. These packs make great do-it-all bags, but they won’t excel at certain tasks. 

The importance of a good warranty also shouldn’t be discounted when tallying up quality. Should anything go awry with your new backpack, certain companies will make it right and get you set back up with a new or repaired bag.

The Best Daypacks of 2024

We tested the best daypacks of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Osprey, Cotopaxi, and more.

The Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024

Whether you’re headed to the office, class, or even the trailhead, here’s our top picks for the best laptop backpacks of 2024.

Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.

Follow Us On

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!

Join Our GearJunkie Newsletter

Gear Top Stories Deals

• Camera Gear
• Backpack Zip
• Field Pouch
• Range Pouch
• Backpack 30L
• BACKPACK 45L
• DUFFELPACK 65L
• Packable Tote
• SMALL WASH POUCH
• PACKING CUBES
• CAMERA CUBES
• Corporate Gifting
• CAPTURE (CLIP ONLY)
• Micro CLUTCH
• ANCHOR LINKS
• CAMERA CUBE
• Replacement Parts
• Everyday Case for iPhone
• Everyday Case for Samsung
• Everyday Case for Pixel
• Nomad Rugged Case for iPhone
• Universal Adapter
• Offroam Mount
• Universal Bar Mount
• Out Front Bike Mount
• Motorcycle Bar Mount
• Motorcycle Stem Mount
• Ball Mount Adapter
• Wireless Charging Stand
• Mobile Tripod
• Mobile Wallet
• Creator Kit
• Wall Power Adapter

Build Your Kit

30-Second Mobile Kit Finder Quiz

• Shop pre-owned
• Shop Last Call
• Sell your gear
• Support Center
• Lifetime Warranty
• Product Registration
• Our Mission
• Sustainable Strategy
• Field Notes
• Retail Stores
• #FindYourPeak
• STORE LOCATOR

Select Currency

• AUSTRALIA AUD ($)
• CANADA CAD ($)
• DENMARK DKK (kr.)
• EUROPEAN UNION EUR (€)
• UNITED KINGDOM GBP (£)
• JAPAN JPY (¥)
• NEW ZEALAND NZD ($)
• UNITED STATES USD ($)
• DK DKK (kr)
• STORES STORES
• FREE U.S. SHIPPING OVER $99  • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS 1% OF EVERY SALE GOES TO ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFITS
• Crowdfunding
• San Francisco
• Ask a Gear Expert
• Find a PD Retailer
• Kickstarter
• Social Justice
• LOGIN LOGIN

You've clicked a link that gets you a special discount at checkout.

Discount will be shown on final checkout screen and will not work with other coupons or deals.

Sub-Total: $0.00

You left something

in your cart!

GET YER GOODS!

Travel Bags

Get up to $40 off when you buy a bag and 2+ packing tools..

Travel Backpack 30L New

Rugged, versatile carry-on travel backpack.

var chrismark = 0; $229.95 Sold Out

Travel Backpack 45L

Travel backpack with unmatched versatility, access, organization and aesthetics.

var chrismark = 0; $299.95 Sold Out

TRAVEL DUFFEL 65L

Peak Design’s take on the classic duffel bag.

TRAVEL DUFFEL 35L

Travel Duffelpack 65L

Gear-hauler duffel with maximum comfort, expansion, and payload.

var chrismark = 0; $219.95 Sold Out

Packable Tote New

Ultralight packable tote bag for everyday and travel.

var chrismark = 0; $19.95 Sold Out

Packing Cube New Colors

Compressible, feature-rich packing organizer for travel.

var chrismark = 0; From $29.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V2

Protective, easy-access photo/video gear organizers for travel.

var chrismark = 0; From $49.95 Sold Out

Small Wash Pouch New

Versatile toiletry bag for travel

var chrismark = 0; $49.95 Sold Out

Expandable, thoughtfully-designed dopp kit and toiletry bag.

var chrismark = 0; $59.95 Sold Out

Brilliant easy-access organizer for tech items and travel essentials.

Shoe Pouch New Colors

Ultralight packable shoe bag for travel.

var chrismark = 0; $24.95 Sold Out

Field Pouch V2 New

Versatile & expandable roll-top pouch with removable strap.

Waterproof, packable rain cover for the Travel Backpack 45L.

var chrismark = 0; $29.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V1 Dividers + Pockets

Replacement Camera Cube Dividers.

var chrismark = 0; From $4.95 Sold Out

Camera Cube V2 Dividers + Pockets

Sternum Strap // Backpack (V1 & Travel)

Replacement Sternum Strap for our Everyday Backpack

var chrismark = 0; $9.95 Sold Out

Travel External Carry Strap

Replacement Travel External Carry Strap

FIND A PD RETAILER

What's it like to use the most thoughtfully designed gear in the world? See for yourself.

Three Pro Photographers Share Gear Tips for Shooting on the Go

O n a flight to Denver last week, I did the unexpected: I actually talked with the person next to me. Sitting on the tarmac with an unknown delay, we riffed back and forth on bad reasons why the plane wasn’t taking off. The conversation segued to work and eventually life more broadly, even though I knew I would never see the guy again. One part of our chat still stands out.

After learning that I was a professional adventure photographer, he began peppering me with questions about what was in my travel bag. It quickly became clear that he knew his stuff, so I shared some of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years, like how to not ruin expensive gear while shooting in the elements.

All of a sudden, the stranger across the aisle chimed in, asking a question about international travel with cameras — and just like that we opened Pandora’s box. Through many conversations similar to this one, I’ve come to realize there is a growing cohort of people interested in travel photography outside of iPhones. Amateurs looking for tips to travel light, shoot on the go and keep their photo gear safe. Hopefully this story can be a resource for anyone looking to level up their game.

About The Panel

Instead of sharing just my personal (and biased) perspective, I figured it would be more useful to collect advice from some of the best and most experienced photographers I know. So, I reached out to three of my mentors, Johnie Gall, Adam Wells and Taylor Burk, who brought me into the photo world, helped me get my first jobs, grow my skills and hone my craft.

Adam Wells is a commercial lifestyle photographer and filmmaker based in San Francisco, California. He has shot projects around the world, from remote jungles in Japan to the open ocean of Alaska’s Bering Sea. He focuses on travel, outdoors, food & drink and sustainability stories, and has worked for brands big and small, including HBO, Rivian, Starbucks and National Geographic.

Taylor Burk is an adventure and travel photographer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also has worked all over the world, from the Gear Bear Rainforest to the deserts of Jordan to the mountains in Patagonia. He focuses on landscapes, sports and lifestyle imagery, including work with Red Bull, Chevrolet, The North Face and National Geographic, among others. 

Johnie Gall is a commercial and editorial photographer based in Ojai, California. Like the two others, she has tackled assignments in far off places around the globe, but recently has focused closer to home, around the western U.S. Her biggest curiosities center on science, adventure and climate change, including projects with Patagonia, Backcountry and the Rodale Institute.

Picking the Right Bag

It may sound simple and trite, but the first piece of advice I usually give is about finding the right camera bag. Something that fits your needs, the requirements of the job, and ideally, the standards of a modern day carry-on. There is nothing worse than checking your camera gear to a dream destination, only to find a shattered lens inside (yes, it’s happened) — or even worse, a bag lost entirely.

Wells’ go-to is the 45L Travel Backpack by Peak Design , which he says maxes out the carry-on size limit while handling intense travel with versatility and comfort. Burk agrees, saying he almost exclusively uses the same backpack, with his only exception on longer backpacking trips. “If I’m going far into the backcountry, I use a bigger pack and wrap my camera gear with spare clothes or in a padded dry bag.”

Gall’s favorite is the smaller version of the same Peak Design pack , which she says is easier for her to carry and fits under airplane seats. “If I’m not traveling and just on a single day shoot, I use a leather ONA camera bag — it’s classic, rugged, lasts forever and heirloom quality.” With any bag, Burk’s biggest piece of advice is to always insure your gear, because you never know what will happen.

Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

Peak design 30l travel backpack, ona bowery camera bag, the light-and-fast kit.

The most frequent question I get from amateur shooters, especially those who speak the love language of ISO and aperture, is about the camera and lens combination I trust the most. If I’m traveling light on a one-man show, what do I bring? Does it change for locations, jobs or types of jobs?

Gall’s advice is to not overthink the brand and instead focus on the quality of the lens. “I’ve shot with all the major camera brands and what I’ve learned is that you’ll most likely end up with a great picture if you have decent glass.” On run-and-gun jobs her go-to is a Fujifilm XT5 with a 18-55mm f/2.8 lens because it is small, light and the color is incredible. Sometimes she’ll add a Yashica t4 35mm film camera for behind the scenes shots and a DJI Mini 3 Pro to complete the story from the air. “In the water, I sometimes just use a GoPro 11 . GoPro has come a long way and is sharp right out of the camera.”

Fujifilm XT5

Dji mini 3 pro.

Wells recommends what many of us insiders call the workhorse — a Canon R5 mirrorless camera with an RF 24-70mm f2.8 lens . This pair will get you the majority of the shots that clients are looking for, and is reliable day in and day out. “In an ideal world I mix in other lenses for unique perspectives, but nothing beats the versatility and simplicity of this combo for me.”

Canon R5 Mirrorless Camera

Rf 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

Burk isn’t as much of a minimalist, saying “When it comes to gear, I try to bring as much as possible, within reason. I try to use every lens with me to capture the same subject, creating unique perspectives.” He often carries the holy trinity — 16-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm — a 2x extender, and a 50mm prime, for compression and sharpness. He suggests the Packup App when organizing all your gear before a trip, to make sure you have everything. “It almost always catches something I’ve missed — redundancy is key.”

International Travel & Protecting Camera Gear

Shooting for commercial clients gets harder the farther you get from home. The always present balance of weight versus flexibility is magnified with complex travel, going further off the beaten path, charging batteries, weather and other elements and border crossings with different regulations. These factors play into the decisions of what gear to bring — and are often learned the hard way. 

As a hard and fast rule, Wells will bring a 1510 Pelican Case when flying internationally. “It’s bomb proof, fits in overhead bins, and to be honest, I use it a lot as a stool when I’m tired. It goes everywhere with me and because of it I’ve never had an issue with keeping gear safe.” The case allows him to shoot a mixture of digital and analog cameras, as well as other tools like fill flashes and drones. “The case keeps all the gear organized, protected, and dry. I keep a silica gel pack in there too, to help with moisture.”

1510 Pelican Case

Silica gel pack.

The little things often make a big difference sometimes. Burk suggests colored tape to hide name brands, making them look cheaper and not as eye-catching, reducing the chances your camera gear gets stolen. “For film, I always hand check at airport security. I place everything in a mesh bag and sometimes even leave a little candy as a thank you for not ruining my photos.” However, Gall says not all airports will allow you to hand check your film. As a backup for moments like this, she brings a Domke filmguard bag .

Domke Film Guard Bag

The further you go into the backcountry, the more likely you are to deal with adverse weather conditions. Gall suggests bringing just the necessities when shooting in the elements, to reduce the risk of damaging extra gear. “Salt water will destroy a camera quickly, so I keep a microfiber towel with me to immediately wipe my gear down. Anything waterproof gets a fresh water dunk as quickly as possible.”

Creative Tips For Travel Photos

No matter what gear you have, the most important thing is the story you’re telling, says Burk. “I don’t think the camera brand matters as much as most amateurs think. It’s how you’re conveying what’s in front of you. Try focusing on something unique, honing in on it, and capturing it in a way that makes the viewer feel like they are right there next to you.”

To do that, Wells says, look for symmetry, movement and small gestures. “Try dragging the shutter on a passing motorcycle or wait until a bird flies into the corner of the frame. It’s those details that push beyond good composition and bring an image to life. Once you master manual control, it’s just a matter of how playful you can be.”

Even for professional photographers, it’s important to stay humble. Gall says that there are so many incredible photographers out there, it’s nearly impossible to get a “better” shot than what’s already been created. “However, no one will see something quite the same way you do, so take a moment to really look around and notice what someone else might not. Think like a writer or filmmaker and notice characters, settings, moments of humor or emotion. If all else fails, create layers in a photo by shooting through flowers or tall grasses, or shooting through windows or door frames to create some mystery.”

More Like This

This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now .

The post Three Pro Photographers Share Gear Tips for Shooting on the Go appeared first on InsideHook .

• Camera Gear
• Backpack Zip
• Field Pouch
• Range Pouch
• Backpack 30L
• BACKPACK 45L
• DUFFELPACK 65L
• Packable Tote
• SMALL WASH POUCH
• PACKING CUBES
• CAMERA CUBES
• Corporate Gifting
• CAPTURE (CLIP ONLY)
• Micro CLUTCH
• ANCHOR LINKS
• CAMERA CUBE
• Replacement Parts
• Everyday Case for iPhone
• Everyday Case for Samsung
• Everyday Case for Pixel
• Nomad Rugged Case for iPhone
• Universal Adapter
• Offroam Mount
• Universal Bar Mount
• Out Front Bike Mount
• Motorcycle Bar Mount
• Motorcycle Stem Mount
• Ball Mount Adapter
• Wireless Charging Stand
• Mobile Tripod
• Mobile Wallet
• Creator Kit
• Wall Power Adapter

Build Your Kit

30-Second Mobile Kit Finder Quiz

• Shop pre-owned
• Shop Last Call
• Sell your gear
• Support Center
• Lifetime Warranty
• Product Registration
• Our Mission
• Sustainable Strategy
• Field Notes
• Retail Stores
• #FindYourPeak
• STORE LOCATOR

Select Currency

• AUSTRALIA AUD ($)
• CANADA CAD ($)
• DENMARK DKK (kr.)
• EUROPEAN UNION EUR (€)
• UNITED KINGDOM GBP (£)
• JAPAN JPY (¥)
• NEW ZEALAND NZD ($)
• UNITED STATES USD ($)
• DK DKK (kr)
• STORES STORES
• FREE U.S. SHIPPING OVER $99  • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS FAST SHIPPING • LIFETIME WARRANTY • 30-DAY RETURNS 1% OF EVERY SALE GOES TO ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFITS
• Crowdfunding
• San Francisco
• Ask a Gear Expert
• Find a PD Retailer
• Kickstarter
• Social Justice
• LOGIN LOGIN

You've clicked a link that gets you a special discount at checkout.

Discount will be shown on final checkout screen and will not work with other coupons or deals.

Sub-Total: $0.00

You left something

in your cart!

GET YER GOODS!

Everyday Bags

Award-winning bags for everyday & photo carry..

Everyday Backpack

A pack that adapts to your ever-changing gear, lifestyle, and environment.

var chrismark = 0; From $279.95 Sold Out

Everyday Backpack Zip

The Everyday Backpack in a visually and functionally simpler form.

var chrismark = 0; From $189.95 Sold Out

Everyday Totepack

Sleek backpack-tote hybrid for active everyday and photo carry.

var chrismark = 0; $179.95 Sold Out

Everyday Messenger

Classic messenger bag that adapts to any gear, lifestyle or environment.

var chrismark = 0; $229.95 Sold Out

Everyday Sling

Sling bag perfectly sized for light everyday and photo carry.

var chrismark = 0; From $89.95 Sold Out

Everyday Tote

Var chrismark = 0; $149.95 sold out.

Field Pouch V2 New

Versatile & expandable roll-top pouch with removable strap.

var chrismark = 0; $49.95 Sold Out

Shoe Pouch New Colors

Ultralight packable shoe bag for travel.

var chrismark = 0; $24.95 Sold Out

Brilliant easy-access organizer for tech items and travel essentials.

var chrismark = 0; $59.95 Sold Out

EDB v2 // Key Tether

Var chrismark = 0; $9.95 sold out.

Everyday Bag Divider

Replacement for dividers

var chrismark = 0; $14.95 Sold Out

Everyday Hip Belt

Padded hip belt accessory for Everyday Backpack

var chrismark = 0; $29.95 Sold Out

External Carry Strap

Replacement Everyday External Carry Strap

Sternum Strap

Replacement Sternum Strap for Everyday Backpack

FIND A PD RETAILER

What's it like to use the most thoughtfully designed gear in the world? See for yourself.