The topic Peak Design’s small Travel Backpack is the exact tech bag I’ve been looking for is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Apparently, a 20L no-frills backpack from a brand like Peak Design that knows how to put together a high-end travel or everyday bag is the backpack I’ve been looking for this whole time.
I’ve reached a point where carrying everything “just in case” has become a chore. Now, I want to bring as little as possible whenever I can, even on photo shoots or press events. I’ve searched for the right bag, and I always justify the 30L packs as a good middle ground, housing enough pockets for anything I need. Unfortunately, when I want to bring my laptop and a camera, all that extra fabric just weighs me down.
Enter the Peak Design Travel Backpack 20L. To be clear, it isn’t just for travel. And even though I’ve taken flights with it, the bag shines as a default everyday carry.
It’s small at just 20L, but I didn’t realize how much I could actually get away with taking. It’s quite literally one of the smallest backpacks I’ve found that still fits my laptop.
From front to back, the bag measures about 6 inches, which is pretty thin. It can expand up to 8.4 inches if you need to bring extra stuff. That option means it can be the larger pack you need, but it’s just an “in case.”
Unlike the iconic Everyday Backpack from Peak Design, the Travel Backpack doesn’t have dividers or any other structural features except what’s necessary. A main pocket takes up most of the pack, and an additional quick-access pocket sits at the top. That pocket gets several dividers for essentials, replacing a tech pouch if you usually bring one, as I do.
I found myself throwing everything I could in there, and still didn’t have space issues because of the way each pocket is laid out. That includes batteries, extra chargers, cables galore, and phones I didn’t need to bring on my daytrips.
The main compartment only has two pockets – a stretchy internal organization pocket and a laptop/tablet pocket. Laptops up to 16 inches will fit fine, along with a 10-inch tablet using the internal divider.
Along the walls of the main compartment are C-clip loops for camera cubes because, yes, the 20L backpack can fit Peak Design’s camera cubes. I got away with my go-to “smedium” camera cube and a tech pouch, which fills the entire inside. Without it, you can just drop the smallest camera cube in for a minimal carry. Again, the expansion zipper adds about 3L of extra volume, so carrying a camera cube and a little extra works perfectly.
If you’re boarding a plane, you might consider keeping the bag as small as possible. After using it as a personal item bag for several months, I don’t think I can go back to tucking a larger bag under the seat in front of me. It takes up so little space that it’s actually a joy to fly with, and that’s hard to say about most bags.
The bag’s construction is just as good. The internal fabric is soft but durable, and it doesn’t give off a “cheap” vibe in the least. Peak Design does a good job of sourcing materials made for its bags like the Travel Backpack, not just off a shelf. The external fabric is a fully recycled Versa Shell 400D nylon material, so water doesn’t seep in. The bottom goes even further with 900D weatherproofing.
During a small photo shoot for the bag, classic May weather swept in and offered up some scattered, but powerful storms. I had no problem carrying my camera around inside during the heavy rain, and no issue setting the bag down in the wet. It performed perfectly fine.
Even with that weatherproofing, the bag just looks classically modern. It isn’t a statement, but it doesn’t look rugged. It’s a simply designed tech pouch with a lot of hidden charm, like metal buckles and a side handle for ease and function.
It also has several loops to attach Peak Design’s extra straps, so you can really pack this thing out. Not to mention, it has an internal drink pocket that hides when not in use.
Of course, bags that do that come at a cost. The 20L Travel Backpack (but also for everyday) is priced at $199. Peak Design runs a Kickstarter when these bags launch, and you can get it for $159. After that, it’ll go up to its full, hard-to-swallow, MSRP.
Mentally, it’s hard to justify that price for a 20L bag. The larger, more robust travel packs are easier to recommend because they offer tons of features for specific uses. This, as an everyday bag, just does its job so well, though.
I haven’t been able to find another small tech bag that can fit my camera, tech pouch with essentials, and laptop that brings the same robust, yet light construction. On top of that, it’s comfortable on long days and functional in classic Peak Design fashion.
That being the case, yes, I recommend it. I might be biased, but it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.
That small backpack isn’t the only thing Peak Design just announced. The company launched a new 3L Crossbody bag for $99.95. In essence, it’s a small Tech Pouch with a strap attached. In theory, it sounds wild but it works quite well.
The Travel Crossbody is extremely minimal and brings the same internal origami-style organization as the Tech Pouch. The buckles are metal, so it brings some needed strength and quality. The back of the bag has a hidden magnetic phone pocket, and the entire bag is made of the same recycled weatherproof Versa Shell 330D fabric. It’s a perfect companion if a no-nonsense functional sling is something you’re after.
Peak Design’s 20L Travel Backpack is easily my favorite everyday backpack to date, and I say that as a hardened backpack nerd. It’s not cheap, but it’s easily one of the best options available.
At the time of writing, Peak Design is running an overstock sale with some pretty deep discounts until May 30. for example, the Outdoor Backpack is up to $131 off.