Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack vs Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack

[@davidrunge8726]

A hip belt for the 30L is an optional accessory at Peak Design for $30.

[@winston_dlee]

Thanks for mentioning that! I was only aware of the hip belt for the Everyday Backpacks. I will pin this comment for others to see!

[@winromeo]

I love your review and takes on different needs. I’m an Asian woman who travels at least twice a year to Europe and USA. I need a durable, easy access (me not the pickpockets), light weight, and versatile backpack. The 30L sounds right and yes always try to down size while travelling, thank you also for saying the zipper on all bags are high quality, no leaking of rain and stormy weather. Thank you.

[@winston_dlee]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@bassheart365]

Great review Winston. I just ordered 2 x 30L travel backpacks for my wife and I based on your review. We are headed to Southeast Asia in early 2024 and want to travel light. Over the years my bag has shrunk.

[@winston_dlee]

Glad you found the video helpful. The 30L should definitely be a more than capable bag for your trip! Happy travels to the both of you!

[@ddsdss256]

Thanks--I'm really on the fence between these! I really need to think about what's essential for trips of certain lengths (e.g., can I go a week with the 30L?). BtW, you can get the hip belt separately for the 30L--I got it for my PD Everyday Backpack Zip 20L (my go-to camera bag--it easily fits two MFT bodies, seven lenses, and everything else I'd ever want to carry) and it does take some of the weight off your back. The Zip also has water bottle pockets that are too small for many tripods, but you can just put one leg in the pocket and use one of the included straps to secure it (I rarely use one, so not a major issue for me).

[@winston_dlee]

Haha I totally understand. I want to see if I can switch to the 30L as well for trips, but the thing that always keeps me coming back to the 45L is the ability to put my 6L Sling along with my Camera Cube. Oh wow really? I didn't know the 20L Zip could hold that much. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the info!

[@ddsdss256]

@@winston_dlee Please note the "MFT"--Micro Four Thirds is my go-to camera system, as IMO it provides the best balance of performance and portability. You'd never be able to cram anything close to my 12-800mm EFL range of lenses for "full frame" or even APS-C in a 20L bag (or even my LowePro ProTactic AW450 II, which just makes it as a carry-on). As Cyber Monday's about to end (it says there's another day on the PD site, but in my email, it says the 20% off ends at midnight tonight), I'm leaning toward the 45L--probably in Sage so it doesn't blend in with all of the black bags out there. To bad they're out of Midnight--my Zip looks great in that.

[@winston_dlee]

@@ddsdss256 Haha, Sage definitely is a nice color for the backpack! I usually go for the plain colors to "blend" in a bit more when I carry them through the city. Though Peak Design backpacks are a bit different than normal backpacks already so I don't know how much I actually do blend in haha.

[@timo5601]

The weight difference is substantial. Base weight for the 45L is 4.5 lbs and the 30L is 3.17 lbs. I've had the 45L since 2017 and have done a lot of miles. It gets way too unwieldy fully packed out to 45L The only complaint I have is the offset side handles instead of making them centered. I love the versatility and the security features!

[@winston_dlee]

Fully packed, I definitely agree! The 45L is unbearably heavy. I had used that as my main "luggage" bag during my trips and while I managed, I definitely wouldn't do it again, which is why I now use a carry on suitcase for my clothes and other things like tripod, gimbal, etc. As a personal item though, I'm actually leaning towards keeping the 45L now, especially after testing the set up on a recent trip! The versatility definitely is a big factor! Thanks for watching!

[@leadinglightfilms]

i just did a europe trip with teh 45L fully loaded to 30 lbs. it wasn't comfortable but i really abused the zippers and they remained solid so I do like the security of the bag. and gettign it soaked, it dries up quick and insides stay dry.

[@winston_dlee]

@@leadinglightfilms Glad you're enjoying the backpack!

[@feniks6000]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@winston_dlee]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@abdiel3030]

Hi The 30l If it doesn't fill up that much, could it be folded so that it fits as a personal item or is the backrest too rigid that doesn't allow it?

[@winston_dlee]

Thanks for watching! As for your question, I was able to use the 30l as a personal item and the 45l as my carry on, with both being fully filled. The 30l was able to fit below my seat and the 45l fit in the compartment easily. Hope this helps!

[@kookshow86]

good review, what size cubes do you fit in there"?

[@winston_dlee]

I use the peak design medium sized camera cube for my gear and the peak design medium and small sized packing cubes for my clothes. Thanks for watching!

[@corwinduncan7052]

Thanks, might be buying the 30L-but I don’t see the affiliate link you mentioned? Is that on your website or?

[@winston_dlee]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, the affiliate link is on my website. Other options you could look at to purchase the bag are on Peak Design, including PD marketplace!

[@DramaticAlex]

Can you how if it's possible to fit the medium camera cube on the 30L ?

[@winston_dlee]

It is a bit of a squeeze, but the medium camera cube does fit in the 30L!

[@lamrof]

Thanks. question for you bud, does the 45L bag pass as personal item at its 30L config with Spirit if not packed to the rim?

[@winston_dlee]

Thanks for watching! I’m not sure about Spirit as I’ve never flew with them, I can’t say for sure (as I’ve only heard negative things about them), but if it’s not packed fully, I wouldn’t see why it wouldn’t fit! All airlines I’ve flew with so far let me bring the 45L as a personal item and it fit.

[@VolleyballLyfe]

What size camera cub is that? Is it the medium?

[@winston_dlee]

Yeah, it’s the medium sized one

[@enriquediaz7547]

Were the weights of the bags mentioned? (Empty)

[@winston_dlee]

For the Peak Design 30L, it's around 1.4 kg. The Peak 45L is around 2.05kg.

[@arlencarlson]

Curious if you ever use the 45L in under airline seat?

[@winston_dlee]

Yeah, I recently went on a trip to Hawaii and I used the 45L as my personal item and they had no problems with it. At the 30L and 35L capacity, it is perfectly fine, however, at the max 45L capacity, it'd be too thick to fit under most airline seats I'd think.

[@nino_rota]

always at 30 and 35 L

[@Raymond0595]

Does 45l bag comes with a rainfly?

[@winston_dlee]

I don’t believe it does. I’ve used mine in some pretty heavy rain without it though and I’ve never had a problem, but they do sell them on their website for around $30 if you want it for your backpack.

[@juliomarin5464]

Does the 6l sling bag fit on to 30l backpack?

[@winston_dlee]

With the way I set up my backpack with my peak design medium camera cube in the 30L, it does not fit in the backpack.

[@Hi-how-are-you-today.]

No I think it’s to tall to fit vertically (like a one cube size) in either of them

[@enriquediaz7547]

I get the same with two backpack style bags to travel with. I even tried a backpack (45L) & a sling & was still tough for the long hauls at airports. My next attempt is to try the 45L with a underseat roller so I can have the best of both. I will still carry a packable sling & backpack for options. (Bellroy lite & perhaps a Osprey/Northface 18L-24L packable backpack)

[@winston_dlee]

Nice set up! I hope that next attempt works for you. Traveling with new bags can be quite stressful haha.

[@HDBnB1]

Do you keep your 6l empty to fit it in?

[@winston_dlee]

Nah, I usually fill it up with my camera w/ a lens (usually my 24-70) and a prime or 2, which leaves my camera cube available for others things if I need to carry anything else.

[@mohamadmachine]

Thank you! Good review.

[@winston_dlee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AnimeWill]

Great comparison.

[@msp5138]

These backpacks are not water proof, they are weather proof.

[@elqord.1118]

The 30L is just ugly as sin. Like so bland, like it has no face. The 45L looks much better