Peak Design Travel Backpack 30 Review

[@Whigu]

That packing peanut thing and "airplanebox" thing are actually really smart things to do :-) You deserver thumbs up for it =)

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks! =)

[@d.nakamura9579]

Your bag reviews are all great- concise and some of the best on KZbin 👍

[@OneBagTravels]

Woot, thanks!

[@comeatime-rg2yl]

Looking forward to roundup!

[@OneBagTravels]

Me too!

[@moncho33]

1:00 I appreciate you taking the time and effort of creating that box to simulate how a backpack fits under an airplane seat. Since the space under the seat is a little less restrictive than a box, I think it might get by to use as a personal item on many airlines. By any chance you, or any other viewer have had experience with this backpack and using it under the seat of an airplane? I've used backpacks with similar dimensions with no problem, but they don't hold their form like this one, making it easier to adjust. Thanks!

[@OneBagTravels]

I've flown with this bag but I don't think I've tried to fit it under the seat, you probably could if you had a larger under seat space. The box is more for the gate agents and airline sizer boxes, it's not really related to the size of space under the seat, they use the sizer box more to charge you extra if you go over. You can always also just put a personal item in the overhead, it doesn't have to go under your seat, although it can be rude to bump someones overhead space who paid for a carry-on.

[@moncho33]

@@OneBagTravels Thanks for the reply. I usually travel with a backpack and a carry-on suitcase which goes to the overhead space. Yeah, I’ve seen people use overhead space for both carry-on and personal items. I don’t think it’s fair. I wouldn’t do that. My concern with this backpack is that it seems to retain its form, and will not be flexible enough to push under a seat like other backpacks I’ve traveled with.

[@OneBagTravels]

@@moncho33 It's not completely inflexible, you can squish it down a little on the sides, but the length, which will probably prevent you from putting it under the seat, is pretty stiff, the bag bends more than it squishes.

[@lanceklein2746]

Nice review, although I wish you would have packed it with peanuts when expanded since I thought PD stated the expanded size was 33L not 30L. Good to see they stayed true to their 27L claim when unexpanded! Personally, I prefer smaller bags to be under-seat compatible and find long, thin bags that are too tall for personal item travel but too small for a longer trips to be an awkward in-between size.

[@OneBagTravels]

Yes you're right, they do say 33L on the website! 😬 I just tested the capacity of it expanded, and it actually holds a little more than 33. I was able to get 35L in the bag, but it was stuffed pretty full. 33L is probably closer to the full expanded "working capacity."

[@lanceklein2746]

@@OneBagTravels Thanks for the follow up!

[@msp5138]

You can use an external strap to carry the backpack like a duffle bag. Also, you can remove your laptop before opening the bag. Or open the backpack widen enough to include the backpack and put it in last.

[@OneBagTravels]

Nice, I can see that, attaching a shoulder strap to some of the gear loops would work

[@KurtRWalker]

I have an Aer travel pack 2 and an Aer travel pack 3 small (both of which I have done trips to Latam for 1 to 4 months). Curious how you would compare them to the PD. Since the 30L can go a little smaller and bigger which could be nice for flex (or going home with more than I came with) Tough to beat the Aer stuff though, comfort is king too. And my Aer 3 small I can fit into the personal item size for spirit and frontier if I dont have it over full (partially got it for last minute domestic trips plus taken it abroad). I could not find reviews of either Aer 3's from you. But it looks like the PD is too long to fit in the personal item size, wondering if that is the case with the Aer 3 regular, I think it's a bit shorter in length. I know my Aer 3 small is and fits even if tight.

[@OneBagTravels]

Aer Travel Pack 3 small is technically a little over the length for Frontier, it would probably fit if underpacked but I haven't flown with them in awhile so I don't know how strict they are being now. I doubt you could get away with the regular sized Aer travel pack as a personal item though. Peak Design 30 is about the same length as the Aer regular, so no space savings there. I think the compressibility and carry comfort on Aer bags is a big bonus too.

[@KurtRWalker]

@@OneBagTravels The carry comfort is the best I agree. My Tp3 small fits in the Frontier and Spirit personal item space but yes it cant be over packed out, and cant be too thick. Good to know on the PD30 and AER TP3 regular. I can one bag for a month plus in my tp3 small but now I have to add 10 liters of mountain bike gear for adding that to trips to Peru, Spain, Italy. etc. Trying to decide if I get a TP3 (or use the TP2 I started with) or PD40/Tortuga (dont love the looks) or even use the Nomatic Navigator 32L I have. It sure feels bigger than 32L even before expanding it to 40. I have never traveled with it. It's a nice bag but I have become used to the more flexible nature of the AER bags where the Nomatic has much more structure. And obviously with any of these 30+ I am now in Carry On territory vs personal item size.

[@OneBagTravels]

@@KurtRWalker I have been down this path for many years trying to find the perfect bag and from my experience it doesn't exist. It's one thing to collect bags because you like the design, or use them for different purposes. But if you're looking for a bag that's just slightly better than the one you have, any new bag you buy will have something about it that just isn't quite right. You will always have to be ok with a bag that's just never quite perfect.

[@KurtRWalker]

@@OneBagTravels Thanks for sharing your perspective, what you are saying sounds right lol.

[@TechNbags]

Hi, it's my main bag for travel from 1 to a few weeks of summer. I love it !

[@OneBagTravels]

Nice!

[@axlesnappers]

As a personal item or carryon?

[@TechNbags]

@@axlesnappers depends on how much you fill it. If not max, you can personal item otherwise carry on 🙂

[@christopherwarsh]

Thanks for the review!! I have the 30L EDC from Peak but I think I’ll try this. I’ve love the PD 45L but that’s huge.

[@OneBagTravels]

45 is huge, and this one expands so it's actually quite large

[@SouthPhillyPT]

Well done! Always good to watch your reviews! ❤

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks so much!

[@MatiasSchertel]

It would be really cool to have a video comparing the peak design 30l and the Patagonia mini mlc 30 They are pretty famous on Reddit and having your technical comparison and pros and cons would be awesome 🎉

[@OneBagTravels]

Good comparison, I'll add it to my list

[@cframe47]

Just a quick correction for you. The zippers are a custom collaboration between PD and Zoom, not YKK. Great review though. The packing peanuts thing is genius.

[@OneBagTravels]

Yes, when I see a big high quality zip I immediately think YKK so for some reason I insist on calling them YKK even though they're not 🤷‍♂️

[@jkahn923]

Definitely prefer the top access on the Everyday bag. Plus the whole laptop situation in this bag seems to be very inconvenient and poorly designed to be part of the opening flap. Bless my laptop if i need to open and close the bag. The top zipped access for laptop on ED is also very practical.

[@OneBagTravels]

The laptop access on those two bags actually isn't that different. Travel Backpack is built into the back panel, but it's easy to access it with the bag standing up by just opening the zipper part way. Everyday is the same, it's just in a separate compartment not connected to the main bag. It is easier to get to though, and you don't need to worry about accidentally opening the bag too far, having stuff in the way or shift around when you open the main zipper.

[@msp5138]

Place the two zippers at the top of the backpack and the backpack it opens like the ED.

[@josegoncalvesdias3242]

Do you have by any chance the peanuts test against the 45L version? As unepanded is around 35L

[@OneBagTravels]

I haven't tested that one unfortunately

[@shetuamin]

Nice presentation. I have a eye on this bag long time. I can not make decision on Peak Design Travel backpack 30L vs 45L.

[@OneBagTravels]

They're very similar, some design and access differences, but I'd base it more on how much gear you carry. do you have another bag with similar capacity? You could pack it with your stuff for travel and see if the 30L is large enough, if not go with the 45.

[@RobHunsaker-to7wo]

Very thorough review. Thank you...

[@OneBagTravels]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrBolodecenora]

Thank you for reviewing this bag. Would you choose that one or the Aer Travel 3 Small?

[@OneBagTravels]

Good question! I love both those bags so I'd make my decision more on which one I liked the look of better. AER does have a few more exterior pockets and a more comfortable carry system though.

[@seemore4606]

I like the bag but not having any other easy access other than the top front section is a downside. I was considering this and the bellroy venture 26l... hmm.. I guess thats why its called a travel pack rather than an everyday bag.

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah, it is a downside but it works good for what it's intended for I guess. Bellroy makes great bags too, can't really go wrong with either.

[@godwinjoy9730]

How do you feel about this being used as a durable edc/everyday bag for mainly grad school (16inch MacBook Pro, 12.9 iPad with keyboard, and folders with papers)? I’ve heard some say the AER 3 small might be better for this.

[@OneBagTravels]

I'm sure it would work fine for that, but unless you're carrying a lot of clothes I don't know what you'd do with the big main compartment. Only advantage of the AER 3 is more pockets and exterior organization.

[@godwinjoy9730]

@@OneBagTravels do you feel something like the 20L zip would be a better fit for my usage?

[@OneBagTravels]

@@godwinjoy9730 Yeah probably. It's setup like a camera bag and still has a big main compartment, but you can just take the dividers out and use it like a regular daypack.

[@MrKaiza416]

Just got the 30l black

[@OneBagTravels]

Nicceeee

[@zhoulin]

Thank you for the review. It answers many questions I have from PD web site.

[@OneBagTravels]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandorturanszky2401]

On their webiste it says it's 27-33 no 27-30 Capacity Standard: 27L Expanded: 33L

[@OneBagTravels]

Yes that is correct, I misspoke in the video. I peanut pack tested the expanded version and it's more like 35L actually, but quite full

[@alejandropintos7549]

Aren't the zippers Zoom brand? co-developed with PD?

[@OneBagTravels]

!!! Yes, you're right, they look so similar to YKK that I forgot they are actually a different brand. UltraZip from Zoom.

[@DD654-jx9kl]

I love your review! This a really popular backpack, but I think the big compartment is a not for me. But definitely this model is nice looking!

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks as always for watching DD!

[@terrysmith1279]

Thank you for your honest bag reviews!! I have 2 of the bags you have reviewed and bought one based on your review and love it !! Can you tell me what was on your packing cube? Are they washable thanks PS can you do more cabin zero reviews love that bag 😊

[@OneBagTravels]

That's something that spilled on my last trip, I imagine it will wash out fine but I haven't done it. Yes you can just throw these in the washing machine.

[@abdiel3030]

Hi 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?

[@OneBagTravels]

No, you can't really fold or squish the Travel Backpack down, it's very firm and has a lot of structure and a firm back panel.

[@garyspanedda9569]

So in your opinion, will this fit under an airline seat as a personal item or is it just a bit too large?

[@OneBagTravels]

It's hard to say because airplane seat spaces are so variable. I'd say a majority of larger planes it should fit, but will probably be tight. Also just because it can fit under an airplane seat doens't always mean it counts as a personal item.

[@garyspanedda9569]

@@OneBagTravels Perfect, thanks

[@geep8591]

Was that the Aer TP3 small or regular size you compared it to for the opening panel?

[@OneBagTravels]

That's the small

[@Kasirkin29]

Interesting it doesnt fit in your box, there is a photo on a customer review on the PD site of this bag sitting quite nicely in the a Spirit Flight sizer box.

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah I just looked at that picture. That's interesting because it's almost a full 3" taller than Spirit allows. Maybe it's helped by those handle slots in the side, or they stuffed it in there? Seems like it fits fine in the pic though, I'm not sure. 🤷‍♂️

[@ChaseWatkins.]

What is that white pouch you mentioned for toiletries?

[@OneBagTravels]

Yes, it's the Eagle Creek quicktrip XS. Great little minimalist toiletry pouch.

[@cyclopsamurai]

Is it making it as a personal item? Many reports say it'll go... will the top smush down??

[@OneBagTravels]

It's not super smushy because it has a hardish backing. It'll likely fit under a airplane seat, but sizer box probably not

[@MeganSmith-qw4hy]

How would you compare to the Thule aion 28l?

[@OneBagTravels]

That would be a good comparison video!

[@spacehoppity3127]

This bag is almost 650 grams heavier than the osprey 26+6. It’s far too heavy and I recently swapped out. It’s like night and day. You should do a head to head, also include any other expandable backpacks you can think of. 👍

[@OneBagTravels]

Good suggestion, expandable bags would be a good comparison!

[@msp5138]

Far to heavy for who? Not me, or tons of other people.

[@christopherwarsh]

The Osprey is also a different kind of bag and with less rigidity. I don’t think they are as comparable because it’s more what works for you rather than the bag to rule them all

[@JViewer-py7fl]

This bag is one of the most uncomfortable bags I’ve ever used lol. The shoulder straps are HORRIBLE. I bought it a week ago and I’m just going to sell it and try something else.

[@TechNbags]

I have it since a few months and I don't feel that. It's not the most comfortable bag in the world but I think it's quite good. Depends on the body type maybe ?

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah, the straps are thin so you're relying more on the shape of the straps fitting you well. I imagine it's not going to work for everyone.

[@msp5138]

I've this backpack for a week and have experienced ZERO problems with the shoulder straps. However, I am not overweight or physically weak so maybe that might be your issue.

[@bradsmith-e9n]

@@msp5138 what a cringe thing to say LMAO next you're gonna mention your super hot model girlfriend with no context anyway, peak design packs are famously uncomfortable - tons of people regret buying them after they actually wear them with gear inside

[@adabamas]

A pocket with flimsy magnets that opens from the bottom to store storage straps? Give me a break. That's the most ridiculous design decision, focusing on design over functionality. An easy no for me for that reason alone.

[@lanceklein2746]

I have the 30L everyday backpack with the same feature and my straps have never fallen out after 2 years of commuting to work with it. I actually like knowing that the straps are always there if I need them, although I have never used them 😊

[@adabamas]

@@lanceklein2746 that's good to know, but imagine what additional things you could store if it weren't facing down. It just seems like a bizarre design choice made be someone who doesn't travel.

[@OneBagTravels]

You only use that pocket for storing the straps, which you can leave connected to the loops that are just inside the pocket. So even if they did fall out of the pocket they wouldn't go anywhere because they are still connected to the bag. It does seem flimsy but it actually works well if you just use that pocket for storing the straps, I wouldn't put anything else in there.

[@adabamas]

@@OneBagTravels I find the notion that I can only use a pocket for a specific use case ridiculous. They shouldn't be telling me how I can or cannot use a pocket. To have that giant upside pocket only available for storing straps is just bizarre. Great looking bag though.

[@msp5138]

@@adabamas Did mommy not give you enough hugs? People obviously have zero problem with the magnets so get a life.