The Everyday Backpack is a daily bag – for work, the city and photography, with fast access from the top and sides. The Travel Backpack is a travel pack that opens like a suitcase and can replace your luggage for several days. If you mostly head outdoors, also consider the Outdoor line.
Quick decision
- Daily commute, school or city photography: Everyday Backpack 20L (with a 15–16" laptop) or the simpler Everyday Backpack Zip.
- Weekends and short business trips: Travel Backpack 20L or 30L, or the Everyday Backpack 30L.
- A week or more with carry-on only: Travel Backpack 45L or Travel Backpack 2-in-1 40L.
- Hiking, cycling, outdoor photography: Outdoor Backpack 18L, 25L or 45L.
Comparison table
Figures are based on the specifications at peakdesign.com; for the Travel Backpack 30L and 45L, where the manufacturer's site currently shows only part of the data, on authorised retailers' spec sheets.
| Model | Volume | Weight | Laptop | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday Backpack 20L | 17–20 L | 2.01 kg with dividers (1.66 kg without) | 15" / 16" MacBook Pro | top (MagLatch), 2 side zips | daily use, photo |
| Everyday Backpack 30L | 22–30 L | 2.11 kg with dividers (1.76 kg without) | most 16" laptops | top (MagLatch), 2 side zips | daily use with more gear |
| Everyday Backpack Zip 15L | 15 L | 1.34 kg with dividers | 13" MacBook Pro | 270° zip around the top | city, light kit |
| Travel Backpack 20L | 20–23 L | 1.15 kg | 16" MacBook Pro | large clamshell zip | personal item, weekend |
| Travel Backpack 30L | 27–33 L | approx. 1.44 kg | 14" and 16" MacBook Pro | rear panel, top pocket | short trips, daily use |
| Travel Backpack 45L | 30 / 35 / 45 L | approx. 2.05 kg | 16" | top, sides, front and rear | travel for a week or longer |
| Travel Backpack 2-in-1 40L | 40 L (34 + 16 L) | 2.45 kg connected | 16" MacBook Pro | clamshell + zip-off daypack | travel with day trips |
| Outdoor Backpack 25L | 20–25 L (roll-top) | 1.15 kg | 16" MacBook Pro (internal sleeve) | full rear panel | hiking, cycling, outdoor photo |
Everyday Backpack: for every day and for your camera
The Everyday Backpack is Peak Design's iconic model, now in its second generation (v2). The main compartment opens from the top with the MagLatch magnetic closure, and two side zips give access to the rest – you can pull out your camera without putting the bag on the ground.
What it offers
- Three FlexFold dividers (in both 20L and 30L) split the space into shelves. Without them it is a regular city backpack, with them a full camera bag.
- Expandable volume: the top adds up to 3 litres on the 20L and up to 8 litres on the 30L.
- Laptop and tablet sleeve – the 20L fits up to a 15" laptop (and 16" MacBook Pro), the 30L most 16" laptops; tablets up to a 12.9" iPad Pro.
- Cord Hook external straps for a tripod, jacket or sleeping mat, a luggage pass-through and side bottle pockets.
When to choose the Zip version
The Everyday Backpack Zip is the visually cleaner sibling: one zip around the top, two dividers and a lower weight. It comes in 15L and 20L. It suits you if you don't need expandable volume and want a more discreet office bag. The 15L fits a 13" laptop, the 20L a laptop up to 15". See the full range in the Everyday line – backpacks and bags collection.
Travel Backpack: a backpack that replaces a suitcase
The Travel line is built on the idea that no two trips are the same. The packs open wide like a suitcase, have stowable shoulder straps (and a hip belt on the 45L) and are designed around Peak Design Packing Cubes and Camera Cubes.
Travel Backpack 45L
The flagship. In standard form it holds 35 L and, according to the manufacturer, meets international carry-on size requirements; compressed it is a 30 L large daypack and expanded 45 L for trips where size doesn't matter. Access is from the top, sides, front and rear, and the main compartment can be split into two with a mesh divider. With a Camera Cube up to size Large it becomes a travel camera pack with side access.
Travel Backpack 30L and 20L
The Travel Backpack 30L (27–33 L) is a more compact bag for long weekends and daily use. A Camera Cube fits only when it is expanded. The newer Travel Backpack 20L (20–23 L, 1.15 kg) is designed as an under-seat personal item or a companion to a roller: it has a sleeve for a 16" MacBook Pro, a hidden bottle and AirTag pocket, and fits a Smedium Camera Cube (Medium when expanded).
Travel Backpack 2-in-1 40L
A combination of a 34 L base pack and a 16 L zip-off daypack. Connected, they form a max-size 40 L carry-on; at your destination you detach the daypack for day trips. The base pack fits a Camera Cube or Packing Cube up to size Large and a laptop up to 16".
All travel models are in the Travel line – backpacks and bags collection.
Outdoor Backpack: when you head into nature
The Outdoor line is lighter and more technical: vest-style shoulder straps, an internal frame only on the 45L, and Terra Shell fabric that weighs considerably less than the Everyday line. Sizes are 18L (fixed volume, 1 kg), 25L (roll-top, 20–25 L) and 45L (roll-top, 34.5–45 L, 1.55 kg without hip belt). The shoulder straps have reinforced points for the Capture clip, so you carry your camera on your chest. The 18L and 25L fit a Smedium Camera Cube, the 45L up to a Large. More in the Outdoor line – backpacks and bags collection.
Questions to ask before buying
- How big is your laptop? A 16" laptop rules out the Everyday Backpack Zip 15L and the Outdoor 18L.
- Do you fly carry-on only? Then the Travel Backpack 45L or 2-in-1 makes sense. Always check airline limits, though – they vary.
- Do you carry a camera? For quick access during the day the Everyday (side zips) is best; for travel the Travel 45L with a Camera Cube.
- How much does weight matter? The difference between the Everyday Backpack 30L with dividers (2.11 kg) and the Outdoor 25L (1.15 kg) is almost a kilogram.
Browse the whole brand in the Peak Design collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Travel Backpack 45L fit as airline carry-on?
Peak Design states that in its standard 35 L form it meets international carry-on size requirements; expanded to 45 L it is better suited to car or train travel. Carry-on limits differ between airlines, so always check your carrier's rules.
Can I use the Everyday Backpack for travel?
Yes, for short trips and as a personal item next to a suitcase it works well – it has a luggage pass-through and expandable volume. For a week of one-bag travel, however, it lacks the capacity and the large rear opening of the Travel Backpack.
Which Peak Design backpack is best for a camera?
For everyday camera carry, the Everyday Backpack with FlexFold dividers and side access is the most versatile. For travel with more gear choose the Travel Backpack 45L with a Camera Cube (up to Large), and for the outdoors the Outdoor Backpack with Capture clip attachment points.
What is the difference between the Everyday Backpack and the Everyday Backpack Zip?
The classic Everyday Backpack opens from the top with the MagLatch magnetic closure, has two side zips and expandable top volume. The Zip version has a simpler look with one zip around the top, two dividers instead of three, and is lighter.
What warranty do Peak Design backpacks have?
The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects and failures that make the product non-functional. It does not cover normal wear, cosmetic damage or accidental damage. Details are on Peak Design's warranty page.