I have a new camera backpack. It’s the Peak Design (PD) Travel Backpack 45l (from now on, I’ll also use the abbreviation PDTB). Why did this happen? Why didn’t I stick with another Shimoda backpack, since I had used it for years before? And why not F-stop, Gitzo, Tenba, Mindshift, or Lowe Pro, for example? This will be a bit of a longer read, so maybe make yourself a coffee. It will also be partially a story in the form of a self-interview, where I’ll use many of the questions I’ve been asked on this topic recently. So, here we go…
THANK YOU: A big thank you to the Czech representative of Peak Design for lending me the backpack for testing and for their generally excellent approach!
Written by: Petr Bambousek, translation: ChatGPT 4o
WHY THE SUDDEN CHANGE?
Sudden? Well, there are people, mostly women, who love handbags. And there are other people, mostly men, who just shake their heads at that. And then there are people who love camera backpacks, and others shake their heads at them. Humanity is practically in a constant state of wonder, and that drives its continuous development. I’m one of those who isn’t too keen on handbags, but I’ve had about six (okay, maybe eight) camera backpacks. As far back as I can remember, I had the LowePro Rover 450 AW II, LowePro Vertex 200, LowePro PhotoSport 200 AW II, Vanguard Uprise 46, and Manfrotto Bumblebee 220. That was during my DSLR era. Then, in 2016, I switched to shooting with Olympus/OM System and got different camera backpacks — ThinkTank Airport Essential, Shimoda Explore 30l, and now the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l. When I realize that I’m already on my third backpack during the Olympus era, it sounds a bit crazy. But then I look at what each of those backpacks has gone through, and it doesn’t seem so wild. For example, the tiny ThinkTank traveled with me on 12 tropical expeditions. Then came Shimoda, which accompanied me on 16. What’s great is that even after all that, those backpacks aren’t written off; they still function normally (of course, despite all the care, they’re not “like new”). I believe my new Peak Design will be no exception. So far, I’m keeping a pace of one backpack per four years, about 14 expeditions, which I think is a pretty reasonable tempo.
WHAT ARE MY REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACKPACK?
That’s a very good question, thank you for asking. In my opinion, when choosing a backpack (or anything, really), it’s essential to set certain parameters. For example, I have quite a bit of camera gear, I’m used to taking everything with me on my trips, and I focus on photographing nature — from ants to elephants. That brings with it very specific demands for gear and space. The most important criteria for a camera backpack for me are as follows:
- It should meet carry-on luggage requirements.
- It shouldn’t be too heavy on its own.
- It should have a modular system.
- It should fit all of my gear and various accessories.
- It should be able to stand on its own.
- It should open from the back (I find this more practical).
- It should be comfortable for longer wear.
- It should have a waist belt.
- It should be made from durable material.
- I should like how it looks.
WERE YOU NOT HAPPY WITH THE SHIMODA EXPLORE 30L?
Quite the opposite. I was very satisfied. Four years ago, the Shimoda Explore 30l and the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l were the two main candidates that emerged from my list of requirements. I went to a store with all the gear I wanted to carry and compared both backpacks on the spot. Each had its strengths, and both were almost identical in size, able to stand on their own, based on a modular system, opened from the back, and — without a doubt — both looked great to me. Shimoda had fantastic straps and ample space for my gear at the time (the Large DSLR core unit), and in the end, it won out. Peak Design didn’t have a waist belt back then, which I considered a deal-breaker. Wait, I know what you’re about to say — that PD does have a waist belt. Yes, I know! It does now. And I’ll tell you, it was a shock to discover, four years later, that the waist belt could be tucked away so well that it looked like it wasn’t there. I’ll get to that. So, I decided on the Shimoda Explore 30l. Everything was perfect, and I happily used the backpack for several years. But over time, I added a few bulkier pieces of gear — the OM 150-400mm/4.5 TC (Gandalf), macro rails, and more diffusers for flash diffusion. It all fit, but just barely. Gandalf, my main lens, was packed so tightly that the eyecup got scuffed. It was even worse with the diffusers — two fit comfortably in the back, but the third, larger one only fit with difficulty and had to be slightly bent. The backpack had simply become too small for me, and I started looking for a replacement.
My last two backpacks — Shimoda Explore 30l and Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l — side by side. They are both very similar in size and meet airline carry-on requirements. Peak Design has a wider and slightly longer back panel, which allows me to fit accessories that used to fit tightly or not at all in the Shimoda.
Naturally, I looked at the new version of the Explore 30l, and here I hit a snag. The new version had lots of innovations, which was great, but the larger (longer) core unit didn’t fit in it. That would have meant going for an even bigger backpack, which I didn’t want. And to be honest, despite all its practical advantages, the roll-top Action X series doesn’t appeal to me visually. So, I started looking elsewhere. Where better to start than with my second choice from before — the PD Travel Backpack 45l. I’d had my eye on this backpack for a while because one of my frequent travel companions (Zdeněk Macháček) uses it and seems happy with it. After some personal consultations and watching YouTube videos, I also realized that the backpack does indeed have a waist belt, and the “fool” wasn’t the manufacturer, but me. I’ve always had a soft spot for Peak Design. It all started with an anchor link and the Slide strap, and now I use a wide range of their accessories, which I swear by. I even wrote a separate article (CZ only) about it — you can check it out. I also took advantage of my good relationship with the Czech representative of Peak Design and asked to borrow the backpack for testing. Once again, a huge THANK YOU — it really helped me make the final decision! If the backpack hadn’t worked for me, I would have started considering other alternatives (like F-stop, Gitzo, Mindshift…). I’m sure I could have found a solution on the market. But I went straight with my heart and my great experience with Peak Design products. And so, the testing began.
Shimoda Explore 30l (left) accommodated most of my gear. The OM 150-400mm/4.5 TC, with the camera body attached, fit exactly to the millimeter. The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l (right) has a slightly more spacious internal unit, allowing for more gear, and the OM 150-400mm/4.5 fits more comfortably. The free space at the top is used for my PD Slide strap and Leofoto mini tripod, or for my macro rail case.
THE THEORY OF CHANGE ACCORDING TO PETR BAMBOUSEK
I’ve heard it many times. People write to me in droves, and the topic of choosing the “right” gear is eternal. Mainly, they don’t want to make a mistake. What if there’s a better choice, and I don’t pick the “best”? I’ve noticed that when making any change, we subconsciously have one important (and unattainable) expectation in mind — everything should be exactly the same as before, but in many ways, better. From personal experience, I can confirm that this isn’t how it works when choosing a camera or a backpack (or even a partner, perhaps). I went through this when switching from Canon to Olympus/OM System, and the same is happening now with the backpack selection. Every backpack (or camera) has unique features that other models simply don’t have. Then the classic internal debate begins: “This one has this feature, but that one has this… yes, but this one has that, which the other doesn’t, but it does have something else…” We make a list of pros and cons, where the items can’t really be compared one-to-one. The result is frustration, and in the worst case, complete paralysis from the inability to choose. I went through this struggle eight years ago when I first switched systems, until I had an epiphany on how to approach it differently. I decided not to compare what was before with what is now. Instead, I’d embrace the design philosophy of the new manufacturer. I’d let them show me how they intended their product to work, and I’d try to use it as they envisioned. I’d observe what it realistically brings me and where it genuinely limits me. Then I’d start making judgments, and perhaps I’d discover ways to mitigate any limitations. So, for a few days, I immerse myself in the mindset that no other backpack exists. I carry my gear as usual, pack and unpack it, look for different pieces of equipment, and put the backpack on my back — in short, I carry my gear everywhere as always.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l in the tropical environment of Ecuador.
MOVING MY GEAR
The first step was to take everything out of my old backpack. Have you ever tried that after four years of use? Honestly, I was surprised by how much stuff I needed to pack into the new one and have it all easily accessible. Aside from my camera gear, I always carry my PD Slide strap, PD Capture clip, phone in a PD case, PD wallet attached to the phone, PD Cuff wrist strap, PD spare plate, PD anchor link, PD hex key (I told you I had a lot of Peak Design gear!), as well as a Leofoto mini tripod, VFFOTO magnetic polarizer, Canon remote cable release, mini reflectors for macro, a memory card case from Megapixel, a business card holder, a sensor cleaning kit, optical wipes, spare batteries, and of course, my keys. All of this must have a designated spot in my backpack, where I can grab it even in the dark. With the Shimoda, I used the top pocket for this, which filled up pretty quickly. With the PDTB, I distributed everything into several pockets, and the backpack absorbed it all without noticeably filling up. I quickly realized how useful it is to know that tightening tools, plates, and anchor links are on the right side, various straps are on the left, and rarely used cleaning kits and other flat items are in the top part of the main pocket. Nothing gets in the way, and the backpack looks practically the same after packing everything in.
Mé povinné “harampádí”, které potřebuji mít v batohu vždy po ruce. Přes tohle prostě nejede vlak.
Then all that was left was to arrange the gear. In my setup, that includes two camera bodies (one mounted on Gandalf, which I’ll be using most often), seven lenses, a Godox V350O flash, and a Godox XPro II trigger (which will likely be replaced by the X-3 version in the future). I also needed to occasionally fit in my macro rails, which I carry in a sturdy case as a small macro kit. Likewise, I wanted to find a safe place to store all my diffusers without damaging them. After a bit of organizing, everything found its place, and voilà! Everything has its spot. Gandalf with the mounted camera still has about 3 cm of space, which is perfect for easily placing it inside without needing both hands. Additionally, between the core unit (I use the PD Camera Cube Large) and the top part of the backpack, there’s a space that comfortably fits my macro rails case. Since I don’t use them often, I mainly use that space for my strap and mini tripod. Then I placed my diffuser case on top of everything, and it fits perfectly without getting squished. For the mat that I use for sitting outdoors, I utilized the laptop slot, since I don’t carry one, and my tablet will go in the large front pocket. The zipper still closes comfortably without having to force it. Of course, I don’t carry the backpack packed this full all the time, but it’s good to know that when needed, I can fit everything I need inside with ease.
Complete gear packed into my new Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l (left). Placement of my set of three different-sized diffusers (center). Placement of the multifunctional mat (right).
How about the front pocket? It’s huge and can fit a lot of things. I was trying to figure out where to place my tripod, water bottle, and jacket — my most frequent gear when I go for walks through the rainforest in the tropics. It’s tempting to put the tripod and water bottle in the side pockets. However, that doesn’t work well for me because after drinking the water, the weight distribution of the backpack shifts to one side. I found that all three items fit perfectly into the large front pocket. I can keep the weight balanced by rearranging things as needed. I took the test backpack on several trips and spent some time figuring out how to organize smaller accessories, but eventually, everything fell into place. For extra protection during difficult hikes, I covered the backpack with the rain cover, which has a smart storage spot on the bottom of the backpack. Not only does it protect against rain, but for me, it’s mainly a safeguard against unnecessary wear from thorns or rocks, or protection from mud. Unlike the one I had with the Shimoda, this rain cover works perfectly — it doesn’t let water in. Overall, the backpack and I got used to each other, and there were no issues. I returned the test backpack in the Sage color and purchased my own in Black.
The PD Travel Tripod and water bottle can be easily tucked into the large side pockets (left). I started using the spacious front pocket for this, which allows me to maintain better balance. The jacket fits in there as well, and there’s still plenty of room for other small items. Everything stays within the basic compact 35l size without needing to expand the front pocket.
HOW DID THE BACKPACK PERFORM IN PRACTICE?
After testing, I embarked on a planned trip to Ecuador, where my main camera backpack was the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l. Before departure, I addressed three things that had been bothering me. Peak Design is known for its clever features and purposeful design, which has won not only my heart but also several awards. However, in my opinion, they went a little overboard with the design of the chest strap mechanism (I could still manage that with some patience), but especially with the way the waist belt connects. The backpack has a beautiful design — a metal hook fits into a neat loop on the opposite side. But when you’re walking through the forest and see something shocking, you need to quickly take off the backpack and grab your camera. You don’t want to struggle with nervously yanking the hook out of the loop. Likewise, after the action, you just want to throw the backpack on your back, snap it in place, and go, without having to fiddle with the hook again. It looks great and minimalist, but I couldn’t get past it. I bought some traditional snap buckles, and in a few minutes, that clever design feature was gone. Another issue I encountered was the lack of pockets for keys and a phone. With the Shimoda, I was used to taking the backpack out of the car, putting it on my back, closing the door, locking it, slipping my keys into one strap pocket, and my phone into the other, and off I’d go. Now I can’t do that because the straps don’t have any pockets. I solved the phone issue by buying an external hanging pocket from LowePro. It’s sized for a phone like the iPhone Pro Max, so it’s a bit too big for my taste since my iPhone Pro has extra room above it. I’d love it if PD eventually came out with its own phone pockets designed to match the backpack, in various sizes (I think two would be enough). But the key issue hasn’t been fully resolved. I don’t always use the waist belt, which has a small pocket. So after locking the car, I have to first put the keys in the front top pocket (which is very practical and just the right size for small items) before putting the backpack on. My last comment is about the straps, which are definitely better on the Shimoda. In one store, I was even warned that Peak Design is more for city strolls. I wouldn’t be that harsh. As I mentioned, a friend regularly takes it on our expeditions, and he comfortably handles all the hikes through the rainforest with it. I now have personal experience from an intense trip to Ecuador, where the backpack was always with me, and the straps are perfectly comfortable — you can live with them just fine. The fact that another backpack may have more comfortable straps doesn’t mean that everything else is worthless. Overall, I’m extremely satisfied with my new camera backpack because it offers incredible comfort for organizing all my necessary gear while maintaining very compact dimensions. It meets the vast majority of my requirements, often exceeding my expectations. In a few weeks, we’ll be heading out again, first to Brazil’s Pantanal and then to Indonesia. Now I just hope everything goes smoothly on those trips…
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l has the ability to hide the waist belt within the back padding without causing any discomfort. A few years ago, this confused me so much that I actually thought the backpack didn’t have a waist belt at all. On the right, you can see the “upgrade” I made to my black version, where I replaced the original chest and waist belt fastening system and added a phone pouch. If PD expands their amazing Mobile lineup to include their own phone pockets, I’ll be the first to buy them.
WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT THE BACKPACK?
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l has a lot of clever features, and for a complete overview, I recommend watching this video on YouTube. For me personally, these are the most appealing things:
- The basic capacity of the backpack is 35l, which makes it so compact — it can be expanded to 45l (I haven’t needed to yet) or reduced to 30l.
- The straps can be hidden — both the waist and shoulder straps, leaving just the backpack without any straps.
- The back padding can be increased, but I sweat so much in the tropics that no ventilation system really works for me anyway.
- The backpack is deep enough to fit the OM 150-400mm/4.5 lens with the foot, without pressing into my back like with shallower backpacks, yet it’s not too deep to cause problems on planes.
- Secret pockets where you can store accessories.
- The back is comfortable and fits me perfectly.
- Attachment loops everywhere for securing anything to any spot.
- The zippers are large and easy to operate with one hand.
- The backpack stands on its own.
- I really like it!
You can find the full range of Peak Design products here: www.peakdesign.ccom
With the new Peak Design Travel Backpack 45l in the Ecuadorian rainforest. The main camera is in the backpack, and the backup is ready in the Peak Design Capture clip.
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