Peak Design’s 45L Travel Backpack Review

When it comes to camera bags, Peak Design consistently delivers top-notch quality—and the 45L Travel Backpack is my favourite by far. While the brand has shifted its focus more toward travel bags, I still consider their products to be an excellent choice for wedding videographers. The lightweight yet durable construction, combined with a lifetime warranty, makes this bag a solid investment for anyone serious about protecting their gear.

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1. Build Quality & Versatility

Let’s talk about the build quality because this bag is a powerhouse. The first thing that stands out is how tough it feels without being overly bulky. Whether you’re dealing with rainy weather or needing a bag that can withstand a little rough handling, this one holds up well. The materials used make the bag not only weather-resistant but also theft-proof—plus, the zippers are built on the inside and are slash-proof for added security.

When you open the bag, you’ll notice there’s nothing pre-installed inside—this is because the bag is fully customizable to fit your specific needs. The good news is you don’t have to buy a ton of extra accessories to make it work for you. For example, I highly recommend the large camera cube. It’s great for organizing your camera gear, and the open top compartment is perfect for fitting bulkier items like a gimbal that normally wouldn’t fit in a bag of this size.

The dividers inside are strong and flexible, allowing you to adjust them based on the gear you’re carrying. Whether you’re shooting a wedding, a commercial, or a personal project, the bag adapts to whatever you need it to. There are plenty of compartments for cables, camera accessories, and other small essentials. But the key addition is definitely the camera cube—it’s the heart of the bag and helps keep everything organized. Ultimately, when it comes to protecting your gear, this bag gives you peace of mind. For wedding videographers, especially, that’s essential when you’re investing so much in your equipment.

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2. Lifetime Warranty

Here’s a quick story: this is actually my second Peak Design 45L bag, because the zipper on my first one gave out after 5 years of heavy use. And let me tell you, I used it in every possible weather condition you can imagine (living in Canada means dealing with some wild weather!). But here’s the kicker—Peak Design’s customer service is outstanding. They quickly replaced my bag, no questions asked, under their lifetime warranty. While this bag might be on the pricier side, that warranty gives me confidence that I’m covered long term.

For wedding videographers who use their bags every day, having that assurance is invaluable. If your gear is worth a significant investment, it only makes sense to use a bag that stands behind its product with a robust warranty.

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3. Accessories

Let’s dive into some of the accessories that can complement the Peak Design bag. First up is the Capture Clip, which is an absolute game-changer if you’re looking for a quick-release solution without having to deal with straps. It’s great for lighter cameras, allowing you to mount your gear to your chest or even your sling bag. This is a fantastic option for those who need quick access to their camera, especially in fast-paced environments like weddings.

That said, I personally don’t use the Capture Clip much anymore because I’ve moved to a dual-camera strap system to speed up my workflow for wedding shoots. For my needs, I want something even faster. However, if you’re shooting solo or don’t mind using a single camera setup, the Capture Clip is a great, hands-free option. Peak Design also offers a Pro Pad that helps distribute the weight of your camera and reduce neck strain, but I haven’t used that myself.

The shoulder straps deserve mention, too. The quick-release system makes it easy to adjust your bag on the go, but for my dual-camera setup and gimbal work, I prefer a different solution. Still, for those who primarily use a single camera setup, the straps work well.

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4. Tripod Integration

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a fantastic addition to your gear kit. It’s incredibly compact yet sturdy and fits perfectly in the water bottle pocket of the 45L bag. For event videographers, it’s a real bonus because it saves you the hassle of carrying around a separate tripod bag.

I love the tripod’s build quality and the easy-to-use clips that secure it. The smooth ball head is a pleasure to work with, offering excellent control for a variety of shooting scenarios. However, my only gripe with the Peak Design ecosystem is the plate. While it works well with many Arca-Swiss mounts, the plate can be a bit disruptive when you’re working with other equipment. For example, with a gimbal, you’ll need to purchase a special plate to make it compatible with the Peak Design tripod. And this is where things get a little tricky—having multiple plates on your camera means it doesn’t sit as flat when placed down. It’s a minor issue, but something to consider if you’re working with a complex setup.

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Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your camera bag is your most trusted companion when it comes to transporting gear—and while there are plenty of options out there, Peak Design stands out for its versatility, build quality, and attention to detail. The ability to customize your bag to fit your needs, paired with the peace of mind that comes with the lifetime warranty, makes it an investment that’s well worth the money. If you’re a wedding videographer (or anyone with a serious camera setup), I highly recommend giving the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack a closer look.

Feel free to support the blog by purchasing the bag through my Amazon link:

https://amzn.to/40bu5Rl