Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 Review: The Ultimate Modular Bag?

The bag worked seamlessly for the trip and took a battering. Since then, I can honestly say I have not seen too many bags that have replicated this design. So I was pleasantly surprised when Peak Design released their Travel Backpack 2-in-1 bag in 2026, albeit not as large as my backpack in the 80s, but far more functional in design in comparison.

Peak Design kindly sent us the Travel Backpack 2-in-1 in the Stone colourway for this review. Read our disclaimer below. This is a really lengthy post as it involves 2 bags, so we strongly suggest using the navigation panel above if you only want specific details. If you want to read from top to bottom, make a coffee/tea/rum & coke/vodka & orange/gin & tonic etc. before continuing

*Fürst was renowned across Switzerland and Europe for making high-quality, durable rucksacks and travel packs. They were particularly known for their modular 2-part Travel Packs. They were acquired in 1989 by the iconic Swiss outdoor giant Mammut, which branded their products Mammut-Fürst during the transition period until they eventually dropped the Fürst in the early 90s.

Disclaimer:  This review is unbiased. We would never recommend using any product unless we have used the product ourselves. We always strive to give you our honest opinion to help you make the best choice. We received the product with compliments , but were not paid for this review; however, we may receive commissions on links in this post.

Before we delve into the bag, we just wanted to point out that this bag is actually aircraft carry-on compliant. When we first received the bag, we assumed this was a check-in bag. Considering the bag’s size, we thought there was no way that this could meet carry-on restrictions. However, having said that, with the Base Pack and Day Pack* connected, the bag measures 21cm in depth, which is within the limits (commonly 23 cm). To stay within the depth limitation, this bag cannot bulge at the front, so make sure you do not overpack the Day Pack. Most airlines allow an overhead locker bag and an additional smaller bag, so it may be easier to separate the bags to take aboard rather than attached. The only caveat, unless you are travelling on a US airline, is the weight issue, which can vary between 7kg and 10kg depending on the airline. If you are using the Base Pack for camera gear, you may struggle to stay under the limit unless you split the gear up between the Base Pack and the Day Pack.

The bag is touted as a 40L bag. But this is the total volume of the bag when joined. The Base Pack has a 30L capacity while the Day Pack has a 10L capacity. But once the two are separated, they hold more, with the Base Pack holding 34L and the Day Pack 16L.

*Day Pack – the term is more commonly written as daypack, but for this post we have used the term Day Pack as this clearly defines the two bags. Also, the tag attached to the bag refers to it as a Day Pack.

BASE PACK – EXTERIOR

As with all of Peak Design’s bags, there are no shortcuts when it comes to the materials they use. The exterior is constructed with the durable, weatherproof  Versa Shell™ 330D, but as usual, the base of the bag is a far more resilient Versa Shell™ 900D, as this is the part of the bag that is placed on the ground during use. The bag uses a YKK zipper to connect the two packs but all other entrance zippers are premium-quality #8 UltraZip zippers, which, as noted in previous product reviews, are a collaborative creation between Peak Design and Zoom Zippers. 

The one thing we really love about the larger Peak Design bags is the number of handles they include. These always make life so much easier when lifting, especially when placing in aircraft overhead lockers. The Base Pack has 5 handles – yep, you heard correctly. Four of the handles are low-profile, sitting pretty flush to the bag. They are located on the back, which also acts as a roller bag trolley handle pass-through, on both sides, and on the base. The fifth handle is the largest and is located at the top of the bag, just above the shoulder straps. Most likely, you will be using this handle more frequently than the others.

When the Base Pack and Day Pack are attached, the exterior naturally has more pockets; but once they are separated, the exterior of the Base Pack is devoid of pockets. There’s a zippered Quick-Access Stash pocket on the front of the bag, which acts as a “hidden pocket” when the Day Pack is attached. This relatively shallow pocket also has two equally-sized floating pockets for smaller items. Other than that, there’s only a Flex Pocket on each side of the bag, which is ideal for a water bottle (when not in transit), umbrella, etc. These pockets will also fit up to a Peak Design Pro Tall tripod. The lack of pockets makes a lot of sense as the Base Pack is purely a luggage bag that sits in a hotel room, and the Day Pack is the daily bag that travels with you everywhere.

The Base Pack also has 10 anchor points (loops) to secure additional items to the outside of the bag using the 2 Cord Hooks you will find inside a pocket of the Day Pack.

The number of anchor points allows a multitude of configuration options when lashing additional items to the exterior. There’s also a tiny nylon loop on the side of the bag for attachment of a luggage tag.

The back of the bag, as with all their bags we have reviewed, is designed for total comfort. Peak Design, like most users, hate dangling straps, and that is where their bags generally excel. There always seems to be somewhere on their bag to hide any obtrusions when the bag is not being used or in transit.

• Shoulder Straps – these are extremely well-padded and attach to the back of the bag utilising magnets. This is a feature used on many of their bags, but is essential on this bag to sit flush against the back of the bag to allow easy reconnection of the Day Pack. The shoulder straps have a fully adjustable sternum strap. But the biggest plus for the shoulder straps is the ability to stow them when not in use. To do this, disconnect each clip at the bottom of each shoulder strap and feed the shoulder straps into the recess behind the tops of the shoulder straps. Just be aware that the same cavity also accommodates the waist belt when not in use, so it might be a bit awkward feeding the shoulder straps in. To tighten the shoulder straps when connected, pull down on the straps and lift the metal release upwards to loosen. The first couple of times, it was a little stiff to release, but this improved after a few uses.
• Waist Belt – the waist belt is included with this bag and stowed in the bottom recess. The waist belt can be removed completely if not in use, or left stowed in the cavity. Each belt has two clip settings. The waist belt is also equipped with a zippered mesh pocket on one side and two low-profile connection points (in all honesty, we didn’t know what to call these ) 
• Pass-Through Handle – as mentioned previously, the back of the Base Pack has a low-profile handle which doubles as a pass-through for luggage trolley handles.
• Padding – the back of the Base Pack is well padded, and in our testing we have found it to be extremely comfortable.

BASE PACK – INTERIOR

Many of the bags we have reviewed recently have been carry-on-compliant and therefore have few features inside, to maximise packing space. The Base Pack interior is no exception. The first thing we noticed is that there are no compression straps to hold items in place. Photographers who are using a Camera Cube can secure the cube using the clips provided with the camera cube; however, for non-photographers who are just using the Base Pack for packing, you might want to consider purchasing packing cubes; otherwise, there could be an avalanche of clothes if opening the bag when standing vertically.

With the Day Pack attached, a laptop/tablet can be accommodated in a sleeve in the Day Pack; however, once separated, a laptop/tablet can instead also be kept in a sleeve on the interior of the Base Pack. The laptop/tablet sleeve will fit up to a 16″ MacBook Pro laptop. Besides that, there is just the single zippered pocket.

Inside this pocket is a small pocket for the addition of an AirTag. The main compartment is free of any pockets to maximise packing space. Side pockets would only encroach on the interior and be detrimental to the purpose the bag was designed for. Around the edges of the interior are nylon loops – 4 on each side of the Base Pack and 2 at the bottom. These are primarily designed to secure Camera Cubes. If you have purchased a Peak Design Camera Cube, the clips should have been included. The Base Pack has been specifically designed to accommodate all camera cube sizes up to a Large Camera Cube.

Naturally, if you are not using a Camera Cube, then there’s a lot of capacity for Packing Cubes. If you are using a Camera Cube, the Packing Cubes will obviously need to be smaller. There are too many packing combinations to mention for this post. To give you some idea, Peak Design has explained it in the following way.

The interior has been split into 3 sections  (3 units). The Camera Cubes, Packing Cubes, and Pouches take up the following space.

• SM (Small Medium) = 1.5 units
• M (Medium) = 2 units
• L (Large) = 3 units

• XXS (Extra Extra Small)  = 0.25 units
• XS (Extra Small) = 0.5 units
• S (Small) = 1 unit
• SM (Small Medium) = 1.5 units
• M (Medium) = 2 units
• L (Large) = 3 units

So, what does this all mean? Of course, it depends on how much gear you are taking; that determines the size of the Camera Cube you will need and, in turn, the remaining space for Packing Cubes. For example, if you are taking a Small Camera Cube (1 unit), there will only be enough remaining space for 2 units of space, which could comprise any combination of the above to equal 2 units. Balls in your court!

Lastly, no matter how you pack, do not forget to take into account the airline’s carry-on weight restrictions and the bag’s net weight before packing (Base Pack is 1.7kg/3.7lb). In the images below, we have shown the Base Pack with a Small Peak Design Camera Cube and a Medium Peak Design Camera Cube. If you are using it as a carry-on, in our opinion, the best fit-out would be the Small or Smedium (size is between the Small and Medium) if you are contending with weight restrictions. For us, the Medium Camera Cube, as shown below, would not allow us to use it as a carry-on bag. If weight is not an issue, then you could use the Large, but this would leave no room for Packing Cubes. It really comes down to how much gear you need to take and the carry-on weight restrictions of the airline you are using.

DAY PACK – EXTERIOR

Above: The Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 separated. The back of the Day Pack is on the left.

The tripod will fit into the stretchy Flex Pockets on each side of the bag, but there are no anchor points (loops) on the Day Pack to secure the excess section of the tripod. Nevertheless, don’t panic; if you are carrying the Peak Design Travel Tripod, it will fit into the interior of the Day Pack.

The exterior of the Day Pack has been simplified and, although still functional, has fewer features than the Base Pack. There’s a single-zippered quick-access pocket at the top of the bag. The pocket has an internal divider for separating items. There’s also a key tether and an additional 2 equally-sized floating pockets.

The back of the Day Pack has a full-width horizontal grab handle, which can be used as a pass-through for trolley luggage. The shoulder straps are narrower and not as well padded as the Base Pack. Unlike the Base Pack, the shoulder straps do not use magnets to keep them flat against the bag when not in use. They also have a more simplified version of the sternum strap. The nylon handle at the top of the bag is also not as wide or bulky as the one on the Base Pack. Lastly, the strap release buckles have also been simplified.

Despite all the changes to the Day Pack, they all seem very logical, in our opinion, as you are not carrying as much weight in the Day Pack. If the same features had been included for the Day Pack, it would have made it bulkier, heavier, and less refined.

The only issue we have with the Day Pack is the interior space, but this may not be an issue for everyone, as everyone travels differently.

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Above: Day Pack – Back

DAY PACK – INTERIOR

Now, while many may love the Day Pack, our main bugbear with the bag is the interior space, or lack thereof. We understand that Peak Design has tried to keep the Day Pack as slim as possible to avoid it being too bulky when attached to the Base Pack. But here’s the problem, for some at least. If you are utilising the Base Pack for an average amount of camera gear, there is insufficient space in the Day Pack to transfer the gear. The Camera Cubes are NOT optimised for the Day Pack; however, this is not entirely true, as our Peak Design XS Camera Cube does fit (see image further down). This cube will accommodate our Sony A7Riii + 24-105mm f/4 lens attached, but not much else. So, depending on the size of your camera and lenses, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. For photographers with more gear who want to drop off the Base Pack at the hotel and then head out with the Day Pack, you’d better rethink how to carry your gear.

The main compartment also does not expand as much as your traditional daypack. Inside the Day Pack is a cavernous sleeve that can fit up to a 16″ laptop or tablet. So if the Day Pack is attached to the Base Pack, you could carry 2 laptops if needed. Unlike the Base Pack, this is a singular pocket without a smaller sleeve for a tablet. The entrance to the laptop sleeve has no top seal, but this is not really a problem as the Day Pack’s entrance zipper does not extend around the entire bag, so the chances of the laptop sliding out of the sleeve are very remote. On the outside of the laptop sleeve is a deep and wide zippered pocket with a smaller pocket for an AirTag. On the opposite side of the laptop sleeve is another zippered pocket. Inside this pocket are two floating pockets – 1 for a pen and the other for miscellaneous items. You’ll also find the 2 Cord Hook straps in this pocket for lashing items to the exterior of the Base Pack.

Above: The Peak Design XS Camera Cube does fit inside the Day Pack, but it won’t hold much. If you only have a Mirrorless camera with an attached lens, such as a prime lens or medium-sized zoom lens, or even a film camera, then this may be a good option for you. In our Travel Photography, we almost always have our camera out all day, so the XS Camera Cube could fit extra lenses. In the picture above, the lid is folded under the camera cube, but this could be kept closed, and your camera could sit loosely on top of the cube. The only negative in using the XS Camera Cube is if you want to carry a tripod. The Peak Design Travel Tripod fits into the Day Pack without the XS Camera Cube inserted, but once it is inside, the camera cube will have to sit vertically rather than horizontally (as pictured). Alternatively, you could use the Flex Pockets on each side of the exterior, but this could make the Day Pack sit lopsided on your back. If you are happy to not carry a standard tripod, we highly recommend the Mambapod.

That’s it for the Day Pack. Nothing to really write home about, but then it IS only a daypack and not something you would tell family and friends about anyway. Many people will be very happy with the versatility of this 2-in-1 bag, and it will be a joy to use for them. But if you are a photographer with a camera and several lenses, you may be disappointed, no matter how good this bag is.

SPECIFICATIONS

The external dimensions of the Travel Backpack 2-in-1 40L are as follows –

PRO & CONS

This is a great bag, but no bag is perfect. Everyone has different expectations when it comes to a bag. So, some of the negatives may be a negative for some but not for others. 

COLOURS

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 is available in Black, Sage, and Stone colourways.

PRICING, PURCHASING, & SHIPPING

THE FINAL WORD

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 successfully solves one of the most frustrating dilemmas in travel and creative work: the need for a spacious, high-capacity main pack paired with a light, nimble daypack once you hit your destination. Rather than forcing a compromise between a bulky carry-on or an under-equipped day bag, Peak Design’s modular system delivers two fully realised bags that integrate seamlessly into a unified bag when you are on the move. For visual creators, hybrid remote workers, and one-bag travel enthusiasts who prioritise build quality, slick aesthetics, and modular flexibility above all else, it easily earns its place at the top of the travel pack ecosystem.

The biggest advantage that this bag has over other offerings is the ability to zip the daypack onto the main chassis. This creates a rock-solid, streamlined single unit that complies with standard overhead carry-on dimensions. Unzipping it gives you an agile, everyday carry bag, albeit with limited space, and this really is the only bugbear we have with the bag. The Day Pack’s inability to hold much of your gear if swapping between the two bags could be a dealbreaker for some.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 is an awesome bag, and although it isn’t cheap, especially if you also need to invest in some Camera Cubes and Packing Cubes, the benefits of this type of bag outweigh the cost, in our opinion.

Would we use it? In certain circumstances, we would definitely use this bag; however, our day-to-day bag after arriving at a destination would still be the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L or Everyday Tote 15L for our gear and not the Day Pack on this bag. Nevertheless, everyone travels differently, and not everyone takes camera gear. For those who merely want a premium-quality dual-purpose bag that also is carry-on compliant and will last them a lifetime, this is the Rolls-Royce of 2-in-1 bags.

We’d love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions about this product. 

RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

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