Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On Hands-on Review
Summary Verdict
The Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On is a smart, space-efficient carry-on wheeled case with a sturdy SlimDrive carbon fibre handle and a hybrid polycarbonate and VersaShell build. Its Drawbridge opening, expandable storage and well-designed organisation make it a versatile choice for travellers. Meanwhile, the optional X-Large Camera Cube turns it into a capable bag for photographers and videographers. With smooth-rolling wheels, premium materials and strong sustainability credentials, the Peak Design Roller Pro is a refined and durable travel companion that sets a high bar for roller luggage. I tested an early sample ahead of its announcement and launch on Kickstarter.
Score: TBC
For
High-quality construction
Efficient storage
Great organisation features
Against
High price - especially if you add the XL Camera Cube
Main compartment zippers snag on the Drawbridge stability cords
ID tag is awkward to close
What is the Peak Design Roller Pro?
Peak Design has built its reputation on producing smart, well-engineered straps, bags and backpacks. Now, it’s bringing that expertise to wheeled luggage for the first time. The Roller Pro Carry-On aims to shake up the market with a fresh approach to design, prioritising durability, functionality and thoughtful storage solutions.
The Peak Design Roller Pro combines the structured protection of a hard case with the flexibility of a soft-sided bag. It's designed for frequent travellers, whether they are photographers or business professionals, and it has a refined appearance with a highly functional interior. It's compatible with Peak Design Packing Tools, Packing Cubes, Ultralight Packing Cubes and Camera Cubes - including a new XL Camera Cube that's specially designed for use with the Roller Pro.
At its core, the Roller Pro is a carry-on-approved roller bag measuring 55.372 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm (21.8 x 14 x 9 inches) and weighing 3.99Kg (8.8lbs). The expandable design takes the capacity from 34L to 39L, making it ideal for anyone who wants to bring home more than they set out with. It's available in three colours: Black, Eclipse (burgundy) and Sage, and it has Peak Design’s understated yet stylish look.
Read our Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cubes Review
Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On Price and Availability
Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On Kickstarter launch runs from 4th March to 17th April 2025. Early backers have the chance to grab one at a discounted price ($175 off) before the full retail release, which is expected to be in August. The regular sales price of the Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On is $599.95, while the XL Camera Cube is set to retail for $139.95.
Visit Peak Design’s Roller Pro Carry-On Kickstarter Campaign
Kickstarter backers can expect to receive their Roller Pros in June 2025.
The Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On has a smart appearance with clean lines.
Key Features
A key innovation of the Roller Pro is its SlimDrive handle. This is a custom-engineered carbon fibre handle that eliminates the bulky, rattly telescoping tubes found in traditional roller bags. By using single-stage flat carbon fibre tubes, Peak Design has reduced wasted space, allowing for more efficient packing while maintaining a sturdier, more responsive feel when pulling the case.
Another notable feature is the Roller Pro's hybrid construction. It pairs a lightweight polycarbonate shell with Peak Design’s VersaShell fabric, combining the protection of a hard-sided case with the flexibility of soft-sided luggage. This design also enables a unique ‘Drawbridge’ opening system, which allows easy access to the contents without needing to lay the case completely flat - that's ideal when the case is on a hotel-room folding luggage rack or you're in a crowded airport lounge.
In addition to storage, the Peak Design Roller Pro majors on organisation. The front 'EDC' (everyday carry) pocket offers a protected space for essentials such as passports, chargers and a laptop, while the interior organisation panel helps keep smaller items in place. There’s also a dedicated dirty clothes compartment that can also handle flat items or be stowed away when not in use.
It's also good to see a secret AirTag pocket so you can keep track of your bag, plus a slim Hypalon ID tag.
The Hypalon ID tag is a nice touch but it’s quite hard to close it once it’s been opened.
Peak Design has also included Cord Hook Gear Loops around the exterior of the case, making it easy to attach jackets, tripods or other accessories using the supplied clip-on cords. Meanwhile, there are grab handles around the bag, so it's easy to lift from any angle, whether pulling it from an overhead compartment or off a baggage carousel.
Loops inside the bag enable the XL Camera Cube to be clipped in should you wish. It fills the main compartment completely and provides plenty of space for cameras and lenses.
Peak Design takes sustainability seriously, and the VersaShell fabric is 100% recycled and Bluesign-approved. Also,the bag is PFAS-free and Climate Label Certified, plus it’s backed by Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee.
The XL Camera Cube fits neatly inside the Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-on, filling its main compartment completely.
Build and Handling
As with all Peak Design gear, build quality is a major selling point of the Roller Pro Carry-On. The materials feel premium and the four custom-engineered 60mm wheels run smoothly, taking door strips, paviers, slabs and similar changes in floor level it their stride. Unsurprisingly, gravel drives are more of a challenge, but not complete no-go areas if you adopt a two-wheel drag approach rather than the 4-wheel push that works so well on a smooth airport terminal floor.
As I previously mentioned, in addition to the Roller Pro Carry-On, Peak Design has introduced the X-Large Camera Cube. This fits neatly inside the case, transforming it into a high-end camera bag capable of holding a 400mm prime lens. This modular approach means you can switch between general travel and photography use without needing to own a separate roller case.
Like Peak Design's other Camera Cubes, the XL Camera Cube has a zip-opening lid that can be folded back to give full access to its contents. This means that you only need to open the case to access your kit, but if you prefer, you can use the two zips for extra security. There's also a strap around the circumference of the Cube, which creates a 360-degree grab handle, which is handy when it’s not inside the case.
Naturally, the Roller Pro can be used with smaller Camera Cubes if you don't need its entire capacity to be given over to camera and lens storage.
The main compartment opens with a ‘Drawbridge’ that has two cords to prevent the lid from tipping right over. The length of these cords can be adjusted, and they can be unclipped if not required.
Performance
A suitcase isn't something that many people get excited about, but the Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On is much more than a wheeled case with a zip, a couple of internal elastic straps and maybe a pocket if you're lucky. It has a stack of features that elevate it well above a regular carry-on case, and with the addition of the XL camera Cube, it's an excellent wheeled camera case, too.
Peak Design's attention to detail is impressive. As someone who has seen a laptop hit the deck at airport security, I like that there's a simple but clever mechanism to stop a laptop or tablet from sliding out of their dedicated compartment. The internal stretchy cords that can clip together quickly to keep your packing cubes (or clothes) in place also work well and don't get in the way when you don't use them. Plus, there's a good array of organisation pockets and pouches.
The Drawbridge design in action. The lip has azippered compartment for dirty closed and several organisation pockets towards the inside of teh case.
The Drawbridge design with the stabiliser cords, which can be unclipped if you don't need them, works well. It's a great space-saving approach that also helps keep your kit safe and within reach. My only minor niggle here is that the main compartment zipper tends to snag a little on the stabiliser cords, so you have to give them an extra yank as you go by. As my sample of the Roller Pro is an early one, there is a chance that this will be improved for the case when it goes on sale.
While Peak Design has included 'Carry-on' in the Roller Pro’s name, it's important to remember that different airlines have different rules about carry-on luggage size. The Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On measures 55.37 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm (21.8 x 14 x 9 inches) and weighs 3.99Kg (8.8 lbs). BA allows bags of up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches) to be taken as carry-on, but budget airlines are less generous. Easyjet's maximum dimensions for 'included' carry-on luggage are 45 x 36 x 20 cm, which rules out the Roller Pro, but you can book to take a larger bag of up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm for additional cost.
The extendable handle is released with a press of a button.
Early Verdict
Peak Design has never been a brand to take the easy route and with the Roller Pro, it has rethought the standard carry-on roller, adding the ability to convert it into a camera case with the addition of the XL Camera Cube.
By addressing the inefficiencies of traditional luggage, such as bulky handles, wasted space and cumbersome access, the company has delivered a product that feels modern, practical and refined. It combines well with the XL Camera Cube and Peak Design's other Packing Tools, and it helps you keep your essentials organised yet within easy reach.
It's the most expensive suitcase I've ever used and one of the most expensive roller camera cases around, but it's incredibly well-thought, stylish and capable.
