Peak Design Travel Duffels Review
Summary Verdict
Peak Design Travel Duffels are robust and versatile bags available in four sizes. They offer practical features and are durability, making them ideal for a range of travel needs. Although they are excellent for car travel and short trips, the lack of wheels might be a drawback for some users. Overall, they are a smart choice for travel, especially when paired with Peak Design's Packing Cubes and Camera Cubes.
Score: 4.5/5
For
Available in a range of sizes: 35L, 50L, 65L and 80L
Smart and durable
Compatible with Peak Design’s Camera Cubes and Packing Cubes
Against
No wheels
There’s a danger of filling the larger bags until they are too heavy
Access is slow to kit in the optional Camera Cubes
From left to right, the Peak Design Travel Duffel 80L, 65L, 50L and 35L bags, and in Black, Sage, Black and Sage.
What are the Peak Design Travel Duffels?
Peak Design's Travel Duffels are versatile and durable bags designed to cater for all sorts of travellers. With the addition of two new sizes in June 2024, the line now includes four sizes: 35L, 50L, 65L, and 80L. The 35L Duffel is ideal for international carry-on, the 50L (new for 2024) fits within US carry-on limits, and the larger 65L and 80L (new for 2024) Duffels are suitable for check-in or travelling by car. These Duffels have a classic design and practical access points.
The Peak Design Duffels are available in two colours, Black and Sage (green).
Peak Design Duffel Price and Availability
The price of the Peak Design Duffels are as follows:
Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L: £119.99 / $139.95
Peak Design Travel Duffel 50L: £148.53 / $154.95
Peak Design Travel Duffel 65L: £149.99 / $169.95
Peak Design Travel Duffel 80L: £177.28 / $184.95
They go on sale immediately.
The straps on the Peak Design Travel Duffels can be removed quickly and reattached as needed.
Specifications
Product type: Tavel bags
Announced: 35L and 65L in 2019, 50L and 80L 20th June 2024
External dimensions: 35L 56 x 34.5 x 26 cm / 22 x 14 x 10 inches, 50L 60 x 36 x 23 cm / 23.5 x 14 x 9 inches, 65L 34 x 76 x 32 cm / 13.4 x 29.9 x 12.6, 80L 78 x 36 x 32 cm / 30.7 x 14.2 x 12.6 inches
Weight: 35L 0.9kg /2lb, 50L 1.3Kg / 2.9Lb, 65L 1.3Kg / 2.9Kg, 80L 1,4Kg / 3.08lb
Main materials: Versa Shell 600D weatherproof, 100% recycled nylon canvas exterior, 900D waterproof bottom liner
Key Features
Thanks to the addition of the 50L and 80L versions there are now four sizes of Peak Design Travel Duffle bag. I've had the 35L and 65L bags since launch a few years ago and the 35L has version has seen a lot of use either for nights away from home or those occasions when I need to bundle a load of kit together. The 65L has been used for multi-day rips or weekends away when my partner and I have just taken one bag.
While the 35L and 50L duffels are designed to meet international and US carry-on size limits, respectively, the 65L and 80L versions need to be checked in if you're flying. Alternatively, they offer lots of space for longer trips by car or for transporting larger gear.
A key element of the Travel Duffels is that they are compatible with Peak Design’s packing units, including the original Packing Cubes, the new Ultralight packing cubes and the Camera Cubes. This helps to make the best use of space through organisation. The Camera Cubes, of course, help keep camera gear safe either by itself or when packed with clothing or other items needed for a trip.
Peak Design divides the capacity of its travel bags into units. The 35L Travel Duffel, for example, has a 3-unit capacity which means it can accommodate three Small Camera Cubes, or one Small Camera Cube and one Medium Camera Cube, or one Large Camera Cube. The 50L Duffel can hold four packing units with a little extra space to spare, while the 65L Duffel can house four packing units with a lot of extra space. Meanwhile, the 80L Travel Duffel can hold up to eight packing units. You can swap out a camera cube or two for Peak Design’s Packing Cubes to keep your clothes neat and relatively crease-free and/or the new Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cubes, which are better for non-clothing items.
There are two long zippered pockets on either side of the Peak Design Travel Duffel bags. This images shows the larger of the two open, the smaller one is just below it.
Build and Handling
The Peak Design Travel Duffels feel robust and can withstand significant use. My 35L model, for instance, has been my go-to day or weekend away bag, and it looks the same as the day I got it back in 2019.
Peak Design uses high-quality materials, including 100% recycled 600D nylon canvas for the shell and a more durable waterproof bottom section, plus weatherproof zips to protect your belongings from the elements.
The Travel Duffels each have a padded shoulder strap and side handles, making them comfortable to transport. However, I have occasionally wished I'd opened for a wheeled suitcase when I've had to walk a bit further than expected with a Duffel. If you travel door-to-door by car, the Duffels are great and look very smart—especially in the Sage colourway, but if you’re going to walk a long way, don’t pick too large a bag or use a wheeled case.
Peak Design’s Camera Cubes and Packing Cubes make it easy to organise your kit within the Duffles. Each Travel Duffel also has two long pockets with pouches on either side to help with organisation. Conveniently, a bottle of wine fits neatly in a side pocket on the 35L Travel Duffel.
The pull loops on the main zip on the Peak Design Travel Duffel bags can be linked for a little more security.
Performance
Although very well made, the Peak Design Duffels are uncomplicated and straightforward bags. Think of a typical gym bag in design but with high-end materials and fixings. There’s a large main zip with well-sized pulls that can be looped together for security.
The two side handles are tough and comfortable to hold, while the shoulder strap is adjustable and well-padded. I find the side pockets very useful, especially for small items that I might want to grab quickly.
While the 35L Duffel has been my go-to bag for short trips, the 50L seems set to take its place as it offers a bit more capacity without going as big as the 65L version. The 80L Duffel swallows up a lot of kit and could be a good choice for longer trips, or when for carrying bulky items. It could be ideal for a ski holiday, for instance.
Peak Design's Camera Cubers (sold separately) are excellent and they protect camera gear very well. However, you can't get super-quick access to your camera gear in a Camera Cube inside a Peak Design Duffel. This makes the Duffle and Camera Cube combination of more use for destination trips or when you're taking your gear to a studio. You can use the Duffels and Cubes to get your camera and other belongings to where you are staying and then break your kit out into a backpack or other bag for a day out with your camera. In a studio, you can pull the Camera Cubes out of the Duffel, lay them out and retrieve your gear as needed.
Naturally, while the 80L Duffel is huge, it’s packed weight depends on what you pack in it. I couldn’t lift it if it were packed tight with clothes, but I’d be fine if I stuffed it full with a duvet and a couple of pillows.
There’s a useful zip-close pocket on both sides of the inside of the Peak Design Travel Duffel bags.
Verdict
The Peak Design Travel Duffels offer a practical and durable solution for a variety of travel needs. Available in four sizes, the bags are versatile enough to cater to both short trips and extended journeys. The robust construction, combined with thoughtful design features and compatibility with Peak Design’s packing units, makes these duffels a reliable choice. However, while they excel in many areas, those who frequently walk longer distances might find themselves wishing for the convenience of a wheeled suitcase.
In the past, I've often found myself trying to decide between the 35L Duffel and the 65L Duffel, and I've occasionally opted to use the 35L but stuffed it until I can't close the main zip. The 50L sits nicely between the two capacities. If we're going to buy one bag, I'd go for the 50L Duffel, but I still love the 35L version. If I needed a smart gym bag, it would be the 35L Peak Design travel Duffle.
Some people will need the 80L Duffel, but I would have to be careful about how full I pack it or what I put in it for fear of not being able to lift it.
Overall, the Travel Duffels are smart and stylish travel bags. The 35L Duffel is a great overnight or gym bag option, while the 50L and 65L Duffels give more scope for carrying camera gear and clothes. The 80L Duffel is for big trips or big kit and big muscles.