Peak Design Everyday Backpack review: A case for best overnight bag for running gear

By Henry Howard

Seeing is believing, and what’s even better is putting geat to a real test.

After talking the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L on multiple overnight trips, it has become my go-to on such excursions. The Everyday Backpack has lived up to its name for one simple reason: it lets me travel with just a bag plus a laptop bag, and still bring everything I need.

That includes a change of clothes, my running gear (shoes included), a full toiletry bag, and more. Everything is packed in safely without feeling like I’m forcing the zippers shut. After my testing of the Everyday Backpack on multiple overnight trips (and another two-night adventure), I've concluded that this is the best overnight bag for running gear, especially for runners who are traveling without a car.

Built for real travel days

The 30L Everyday Backpack is Peak Design’s larger option in the Everyday line, and it’s built around access, organization and expansion. (There also is a 20L option.)

The standout feature is the MagLatch top closure. It’s a magnetic latch system that lets you cinch the bag down or open it up for extra room with one hand, no fumbling with buckles or drawstrings.

Two weatherproof zippered side panels give you a second way in, which comes in handy when the main compartment is packed tight and you just need your phone charger or a snack.

Inside, three removable FlexFold dividers let you configure the main compartment however you like. For example, you could stack it as one open cavity for clothes and gear, or build in shelving if you’re carrying a camera body and lenses.

The shell is a recycled 400D nylon with a DWR weatherproof coating, so I haven’t thought twice about setting the bag down on a wet sidewalk or carrying it in the rain.

Where Peak Design Everyday Backpack shines: Airports and ride shares

My trips have mostly meant navigating airports, ride shares and public transportation in New York City. This bag was built for exactly that kind of movement.

It fits easily under the plane seat in front of me. And it also can be stowed in the overhead bin without issue — even on a small regional commuter plane with limited bin space. That’s a real advantage when you’re trying to avoid checking a bag or gate-checking a carry-on, or for those who want or need extra legroom.

The dedicated laptop sleeve is one of my favorite details.

It’s a padded, zippered pocket separate from the main compartment, sized to fit up to a 16-inch laptop. My computer slides right in and out without me having to dig past clothes or shoes to reach it.

Best overnight bag for running gear

What surprised me most is how much this bag holds for its size.

On a one-bag overnight trip, I’ve fit a full change of clothes, running shoes and apparel, and a separate toiletry bag as well as my laptop in the sleeve. And the bag never felt like it was bursting.

Peak Design lists the 30L capacity as expandable from a 22-liter base up to the full 30 liters using the MagLatch system, and that flexibility is what makes it work: I can cinch it down for a day around town or open it up when I’m packing running shoes and a toiletry bag on top of the essentials.

At roughly 3.9 pounds without dividers, it’s not the lightest travel backpack out there, but the weight buys you real structure. The bag holds its shape even half-packed, which helps when you’re weaving through a security line or a crowded subway platform.

Peak Design backs the bag with its lifetime warranty, which adds some peace of mind for a pack that’s going to see this much use.

Bottom line

If you’re a runner or masters athlete who travels for work or takes off on a running adventure on a whim, and wants to pack light without leaving your training gear behind, the Everyday Backpack 30L is worth a serious look.

It’s proven itself as a true one-bag solution for my overnight trips, handling running shoes, workout clothes, toiletries, and a laptop with room to spare — all while sliding easily into tight airplane storage and holding up to the rush of a New York City commute.

Frequently Asked Questions: Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Question: Can the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L fit running shoes along with clothes for an overnight trip?

Answer: Yes. I’ve packed a full change of clothes, running apparel, running shoes, and a toiletry bag into the 30L version for overnight trips, with the laptop sleeve still holding my computer separately. The expandable MagLatch design gives you the extra room to make that work.

Question: Will it fit under an airplane seat, or does it need to go in the overhead bin?

Answer: Both work. I’ve slid it under the seat in front of me on standard flights. I’ve also tested and conformed that it can be stowed in the overhead bin — including on a small regional commuter plane — without any issues.

Question: How much can the 30L bag hold, and can I adjust the size?

Answer: Peak Design lists the capacity as adjustable from 22 to 30 liters using the MagLatch top closure, so you can cinch it down for lighter days or open it up when you’re packing for an overnight trip.

Question: Will the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L work well for photographers?

Answer: Yes, the Everyday Backpack 30L is a great option for photographers with its four secure storage areas.

Question: What size laptop fits in the dedicated sleeve?

Answer: The padded laptop sleeve accommodates up to a 16-inch laptop. You also could slide a thin notebook or folder into the sleeve as well.

Question: How much does the bag weigh, and does that affect comfort while traveling?

Answer: It weighs roughly 3.9 pounds without the internal dividers installed. That’s on the heavier side for a travel backpack. But I’ve found the extra weight comes from structure that helps the bag hold its shape and stay comfortable even when it’s not fully packed.

Question: Is the bag weatherproof?

Answer: The shell is a recycled 400D nylon with a DWR weatherproof coating, and the bottom liner is waterproof as well.