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The original was posted on /r/linustechtips by /u/tech_tsunami on 2025-01-16 03:44:13+00:00.
My comparison/impressions of the LTT Commuter Backpack comparing to my current daily driver of the last 2.5 years: the Peak Design Everyday Backpack V1 (20L version). I’ve been comparing them today, and testing out the bag when it arrived today.
I bought my PD backpack lightly used but in very great condition for $150, and after taxes and shipping the commuter backpack with the YT discount was $143, so it’s very close in what I paid for both. Granted the PD bag originally cost $260 new for the 20L V1. I’ve not used or held the V2, so I can’t compare that model.
The PD backpack is more of a camera backpack, but I use it for everyday use, and camera gear sometimes. I’ll largely be talking about things I like or minor dislike about the LTT backpack, and how the PD bag compares in MY Opinion. Please note, I don’t view my opinion as the objective truth. There is nothing I’d consider “Bad” about the LTT bag, and only 1 thing is a big complaint.
I won’t be comparing the bags in terms of holding camera equipment for this post, just for daily backpack use. While you might be able to put a slim camera cube in the commuter bag, the PD bag would likely be convenient for camera gear use with the internal dividers.
If you want a TLDR before my post, Overall LTT bag is a much better bag for daily use, and I’m very impressed with the bag. It’s say it stack ups very well to a $260 bag, which speaks a lot to the quality. My only main issue is with the LTT bag tipping over (more details below).
There are things I like more about both to start off. The LTT backpack does retain some structure and can stand up on its own which is fantastic, and is why I initially went with the PD bag over some others I had considered years ago (also loved the angular look of the V1).
The laptop portion of the bag I MUCH prefer on the LTT bag. I love that it opens all the way, and has some storage spots. With my PD bag, the laptop pocket does work well, however I can only fit my laptop or ipad, not both in that portion.
With the LTT bag, I can fit my 11” ipad in a case, and my 14” MBP in the back section. However with even a slim ESR case + Folio, the ipad is a little bit of a tight fit in the Tablet sleeve for the LTT bag, so it almost fits better at the bottom of the Laptop section. If you don’t have a case for your tablet, or it’s just a folio/slim case, it shouldn’t be a big deal. With a bit of use/stretching it should fit fine.
One Big thing to note, the LTT bag, even empty, has a tendency to lean/tip backwards. If I put in my ipad, or my laptop, the whole thing falls over (towards the back strap portion, which is somewhat annoying. With my laptop, with my jacket, my usb-c brick, and a couple other things I tend to carry daily in the main pocket, it still tips over, which is a bummer to me. I’ll have to maybe find something else to put in the front to balance it, or carry both my ipad and macbook, but keep the ipad in the main pocket to balance it. I’m not sure if the issue is that the laptop sits a bit further up….? Hard to say.
One thing I will say, my PD bag (and basically all V1’s due to the design, V2 fixed iirc) leans forward, and it does sometimes fall flat which is pretty annoying. If my laptop is in it though it won’t. The LTT bag can hold a more volume wise, so tradeoffs. I’m hoping with more use the LTT bag won’t tip as much anymore, but we’ll see.
Water bottle flaps on the sides, I like they are a bit taller, however the elastic feels thinner and cheaper than the PD bag’s elastic for adjusting the sizing of the water bottle pockets, I hope it holds up. The PD’s water bottle pockets also magnetically close if they’re empty, which I love and prefer, while the LTT doesn’t, however that isn’t as big of a deal to lose.
The material at the back of the pockets that folds I don’t like as much, and wish they had used the same fabric as the exterior. I’m a bit worried it could tear with use, but the fabric seems still decent quality. It should hold up for at least a while, but time will tell. The Zipper pocket in the water bottle pocket is near, but I’m not really sure what I’d keep there.
The top strap is much thicker and feels more substantial and nicer to the use on the PD bag than the LTT bag’s. The LTT one is still pretty good, but is more malleable, and is about half as thick and is much smaller. Loaded up I prefer the PD’s top strap, but the LTT one is still pretty good. The double rivets are nice, but not sure if it’s needed over a single rivet (PD bag is single rivet on both sides).
With the arm straps, I love the cushioned foam in the LTT bag straps, and prefer it to the foam in the PD bag straps. However I REALLY dislike the extra bit of fabric in the top of the straps, along the neckline area.
The PD bags straps I like the shape and profile a bit more, but the LTT bag’s are overall more comfortable. A big issue I have with the PD bag is the straps, the bottom fabric is a bit slick, so they have a tendency to slide, and so I have to adjust them ALL the time which really sucks (from what I’ve heard this was more just a V1 issue).
The LTT bag the bottom slide part of the strap, the fabric is grippier and seems to hold where you set it which is amazing. I LOVE that it has a slide to keep the bottom flap of the straps flush against the rest rather than hanging. My main thing I prefer about the PD straps, is the ability they have to pivot, and not having the extra bit of fabric at the top.
The buckle chest strap is nicer for leaving on the bag and quick use over the PD’s removable clip design. The PD it is nice where it’s a bit more subtle and easy to remove. I don’t really use the chest strap though tbh. The PD bag also has a waist strap bit, but I never use it (the V1 it’s just a strap with no padding).
The overall storage in the LTT bag, with all the smaller pockets, passport pocket, internal pockets, etc. is overall much nicer for sorting stuff out. There’s pockets for EVERYTHING which I love. It’ll make it so much easier to keep stuff sorted and organized, where before there were some things I’ll just leave in the main pocket of the PD bag. I love that it has a dedicated airtag pocket too that is very subtle. The PD bag does have small internal pockets behind the zippers in both side flaps, but the LTT is still better in this regard with pocket spaces.
The main internal volume of the PD bag is a LOT better than the PD bag, even though both are “20L” volume backpacks. I’m not sure how the PD V2 compares, but the LTT bag is SO much better in this regard. (The external volume of the LTT bag is a larger just to make note of that for people. The PD bag does have a sort of “expanding” latching bit, but I don’t really use it, and isn’t not a 1:1 with the internal capacity)
I prefer the outer material on the PD bag a tiny bit more, however the LTT bag’s material is still very nice. The LTT bag does look much more Black compared to my PD bag, but not sure how much of that is just wear and tear. I’m hoping the LTT bag stays looking dark, and doesn’t show first and spots as much as the PD bag does. The PD bag does also have a tendency to show wrinkles and wear in the fabric, which from the type of fabric LTT used, it seems like it shouldn’t, which is great.
Can’t speak for the water resistance of the bag yet. I hope it’s as good as my PD bag has been. I was caught out in a BAD rainstorm a year ago, I was completely soaked, but everything in my bag was bone dry. Based on the material’s initial impressions, the LTT bag might not be quite as water resistant, but I think it should still do well in the rain. …
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