Peak Design Roller Pro review: A carry-on that fixes problems I didn't realise suitcases had

I don’t think I’ve ever come across a Peak Design bag I didn’t like. From the brand’s backpacks to its camera slings, I often end up using Peak Design products well after the testing period has concluded.

I recently tested the latest slate of bags from the company, including the Peak Design Travel Weekender 25L and the Travel Crossbody 3L. Among the bags sent to me for testing was the small Travel Backpack 20L, with a convenient strap on its back panel that makes it easy to carry on the handle of a rolling suitcase.

My first thought was that it’s a bit strange that Peak Design puts out a travel backpack with this feature without an accompanying carry-on suitcase. Two seconds later, I remembered reading about the Roller Pro, and all of a sudden, it all made perfect sense. Needless to say, I requested the rolling case immediately after.

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This was a couple of months ago, and since then, I’ve been using the Peak Design Roller Pro on all my trips by plane. It’s an awesome suitcase that really lives up to its name by rolling incredibly smoothly and exuding an aura of premium quality that not many other bags can match.

It’s probably a bit too expensive for most people who just need a roller for their annual holiday in Benidorm, but if you have expensive (camera) gear to haul around (and maybe some Peak Design cubes/accessories) and appreciate craftsmanship and premium bags, the Roller Pro is one of my top recommendations for you.

Peak Design Roller Pro review

Price and availability

The Roller Pro launched in March 2025 and is available to buy now at Peak Design UK, Peak Design US, Peak Design EU and Peak Design AU for £500 / $600 / €600 / AU$1,150. It comes in three colours: Black, Eclipse and Sage. There are sometimes deals available. At the time of writing, the bag was on offer for £400 / €480 / AU$920 (no current offers in the US).

The brand sells the Roller Pro on its own and in bundles (Creator and Travel), the latter of which saves you 15% compared to buying the bundle’s parts separately. The Creator Bundle adds the XL camera cube, while the Traveler bundle adds two small and two medium packing cubes.

The carry-on closest to the Roller Pro in both price and functionality is another one of my all-time favourites, Db's Ramverk Pro Carry On. It retails for around £550 and weighs a little more than the Peak Design model. I'd say both occupy the premium end of the mainstream luggage market, stopping short of true luxury brands such as Rimowa and Tumi.

Design and build quality

Peak Design said the Roller Pro had been in development for four years, with the biggest engineering challenge being its carbon-fibre "SlimDrive" handle system, which frees up significantly more packing space than traditional telescopic handles.

The handle might have been the biggest challenge for the design team, but the bespoke wheels are the Roller Pro's standout feature. They're exceptionally smooth and quiet, making the case feel almost weightless on airport floors.

They also move well on the streets and cobblestone, but understandably, it’ll be a bit trickier to navigate the case on rough surfaces with the fully extended handle, purely because of the weight distribution.

The four-wheel setup not only allows you to push the suitcase rather than drag it behind you, but it is also incredibly smooth to move. So much so that the bag sometimes rolls away on its own adventures unless you keep an eye on it.

Weighing 3.9kg (8.6 lb), the Roller Pro has a maximum volume of 39 litres when expanded (34 litres otherwise). The extender zipper goes all the way around to keep the case well-balanced, even when you add more stuff to it. It’s not the lightest case, and the Roller Pro is certainly heftier than your average IT carry-on, but it also feels a lot more premium and sturdy.

As you’d expect, Peak Design didn’t skimp on materials when designing the Roller Pro. The bag has a 70% recycled polycarbonate shell and a 100% recycled weather-resistant Versa Shell 500D nylon exterior, the latter of which is also Bluesign-approved. It has a PFAS-free coating that offers water repellency and a chemical-free alternative to DWR.

The #8 UltraZips use abrasion-resistant UHMWPE threads, and so do the cords that are made from ultra-high-strength UHMWPE for extended durability.

I appreciate the small design choices, such as the rubber/plastic bars on the back of the case that prevent it from sitting on dirt when you tip the case over in a public space and the four pull handles located around the edge of the Roller Pro that make it easier to place the case into the overhead locker regardless of its orientation.

Internal organisation and ergonomics

The Roller Pro has a large clamshell opening and offers a decent amount of space inside, thanks to the special handle design. Better still, the lid is designed to stay upright when the Roller Pro is laid on its back, giving you easier access to the mesh organisation pockets on the divider.

The bottom of the bag is by no means flat, but there aren’t massive grooves that take up unnecessary space. The elastic cords that help keep your stuff in place are located around the halfway point, just below the extension. These can be loosened, should your packed items reach the lip of the case.

In addition to using the extender, you can peel back the mesh dividers to create even more space inside the Roller Pro. I find this approach a bit clunky, as it doesn’t necessarily create much extra space, especially if you have smaller gadgets/passports/tissues/etc. in the pocket accessible from the top of the bag.

Speaking of which, this is where you’ll find the dedicated laptop sleeve with a magnetic flap to help keep your large electronic device in place. The small pocket in the same compartment can store essential items you need to access quickly, such as passports. I also tend to shove my paperback in this pocket.

One thing I miss from the Roller Pro – and it’s a strange omission – is the lockable zips. Well, the pull tabs have holes in them, which means you can tie the zips together using a small lock or wire, but on the aforementioned Travel Backpack 20L, the pull tab on one of the zips can be undone and hooked around the other, an approach that would make the Roller Pro safe from accidental (or not so accidental) openings.

It’s true that the exterior fabric can scuff more easily than an all-polycarbonate shell, but I found marks easy to clean with just a cloth. The shell is also somewhat water-resistant, although I haven’t used it in pouring rain.

Verdict

The Peak Design Roller Pro is one of the most thoughtfully engineered carry-ons I've ever tested. Every element, from the ingenious SlimDrive handle that frees up valuable packing space to the exceptionally smooth wheels and premium recycled materials, feels purpose-built rather than added for the sake of marketing.

It's the sort of suitcase that makes travelling feel just a little easier, whether you're lifting it into an overhead locker, navigating a busy airport or living out of it for a few days.

It's not without flaws. At 3.9kg, the Roller Pro is heavier than many soft-sided carry-ons, and the lack of an integrated locking mechanism is a surprising omission at this price. While you can attach a small padlock through the zip pulls, I'd have preferred a cleaner, built-in solution.

Those shortcomings aren't enough to overshadow what Peak Design has achieved here. If you only travel once or twice a year, the Roller Pro will probably feel like an unnecessary indulgence.

However, frequent flyers, photographers and anyone who appreciates beautifully made travel gear will find plenty to justify the asking price. It's an expensive carry-on, but one that genuinely earns its premium positioning through clever design, exceptional build quality and a level of refinement that few rivals can match.