Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(276 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 276 reviews
5 Stars
171
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
11
1 Star
10
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
202 out of
232)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Customer Rating
4
Comfortable and stylish
on December 25, 2024
Posted by: Yalin
from Toronto, ON
I love how this backpack makes packing easier without causing shoulder pain. Before this, I owned an Everyday Backpack 20L, and I find the Outdoor Backpack more practical and comfortable even though it has fewer features for organizing gear. Comfort was the most important reason for the switch, and the Outdoor Backpack provides excellent value. The only reason for 4* is I wish they could update the handle on top with something much softer. It feels too thin and sharp when carrying heavy loads. Also, the addition of a luggage strap could complete this backpack. However, they shared an unlisted video on YouTube showing how you can make a luggage strap with the straps provided.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great backpack
on December 25, 2024
Posted by: stefano
from Italy
I bought one month ago. made easy test on ground and looks very confortable and useful. fantastic idea to be used as outdoor backpack with possibile video/photo/drone shooting trekking.also full of possible option with accessories and complementary parts.Before first use, I strongly suggest watch tutorial and read instructions as many secret not easy to discover first.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
A good harness, a black hole, and not much else...
on December 21, 2024
Posted by: Salgado
This pack is big on hype, and unfortunately just doesn't quite live up to it. At its core, it is a pretty simple pack that may meet your needs, but is hardly unique.
I backed this on Kickstarter, but didn't receive it until after returning from a 3-week photo trip I was hoping to use it on. May have been a blessing in disguise as the bag would have severely underperformed against the skiing backpack I ended up going with.
First off, this is not a "lightweight" bag. I think the term ulta-light may have been thrown around in some marketing. The bag weighs just under 4 pounds. The Travel Live 45l is 4.5 pounds. So the Travel Line is also lightweight? Or those 0.5 pounds make all the difference? Gimme a break. The bag is durable and solid, but not feather light.
Also you get a much better harness system than on the Travel Line. But you also lose much of the organization that makes the Travel Line 45l such a great bag. Instead you get gimmicks and useless items. Like the interior pocket in the main compartment of the 45l. Hard to access or obstructed if a fully loaded large camera cube is used. The pockets on the sides of the stash pocket are pretty useless and Rob capacity from the stash if used. Instead you get a bunch of straps and an option to hang on small packing bags, which may be great for some, but not optimal if you're bushwhacking for any distance off wider trails.
The exterior pockets are way better than on the Travel line, and you can actually fit bottles in them. And their travel tripod should also fit with the bottle.
But all in all, the lack of organization forces you into a very minimalists approach to the bag, but the weight is much higher than you'd want if you are going to strip down. I'd return it if I could, as it is, it will see minimal usage or a re-sale listing somewhere. Save you money and look for better options elsewhere.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Nice optics, very bad design decisions
on December 20, 2024
Posted by: Malcolm
from Germany
https://www.peakdesign.com/eu/products/outdoor-backpack?Size=25L&Color=Eclipse
I was excited to back this backpack on Kickstarter, especially in the beautiful Red Eclipse color, and while there are some things I like, I have very mixed feelings about it overall.
Pros:
- Optics: The design is sleek, and the color is stunning.
- Build Quality: Feels solid at first glance.
- Lightweight & Comfortable: It’s easy to carry, and the deep side pockets are great for water bottles, umbrellas, or tripods.
- Optics: The design is sleek, and the color is stunning.
- Build Quality: Feels solid at first glance.
- Lightweight & Comfortable: It’s easy to carry, and the deep side pockets are great for water bottles, umbrellas, or tripods.
Cons:
1. Material Durability: The materials feel plasticky, and the rubber pulley cords scattered across the bag seem prone to wear, especially in varying temperatures.
1. Material Durability: The materials feel plasticky, and the rubber pulley cords scattered across the bag seem prone to wear, especially in varying temperatures.
2. Poor Pocket Design:
- The two small front-side pockets lack dividers, so small items like SD cards or keys fly around loose.
- These pockets are nearly impossible to access when the bag is on the ground (e.g., in a car, plane, or train) and are highly vulnerable to pickpockets when the bag is being worn.
- A secure top pocket for valuables is glaringly absent, which is a huge disappointment.
- The two small front-side pockets lack dividers, so small items like SD cards or keys fly around loose.
- These pockets are nearly impossible to access when the bag is on the ground (e.g., in a car, plane, or train) and are highly vulnerable to pickpockets when the bag is being worn.
- A secure top pocket for valuables is glaringly absent, which is a huge disappointment.
3. Cord Clutter: The abundance of cords creates a messy look and function. The zip cords often tangle with other cords, and the pulley cord to access the main compartment is both impractical and cumbersome. I avoid using it entirely, as the small opening makes it difficult to get to the main compartment. The zippers are a better alternative, but they expose the entire back of the bag, which is also far from ideal.
4. Packing Cube Issues:
- The XS packing cube V2 fits in the bottom, but the orientation of the clips is wrong, and it’s too small for a camera and a spare lens.
- The small packing cube V2 is too big/wide to fit in the bottom of the backpack, despite being advertised otherwise. The bag barely closes with an empty small packing cube, let alone a filled one.
- The XS packing cube V2 fits in the bottom, but the orientation of the clips is wrong, and it’s too small for a camera and a spare lens.
- The small packing cube V2 is too big/wide to fit in the bottom of the backpack, despite being advertised otherwise. The bag barely closes with an empty small packing cube, let alone a filled one.
5. Lack of Interior Functionality:
- While the exterior is covered in loops, the interior has very few. PD pouches can’t be secured and end up flying loose.
- The water divider is too risky for use with camera gear, and as a laptop sleeve, it lacks any padding.
- No small compartment for little stuff (SD cards, coins etc)
- While the exterior is covered in loops, the interior has very few. PD pouches can’t be secured and end up flying loose.
- The water divider is too risky for use with camera gear, and as a laptop sleeve, it lacks any padding.
- No small compartment for little stuff (SD cards, coins etc)
Final Thoughts:
For the price, I expected a well-thought-out product that complements Peak Design’s otherwise excellent gear. Unfortunately, this bag feels rushed and not up to their usual standards. While it’s comfortable and looks great, there are far cheaper options that achieve the same (or better) functionality. I own most of Peak Design’s gear and must say this is their weakest product yet.
For the price, I expected a well-thought-out product that complements Peak Design’s otherwise excellent gear. Unfortunately, this bag feels rushed and not up to their usual standards. While it’s comfortable and looks great, there are far cheaper options that achieve the same (or better) functionality. I own most of Peak Design’s gear and must say this is their weakest product yet.
I wouldn’t recommend this bag unless your priorities are solely optics and comfort. For anyone looking for practical, secure, and camera-friendly design, look elsewhere.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
Not a woodsman pack
on December 18, 2024
Posted by: Joseph D
If you are a digital nomad then likely a great product but for the outdoor enthusiasts not so great. Missing loops for a hatchet and fire steel for one. A pack for bushcraft is very different than these urban packs.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
The Ultimate Backpack for Photo Hikes
on December 16, 2024
Posted by: fabfabc
I recently got this 45L backpack through the Kickstarter campaign, and I took it out for a weekend photo hike—wow, I’m blown away! This is hands-down the best camera bag I’ve used in all my years of (amateur) photo hiking. The carry cord system is an absolute game-changer—perfect for strapping on a tripod, sleeping bag, or water bottles, and it’s so easy to use. The bag is massively spacious, giving me room for all my digital and analog gear without feeling crammed. And let me tell you, the chest strap and hip belt are lifesavers! They made carrying my heavy equipment on longer walks feel effortless. I couldn’t be happier with this bag—truly a must-have for anyone who loves photography and the outdoors!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Mostly wonderful
on December 16, 2024
Posted by: Maxim
from North coast of California
Plus: great color. Love the roll top magnetic closure and tough fabric on back and bottom.
Minus: wish they’d put that tough fabric at bottom of side pockets. I see a tripod blowout in the future. The dangling drawstring on the back is a little obnoxious. The clever folks at PD could have done better with that. It’s a little expensive.
Minus: wish they’d put that tough fabric at bottom of side pockets. I see a tripod blowout in the future. The dangling drawstring on the back is a little obnoxious. The clever folks at PD could have done better with that. It’s a little expensive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Outdoor 25L - Eclipse
on December 13, 2024
Posted by: Sue
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I just received mine about 3 weeks ago. Super happy with the design, build, colour and the quality. I love how it opens both ways and it’s perfect for my camera and lenses!
The compartments are really thought through. I can’t wait to take it to more of my outdoor adventures!
Thanks Peak Design for this awesome design!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design