Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(288 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 288 reviews
5 Stars
180
4 Stars
63
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
11
1 Star
9
88%of customers recommend this product.
(
211 out of
241)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Customer Rating
2
Disappointed, BIG miss on fitting camera cubes
on July 8, 2026
Posted by: MountainPhotography22
from Santa Barbara, CA
First and foremost, it's a tech bag that has some rugged / outdoorsy exterior features, not an outdoor bag that fits tech (which is what marketing is claiming). It's my go-to pack for going to the park or transporting my tech gear when camping, but the idea that this could withstand rock climbing, backpacking or serious outdoor use doesn't resonate. I'm happy I didn't purchase the 45 liter for an upcoming long distance hut-to-hut hike.
Outside material got marked up just in the very first car ride, and I have concerns about the longevity of the drawstring closure / opening system, so I purposely try to avoid opening it unnecessarily to reduce wear.
To add insult, I recently bought a small v2 camera cube specifically to fit into PD travel backpacks, as my current v1 doesn't fit. I saw the claims this bag fits PD cubes and was excited to have a piece that worked seamlessly - turns out it fits ONLY a smedium and an extra small, and does NOT fit a small. Marketing cleverly obscured that. Totally against the ethos of what I thought PD was trying to do - I feel deceived by their advertising.
Longtime PD buyer with lots of happy products. I'm sure this will do fine for some use cases, but don't buy the marketing that it's a do-everything bag.
Price point is not justified.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Loved using this for my first hike.
on July 2, 2026
Posted by: kavc
from Philippines
I took the 45L Cloud out for my very first hike and just wanted to share how much I liked it.
The volume was perfect for all my gear, and I was really impressed by how comfortable it felt the whole time—no soreness at all, which I was a bit worried about as a beginner. The Cloud color looks really nice and clean in person, too. Just a really solid, well-made pack that did exactly what I needed it to do.
The volume was perfect for all my gear, and I was really impressed by how comfortable it felt the whole time—no soreness at all, which I was a bit worried about as a beginner. The Cloud color looks really nice and clean in person, too. Just a really solid, well-made pack that did exactly what I needed it to do.
I prefer black for more corporate looking i just hope the cloud holds its color over time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Great bag
on July 1, 2026
Posted by: Bob222
from Vancouver, BC
Used once. Great bag. No major design flaws. Comfortable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Mixed-use king
on June 29, 2026
Posted by: Ian
Great bag for the price. Incredible build quality and super nice materials. Metal frame maintains the bag's shape regardless of contents, but this does add some base weight to your carry. Works well for outdoor activities as well as city use. Relatively annoying access to the laptop slot is my only criticism, but as this is designed for a hydration reservoir first and foremost, I won't knock off any stars.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great outdoor photography backpack
on June 28, 2026
Posted by: Stevenray
from San Francisco
Love this backpack! I purchased it a few months ago to take on a 20 day trip to photography the beautiful and rugged landscape of New Zealand. It was convenient, durable, waterproof and served my photography needs beyond expectation. Thank you Peak Designs
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great ergonomics and great style!
on June 28, 2026
Posted by: Nick
from Switzerland
I can’t simply describe how practical this backpack is (I got the 25L model).
But what I can do, and that’s something no reviewer
will explain to the extent they should, is how well this backpack balances; fully loaded with heavy stuff and without using the chest strap, the backpack is still keeping the weight close to your thorax and balances it in a way that doesn’t kill your shoulders on a 15-20km hike.
I’ve never seen any other backpack that balances this well without a sternum strap, while still being so stylish. Some of the very technical hiking equipment can do that, sure, but not in this stylish and versatile design.
Couldn’t be more satisfied.
But what I can do, and that’s something no reviewer
will explain to the extent they should, is how well this backpack balances; fully loaded with heavy stuff and without using the chest strap, the backpack is still keeping the weight close to your thorax and balances it in a way that doesn’t kill your shoulders on a 15-20km hike.
I’ve never seen any other backpack that balances this well without a sternum strap, while still being so stylish. Some of the very technical hiking equipment can do that, sure, but not in this stylish and versatile design.
Couldn’t be more satisfied.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Holds all my gear and it's very comfortable.
on June 28, 2026
Posted by: Jacob
I was hesitant to buy at first because most peak design bags are rated higher but then I read the reviews and it sounded like some people were confused how to open some of the pockets. I pulled the trigger and got the bag determined I could figure out the perplexing pockets only to find that it was actually quite simple to use. Great bag, great construction, it holds all my gear comfortably including my 600mm lens. The frame and hip belt make carrying a heavy load quite comfortable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Amazing bag
on June 28, 2026
Posted by: AW
I bought this about a month ago and it has the best quality of any bag I’ve ever had paired up with the camera cube it gives me the level of security I need when travelling with my kit but also gives me the comfort
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design