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
Photography, Rock Climbing, and Hiking Bag
on May 26, 2026
Posted by: Sam
I have used the 45L outdoor backpack for about 5 months now. I was looking for a niche backpack for the purposes of photography, hiking, and rock climbing. Overall, for such a demanding wide range of activities, it gets the job done, but could use some improvements. First, for the water bladder and straw holders, I would add a hole in the center that the straw can go throw to reach the bladder in addition to the side hole and would have the straw holder loops on both sides instead of just one. For rock climbing specifically, I would make the drawstring longer that you use to open and close the center pouch. My reasoning is that I carry my 70 meter rope on top of the backpack with the coiled ends underneath the drawstring. Trying to get the rope underneath the drawstring is definitely the hardest and most time consuming part of packing my bag. Lastly, I'd love to see MOLLE incorporated into the backpack in addition to Peak Design's current attachment system. I currently use the Peak Design attachment system for the Peak Design helmet carrier and the accessory straps on the bottom of the bag to carry my tripod. However, I have a first aid kit and multipurpose tool that I would attach to my old backpack using the MOLLE system that I have not found a good way to attach to the outdoor bag yet. Overall, it is a good bag for my very specific need that I would love to see improved upon. My typical loadout includes a full medium camera cube, 2L water bladder, all of my outdoor rock climbing gear for sport climbing, a 70 meter rope, a rock climbing helmet, six beers, snacks, spare clothing, miscellaneous small items, and occasionally a tripod. All items fit inside the bag except the rope, helmet, and tripod, which are carried externally on the bag.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful design and functionality
on May 26, 2026
Posted by: DFC
Just new but seems to work well as a pack. I walked a heavy load of groceries back from the supermarket. Walking 3km. The adjustability and comfort achieved was excellent.the ability to fit different size objects was good. The load felt comfortable mainly centered on my hips. The fastening system a little intimidating but quickly cinched all closures looking forward to using this for over night hikes and general purpose travel. What I especially like about PD is the consistency in beauty quality and functionally throughout all their products and I own several.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Easy access to everything without any futzing
on May 18, 2026
Posted by: Hagenandeggs
from Tucson AZ
I bought this last month and I am thoroughly impressed. I've taken it backpacking, rock climbing, and two business trips. For all uses, it was so easy to access every part of it quickly and efficiently, much better than every other bag I have ever owned.
Got a rope hanging over the top of the bag? It stays secure throughout the hike, and stays in place when accessing the main part of the bag whether through top or the back panel, or even when getting into the center pocket.
Backpacking? I put my foam folding pad on top, and for every other bag I've ever had, that involved taking the padd off to get into the rest of the bag, but for this bag, it stayed in place while I accessed the center pocket for snacks, or the main compartment though the top or back panel. The trip was a basic overnighter so I was not packed to the gills, but I felt like I had plenty of room even with a 20 degree bag, two days of food, a tent strapped to the bottom, and other essentials.
Business trip? The bag fit a full suit with shoes, a PD wash pouch, a change of regular clothes, with a sweater over the top of the bag.
Catching a flight? The shoulder straps and waist belt had so much storage I was able to quickly stow my cell, wallet, earbuds, and sunglasses. I had my computer stowed in the center pocket, making it easy to put into a separate bin for TSA, as well as grab just before tossing the bag in the overhead compartment on the flight (which it fit splendidly).
I was so impressed with this bag that it prompted me to buy the 7l sling. I've only walked around with the sling for a day or so, but it seems very well designed and comfortable, especially since it attaches to the 45l bag's shoulder straps; I even fashioned it to the top of the bag like a "brain" for other backpacking bags, and excited to see how they perform when fully loaded.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
The best backpack I have ever owned
on May 11, 2026
Posted by: Hana
This is everything I have ever wanted in a backpack. It’s so functional! I love how large the side pocket for the water bottle is, bottles usually never fit properly. I also love the small pockets on the shoulder straps for a phone or wallet, and all the different attachment options on the backpack (for sleeping bag/smelly shoes/extra bag..).The pouch pocket is super practical for bulky items or things you want to access quickly. And honestly, the design is so beautiful that I’m going to use it not only for backpacking, but also for city trips, it is stylish.
Thank you for making my dream backpack come true!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Great features but not for hiking.
on May 4, 2026
Posted by: Kait
from Colorado Springs, CO
I bought this almost a year ago now. I do enjoy using this backpack however not for the intention on which I bought it for.
I purchased this to take on hiking adventures as advertised. Unfortunately this pack is not a good distance hiking pack as there is no actual strap to help spread the weight of the load taking some off the shoulders. For this reason, I do not hike more than two miles with this pack. And that depends even on the gear I’m bringing. I instead use a tradiditional pack to help distribute some of the weight off my hips and use a sled out camera cube.
The pack has very thoughtful elements so I do enjoy using it for road trips. But it’s unfortunate that I cannot use it for big hiking trips which is most of my photo excursions.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Comfortable
on May 4, 2026
Posted by: Ashley
The backpack looks elegant despite its outdoorsy design. What I value the most is that all straps can be adjusted to my liking so that the backpack feels like its made for my body proportions.
However, it scratches very easily and honestly, I expected it to fit more stuff given that it is 45 liters.
However, it scratches very easily and honestly, I expected it to fit more stuff given that it is 45 liters.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Good backpack
on May 4, 2026
Posted by: Ashley
The backpack is comfortable and good looking, you can barely feel its weight. However, one thing to note is that it is easily prone to scratches.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable backpack
on April 30, 2026
Posted by: Lccc
from HK
Great outdoor backpack, traveling with photo gears
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design