Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Cloud
Average customer rating
4.3
(232 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 232 reviews
5 Stars
141
4 Stars
48
3 Stars
24
2 Stars
9
1 Star
10
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
173 out of
201)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Cloud
Customer Rating
4
Good but not all the time
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: Arrosso
from Brussels
To start with the good, I really like the looks, the way you need to get into the bag and the possibilities you have with the strap system.
That said, I find it to be a bit too small, I have to shove my computer in with some difficulties. Also I believe a small pocket somewhere would have been a nice thing to add.
That said, I find it to be a bit too small, I have to shove my computer in with some difficulties. Also I believe a small pocket somewhere would have been a nice thing to add.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
Not perfect at all
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: Lukas
from Poland
I love the material and the concept of this backpack, but there are a lot of downsides:
- The backpack is not stable, you can't put it upright because it will fall.
- It has a few pockets
- There is no AirTag pocket.
- There is no pocket for the hip belt (like in 40l).
- The backpack is not stable, you can't put it upright because it will fall.
- It has a few pockets
- There is no AirTag pocket.
- There is no pocket for the hip belt (like in 40l).
If not that what I have said above, i would recommend it to my friends.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Interesting
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: Arno
from Hilton Head Island, SC
I purchased this bag to use for a travel kit for photography. While I can certainly configure it for a small kit, I do find it to be a bit heavy when adding the packing cubes (ie. the medium and the xxs) and my 16" MacBook Pro. Additionally, I am a 6'4" man with a somewhat athletic build and broad shoulders and find that the shoulder straps and quite tight and small. I will use the bag around town mostly slinging it on one shoulder but most likely not use it for any long trips requiring it to be on both shoulders. Construction is excellent as with all Peak Design Products.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Brilliantly practical
on March 29, 2025
Posted by: Em
from Bucharest, RO
I bought the 45l outdoor backpack for longer trips.
I found it big enough for my needs in order to avoid checked-in luggage (something I'm allergic to, mainly because of the long queues at the luggage lane and the concept of luggage lottery).
I found it big enough for my needs in order to avoid checked-in luggage (something I'm allergic to, mainly because of the long queues at the luggage lane and the concept of luggage lottery).
It did an excellent job, although sometimes "sacrifices" had to be made with regard to the things I could put in. It's a brilliant piece of kit, but 3 weeks is a long time, apparently.
Anyway... let me try to provide some useful information here, if possible:
- it's great for carrying a lot of stuff over a lot of days and territory. It can take quite a lot of stuff and abuse. Many suitcases were thrown over it in the back of the bus and it braved without a wince or protest. It can also take verbal abuse, I think, but I only had words of praise for it so I can't confirm.
- it's also quite light, too, which is convenient. Things change if you put rocks and anvils in it, but that's on you. The bag itself is by no means a porker for the amount of stuff it can take.
- sometimes I wished for a few more pockets, but with a bit of planning and a few organising cubes (I had 2 from PD and a few from amazon basics) it did a great job to hold all my stuff in place. And I could find said stuff easily, as well, without too much digging. Of cube was for toiletries, one for cables and adapters and backup phone etc, and 3 for clothing. I'd try a few more cubes next time. Still, a few more pockets never hurt. Never. Ask anyone with cargo pants.
- the closing mechanism -the lace thingy- made me nervous at first, it seemed weak and vulnerable and unlikely to hold together all my things. It did, though, and it's quite a clever system. With a full bag it's a bit optimistic to operate it with one hand, but most of the time it is actually doable. Combined with the roll-up system that secures in place with magnets, your stuff is safe inside and has no chance to escape accidentally.
- the closing mechanism -the lace thing-... no, you're not having deja-vu, I just want to add one more thing. It really is more sturdy than it looks (it doesn't look very sturdy). After +3 weeks of frequent use, I didn't notice any flimsy-ness, slimming or falling apart. I don't know what material and sorcery it's made of, but PD did a great job with it.
- the external flap/compartment is quite convenient for packing a jacket or a larger piece of clothing. The things you put there may not be as well protected from the rain and dust as the things inside, but if you're not going through rain on a dusty road during a volcano eruption you'll be fine.
- the side pockets are generous and hold stuff well. I'm a bit paranoid about pockets without zippers or snaps or velcro, but these elastic-y things seem safe enough to make me assume I'll still have my things in them at the destination.
- I haven't used the straps for big things like a tripod mount or those tennis racket things you use to walk on ice and snow, but you can attach quite large items with them. A tripod would look a bit too much when your camera is the size of your phone (and it's not a big phone, not even the XL or Plus or Max), just like those snow racquets would look quite silly on a beach walk in warm weather. Should you want to, though, you can attach big things to your backpack with said straps.
- the waist strap is very convenient. It can take a few small things that you can access quickly; my camera kit that I discussed one paragraph above definitely fits. You can also put a few snacks, but snacks tend to evaporate whenever I'm around, no matter where you place them; proximity and ease of access are key. The strap is convenient though. And very easy to remove if you don't want it.
- this dark red/ burgundy/ inside-of-a-cherry colour looks great. Of course, if you're an accountant or actuator I'd suggest something more grey or beige. However, I enjoy being able to identify my bag easily in a large pile of luggage at the back of the bus. Nobody needs 3 suitcases, Alice! Anyway, I received compliments from the ladies about the colour. Yes, even Alice. But then she laughed its size. Go figure...
- it's great for carrying a lot of stuff over a lot of days and territory. It can take quite a lot of stuff and abuse. Many suitcases were thrown over it in the back of the bus and it braved without a wince or protest. It can also take verbal abuse, I think, but I only had words of praise for it so I can't confirm.
- it's also quite light, too, which is convenient. Things change if you put rocks and anvils in it, but that's on you. The bag itself is by no means a porker for the amount of stuff it can take.
- sometimes I wished for a few more pockets, but with a bit of planning and a few organising cubes (I had 2 from PD and a few from amazon basics) it did a great job to hold all my stuff in place. And I could find said stuff easily, as well, without too much digging. Of cube was for toiletries, one for cables and adapters and backup phone etc, and 3 for clothing. I'd try a few more cubes next time. Still, a few more pockets never hurt. Never. Ask anyone with cargo pants.
- the closing mechanism -the lace thingy- made me nervous at first, it seemed weak and vulnerable and unlikely to hold together all my things. It did, though, and it's quite a clever system. With a full bag it's a bit optimistic to operate it with one hand, but most of the time it is actually doable. Combined with the roll-up system that secures in place with magnets, your stuff is safe inside and has no chance to escape accidentally.
- the closing mechanism -the lace thing-... no, you're not having deja-vu, I just want to add one more thing. It really is more sturdy than it looks (it doesn't look very sturdy). After +3 weeks of frequent use, I didn't notice any flimsy-ness, slimming or falling apart. I don't know what material and sorcery it's made of, but PD did a great job with it.
- the external flap/compartment is quite convenient for packing a jacket or a larger piece of clothing. The things you put there may not be as well protected from the rain and dust as the things inside, but if you're not going through rain on a dusty road during a volcano eruption you'll be fine.
- the side pockets are generous and hold stuff well. I'm a bit paranoid about pockets without zippers or snaps or velcro, but these elastic-y things seem safe enough to make me assume I'll still have my things in them at the destination.
- I haven't used the straps for big things like a tripod mount or those tennis racket things you use to walk on ice and snow, but you can attach quite large items with them. A tripod would look a bit too much when your camera is the size of your phone (and it's not a big phone, not even the XL or Plus or Max), just like those snow racquets would look quite silly on a beach walk in warm weather. Should you want to, though, you can attach big things to your backpack with said straps.
- the waist strap is very convenient. It can take a few small things that you can access quickly; my camera kit that I discussed one paragraph above definitely fits. You can also put a few snacks, but snacks tend to evaporate whenever I'm around, no matter where you place them; proximity and ease of access are key. The strap is convenient though. And very easy to remove if you don't want it.
- this dark red/ burgundy/ inside-of-a-cherry colour looks great. Of course, if you're an accountant or actuator I'd suggest something more grey or beige. However, I enjoy being able to identify my bag easily in a large pile of luggage at the back of the bus. Nobody needs 3 suitcases, Alice! Anyway, I received compliments from the ladies about the colour. Yes, even Alice. But then she laughed its size. Go figure...
All in all, if you're not a hoarder this bad boy will take care of your stuff in style and comfort. And comfort is very important for me. It's still useful to be nice to other people on the trip because you won't be able to carry a bottle of wine with it through airport security. But otherwise, it'll serve you well on your adventures. Or on your trip to the audit maybe, if you went for the grey colour.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Okay but...
on April 9, 2025
Posted by: Michael AY
from Singapore
The bag is nice overall speaking, can load a lot of stuff in it while still maintaining a relatively slim profile. However after three months of everyday usage the front-left zipper puller was broken. As shown in the photo attached I have to tie the two strings up in order to continue using it. Is there any warranty service for this part?
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Front side scratches easily
on April 14, 2026
Posted by: tn17
Love the bag and how adjustable the whole system is to fit my frame. Love the versatility of the product. 3 stars because the front material is't so hardy. Shy of a year of use and there are multiple scratches and blemishes. I haven't even used is as an outdoor pack, just local and domestic travel. In my opinion, haven't put it through the ringer so I am disappointed with how the exterior facing material is holding up.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Too complicated and not practical in real use
on April 16, 2026
Posted by: Tegola78
On paper this looks like a perfect backpack, but in everyday use it turns out to be more complicated than useful. There are too many straps, systems, and adjustments that end up slowing you down instead of helping.
The internal organization is not very practical: to access items inside the cube you often have to open the entire backpack, which is inconvenient, especially when you need something quickly.
Another downside is the glossy front panel, which scratches very easily and starts to show signs of wear after a short time.
Comfort is also not always ideal, especially with heavier loads or during longer use, and some design choices feel impractical in real-world situations.
Overall, it’s a well-built backpack but too complicated, expensive, and not very user-friendly. I wouldn’t buy it again.
The internal organization is not very practical: to access items inside the cube you often have to open the entire backpack, which is inconvenient, especially when you need something quickly.
Another downside is the glossy front panel, which scratches very easily and starts to show signs of wear after a short time.
Comfort is also not always ideal, especially with heavier loads or during longer use, and some design choices feel impractical in real-world situations.
Overall, it’s a well-built backpack but too complicated, expensive, and not very user-friendly. I wouldn’t buy it again.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Good with some quibbles.
on April 26, 2026
Posted by: d-ron
from Philadelphia
This review is for the 18L version - PD doesn't show you which version of the bag people bought in their reviews which is just silliness.
Overall I like the bag and will be keepingit. I'll be replacing a smaller Osprey hiking bag with this for day hikes and festivals and such.
Pros:
- LOVE the all the connection points. They're ALL over the bag but totally invisible which is super cool.
- I like being able to take off/rearrange the external cords. Hiking bags tend to have all these silly straps and hooks and loops and cords, as if all the people buying them are going ice climbing. In reality they're just liabilities waiting to get caught on the nearest shrubbery and I end up cutting them off. Take them all off and it just looks like a normal bag
- chest straps are removable in the same vein
- shoulder straps are wide and comfy
- seems waterproof but haven't had a chance to test it yet
- LOVE the all the connection points. They're ALL over the bag but totally invisible which is super cool.
- I like being able to take off/rearrange the external cords. Hiking bags tend to have all these silly straps and hooks and loops and cords, as if all the people buying them are going ice climbing. In reality they're just liabilities waiting to get caught on the nearest shrubbery and I end up cutting them off. Take them all off and it just looks like a normal bag
- chest straps are removable in the same vein
- shoulder straps are wide and comfy
- seems waterproof but haven't had a chance to test it yet
Cons:
- the optional connection points for a hip belt (sold separately) is dumb IMO. if you're putting enough weight in this bag to warrant a hip belt, you need a different bag. dead weight. I wish they had skipped that and added a luggage sleeve instead.
- I straight up don't understand why the shoulder straps have metal hooks to disconnect the top from the body but not the bottom (sewn to the bag and can't pull the strap out of the slider). what is the point of that? maybe someone can enlighten me. more dead weight
- chest straps are hard to keep parallel due to the invisibility of the connection points. I keep attaching mine crooked. maybe I'll get used to it. or maybe I'll take a white marker to them so I don't have to guess
- the optional connection points for a hip belt (sold separately) is dumb IMO. if you're putting enough weight in this bag to warrant a hip belt, you need a different bag. dead weight. I wish they had skipped that and added a luggage sleeve instead.
- I straight up don't understand why the shoulder straps have metal hooks to disconnect the top from the body but not the bottom (sewn to the bag and can't pull the strap out of the slider). what is the point of that? maybe someone can enlighten me. more dead weight
- chest straps are hard to keep parallel due to the invisibility of the connection points. I keep attaching mine crooked. maybe I'll get used to it. or maybe I'll take a white marker to them so I don't have to guess
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design