Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(216 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 216 reviews
5 Stars
136
4 Stars
44
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
9
1 Star
9
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
165 out of
190)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Black
Customer Rating
4
Solid Hiking Bag
on July 25, 2025
Posted by: Jeff
from Charlotte, NC
Bought this one a few weeks ago and finally put it to use and I must say it’s a terrific bag for hiking. Packs nicely and it’s the most comfy PD bag I’ve tried. Fits me like a glove (I’m 5’5” and the adjustments recommended were great.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Disappointing For How Good It Is
on July 26, 2025
Posted by: Mmorellish
from Western North Carolina
The 25 liter backpack is so close to being my favorite pack ever for every day/travel/light adventure but the number of near misses is infuriating. The packs design has the feel of a battle between feature richness and a total minimalism where I am not sure either side succeeded. It seems like a few small additional features would have perfected this already decently heavy backpack. There is no hip belt (insane to ask for MORE money as an add on), there's no way for it to secure to the handle of a roller bag, the bladder compartment is almost completely unusable, the zippered pockets on the back panel could have been better layered to allow for storage of things like note pads, and absolutely no internal organization built in (not even a zipper pocket for pens or sunglasses). Other than that the pack is feature rich, easy to use, and carries a load very well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
on July 26, 2025
Posted by: A303
25L outdoor backpack is my favorite now. PD quality always amazes me and how other PD products incorporates with each other. Recently had time to go on an easy hiking trip and it was just PERFECT for the occasion. Carried a camera, drone, insta360, tripod, snacks and water bottle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
ALMOST perfect!
on July 28, 2025
Posted by: Torin
from Seattle, WA
I just used my outdoor backpack for the first time today and I have to say, I’m REALLY stoked about it. I do mostly 4x5 large format photography and finding a bag that fits that niche, plus has solid features for hiking, has been tough. This bag with the smedium camera cube is exactly the right size for me; my Intrepid 4x5 fits folded above the cube, all of the other odds and ends fit perfectly inside the cube (including two lenses with shutters attached), and my tripod sits really comfortably in the deep side pockets, AND there’s still space for my water bladder. The harness is comfortable and solid and the materials, hardware, everything feels super premium and built to last. The pockets in the harness are really nifty and nicely fit a capture clip, and the white colorway is super clean too, even when it’s dirty
BUT. The sternum straps, omg. PD is huge on their cow hitches and ropey attachment mechanisms but it does NOT work well here. Catching those two little flat plastic clips on the piping in just the right spot can be tricky, especially when moving. It makes getting into/out of the harness a significant enough chore that I found myself avoiding taking it off whenever possible. I really wish it was just a clip like every other backpack. I’m hoping that they release a drop-in replacement since the whole thing’s modular anyway
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Good day hiking pack
on August 4, 2025
Posted by: Wpang
from Boston massachusetts
I bought this a few weeks and took it to the white mountain in New Hampshire, it was a great pack, it was nice and light weight even without the hip belt it was comfortable with a couple pounds of gear and the water bladder sleeve was a great idea being implemented into the laptop sleeve.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
on August 12, 2025
Posted by: Sherbile
Great backpack. Too bad you cannot attach it to a carry-on
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
I love the versatility and various design features
on August 16, 2025
Posted by: AJ
from Kent, UK
I’ve had the 45L Outdoor Backpack for a few months now giving me an opportunity to properly test and review the item. I use it primarily for photography equipment using the large Camera Cube V2 internally which fits perfectly. I also use two Capture clips on the straps. I’m 6’1” tall with a long torso and find I’m able to adjust the backpack to fit perfectly. I love the padded hip belt which enables me to carry more heavy equipment due to the added support it provides. I often carry hiking poles, water bottles and a monopod in the side pockets and a variety of other equipment/waterproofs etc in the other pockets. I like the versatility of the various straps, cords, roll-top etc. My favorite features is the rear hatch which keeps my camera equipment very secure when walking in crowds and the finish on the front of the bag which makes contact with the ground when accessing the cameras etc and is easily cleaned and wiped down, which is especially useful in our damp unpredictable weather here in the UK.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
An eclipsed gem
on August 24, 2025
Posted by: Mildura
I did a lot of research before buying this bag. And in doing so, I was aware of the pros and cons. I was torn between the 35l and the 25l backpack, but decided on the 25l in combination with the 7l sling resulting in 32l I’d I need it. The backpack is very sleek and features less pockets than the other 15l and 25l pd backpack I used prior. However, to be honest, I hardly used them and preferred using the tech pouch and others. Now, the tech pouch is replaced by the 7l sling, which I either use as a pouch in the bag, or as an extension to the back pack. The sling has all the pockets I need for cards, batteries, and fits alternative pouches for timers, small lenses, converters and all the other small stuff we need on a photo session. It obviously is more flexible and hold more stuff than the tech pouch, which why I am selling the latter. I am so happy with the sling. It is perfect, and to prevent damage to equipment if I accidentally open the buckle when I use it as a stand-alone, I use the cross strap. Anther hack is a elastic tube pulled over the buckle. The back pack itself is genius. Being used to the 15l until now, it took getting used to it. Now I won‘t give it away, ever … It is light, easy to carry, easy to pack and sim‘ly gorgeous. I like the easy handling of the front cord and I disagree with those, who wire you need both hands to fasten it. Like other things in life, it takes two or three times to understand the function and from then, it’s smooth sailing. The front pocket is ideal for stashing a jacket, and the slits for the water system can be used - hack alarm - to fasten a light weight trekking umbrella. BTW, the pass through on the outdoor sling or the field pouch can serve the same purpose; with the sling, the brolly may „sink“ to the bottom of the cavity however, which doesn‘t really matter ;-). The two mesh pockets on the sides are amazing when it comes to their holding capacity. Te two zip pockets are ideal for flatter stuff or keys. The two mesh pockets on straps are ideal for stowing my phone or small tools, Swiss Army knife etc. Together with the hip belt (an extra) it is the perfect carrying system for my needs. As a woman, weight is an issue and I prefer using hip belts on smaller packs as well to distribute the weight. The mesh pockets are ideal to store lens caps or keys. The hip belt is extremely comfortable to wear, the new buckle is comfortable to open and close, and the belt van be easily removed for storage. However, I find it a shame, that there is only one mounting point for the camera clip on the right side; I find it extremely difficult to insert my camera clip. Again being a woman, I prefer using the clip on a hip belt, rather thanking the backpack front straps for obvious female body features. I do like, however that the camera clip „disappears“ into the mesh pocket when not in use. And to solve the problem of accessibility, I have resorted to using the camera clip with the holder accessory on the straps of the hip belt, rather than the padded section. Another, yet minor drawback, is that the hip belts have to be removed for storage or folded, it is easier to store the hip belt for the other pd backpacks. And the the colour, I am absolutely flashed - it is so beautiful in outdoor and urban settings. In fact, the eclipse backpack is so perfect in it’s design an colour and so lightweight, that I am going to give away the other two pd backpacks, as I won‘t be switching between packs any more. Well done peak design . A very, very happy customer xxxxx
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design