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
5
Feature rich and fantastic outdoor camera bag
on January 9, 2025
Posted by: Kat
from Arlington, VA
Overall rating: 4.5
Overall, I've really enjoyed using this bag so far. I received it as part of the Kickstarter and have so far used it for day hikes and at a multi-day tech conference. For day hikes, it easily carried my Fujifilm XT30 in an X-Small camera cube, the travel tripod, a first aid kit, layers, snacks, and a 3 L water reservoir (filled up to 2.5 L). For the tech conference, I could fit both my MacBook Pro 16-inch and an iPad in the sleeve plus accessories and conference swag. For size reference, I'm a 5'8" woman with a slender frame, and it fits great. My 6'4" tall, broader framed husband also got the bag, and it's a bit small on him, though still usable.
Features that I particularly like:
* The bag is lightweight and very collapsible. I could stow it under a plane seat and pack it away in a checked back easily.
* Straps are much more comfortable than any other Peak Design bags. They did have a break-in period for me as they were very stiff in the beginning.
* The clamshell opening makes it so easy to access your things, especially if you are stashing heavier items towards the bottom of the bag
* The pockets on the straps are fantastic for stowing my iPhone Pro 15 Max, though you lose one of them if you put a capture clip on the strap.
* The water bottle sleeves are so stretchy and easy to stash large water bottles. I love how tall they are since they also keep a tripod in place.
* The kangaroo pouch and associated front pockets are also very convenient places for storage.
* The eclipse color is a gorgeous maroon-purplish color. The material wipes clean very nicely; I got a ton of orange/red mud on it from hiking out in Zion and none it remained.
* The bag is lightweight and very collapsible. I could stow it under a plane seat and pack it away in a checked back easily.
* Straps are much more comfortable than any other Peak Design bags. They did have a break-in period for me as they were very stiff in the beginning.
* The clamshell opening makes it so easy to access your things, especially if you are stashing heavier items towards the bottom of the bag
* The pockets on the straps are fantastic for stowing my iPhone Pro 15 Max, though you lose one of them if you put a capture clip on the strap.
* The water bottle sleeves are so stretchy and easy to stash large water bottles. I love how tall they are since they also keep a tripod in place.
* The kangaroo pouch and associated front pockets are also very convenient places for storage.
* The eclipse color is a gorgeous maroon-purplish color. The material wipes clean very nicely; I got a ton of orange/red mud on it from hiking out in Zion and none it remained.
Things I think they could have done better:
* Overall, I think Peak Design was not properly prepared for the official release of the bag. The bag is incredibly feature-rich, and I think more people would have been more satisfied if they had more detailed overviews and instructions. I backed it through Kickstarter and completely understand them not having the videos in place at that point in time, but everything should have been available by the time of the official retail release.
* As others have mentioned, the water reservoir routing is not compatible with all reservoirs. This is understandable since every brand does something different, but I think it would be helpful to have a list of tested reservoirs with maximum compatibility (similar to the screen protector list with their phone cases). Additionally, the reservoir loop not having a buckle is slightly annoying since my Platypus reservoir only has a hole through the top plastic. To use them together, I had to use a small carabiner to attach the reservoir to the loop.
* Overall, I think Peak Design was not properly prepared for the official release of the bag. The bag is incredibly feature-rich, and I think more people would have been more satisfied if they had more detailed overviews and instructions. I backed it through Kickstarter and completely understand them not having the videos in place at that point in time, but everything should have been available by the time of the official retail release.
* As others have mentioned, the water reservoir routing is not compatible with all reservoirs. This is understandable since every brand does something different, but I think it would be helpful to have a list of tested reservoirs with maximum compatibility (similar to the screen protector list with their phone cases). Additionally, the reservoir loop not having a buckle is slightly annoying since my Platypus reservoir only has a hole through the top plastic. To use them together, I had to use a small carabiner to attach the reservoir to the loop.
TLDR:
The bag is not perfect, but it is a really great travel bag and an even better outdoor bag for photographers.
The bag is not perfect, but it is a really great travel bag and an even better outdoor bag for photographers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
Big Bummer
on March 9, 2025
Posted by: camalot
from Oregon
I bought this bag when it was still being crowd funded. Honestly, I had such high hopes for it. Unfortunately, it's been one of my biggest buying regrets. I took it to Joshua Tree for its first outing, after two plane flights and eight days in the field it's already already looking beat up. I loved the theory and conception for pretty much everything here... but all the features are just a little too convoluted or annoying or just not sized correctly. Extremely disappointing given the money.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Backpack for a Hobby Outdoor Photographer
on November 14, 2024
Posted by: Guy
from Ohio
The 1* review on here upset me and I felt obligated to post one. That review stated there's no instructions- there's literally a 30 minute setup guide on the YouTube channel. The bag is admittedly not super intuitive to use at first, but the video explains everything. Not to mention, he and I only have this now because we backed it on kickstarter and received it TWO MONTHS earlier than they originally promised.
Anyway I haven't used this for any serious backpacking yet, but I have used it as a daily bag with as much heavy stuff in it as possible to get a sense of the comfort/sizing and make any adjustments before I take it on a real trip.
If you've had a Peak Design bag before, the features, quality, practicality, etc. are all there exactly as you'd expect. It's light- maybe not light enough for serious ultralight people, but personally I'm one to bring 3 camera lenses I never end up using, so an extra 500g from the bag makes no difference.
The bag is very comfortable thanks to being able to change the strap attachment points. But honestly comfort is purely subjective, no bag is going to be a great fit for every single person. Peak Design or otherwise.
My recommendation is to get this bag if you think you'll like it. If you're an amateur/hobby photographer with a good amount of gear that likes to go hiking/camping and won't be carrying it for more than a day or two at a time, this is an excellent choice. If you're into long, multi-day backpacking trips, or are measuring the weight of each piece of gear down to the gram, there are probably more practical choices (that aren't as cool.)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
The Best Backpack I’ve Ever Owned.
on December 5, 2024
Posted by: Puko Moto
I spent years searching for a backpack like this, and I’ve finally found it.
This backpack is perfect for everything—whether you’re heading to the mountains or just using it for your daily life. As a photographer and motorcyclist, it’s incredibly practical. Plus, it works seamlessly with Peak Design’s camera modules.
The external compartments are a lifesaver when you need extra storage space on the go. It’s also packed with features that make it even better: it’s super comfortable to wear, with reinforced padding for added support and security, and it’s compatible with waterproof covers to protect your gear in any weather. There’s even a dedicated compartment for your laptop, keeping it safe and easy to access.
So, what fits in my 45L backpack?
Sony A7 III camera
2 lenses
DJI Ronin stabilizer
DJI Mini 4 drone
DJI Action Camera + accessories
Batteries + chargers
Macbook PRO
Tripod (attached externally)
Extra room for a hoodie
I can confidently say I’ve found THE PERFECT BACKPACK.
2 lenses
DJI Ronin stabilizer
DJI Mini 4 drone
DJI Action Camera + accessories
Batteries + chargers
Macbook PRO
Tripod (attached externally)
Extra room for a hoodie
I can confidently say I’ve found THE PERFECT BACKPACK.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
Not a great backpack.
on November 16, 2024
Posted by: Nicolas
from Marseille, France
I got the travel backpack yesterday and spend a lot of time wondering how to use it.
The camera cube does not fit properly, there is a lot of waste of space when using it.
Yes, the overall quality of the product is great, but it is a bad backpack.
You won't put a lot of stuff in it and there a leashes everywhere.
The camera cube does not fit properly, there is a lot of waste of space when using it.
Yes, the overall quality of the product is great, but it is a bad backpack.
You won't put a lot of stuff in it and there a leashes everywhere.
The kickstarter campaign was great, the marketing too but the product is not worth it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Love PeakDesign but this is very disappointed.
on January 18, 2025
Posted by: y8rdoc
from Omaha Nebraska
Very gimmicky with poor design and space. I have countless PD products and love them. This is junk in my opinion. Not great space and too many gimmicks/pockets/cords. Way over thought for what you need. I got the 25L but really my Lowepro Protactic 450AW (25L) holds more including my 16 inch MacBook Pro and it's cheeper. This bag is way over priced for what it is. Again I am a huge fan of PeakDesign products, but this one will be given to the disabled vets. Save your money.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Wonderful. A manual transmission not an automatic
on March 4, 2025
Posted by: Shcire
from Glazers, Seattle
I’m genuinely baffled by the negative reviews—this bag is nearly perfect. It’s designed first and foremost as a camera bag for the outdoors, and it excels in that role. Comparing it to a dedicated outdoor pack misses the point. If you’re not carrying a camera or optics, just use a different bag. This one is purpose-built to protect and transport sensitive gear using their modular cube system.
I carry a 115mm spotting scope and max out the 35L just with my optics and equipment—but, there’s still 10L of expandable internal storage and plenty of external carry options. The large camera cube fits perfectly, and the tie-downs and attachment points are exceptionally well thought out. This bag is like a manual transmission—it requires some planning and customization to get the most out of it. Watch the setup video, experiment with different configurations, and take the time to dial it in. This isn’t a grab-and-go pack—it’s designed for forethought and intentional use, and when set up properly, it’s incredibly efficient.
Example: The extra tie-downs and removable straps along with the chorded rail system are a stroke of genius. I use them to anchor the bag to my tripod, keeping the weight on the ground and tensioning up 90% of the weight to the center mass. This eliminates normal bag swing —small details like this make the pack truly versatile.
The attention to detail is exactly what Peak Design is known for, and they absolutely delivered here. I couldn’t be happier with this bag.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
2 stars is generous
on December 10, 2024
Posted by: Andrew
from Georgia
I bought both the 45 and 25 outdoor packs. These bags are not camera bags in any way, they are backpacks that can hold a camera cube…….kind of. There is zero room for any of the small accessories that all photographers seem to accumulate. The 2 zippered pockets on the front flap part have no organization. The pull down part realistically is only for flat stuff or soft goods. Anything else just sticks through to the camera cube part making for a lumpy cube.
The large v2 cube does NOT FIT in the 45 bag. Physically, yes it fits but you can not access stuff near the top without pulling dividers out or pulling the cube out. The v2 cubes that you are forced to buy are not even close to tall enough. I am forced to lay lenses flat that used to fit standing up in the original cubes. Laying lenses flat now takes up twice the space, so now 1 lens takes up 2 spots. I am forced to stand up a few lenses which is leaving them unprotected which is the point of an actual camera bag.
The large v2 cube does NOT FIT in the 45 bag. Physically, yes it fits but you can not access stuff near the top without pulling dividers out or pulling the cube out. The v2 cubes that you are forced to buy are not even close to tall enough. I am forced to lay lenses flat that used to fit standing up in the original cubes. Laying lenses flat now takes up twice the space, so now 1 lens takes up 2 spots. I am forced to stand up a few lenses which is leaving them unprotected which is the point of an actual camera bag.
The chest straps are horribly uncomfortable. The backpack straps are not even close to long enough for tall people. The padded part ends above my armpit.
I appreciate that this can hold a water bladder, but a filled bladder would take up precious camera space. I would also in no way ever put a water bladder in the same compartment as $20,000 worth of camera gear.
The 25 is ok for packing a small day bag worth of gear but still unorganized.
I appreciate that this can hold a water bladder, but a filled bladder would take up precious camera space. I would also in no way ever put a water bladder in the same compartment as $20,000 worth of camera gear.
The 25 is ok for packing a small day bag worth of gear but still unorganized.
PD has failed photographers with all of the latest camera bags.
I supported these bags on kickstarter because of my previous experience with the company. I have multiple sizes of the travel backpacks, multiple v1 and v2 cubes, probably a dozen smaller tech bags in different configurations and sizes, multiple camera straps and other doodads etc. these bags are a fail….big fail.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design