Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Average customer rating
4.3
(278 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 278 reviews
5 Stars
173
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
11
1 Star
10
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
204 out of
234)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Customer Rating
4
shows promise!
on March 29, 2025
Posted by: peter
from Australia
when I unboxed this I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to open it. so I had to look up how to open it videos on youtube. I don't enjoy tutorial videos, so that was a bit annoying. however once i watched the video, it is super simple to open and close. quite innovativeand novel!
o People in the street comment on how comfortable it looks, but after carrying my full kit in it I didn't have that same experience of all day comfort.
I really miss a full size tripod holder.
the hip belt came off the other day whilst it was folded up, and it took a few minutes to reattach it in the dark. but when not in use it does fold in snuggly
I love the options of cordhooks and gear loop system however have not yet made too much use of this except for chest straps.
I am disappointed in the amount of pockets available, to organise my gear.
o People in the street comment on how comfortable it looks, but after carrying my full kit in it I didn't have that same experience of all day comfort.
I really miss a full size tripod holder.
the hip belt came off the other day whilst it was folded up, and it took a few minutes to reattach it in the dark. but when not in use it does fold in snuggly
I love the options of cordhooks and gear loop system however have not yet made too much use of this except for chest straps.
I am disappointed in the amount of pockets available, to organise my gear.
I would 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
5
Versatile Design
on March 28, 2025
Posted by: LesS
from South Carolina
The flexibility of this backpack filled all my needs and wants on a recent trip to Florida National Parks. Very impressed with fabrication quality.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Lovely backpack full of great features
on March 28, 2025
Posted by: nullpointr
from Düsseldorf, Germany
I purchased this backpack as a replacement for my aging timbuk2 pack. I'ts mainly used for traveling, hiking and some bikepacking.
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack is a massive improvement. I'm over 2m tall and it fits great thanks to all the available adjustments. It stays secure on my back during hikes and on the bike, has massive amounts of storage and allows me to easily carry my Sony A6700 on the capture clip, either on the hip belt or the shoulder strap. I would advise to use the Peak Design Pro Pad when mounting to the hip!
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack is a massive improvement. I'm over 2m tall and it fits great thanks to all the available adjustments. It stays secure on my back during hikes and on the bike, has massive amounts of storage and allows me to easily carry my Sony A6700 on the capture clip, either on the hip belt or the shoulder strap. I would advise to use the Peak Design Pro Pad when mounting to the hip!
The included sleeve for a water bladder is great as taking of the backpack just to grab a sip from a bottle is a hassle, especially on the bike.
The additional mounting points, straps and places where you can stuff gear is also great for some quick access items like rain jackets or tripods.
The additional mounting points, straps and places where you can stuff gear is also great for some quick access items like rain jackets or tripods.
It also fits nicely into overhead storage on airplanes or under to front seat if not fully expanded.
The zips feel great, as usual with PD products, overall manufacturing quality is great too.
I was initially skeptical about the PD "Ultra Cinch" closing mechanism for the rolltop but it's actually really great as it works one-handed and lets you compress items in the front pocket if you want to!
overall: I love it! It works for all my use-cases, has massive storage and is still quite small if not stuffed full and having the lifetime warranty and built quality from PD makes the price acceptable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great Backpack
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: MrH
from Heidelberg, Germany
There is not much to say - it's a great backback. Weight is OK, tons of functionality, high quality materials. Perfect for hikes or normal travel. In combination with the camera cube it's perfect. I just used it recently to bring a lot of small gear for a LAN-party.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Nice Bag
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: Robin
from Cincinnati, OH
I have a few of Peak Design bags. Each has a best use. This one is the one that I take when I have a lot of equipment and it is heavy. The belt and the better straps makes it that I can take a really heavy load. Still caries a good deal and has a lot of flexibility. I am aware that some people have criticized the company for tracking you. But if you want your equipment to be warranted for life, then you are going to be tracked.. True for anything you have longterm warranties on. If this is a concern to you then don't register your equipment.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Lots of space and features
on March 27, 2025
Posted by: Kel
I got the 25L bag as part of the kick starter. Since then I’ve used it for both hiking and multi-week work trips. The bag has a surprising amount of space but still packs down tight. I fit my camera cube, clothes for a week+, toiletries, and 2 laptops in. It was tight, but it all fit in an overhead space on planes. I compliment the backpack with the 7L sling, which fits my book and snacks for traveling.
Overall, I love it. It is roomy and comfy, key points for me. I do have to say that it feels a bit too complicated at times. I also wish the attachment points for the various straps were a bit easier to clip into. They kinda lay flat and make it tough to quickly clip in.
Overall, I love it. It is roomy and comfy, key points for me. I do have to say that it feels a bit too complicated at times. I also wish the attachment points for the various straps were a bit easier to clip into. They kinda lay flat and make it tough to quickly clip in.
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