Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Average customer rating
4.3
(225 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 225 reviews
5 Stars
140
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
9
1 Star
10
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
170 out of
196)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Customer Rating
3
Dissapointed
on March 25, 2025
Posted by: dinarsclub
from Colorado
I was so excited for this bag I actually bought both the 25L and 45L during the kickstarter. Given the reviews from some big hitter photo and outdoor folks and the quality of other PD stuff, I had high hopes. Overall, in my opinion and for my uses there are some major design flaws and overlooked things. The quality of the pack is good; it's already spent a bunch of time in the dirt and on the trail and I have no doubt it will hold up over time. My favorite thing about the pack is the waist belt, which is an add on for the 25L and sure glad I did! The padding and strap are great and I love the pockets. Some of my biggest issues with the bag itself is the design of the bladder holder. I'm not sure what bladder they tested with but I don't have any that have a long enough hose to go through the bottom of one side, up the other side of the pack inside and then still be able to reach out and down the strap. Minor, but annoying that it didn't come with the clip to hold the bladder up at the top. The loop is useless. I like the pockets on the backpack straps, but if you use a camera clip you completely lose one of those pockets. Not to mention that the camera clip barely fits on the strap designed for it. I have not tried it on the waist strap because I personally don't like carrying my camera there. The straps also squeak something fierce while walking. Depending on how much you carry, the 25L is a bit of an awkward size. With the SMedium cube I could barely get an extra layer and a lunch in on top. The 45 is too big and bulky for most day hikes and scrambling up and down rocks. Luckily, my camera setup, paired down will fit in the small cube which then allows for more hiking and day gear. I do like the rolltop opening design and the pouch in the front is pretty good for stashing things, but that is where I keep the rain fly too, so some room is taken with that. I haven't quite figured out the extra strings for strapping stuff to the front as that's also not my favorite way to carry stuff while hiking, climbing, and scrambling. There are some other minor grievances I have, some I have figured out some workarounds for, and others I just try and ignore. I still use the bag regularly, since I have it and even on kickstarter was pretty expensive. Part of me wishes I had just bought a new Think Tank Rotation 360, which is what I used to use, but had finally gotten to its end of life. I was SO excited and hopeful for this bag. Like I said I do still use it. There are some nice features but overall I'm fairly disappointed!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great commuter backpack
on November 19, 2024
Posted by: Greg
from Sydney, AU
Signed up to the Kickstarter campaign and did not regret. Bought this to replace my smaller commuting bag (PD Everyday 20L). Currently being used as a daily commute via train to work (in Sydney AU) to carry a 16" laptop and lunch (in a Decor Microsafe Oblong). Sits well with everything in it. Super flat when lunch is taken out. Very comfy shoulder straps (also sits well for my broad frame). Well worth investing into adjusting to the many compartments where you can store things. Will be tested and used for travelling next year!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Hook of breast strap is hard to hook into loop
on January 23, 2025
Posted by: Ivolino
Almost perfect but I miss an opportunity to grab my bottle when I carry the backpack on my shoulder. Osprey is doing this very well. Another think which drives me crazy is the buckle of the breast strap. It's so hard to click into the loops on the other side. I wish it would be magnetic.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight and tough.
on March 26, 2025
Posted by: Jamesxmac
from Birmingham
Used this for about four months now. It’s lightweight and has great features. Tough water resistant exterior and room either side for accessories or drinks bottles.
Laptop sleeve fits my 13 inch MacBook Air. Would accommodate larger laptops. Use when cycling to and from work. And for travel. Did me well on a recent trip to Japan. Was great knowing all my belongings and tech were safe on my back. Very comfortable. Love it.
Laptop sleeve fits my 13 inch MacBook Air. Would accommodate larger laptops. Use when cycling to and from work. And for travel. Did me well on a recent trip to Japan. Was great knowing all my belongings and tech were safe on my back. Very comfortable. Love it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
1
Doesn’t fit the camera cube
on April 24, 2025
Posted by: Lb
from Australia
I am not sure if mine is faulty but the camera cube I bought with it doesn’t fit, it won’t zip up, I measured it and the bag needs to be a few cm wider to fit the camera cube in, very disappointing because I have a nice looking bag that doesn’t do what it was purchased for which is hold camera gear. I would need narrower camera cubes specially designed to fit.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Love the backpack!
on July 28, 2025
Posted by: Tahara26
from San Francisco, CA
I love this backpack and bought it 2 weeks ago and took on some trips already. The backpack is definitely sturdy and can hold a lot but this colorway does require some maintenance when it does get dirty. Definitely a bit more work to clean given how noticeable it is. Would appreciate if the material could be more easily washable especially on the side pockets.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Great but no easy access
on December 2, 2025
Posted by: Matt
from France
I've had this bag for over 6 months and I love it. I use it in cities and the countryside ! It’s very useful with or without camera cubes ! I have a lot of bags from Peak Design, and I think that the EDC ones are nicer but not as tidy as the ones with camera cubes possibilities. My dream would be a 20 or 25 urban bag with camera cubes ! A sort of mix between this "outdoor" bag and the Everyday ones, with a side access to my gear ! Maybe in a few months ?
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Innovative, practical, but too much wear and tear.
on March 9, 2026
Posted by: aljen
from Lübeck, German
I've bought this one in Summer 2025. About half a year since then, I still like the concept and even discover new features & use cases from time to time. The longer I use it, the more I'm getting used to it. Speaking about use: for me, it's my daily all-purpose rucksack as well as my photo stuff carrier (MFT). Grace to the cube concept, re-packing is a breeze.
All in all just a typical Peak Design one? Well, the answer is "jain" – the fabulous German word for "yes and no in one".
I have to say, I'm disappointed with the quality of the backpack's material. After just a few weeks, whitish spots have appeared on the surface of the cover, looking as if the material has cracked. These spots are visible on the edges, on the surfaces — basically everywhere on the "flap". Keep in mind: I don't drag the backpack around on the ground or squeeze through narrow canyons, so it's not due to misuse. If this were a backpack that had seen a few years and a few hikes, it would be understandable and might even add a certain charm, like an old waxed jacket. But on a backpack that's not even six months old, it unfortunately doesn't look so great. To me, this indicates a quality issue.
Of course, I understand that a backpack is primarily a tool and some wear and tear is normal. Nevertheless, I expect a bit better quality from Peak Design, especially considering the price range. I already own several pieces of luggage from Peak Design and have always had very good experiences. This problem is therefore somewhat surprising, and I hope it's an isolated incident. Peak Design, I'm sure you can do better. Maybe I just got a lemon?
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design