Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Average customer rating
4.3
(242 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 242 reviews
5 Stars
147
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
9
1 Star
10
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
179 out of
207)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Customer Rating
3
Doesn't work for my travel photo hiking backpack.
on April 13, 2025
Posted by: mferring
I really, really, wanted to like this bag. My intention is to use as a carry on for international travel, and then hopefully continue to use it for moderate photo based hiking using the Peak Design Capture Clip on a shoulder strap, and carry layers, snacks, and hydration pack on those same trips. My favorite photo backpack for that purpose is the Lowepro PhotoSport with the Peak Design Capture clip. However, after my main bag was lost for an entire hiking trip, I now try to as a minimum to carry on all necessary stuff for 2-4 days of the trip including electronics, toiletries, and several changes of clothes in addition to my hiking stuff and camera. The Lowepro PhotoSport is my perfect hiking photo backpack, but is not big enough for the above use case.
I also have the Peak Design 30L travel backpack which works very well for travel and meets my volume requirements. I have toyed with the idea of using this backpack also as my hiking backpack. But I just find that the strap system is just too uncomfortable for up to 10-14 mi of multi terrain hiking. So I only use that travel backpack for non hiking trips.
Therefore, after reading and watching maaaany reviews of the new Peak Design 45L Outdoor Backpack (PDOB) , it looked like I might have my solution.
However, I must say after getting the pack a few days ago, I am pretty disappointed with its capabilities.
First, in real life, the bag just seems much smaller than the advertised 45L. I suppose if you roll the top of the PDOB all the way up and stuff it full, it might be around 45L, but I would never want to use that backpack without cinching down the rolltop at least part way.
My intention was to use the stuff sack portion of the bag to hold my layered clothes which consist of rain pants, rain coat, and a light stuffable puffy jacket. I was very surprised to see how narrow the bag was and how small the stuff sack was. Even though my layers don't take that much room they basically overflowed the narrow small stuff sack area and it was difficult to pull the draw string tight enough to get the panel to close over the layers. Not good for light rain situations.
Then I planned to use the main area of the bag under the carry straps to carry my electronics, toiletries, camera during transit, and 2-4 days worth of clothes. Again, I found this area quite a bit smaller then I expected. Also, it had zero structural integrity and wanted to stay tightly compressed all the time (perhaps this might relax over time). So it was a bit of a challenge to pack out the main area without this structural stability. As others have mentioned it was also a bit finicky to get the carry straps out of the way to unzip the back, but this was not a big deal to me.
Then, after all the years of people complaining about Peak Design carry straps being uncomfortable, and because of the reviews I saw, I really expected the carry strap system to be the ultimate in comfort. I was very surprised to find that they were not, at least to me. Even though the pads were thick, they were quite hard. Also, the shape over the shoulder was more like a fold then a curve. Again, I suppose over time that these straps might break in and be better. But I was not sure I wanted to take that risk as the bag is very expensive.
And ultimately, the PDOB had to contend with the comparison to the latest version of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (CotoA) which I had also picked up as another possible choice.
Even though the CotoA is only rated at 35L, to me, practically it carries more than the PDOB. Although it is quite a bit wider than the PDOB, it is all very usable and still meets the airline carry on restrictions. And if you don't pack it full it can be compressed to fit into smaller spaces. Some reviewers have said they have successfully gotten the CotoA under their airline seat. And it is much easier to access and pack out the interior of the clamshell opening CotoA then the PDOB.
The straps on the Cotopaxi are very comfortable and I think would work well for hiking. The bag itself is a little big for my hiking use case, but if not packed out should have a pretty low profile. I do admit that the clamshell access is a bit slower for hiking use, and it is more likely that you will get part of the pack dirty since more of it will touch the ground when opened. I also do not like that it does not provide a hydration pack solution, but at least it now has an outside water bottle pocket. It was a bit of a challenge to attach my PD Capture Clip. However, I used the PD provided allen head screws vs the knurled knobs. These screws were a bit longer and allowed me to attach the clip below the chest strap mounts on the shoulder straps. I have a fairly heavy camera (Canon R5 with 24-70 F2.8 lens), but I cannot even feel the weight when clipped in.
And finally, although this was not a huge driver for me, when using the bags as a travel bag, the CotoA is much better at providing access to desired items via its two outside pockets vs the PDOB.
The CotoA is big enough that I may even decide to carry a packable day back and hydration pack with me as my hiking solution. I have the Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack and think I can make it work. I have placed a hydration pack in the back pocket of the Venture and ran the drinking tube over my shoulders and threaded via the carry strap loop. Even though the Venture was not designed as a hydration backpack, itworks pretty well and all packs down and fits with the CotoA. I can also hang my camera on the Capture Clip on this backpack. Even though the straps are thin, it is still pretty workable.
So it is obvious that PD is really trying had to find innovative unique solutions to our travel and hiking use cases. I just think that no matter how much I am trying to like this bag, I cannot recommend it for the type of use I have in mind.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
New, go-to travel bag
on April 24, 2025
Posted by: DanMTB
from Texas
Backed this product on Kickstarter and have now taken it on several trips. It has become my new favorite travel bag. It holds a surprising amount and keeps nicely secured. Comfortable fit on my shoulders, even when weighted inside. Quick access shoulder pouches have been an great addition to my travel routine, excellent place to quickly stash/access my phone or wallet while going through the airport and security. Multiple tie down points around the bag give me the chance to increase storage if needed. No visible signs of wear after several multiday trips thus far. Another hit product from PD in my eyes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Spacious, versatile, and efficient!
on April 27, 2025
Posted by: Anonymous
from Emerson, GA
I bought this bag a few weeks ago and it has been life/changing! I bought it with a large camera cube. The build quality and the customizable organization is top-notch. I’d highly recommend this product for wedding and event photographers. That said, this is not a bad bag to carry with you on long treks, if you like to do landscapes and wildlife as well!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Top Product 👍
on April 28, 2025
Posted by: Ben
from Berlin
Great backpack. The design is well-thought-out and innovative. The price is quite high, so I'm curious to see how the quality will hold up over time. So far, it's been performing great and has been very comfortable to wear on longer tours.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Excellent quality bag
on April 30, 2025
Posted by: Maddey
from San Francisco
I think I might have actually found the backpack to replace my EDC. The front closure pocket with the pull cord is easily accessible but secured. Fits my work Laptop and my MacBook Air. The straps are great for quick stash items. The cord hook system has a set up for everything. It also feels like it has more than 25L of internal storage but isn’t clunky.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Another Well Thought Out Bag
on May 13, 2025
Posted by: BK
from Alaska
I cannot recommend PD gear enough. The thoughtful design of every element makes all the gear worth owning. This bag has clever storage both inside and out, fits comfortably for all the day hikes I’ve taken it on, and looks great!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
I swear it’s bigger than the 40L
on June 3, 2025
Posted by: JamesW
from Baltimore
I bought this on kickstarter, and love it. It’s a perfect size for day hikes. I being a canon 100-500 lens, and a few other things, and this fits my personal items very well! I brought it as a carry on for a birding trip and it honestly did just as well as my travel bag. This system is perfect for adding on and attaching items to the outside, which made it excellent as a versatile do anything kind of bag!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Most comfortable 25L backpack ever
on June 3, 2025
Posted by: erick3e
from los Angeles
This is THE most comfortable backpack I have ever used. I have now taken it on multiple trips where I'm walking 12 hours per day for several days carrying FF camera+2lenses+ jacket +tripod+water, and souvenirs+accessories. With the belt strap attachment, weight distribution is perfect.
The first couple of days, it took a while to get used to the strigngs and all the different ways to carry it, and it was a bit much. But by the 3rd day, I could open and close the bag with 1 hand, and the pull tab is really handy. The YouTube guide is a MUST to use this bag properly.
The first couple of days, it took a while to get used to the strigngs and all the different ways to carry it, and it was a bit much. But by the 3rd day, I could open and close the bag with 1 hand, and the pull tab is really handy. The YouTube guide is a MUST to use this bag properly.
The one thing to watch out for is the zippers should be on the down position. When I had left it at the top and was hiking, it started to open and I had to take it off and lay it down to prevent stuff from falling. After that, I put the zippers down and I has not happened again.
I own several backpacks from Osprey, PD, Gregory, Thule. etc. and between 18 and 36L, this PD 25L backpack is THE most comfortable and easy to carry backpack over used.
I own several backpacks from Osprey, PD, Gregory, Thule. etc. and between 18 and 36L, this PD 25L backpack is THE most comfortable and easy to carry backpack over used.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design