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
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
Customer Rating
4
Almost perfect, but hip/shoulder fatal flaw?
on September 5, 2025
Posted by: volcanogeek
from Denver, CO
I bought this June 1, '25. I use it for geology fieldwork that I need to fly to, carrying camera, drone, and laser scanning gear. I love the airline carry-on size and the ability to easily fit in tripods, laptop and/ or a small field chair, and the material fends off rocks, water, and scrapes really well, and the easily configurable inside is exactly what I had in mind. The closing cords are...ok. They can be a bit balky, or tend to snag as other reviewers have noted, and I added a neoprene pad to the top grab handle, as it will definitely cut into your hand if the pack is heavy (also noted by others). And the top gap can let in rain to the outer stuff pocket area. A lash point or two on the outer back would have been useful, but maybe I could add that. I am 6'1", and I find it very comfortable under different load conditions, including lots of weight. ****However despite it being nearly everything I wanted, there is one major issue: when loaded with more weight, the hip belt and shoulder strap now and then detach when you pick it up to put it back on. I have almost lost half the hip belt several times, and almost dropped the pack a few times when the shoulder strap let go at the top as I picked it up. This may be a fatal flaw, as thousand of $$ of gear could bit the dust over a cliff, and half a black hip belt is invisible against many backgrounds and is easily missed. I am considering sending it back.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic Backpack for Work or Play!
on September 17, 2025
Posted by: RocketPL
from Austin
I bought this after my Camelback backpack of 20 years finally bit the dust. I was looking for something that held a water bladder/laptop and was flexible enough to use for weekend hikes, trips, and work. I had looked at some of the other Peak Design packs, but this one better fit my hiking lifestyle best. My first use was a trip to Iceland, and boy did it work out great! The straps are wildly comfortable (I'm 6'1 and muscular build) and the open/close system is fantastic. My only wish is that they had made it 30L in size. I am amazed at how much it can fit, but with the small camera cube, that fills up quite a bit of space. The quality seems to be impeccable and overall, I'm very pleased.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Great first version - NEED to fix some things
on October 5, 2025
Posted by: tc53259
from Kickstarter
I bought this as part of the kickstarter with the camera cube. So my review is as follows - in random order:
- Love the light weight !
- 25L was just right for me
- Love the padded backpack straps. If Osprey did this, I would return to them asap (my previous bag)
- Love the special sleeve for laptops
- Love the backdoor opening
- Love the light weight !
- 25L was just right for me
- Love the padded backpack straps. If Osprey did this, I would return to them asap (my previous bag)
- Love the special sleeve for laptops
- Love the backdoor opening
This is the parts I don't like:
- The front top is a VERY INSECURE setup. Please redesign version 2 with a zipper. My wallet - which I keep in the front comparment - has almost come out a few times. Plus it's a target for pickpockets. PLEASE REDESIGN WITH ZIPPERS or something more secure.
- If u can make it stand, that would be great - like the Tumi ones
- I don't like the Camera Cube - too big. I just put a foam at the bottom to protect my camera
- Needs to fit somehow with carry-on luggage - I do have a 3rd party contraption but it's not perfect.
U should design a sleeve in the back to slide the carry-on handle
- The front top is a VERY INSECURE setup. Please redesign version 2 with a zipper. My wallet - which I keep in the front comparment - has almost come out a few times. Plus it's a target for pickpockets. PLEASE REDESIGN WITH ZIPPERS or something more secure.
- If u can make it stand, that would be great - like the Tumi ones
- I don't like the Camera Cube - too big. I just put a foam at the bottom to protect my camera
- Needs to fit somehow with carry-on luggage - I do have a 3rd party contraption but it's not perfect.
U should design a sleeve in the back to slide the carry-on handle
Overall it's my main one - but I'm still continuing to look.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design