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
5
My 5 Star Review
on February 16, 2026
Posted by: efceev
from San Francisco, CA
My 5 Star Review
I just bought the Peak Design black Outdoor 25L Backpack. I really love it. I'm using it for travel pursuit
and the build quality is pretty smooth. Functionally it has tons of pockets and feels especially spacious. I do kinda
wish it had more of the straps. Materials and finish are super nice. I’ve used it 27 times already and tbh it's been bangin’ each time. They could probably improve the carry handle though.
I just bought the Peak Design black Outdoor 25L Backpack. I really love it. I'm using it for travel pursuit
and the build quality is pretty smooth. Functionally it has tons of pockets and feels especially spacious. I do kinda
wish it had more of the straps. Materials and finish are super nice. I’ve used it 27 times already and tbh it's been bangin’ each time. They could probably improve the carry handle though.
Overall highly recommend!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
PDs most comfortable bag
on March 16, 2026
Posted by: jcorraini
from Pittsburgh PA
This is by far the most comfortable bag in the Peak Design lineup. While I love their products, the everyday line isn't very comfortable especially with a heavier load.
Beyond the comfort, I like the new material choice. The subtle branding. The deep side pockets are a welcome change from every other bag in the market. Whether it's a tripod or a water bottle, you know it isn't going anywhere.
While it's not perfect because no bag is, it's hard to pinpoint any changes I'd like to see.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
It is an ok bag
on March 22, 2026
Posted by: digirami
from Miami, FL
I was gifted the 25L Outdoor Bag by my wife because I wanted a hydration pack that can hold a few extra items when I go birding. I have a plethora of PD products that I think are great. In terms of backpack, I have been using their 20L Everyday Backpack for six years now, and it is GOAT status for me. However, I know Everyday Bag is not an outdoor bag, even though it can make do. So having a dedicated outdoor bag from PD was something I was excited about.
If I had to sum up the 25L Outdoor Bag, I would say it is a good bag, but it is not an exceptional bag because it cannot do everything it can exceptionally well at the same time.
For a company that prides itself on camera gear, it is not a phenomenal camera bag. It tries to be, but what is holding it back in its current form is the Smedium Cube. The Smedium Cube is rectangular, and it fits in the 25L Outdoor Bag the long side going up and down. That orientation inside the cube inside the bag is terrible if you have an item like a telephoto lens that can be used outdoors for wildlife photography and only fits along the long side of the cube. Once you remove an item like that from the bag/cube, the weight distribution in the bag is off. Furthermore, the Smedium Cube is tapered downward, so the bottom of the cube is smaller than the top, making it difficult to maximize its utility. If it was not tapered, maybe you should fit a telephoto lens on the shorter side while using the bag. I also feel like it they made the 25L bag work with the Medium Cube, the better, even if it must be 30L. (And if the bag was 30L instead of 25L, it would be a better middle point between the 18L and 45L.)
Then there is the hydration pack compartment. The bag has loops to help keep the hydration hose in place... on the other side of the clam-shell design. So if you open the bag while the hydration pack is in place, it will get in the way. Second, it is tough to use a camera cube and a hydration pack at the same time. I’ve tried; it was not easy, and I risked getting my camera gear wet (I closed the camera cube for extra protection). It should be fundamental to the design process that the bag should be able to every major thing well all at once. No one is going to get up in arms that they cannot carry a laptop and hydration pack at the same time because that would be weird. But the bag should be able to carry camera gear and a hydration pack well at the same time since I can do both outdoors.
And there are smaller things that bother me. For example, the opening at the top is not as quick and easy it is made to be, especially compared to the Everyday Bag. The cords seem a bit flimsy compared to straps found in other bags. I haven’t tested its weatherproofing in the rain of Florida yet. But as there is a separate rainfly for sale, I have doubts.
So the 25L Outdoor Bag is a good bag, but it is not a great bag. Beware of the shortcomings.
If I had to sum up the 25L Outdoor Bag, I would say it is a good bag, but it is not an exceptional bag because it cannot do everything it can exceptionally well at the same time.
For a company that prides itself on camera gear, it is not a phenomenal camera bag. It tries to be, but what is holding it back in its current form is the Smedium Cube. The Smedium Cube is rectangular, and it fits in the 25L Outdoor Bag the long side going up and down. That orientation inside the cube inside the bag is terrible if you have an item like a telephoto lens that can be used outdoors for wildlife photography and only fits along the long side of the cube. Once you remove an item like that from the bag/cube, the weight distribution in the bag is off. Furthermore, the Smedium Cube is tapered downward, so the bottom of the cube is smaller than the top, making it difficult to maximize its utility. If it was not tapered, maybe you should fit a telephoto lens on the shorter side while using the bag. I also feel like it they made the 25L bag work with the Medium Cube, the better, even if it must be 30L. (And if the bag was 30L instead of 25L, it would be a better middle point between the 18L and 45L.)
Then there is the hydration pack compartment. The bag has loops to help keep the hydration hose in place... on the other side of the clam-shell design. So if you open the bag while the hydration pack is in place, it will get in the way. Second, it is tough to use a camera cube and a hydration pack at the same time. I’ve tried; it was not easy, and I risked getting my camera gear wet (I closed the camera cube for extra protection). It should be fundamental to the design process that the bag should be able to every major thing well all at once. No one is going to get up in arms that they cannot carry a laptop and hydration pack at the same time because that would be weird. But the bag should be able to carry camera gear and a hydration pack well at the same time since I can do both outdoors.
And there are smaller things that bother me. For example, the opening at the top is not as quick and easy it is made to be, especially compared to the Everyday Bag. The cords seem a bit flimsy compared to straps found in other bags. I haven’t tested its weatherproofing in the rain of Florida yet. But as there is a separate rainfly for sale, I have doubts.
So the 25L Outdoor Bag is a good bag, but it is not a great bag. Beware of the shortcomings.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Unique design, ultralight versatility
on March 30, 2026
Posted by: Nov
from Kirkland, WA
No bag is perfect at all functions, it is always tradeoff. This one’s optimized for comfort, packability, weight, functionality.
Design of main and outer compartments is a bit controversial and long strings are not hidden in a smart way but I absolutely love the bag for the minimalist travel option. Works amazing as a day pack (compact) but expands to carry smedium camera cube plus drone. Side pockets are great for accessing while it sits on my roller pro.
Design of main and outer compartments is a bit controversial and long strings are not hidden in a smart way but I absolutely love the bag for the minimalist travel option. Works amazing as a day pack (compact) but expands to carry smedium camera cube plus drone. Side pockets are great for accessing while it sits on my roller pro.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Overall, really good, some refinements needed.
on April 5, 2026
Posted by: Streetbeetle
from Jacksonville, Florida
Overall, this is a really, really good bag. Its tough, comfortable to wear, and fits my gear snugly. I use this bag with a smedium camera cube and tech pouch and there is still a little more room at the top. Materials are space age and TOUGH. The drawstrings are woven plastic, but feel like steel cables. Additional drawstring and daisy chains are nice to have and allow improvisation while out in the field. The laptop sleeve fits a 16" non-Apple laptop, FYI (I use a Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1), but it's super snug. You're supposed to be able to fit a hydration bladder, but i was too scared to try that so close to my expensive lenses and stuff, so I will leave that to other reviews. The outside bottle sleeves fit my Yeti 32oz snugly as well, so that handles my water needs. This bag is unstructured. The structure that it has comes from the camera/packing cubes only. The shoulder straps are also wide and fit well, I wanted to use the shoulder pouches to hold my phone, but after a few minutes it was just too painful. So I just use my Chrome Industries phone pouch instead. Expensive? Yes, but worth it to protect my kit.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great lighter alternative to the 45Travel Backpack
on April 10, 2026
Posted by: Bulls96
Bought this as the lighter alternative to my 45L Travel backpack and it has performed mightily. Packing cubes and camera cubes are essential for those traveling with some camera gear.
Was able to hook up my 7L outdoor sling to the front too!
Was still able to fit this 45L backpack under my plane seat too!
Was still able to fit this 45L backpack under my plane seat too!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Great one bagger for heavy loads.
on April 10, 2026
Posted by: Jskilpatr
from Mississippi
Bought this 45L to replace my REI Ruckpack for heavier and longer trips. As an avid one-bagger for international trips, I really enjoy the hip belt support this pack gives me. It’s often loaded over 40lbs. I use the main stash pocket for the 7L Sling, which works great on long flights. Keep your seat-stuff handy while the pack goes up top.
If you’re new to the PD ecosystem, the strap/cords and their clips take some getting used to. The loops they clip on to are just starting to break in, as well as my muscle memory. They took some getting used to, but now I wish all my packs and gear had this system. They don’t slip, stash away and stay away when not in use. Which brings me back to the hop belt. When I do bring a carry-on with second bag clip, the belt and shoulder straps stow away in the back panel. The pack rests flat on my 60L rolling duffle and my hardside pilot case. For rail travel in Asia, stowing the belt and the flat shape of the pack make front-carry easy and comfortable.
To be fair, this is made more for light trail work so there isn’t a whole lot of organization like tie Travel Backpack. But with 5 nice large stash pockets and rugged belt, it’s the best one-bag for the way I travel: lots of walking and rail with the ability to go from travel to tourist to work. Love this bag.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Front side scratches easily
on April 14, 2026
Posted by: tn17
Love the bag and how adjustable the whole system is to fit my frame. Love the versatility of the product. 3 stars because the front material is't so hardy. Shy of a year of use and there are multiple scratches and blemishes. I haven't even used is as an outdoor pack, just local and domestic travel. In my opinion, haven't put it through the ringer so I am disappointed with how the exterior facing material is holding up.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design