Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
Average customer rating
4.8
(16 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 16 reviews
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
12 out of
12)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Outdoor Backpack 45L - Eclipse
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
Tough lightness
on November 28, 2024
Posted by: Swiss Frank
from Switzerland
This outdoor companion is super light but strong and safe.
Very comfortable to wear and you can reach all your stuff in a blink.
Very comfortable to wear and you can reach all your stuff in a blink.
As always Peak Design offer you some prime class products
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
I’m not sure how I would have survived without it
on December 11, 2024
Posted by: Yossarian
from Berkeley Ca
I’m just wrapping up a trip in Patagonia and I’m so thankful I bought this bag in the SF store the week before. I’m not a conditioned hiker but somehow I managed 20 miles with 30lbs on my back, including a brutal 1000 elevation gain in the last hour. This pack held me in the right way, balanced the load, and was soft on the contact points. Don’t get me wrong, I hurt, but I probably would not have finished the hike with a lesser bag and holy hell was the destination worth it.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Unmatched Flexability and Storage
on March 25, 2025
Posted by: Lucky26
from New Jersey
I have used a number of Peak Design bags, but this was my first to use outside of an urban area/work commute. Every aspect is so well thought out and easy to use. It is not cheap, but it is high quality.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Gorgeous Bag
on March 25, 2025
Posted by: biancosplanco
from New York, NY
This thing is incredible. It's got the storage I need for my day-to-day life. I can fit my laptop, gadgets like my external harddrive or mouse, a set of workout clothes, a pair of shoes, a sweater, and my lunch with plenty to spare in the main pouch. Initially I thought that I would utilize the cinch-top all the time, and for the first couple of months I did, but I've realized where the bag really shines is the full-access zipper panel at the back of the bag. I just place it face-down on my bed or the bench in the locker room at the gym and BAZAM I've got access to literally everything in the bag instantly. The drawstring mechanism allows the bag to punch way above it weight though - I can cinch all kinds of crap like pair of crocs, my puffer jacket, etc etc. The waterproof panel works perfectly for me - I've ridden my bike home in the rain before and it's been hit with the skunk tail of road sludge and I've been able to wipe it clean no problem. All that said, my favorite part of the bag is the stupidly deep side pockets that I can stuff all kinds of things in and forget about them - for example, a clean pair of underwear that I definitely didn't put in there happened to magically be in there when I needed it most! The only gripe I have is that the fabric around the cinch mechanism feels a little flimsy, I'm curious if all the abrasion of rolling it and unrolling over time will stand the test of time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Amazing with a few minor misses
on March 25, 2025
Posted by: Bagbro16
from Irvine
Love the quality of the materials, the thoughtful additions, and peak design flare that keeps me a loyal customer. I think I own almost every bag - or at least have at some point. I’ve been dreaming of a PD outdoor line for years and finally got my wish. Minor gripes, the addition of the sling for front carry is super creative but doesn’t allow you to cinch the straps like you would a normal chest strap. So anywhere you go for long distances it looses its value - I prefer the tighter chest strap. The interior drop pocket is just a weird placement - so it’s difficult to store anything in there you need bc it’s hard to get to. The side drop pockets on the front of the bag are great but vertical and I just forget to zip them sometimes cause they are hidden - shouldn’t unhide them but they should stop with like 2 inches to go so stuff gets caught inside more often then falling out. Would love to have a quick drop zip pocket alternative on the outside that’s horizontal - not vertical. Doesn’t need to be big but just secure. I love the loops all over the bag for attaching things but some backpacking or heavier accessories like a tent or tripod can come loose over long walks with just the string cinch cords. Would love a small pair of actual straps somewhere that can be used to cinch tight those bigger or bulkier items. Lastly - it’s pretty heavy - cost of premium materials is that they usually weight a bit more but I’d rather quality and durability than light weight.
All this to say - I still really love the bag. It feels like the highest quality. I’m nervous to take it outside because I don’t want to beat it up because it’s so beautiful but it’s meant for that and has handled the outdoors like a champ. Excited to see if I can take it on a 5-day backpacking trip.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
A very solid hiking backpack
on March 26, 2025
Posted by: Maxim
from Yerevan, Armenia
I am using this backpack for one-day mountain hikes, with camera on one strap and additional lens on the other one. It's a very comfortable, easy to use backpack, a stylish one as well. It basically allows me to carry more and use those with ease. A minor issue is that it takes significantly more time than before (I am comparing to Osprey backpack) to install (and remove) a water bladder into it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Excellent quality a nd functionality
on March 26, 2025
Posted by: Peter
from Gothenburg
This is my fourth Peak Design bag and it lives up to high quality and thought out design I've come to expect. I can see this being used for everything from family picnics to weekend trips or long hikes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design