Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L review

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L is one of two new backpacks about to hit the market after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The new packs, 25L and 45L, available in Cloud (White), Eclipse (Red), and Black, have been designed as versatile options for outdoor photographers. Being Peak Design, however, the company has innovated and ensured that the new range of backpacks, with or without the Packing Cubes, can be used as general adventurer backpacks. Really, these packs are designed for anyone who needs a durable, weatherproof pack, and as it’s fast approaching winter, now is the ideal time to start thinking about some serious kit protection.

What makes this bag stand out is not just the modular interior but the flexibility of the external pockets and cord hook external carry system, along with the ultra-cinch backpack closure that enables you to carry more and for longer than you would usually expect with this style of bag. behind the ultra-cinch panel is the roll top access, enabling fast access to the top of the bag where you can keep a few personal effects, and all this comes protected with Terra Shell external fabrics for weather protection.

Really, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L is designed for anyone looking for a decent backpack that offers plenty of flexibility and has the ability to protect your kit, whatever the conditions.

The first thing that strikes you about the Outdoor Backpack 45L, which, coming from Peak Design, instantly looks stylish with a pleasing asthetic mix of outdoor gear and camera bag. The exterior material is relatively lightweight and made from an ultra-durable 400D nylon canvas, Terra Shell. This is available in three different colour options, and for this test, I opted for the traditional black, along with the black inner cubes to hold the kit, with a bit of space at the top for a few personal effects.

At 1.55kg, although a weigh in here put it closer to 1.9kg, for the 45L version before the cubes are added, even then the weight isn’t bad at all. This base weight is comparable with other day and multi-day packs out there. This weight is well balanced, especially when you consider the adjustable shoulder straps, sternum straps, and hip belt, all of which help to ensure comfort. All these adjustments may feel a little overwhelming for some users, but a nice touch is that the waist straps can be rotated up and stashed within the build of the bag. Likewise, the other straps can be tucked away neatly, quickly simplifying the bag to your needs. If you really want to then the straps can be removed completely if you do find them overly complex.

Setting up the bag is easy enough, with the back flipping open and folding back so that you have clear and unobstructed access to all the gear inside. The cubes can then be settled into place, with each individual lid folded back and under the cube. The lightweight frame keeps everything in place, but you need to ensure that the cubes are tucked just slightly under the lip of the bag to keep them properly positioned when the bag is open. When it comes to securing the cubes into the bag, there are clips that attach to the inside of the bag and you can just about fold the lid of thecube through these, it’s a bit tight and compared with the accuracy of design for the rest of the bag, this all feels a little like an after thought.

Inside, the sections of the cubes are held in place with the usual Velcro fixing, so if needed you can shift them around to fit your kit. Another addition is the flex-fold dividers that enable you to stack smaller kit, these can work well depending on how you use them.

For most bags, that would be the end of the storage options, but here there are two large stretch pockets on either side of the bag. One is perfect for holding the Peak Design travel tripod, while the other side is ideal for a water bottle. These pockets are essentially far larger than anything you would usually see, so if you want to roll in a jacket, this will squeeze in without too much effort. Then there are a few mesh pockets dotted around for sunglasses, card cases and your phone, all handy stuff.

Finally there’s the ultra-cinch drawstring at the back, which enables fast access into the pack from the top, as well as the ability to secure jackets and other gear under the front secured flap. This section also gives access to the pouch pocket where you can stash a platapus water reservoir or wet jacket.

Starting with the outer, which is made from 400D Nylon Canvas, it offers waterproof protection for your kit and gear within. All zips around the bag are of the usual high quality that you would expect from Peak Design and, again, offer protection from the elements.

To access the main section of the bag, you go through the back, and there’s a large zip that enables you to fully open the pack. Inside, there’s plenty of space to add the compatible Peak Design Camera Cubes, tech pouches, and other accessories, or if you just want to carry general gear, you can leave it open so it can be used as a more standard backpack.

A nice feature is the roll-top access, which also enables you to expand the capacity of the pack by an additional 10L, which is more than enough for a few personal items. The roll-top and front section of the bag are unique in their design, with the ultra-cinch using a fabric loop pulled up so that the front panel can be released forward. Then, the roll-top can be unrolled, and access to the inside of the bag is gained. That front panel also features a pouch that is perfect for storing wet items or a water reservoir for longer hikes.

Staying with that front panel, there are a couple of hidden front slip pockets, again with zip access on either side. These are handy for filters, card cases, etc.

On either side of the bag, there are two large stretch pockets. These have enough room to stash a Peak Design travel tripod, a water bottle, or even a lightweight coat. Further adding to this storage is the system of hook cords that enable you to attach additional items, along with carabiner hooks for extra connection options.

Inside the bag is a dedicated 16-inch laptop slot, or Peak Design highlights that this space could also be used for a hydration bladder. Early on in this test, I decided that placing the Platypus in this section made me feel uneasy, especially when there’s the larger pouch at the back that’s away from my kit. However, for 16-inch and smaller laptops, this space is absolutely fine.

Finally, there’s the network of straps, which can at first seem a little bewildering. However, a quick tidy and the bag strikes a sleeker form, and the straps and how you use them all start to make sense. Essentially, there’s the usual waist strap and double sternum straps, which all hold the bag nice and comfortably. Another point to note about the shoulder straps is that they’re fully adjustable with four back-length options. These adjustments can make a real difference to the bag’s comfort on longer hikes with weighty gear.

When it comes to performance, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L excels in protection and comfort but takes a while to fully figure out, with some innovative features that, while good, can get fiddly when out in the field. Starting with the weatherproof exterior, this is extremely high quality and stood up to all the unexpected rain showers and drizzle that you can expect in the UK. While the exterior of the bag does get wet, the water rolls off, keeping the kit inside well protected.

In rain, the roll-top design is partly protected by the front expansion, and for the most part, rain rolls off. When opening the top of the bag after a downpour, it’s worth giving it a good shake before opening, but essentially the design of the bag is such that water generally cannot access the interior when it’s opened.

Opening the bag, I opted for a small and medium cube, which was more than enough to carry a Sony A7 IV, three lenses, some filters, and other kit. The fit of the cubes is a simple push-fit, and when it comes to securing them into the bag with the provided clips it alls seems a little like an after thought—there are loops and connectors, but it’s not quite as sung as I would have liked. As the bag settles, the shape tends to become a little more permanent, but there’s always a slight sense that the cubes are just a temporary arrangement.

The nice thing about the cubes is that they can be removed and used separately, with their own zip lids. This means that if you have different kits for different situations, you can quickly make the change without needing to unpack and repack. Likewise, if you just want to carry light with one camera, a single cube can be used, leaving plenty of space for personal effects. I have both Sony, Nikon and Canon systems depending on what job I’m doing, so to be able to pull a complete kit from the shelf and push it into the bag is a great feature. If it clipped securely then that would be even better!

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L balances this modular approach well, although there is room for improvement and as I mentioned I would have liked to see some innovative clasp or lock system for attaching the cubes. Another point is that anything small you put in the top section through the roll-top will fall through to the cubes, as there’s no barrier between the top and bottom—another feature that would have made a difference in my use of the bag. Finally, on the design, the cubes, once in place, are positioned with their zip lids folded back and under, meaning the kit rests against the rear panel of the bag. While this is normal for backpacks of this type, the 16-inch laptop sleeve only has a thin sheet of fabric separating the laptop from the kit, so throughout this test, my MacBook Pro was always placed in the sleeve with a protective case.

As a camera backpack, the lack of fast camera access might seem like a negative point. However, this is Peak Design, so the bag is fully equipped with handy camera attachment points for the Peak Design capture clip system, with a couple of mounts on the shoulder straps and further mounts on the waist strap. Since these are factored into the design, they really circumvent the usual need for quick bag access, which is a great feature.

Likewise, across the bag, there are mesh pockets that are perfectly suited for holding sunglasses, phones, and other items. While these don’t have zips for security, the elasticated tops keep things securely inside, and during the test, these became standout features for real-world use, holding items that would usually get stuck in trouser pockets.

There are real points of innovation across the bag, such as the back panel secured with the ultra-cinch hoop. This enables fast access to the top of the bag, but more importantly, it allows you to strap in wet jackets and other gear that you need fast access to. The pouch section is also really handy, and during the test, a 70-200mm lens fitted neatly into the pouch, making it a great way to hold lenses securely without needing to open the bag.

As mentioned, there were some initial issues with the volume of clips, hooks, and straps, but after a short time, these can be packed away, so they don’t flap around. Essentially, the bag arrives with everything, and you can then trim it down to fit your needs. A good example of this is the waist strap: on a hike, when the going gets tough, you can use them as usual, but when you no longer need them, they can be rotated up and slipped under the back panel. If you decide you don’t want them at all, they can be unclipped. Likewise, the dual sternum straps are just looped in place, which, while secure, also means these too can be removed. Peak Design has essentially given you all the optional extras—it’s just up to you how you use them or not. If you don’t like the straps, just remove them!

While the bag isn’t ultra-lightweight, it is light considering what it is and what it has been designed to do. The inner frame offers superb support and structure, and unlike some ultra-light bags, it holds its form well, even before the camera cubes are added. With the cubes added, the total real weight comes in at 2.7kg, while without the cubes, it comes in at 1.92kg, although the quoted weight is 1.55kg.

Overall, for versatility, this is a superb bag with plenty of flexibility in its design and use that will please any photographer looking for a robust and stylish way to protect their kit as we head into winter.

Firstly, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L offers an excellent combination of durability, weatherproofing, and modular flexibility with a design that will suit any outdoor photographer. The 45L version, with its internal frame structure, adds an extra element of quality to the pack, giving you reassurance that it’s protecting the kit while helping to distribute the weight of your gear more evenly throughout.

The flexibility offered by the combination of the camera cubes and other inserts means that you can adapt the bag to your needs—whether you want to fill it with camping gear rather than camera equipment, it’s perfectly equipped to do so. Likewise, how you mix and change the internal configuration is up to you. While I love the modular approach, it feels like there’s room for further innovation. There are some hooks included to secure the cubes in place, but they offer a lot of slack, and if all four corners are secured, you can’t fold under the lid. If the lid were fully removable and the cube hooks matched the bag fixings, this might offer a solution that feels a little more permanent.

When using the bag on a few shoots, some other photographers commented on the complex strap system—this is a point that has arisen several times throughout the review. The key here is that if the straps bother you, you can simply remove them. The chest and waist straps can be tucked away or removed entirely. Peak Design has given you all the extras; you just need to adjust the bag to your needs.

As a camera backpack, the versatility it offers far exceeds many others, and it’s clear that this is a bag focused on the outdoors. It took a while to fully adapt to its use—this isn’t a bag you can assess quickly, as it is something different. It’s adaptable, and you mould it to your way of working. While there are some quirks at the beginning, you soon adapt it to your needs, and that’s when it really starts to stand out. This is the pack you grab if you’re off for a day’s hike and want to take decent kit with you. In the configuration I have, it easily fits a Sony A7 IV, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and a 90mm macro, along with filters and a tripod.

It will also fit a Jet Boil, coffee, dog treats, a waterproof jacket, food, and water. The internal capacity can be adapted depending on what you need, but this shouldn’t be seen as a bag to stuff everything into. It’s a bag that allows you to carry the essential kit you need, along with a few other bits and pieces, comfortably and protected.