Ever growing and evolving, the Peak Design range has just had a new addition released today. The Outdoor Backpack may be the perfect bag to carry your gear into the great outdoors.
I make no excuses for liking Peak Design’s gear. It does pretty much what I want it to do, so when I heard they were releasing a new backpack for the adventurous outdoors, I was pleased. Historically, I worked in outdoor education and still enjoy gallivanting into the great unknown. I have owned several rucksacks and used many more, so I am pretty clued up about what works and what doesn’t.
Bags used in the outdoors must sometimes meet competing demands. Firstly, they must be light enough not to be a burden. However, they must also be strong enough to withstand the harsh conditions they are put through. They have to be relatively water-resistant, yet provide adequate access to your gear. They also need comfort and stability, which requires a degree of adjustability so weight is distributed properly. At first sight, this bag seems to meet all these requirements.
A Description of the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack
Materials and Features
The bag I have is the 45 L version in black, but there's also a 25 L version available. Its main fabric is a 210D ripstop nylon. This is a much heavier-duty version of the fabric used in the Peak Design Packing Cubes and is made from 100% recycled materials. It is also Bluesign-approved. Its front and rear water-repellent coating is PFAS-free and solution-dyed, which reduces the water used in its manufacture.
The main compartment can be accessed from both the top and the rear. A roll-top system secures the main compartment from the top. That feature also makes the bag expandable. The roll top is held shut by two cords that pull the waterproof front panel of the bag over it.
Meanwhile, the rear opening is secured with a tough, waterproof zip.
The backpack's interior is designed to take three Peak Design Cube Units. When using the Camera Cubes, you can remove the padded insert in the lid and fold the lid behind the Cube to give easier access. There’s also a 16” laptop sleeve and a zipped mesh pocket.
That panel also seals the front “Flex Pocket” that I would use for storing my waterproofs and packed lunch or a water bladder for drinking on the go. The laptop pocket in the main compartment can also be used as a bladder pocket, and there are a series of loops for feeding the drinking tube through. However, I would want to be absolutely sure about the integrity of the bladder before choosing that option.
That front panel also holds zippable side pockets that take my gloves, hat, sunglasses, and other similar accessories. On one side, there is a hook for attaching keys in one of the side pockets.
Behind the front panel, at the base, and dotted around the bag are attachment loops for compression cords that can be used to hold extra gear. There are numerous ways of securing bulky items, like a roll mat, walking poles, and a bivvy tent, to the outside of the bag using compression cords.
Each side of the bag has two more pouch pockets, this time suitable for carrying a tripod and a water bottle. They also have compression straps for keeping their contents secure.
Making the Bag Comfortable to Use
The real magic is at the rear of the bag. The adjustability of its design is such that it will fit many different body shapes and lengths. It will take waist sizes from a petite 24” (61 cm) to an extra-large 52” (132 cm) and a torso length from the manubrium (the top of the sternum) to hip level of 17” (43 cm) to 20” (51 cm). Adjustment is achieved by a 4-step ladder system that raises and lowers the top of the strap. There’s enough play on those ladders to enable the straps to sit further apart so they don’t chafe on the neck. Meanwhile, secondary adjustable load lifter straps pull the top of the bag closer to the body, helping the wearer maintain balance.
The shoulder straps are wide, well-padded, and fastened at the base with a sliding buckle. Each has a mesh pocket for holding the sternum straps and other small items like a phone, chocolate bar, or karabiner. The straps also have Peak Design Capture Clip attachment points.
Equally, the hip belt can be repositioned using a system that is similar but larger to the Peak Design camera strap anchors. The belt also has mesh pockets.
Both the shoulder straps and the waist belt are completely removable. The hip belt is included on this 45 L version but is an optional extra on the smaller 25 L model. It is also stowable behind the rear panel.
The well-padded but firm rear panel is ergonomically shaped to sit against the small of your back. It is made of a quick-drying, breathable material.
Other Features
The numerous attachment points around the bag's exterior make it versatile for stowing gear. It’s also possible to fix the Peak Design 2 Litre Sling across the chest, attached to the shoulder straps.
In Use
I carried out my usual test of running the bag under my shower but extended the test to 60 seconds from the usual 30. It stayed dry inside. There is a Fly rain cover that fits over the bag, which makes it extra waterproof.
Adjusting the shoulder and hip straps to fit perfectly takes a few moments, but it is worth the effort. Once adjusted, the bag fits like the proverbial hand in a glove. It's well-balanced, and the load is properly distributed.
I loaded it up with gear and took it on a photo shoot. It performed well. Access to gear inside the bag isn’t as quick as with the Everyday Backpack, but it is by no means slow or difficult. It's also not as easy to take the bag on a train journey as the Travel Backpack, but that is not what this bag is designed for. It's designed for adventuring into the wilds, and for that, it performs better than either of the other two.
The cord closure “Ultra Cinch” mechanism works well. It was quite tight to start with, but after a few uses, it ran much more easily.
The bag is designed to be laid face down and opened from the back. That means the bag's back and straps don’t get dirty on the ground.
The bag was comfortable to use and stable, even when well-loaded and carried over a long period.
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved Next Time
What I Liked
- Very well made.
- Fully adjustable, making it comfortable.
- Large capacity, with the 45 L version suitable for all-day hiking or even overnight camping.
- Versatile loading system.
- Stays dry inside.
- Peak Design is an environmentally friendly company, carbon neutral, and a member of 1% For The Planet.
What Could Be Improved Next Time
- Adding a hidden tracker pocket would be beneficial.
- The load lifter straps and some of the zips would benefit from larger tabs to grab, especially when wearing gloves.
- It would be nice if the same Key Tether as used on the Everyday Backpack was included.
- For heading into the mountains, some bright colors would be good for safety, but equally, a camouflage version might appeal to wildlife photographers.
In Conclusion
This is a superb bag, and although primarily designed for photographers who venture into the great outdoors, it will equally appeal to non-photographic adventurers who want a well-made, comfortable, and versatile backpack. When set up, it fits securely to my back and feels stable. I would happily take this with me hill walking, even if it involves some scrambling and climbing.
This and other variations are available from B&H from today.
Great review Ivor 👏🏼
Thanks, Michelle.