Peak Design’s Outdoor Backpacks Are Finally Here: An In-Depth Review

One question we’ve always had about Peak Design is why they didn’t have any bags designed for hiking and outdoor adventures. That all changes today.

Peak Design has been making impactful camera and tech-lifestyle bags since 2015 and has developed several collections of bags for both travel and everyday carry, along with an expansive range of packing tools that bridge together the entire modular system. While all these bags are made to be durable and resistant to the elements, Peak Design has had no dedicated line for outdoor adventure and hiking. That is, until today.

Peak Design has just announced their new outdoor bag lineup, made to complement the existing packing cubes, camera cubes, and other pouches. This outdoor line is comprised of two size variants of the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack and two size variants of the Outdoor Sling, all available in black, cloud, and eclipse colorways. In this article and the accompanying video, let’s take a deep dive into the all-new outdoor backpacks.

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpacks

The Outdoor Backpacks come in 25 L and 45 L sizes and are available in black, cloud, and eclipse. While the design and structure are very similar for both sizes, there are quite a number of features unique to each one. These features, along with the difference in capacity, offer significantly different implications in use cases and functionality.

Exterior

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpacks come with a PFAS-free TPU front shell that’s made to endure not just rain and moisture but also the physical stress of being set down on rough surfaces. This front shell is basically an extension of the expected reinforced bottom panel. At the very top of the front panel is a tab that controls the single locking cable system that extends all the way to the rear panel and controls the tension that keeps the main compartment closed off. When this tab is pulled toward the front of the backpack, it reveals a large flex pocket behind the TPU shell that extends throughout the entire height and about a third of the length of the backpack. This pocket can be used as easily accessible storage for objects that are not as sensitive to the environment, such as jackets, raincoats, or other tools.

Along with revealing the front flex pocket, pulling the tab also reveals an expandable roll-up top access for the main compartment that is closed off by a magnetic latch. This top access provides quick access to the compartment, or at least whatever is placed in the upper part of the main compartment depending on how it is being used.

On either side of the outdoor backpacks are mesh flex pockets. On the 25 L version, the flex pocket spans the majority of the height of the backpack, which is capable of holding large water bottles or travel tripods similar in size to the Peak Design Travel Tripod (with or without the carrying bag).

The 45 L version comes with the same tall pocket that can carry the same objects but at the same time has an outer, shorter flex pocket for additional quick-access accessories. Perpendicular to these flex pockets, on the inner lining of the TPU shell on both sides, are two small zippered pockets for small items that need to be secured.

Rear Panel and Padding

Between the two size variants, the part with the most notable physical differences is the back panels and the shoulder straps. The 25 L version has a simpler design with just one shoulder strap attachment point option, a top handle, and a heavily padded upper chest portion.

Due to the bigger size of the 45 L, it comes with a 4-step ladder system for strap fitment, making it highly adjustable to better fit different body sizes and types of users. In addition, the upper half of the shoulder straps has a reinforced strap that extends to either of two points on the top flap of the roll top for added support.

Both shoulder straps come with large mesh pockets big enough to hold a smartphone but also function as a storage option for the two removable sternum straps. These mesh pockets are lined with reinforced side railings that also function as dedicated attachment points for the Peak Design Capture Clip and are strong enough to hold a camera on the chest pads. On the sides and in the middle of the shoulder straps are attachment loops that can be used in combination with the sternum straps, flathook carry straps, and most other accessory straps, to attach accessory pouches such as the tech pouch or the packing cubes.

Both size variants of the backpacks have inner half-sleeves behind the padding. While both of them have attachment points for waist belts, only the 45 L version readily comes with them. The waist belts use button-like locking hooks that can be easily attached and detached. On the waist belts are additional zippered mesh pockets that function similarly to those on the shoulder straps and also serve as mounting points for the Capture Clip.

Main Compartment and Capacity

All the sides of the rear panel are lined by a reinforced zipper that reveals the large rear access into the main compartment. This main compartment, along with most of the surfaces of the backpack, is made up of Terra Shell 210D Ripstop Nylon fabric that is highly resistant to tearing and prevents the entry of moisture and dust. Behind the rear panel is a multipurpose sleeve that can store a laptop as large as 15–16 inches (depending on width) or, alternatively, a hydration pack.

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpacks share the same functional intention as the well-established Peak Design Travel Backpacks. Both carrying solutions are made to be used as carrying shells for various packing tools available depending on the user’s actual needs. The main compartments of these bags can carry different combinations and sizes of the camera cubes, packing cubes, tech pouches, wash pouches, and field pouches. For the purpose of illustrating the capacity, we will use the camera cubes as a size reference.

The 25 L Outdoor Backpack can hold a small/medium or medium camera cube along with extra accessory pouches. Realistically, this means that it can carry around two full frame camera bodies and two to three medium-sized lenses depending on the actual size and divider arrangement. Because of the expandable space provided by the roll-top portion, the top part can accommodate an additional small camera cube or a pouch of a similar size.

On the other hand, the 45 L Outdoor Backpack holds up to an entire large camera cube. When expanded through the roll-top section, it can accommodate an additional small/medium or small camera cube with the top of the compartment fully expanded. This can potentially allow the user to carry up to three to four camera bodies with up to six to eight lenses, depending on the size and divider arrangement. More realistically, this will allow the user to carry enough gear for a multi-day outdoor adventure along with a lot of room for necessary personal items.

Application and User Experience

The two travel backpacks have almost entirely the same design, but the size implications potentially give them very different use cases. The 25 L outdoor backpack is great for a day hike or an overnight outdoor trip, while the 45 L can be used for longer and more challenging expeditions. Just like the Peak Design Travel Backpacks, they can be very helpful when the need for versatility in traveling arises, but an added bonus is the fact that when completely empty, they can be collapsed and compressed to a very thin form that is great for storing them when not in use or bringing them along as an alternative bag when traveling. While the bags come in three colors, I personally look forward to seeing them in more color options down the line (hopefully also in the Coyote colorway not long after).

Both sizes of the backpack are very well equipped with compartment options. The two (or four) side pockets are great for long accessories or personal items such as travel tripods or water bottles, while the two front side pockets are good for small items that need to be accessed quickly. In addition, the inner front flex pocket is an additional expandable option, all in addition to the main compartment.

The two options for access—through the top roll or through the main zippered back access—are sufficient as alternating options. However, I personally still prefer a main side zippered flap. It is understandable, though, that this was probably omitted because it would require thicker, reinforced material that would prevent the pack from becoming significantly slim when collapsed. It is good that as an alternative, specifically when you want to access the main compartment without setting down the bag, you can swing the backpack to one side while keeping it on that shoulder and partially open the main zipper to open up the side. To prevent the bag from opening all the way, one can use C-clips that are supplied with the camera cubes to fasten one of the zipper pullers to any of the loops near the shoulder area.

One really impressive but possibly under-rated aspect of this backpack is the modularity of the rear panel and shoulder straps. Specifically for the 45 L, having all the options for fitting is great for achieving the most comfortable carrying experience. The presence of two removable chest straps is a nice touch; however, I personally wish that they were made to be more wrinkle-free for aesthetic purposes. Nonetheless, the fact that they can be repurposed to connect other accessories is a huge benefit. While I personally don’t own a Capture Clip, the fact that this bag’s shoulder strap has dedicated points for attachment is great, and the fact that these attachment points are also found on the waist belt is even better. Lastly, the removable waist belts, in my opinion, are convenient simply because there are instances where one might not want to use them, and having them kept on the back panel when not in use would just be unnecessary weight.

Overall, the simple-looking design stays true to Peak Design's usual minimalistic approach. However, as one begins to see the features, it is safe to say that the bags have a lot of options to unpack. When photographers go on outdoor adventures, bringing camera gear can potentially be an added source of stress because of the physical implications, but all the options made available through this bag and the entire Peak Design modular bag system can lessen the logistical stress and make the physical aspect of the creative process even more rewarding.

What I Liked

• Simple aesthetics yet feature packed 
• Modular functions
• Roll top with front flex pocket
• Durable and environment friendly materials
• Customizable fit (on the 45L version)

What Can Be Improved

• Side access or at least more straight-forward side opening method
• Some of the smaller straps and cords can wrinkle
• More color options (possibly down the line)