Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45l

At the turn of September and October, I had the opportunity to test a new line of backpacks (Outdoor) from Peak Design (PD), specifically the Peak Design Outdoor 45l, even before it was officially released. These backpacks will go on sale at the end of November. As a long-time and, most importantly, satisfied user of PD equipment, I was really eager to see what the new line would bring. Not too long ago, I switched to their Travel 45l camera backpack, so the Outdoor line will be an internal competitor to the Travel series. At Peak Design, it’s typical to see lots of neat features on their products, which I really enjoy exploring. Therefore, I recommend everyone to watch their instructional videos before purchasing any PD gear, where they explain everything in detail. So, what are my thoughts on the new Outdoor 45l backpack? Before diving in, it’s important to mention the perspective from which I’ll be reviewing the backpack. So… I am a fairly organized person when it comes to technical matters, and a backpack is practically an everyday part of my photographic life. I don’t see it just as a case for equipment; to a certain extent, it’s my travel companion, helping me carry and access my gear as needed. This is why I need a backpack that meets a lot of conditions and offers a clearly defined space where I can reach, even in the dark, and always find exactly what I’m looking for. Night photography is important to me, as you’ll easily notice from my portfolio of photos. At the same time, I expect the backpack to be used almost exclusively for photography gear, so I won’t really appreciate features for outdoor camping like clever holders for snowshoes or ice axes — the mere thought of it sends chills down my spine. About a year ago, after thorough testing, I started using the PD Travel 45l backpack to my full satisfaction. I appreciate the ample space for gear and additional accessories like a tripod, water bottle, jacket, and especially my set of flash diffusers, which finally have their own spot. If you haven’t read my previous article about the PD Travel 45l, you should definitely do so. Don’t worry, I’ll wait. In that article, I go into detail about my expectations and criteria for changing backpacks, as well as the equipment and accessories I need to organize inside the backpack and what I like about the PD Travel 45l, along with what changes I would appreciate. Throughout this review, I will often refer back to my findings with the Travel 45l, as these are two flagship camera backpacks from PD, and at the time of writing, I have both at my disposal. Have you finished reading? Great, let’s move on to the Peak Design Outdoor 45l — the main points I wanted to cover in the introduction are now out of the way.

THANK YOU: A big thank you to the Czech representative of Peak Design for lending me the backpack for testing and for their generally excellent approach!
Written by: Petr Bambousek, translation: ChatGPT 4o

First impression

I had seen some initial photos and a short video about the development of the new backpack online. This was probably the first time I felt a bit uncertain about a Peak Design product. There’s no doubt this was also due to my subconscious expectation that the Outdoor version would simply be a “Travel with better straps.” But instead, they’ve created an entirely new design where almost everything has been reworked. The three main color options (Black, Eclipse, and Cloud) also surprised me, as I had automatically assumed the backpacks would be available in the familiar Sage and the new Coyote designs. But no. As I wrote in my article on PD Travel, I held off on making any premature judgments. I thought I’d see what the manufacturer came up with, try it out, and see if it works for me or not.

The current Peak Design Outdoor 45l series in Black, White (Cloud), and Burgundy (Eclipse)

Second impression

The backpack arrived in a box. After unboxing — removing it from the box — I finally saw what it looked like in Eclipse (burgundy) and, for me, it’s a YES! In reality, it’s much darker and more understated than it appears in online photos and, for that matter, in the ones I tried to take for this article. It’s a very dark color that isn’t overly noticeable or disruptive in nature. But let’s set aside the color; everyone will choose based on their own preferences. What caught my eye at first glance was the back part — the straps, waist belt, and padding. Similarly (although in a different way), I was intrigued by the front part, which features a large “kangaroo pocket” called the Internal Front Flex Pocket (Note: The backpack has many patented names, enough to make your head spin, and I hope I won’t forget any of them). And of course, I also looked at the third section, which is the roll-top access from above. So, let’s go over these parts in this order.

The back part

The entire carrying system of the backpack has been completely redesigned. The straps are generously padded, widened, and have practical pockets integrated for your phone and other small items. They fit well, and their attachment system can be adjusted to four positions, allowing you to find the optimal fit on your back based on your height. Personally, I would appreciate if the upper part of the straps were about 4 cm longer, as this would make the phone pocket more accessible. Since I’m of a larger build, a lot of the strap is used to span my back, making the pocket sit rather high. When my much smaller wife tried on the backpack, she had much easier access to the phone. It wouldn’t hurt if longer straps were offered as an optional accessory for us bigger folks. This suggests one good feature — the shoulder straps can be completely detached if needed, though apart from full replacement, I can’t think of any other reason for doing so. The waist belt is also improved, with not only better padding and a small pocket for items like keys, but it’s also been lengthened compared to the Travel series, so people of my size can comfortably secure it around their waist, with room left to tighten it further. Another clear plus is the use of a classic buckle to fasten the waist belt — finally, this is a welcome change compared to the Travel 45l. Like the Travel 45l, the waist belt can be stowed away into the back panel or easily detached if you don’t want to use it. Both the straps and waist belt also have spots for attaching the Capture clip. Apart from the mentioned length of the shoulder straps, I’m completely satisfied. The back panel is much firmer than on the Travel backpack, with an ergonomic curve at the lower back. This works well for me, though it’s probably a matter of individual back shapes. It’s worth playing around with the strap height adjustment to ensure the curve fits snugly against the lumbar region. I found the optimal position at the second-highest setting. For even greater comfort, I would appreciate if the padded section covered the entire surface of the back panel access to the camera. You access the inside of the backpack, as usual, from the back. The same PD Large Cube that I use in the Travel 45l fits inside. For the first time, I didn’t have to rethink how to arrange my gear in the dividers — I just transferred the cube, and everything remained as it was. However, the back of the Outdoor 45l is slightly narrower, so the cube fits more snugly, eliminating the need to use attachment hooks. In this respect, it’s an advantage, although I encountered one drawback, which most people probably won’t face, but it’s important to me — I once again don’t have anywhere to store my diffuser case. Overall, the back of the Outdoor 45l is more refined compared to the Travel 45l, and apart from the few minor points I mentioned, it’s exactly the improvement I was expecting. Now, how about the front part?

A view of the straps, the back compartment with the Camera Cube Large, and most of my OM System gear. In my opinion, shoulder straps that are a few centimeters longer would improve the accessibility of the phone pocket.

Front part

The front of the backpack immediately stands out with its rather unusual design. At first glance, it has a smooth, seamless look without zippers or additional pockets, making it a design centerpiece of the backpack. Here, personal taste will play a big role in how this solution appeals to you. The fabric used (Weatherproof Terra Shell 210 Ripstop) is smooth to the touch and thus easy to clean. The great thing is that it extends to the bottom part of the backpack as well, so all the parts that come into contact with the ground can be easily wiped down if they get dirty. I can’t yet evaluate its resistance to abrasions from rocks, branches, etc. — that will require a longer period of use. Since this was a borrowed backpack, I was naturally more careful with it. The smooth front section is also used for storing small accessories, which can be placed in long, zippered side-entry pockets (Ultra Zip Pocket). These pockets run the entire length of the backpack from top to bottom, with a divider in the middle. I put all the small items in here that I normally store in the internal pockets of the Travel. As I mentioned at the beginning, I’m a fairly organized person, so I didn’t have the heart to just throw accessories loosely into the pockets. I have a feeling that gravity would shake everything down while walking, and the pockets would become cluttered. So, I dug out smaller, elongated pouches from other backpacks, placed the accessories inside them, and then inserted those into the pockets. This is a much better solution for me, and I believe that PD will eventually offer some kind of organizer suited for the narrow space of these pockets. The large kangaroo pocket doesn’t have a traditional zipper closure but instead opens and tightens with a drawstring (Ultra Cinch Cord). I’m very curious to see how this system performs with prolonged use. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much that could go wrong, but it’s so different from anything I’ve ever used that I really can’t predict how it will turn out. During my testing, it worked well, although I didn’t fully get used to the system. It turns out I’m more of a zipper person. Pulling the drawstring (Ultra Cinch Loop) releases the cord, giving access to a fairly narrow storage space (Internal Front Flex Pocket), which also grants access to the roll-top compartment (Roll Top). Pulling the cord tightens the upper section again. The front pocket can accommodate flatter items, but I wouldn’t stuff a jacket in there, as it would slightly deform the sleek look of the backpack. Instead, the jacket fits easily into the space created by loosening the kangaroo pocket, and it can be secured again by tightening the cord. This proved to be quite practical, and I used it several times. What I’m still wrestling with is the internal section (accessed through the Roll Top).

The front side of the backpack is easy to clean and water-resistant. The drawstring (Ultra Cinch) can be left loose, shortened with a quick knot, or tucked away.

Interior

The kangaroo pocket is loosened, and we now have full access to the upper section, which is extra spacious and can significantly increase the backpack’s capacity. You can access this space through the roll-top compartment, which opens and closes easily thanks to magnets. The resulting “chimney” can be up to 25 cm tall, and it’s up to you what you store in it. Even though it seems quite practical — the access mechanism doesn’t have any zippers — I personally find it a bit more complicated compared to traditional zippers. While a zipper pocket operates on the principle of: unzip — reach in — zip back up, here it’s: loosen the kangaroo pocket — unroll the top — reach in — roll it back up — tighten the kangaroo pocket again. I’ve decided that I’ll enter the roll-top compartment as little as possible, so I’ll keep my most essential accessories in the zippered side pockets of the kangaroo pocket, maintaining the quick access, while larger items will go into the main compartment. To stay organized inside the backpack, I placed the PD Tech Pouch inside, which fits perfectly, keeps small items in order, and maintains the compact look of the backpack even when the main compartment is rolled back up. The chimney space includes one integrated internal zippered pocket for small items, but otherwise, the use of the available space is entirely up to each user’s imagination and needs. I didn’t really take to this feature, partly because the rolled-up compartment is only tightened by the main kangaroo pocket and isn’t secured any other way. Personally, I prefer when everything is tightly secured. You can use the included drawstrings to tighten the roll-top compartment, as they can be attached to the roll-top pocket itself. However, at that point, there are drawstrings everywhere, and I feel like I can’t get untangled. Here’s some good news: the cord hook system is compatible with the straps from the Travel/Sling/… backpacks. For tightening the roll-top compartment, I used straps from the Travel 45l, and the difference was immediately noticeable. Everything became more organized, and I could easily tell which string I was holding. I understand why the design was made this way; it’s not primarily a camera backpack but is also meant to meet trekking and climbing requirements, so the strings are undoubtedly practical and flexible for those purposes.

I tightened the roll-top compartment with stronger straps from the Travel 45l, making it easier to recognize which strap corresponds to which adjustment. The interior space is quite spacious and includes a zippered pocket for small items. There are loops for attaching drawstrings all around the perimeter of the backpack. These are either fixed or elastic.

Side pockets and storage compartments

However, the storage compartments of the backpack don’t end with the top pocket; there are also tall side pockets with dual access for shorter and longer items (Flex Pocket 1&2). The larger variant can practically fit the entire PD Travel Tripod, and a 0.7l bottle also fits in fully. For easier access, you can use the shorter pocket version and let part of the item stick out, securing it with elastic strings. There are plenty of storage spaces in the backpack — even if you have the entire back compartment filled with a Large Cube for a full camera setup like I do, you can still use both side pockets, the main chimney, and the front side zippered pockets. There are a ton of drawstrings for securing things, and there are loops for attaching them all around the backpack, making the range of possible configurations highly versatile. If a smaller cube is enough for your gear, you gain additional space in the back. The backpack is very compact overall, and even with the large Camera Cube inside, it’s narrower than the Travel backpack. During my testing, I tended to maintain this compactness by distributing supplementary items. There will be no problem taking this on a plane, as there isn’t any issue with the Travel 45l either. Personally, I would appreciate if the backpack were more stable when standing on its own. The base isn’t entirely flat, and it depends on how the gear inside is arranged. Sometimes it stands better, other times not so much. I took it on a short trip to photograph squirrels, where it started to rain. Without any protective rain cover, the backpack handled it just fine, and no water got into the kangaroo pocket. Of course, in heavy and prolonged rain, a rain cover would be a safer bet. In this respect, I was surprised that the backpack doesn’t have a specific spot for storing a rain cover (Rain Fly). In the Travel 45l, there’s a cleverly designed, practically unused space in the main front pocket where the rain cover has a permanent spot and doesn’t get in the way. As I’ve described, there are plenty of storage options in the backpack, but I wouldn’t mind a designated spot for the rain cover. It’s worth mentioning that the quality of the rain cover for the Outdoor series seems better to me; it’s also more spacious, which is definitely a plus.

The versatility of using all kinds of possible and impossible cords and straps is almost limitless. For reference, I even used an official photo from PD, which shows an example of attaching various tools for outdoor activities.

Conclusion

The Peak Design Outdoor 45l is a unique backpack for photography, trekking, and climbing. As a photographer, what’s most important to me is how I can pack all my gear and necessary accessories. It’s great that even with the large Camera Cube, there’s still plenty of space in the top and side sections. Using a smaller cube further increases the possibilities. The attachment system allows you to secure anything anywhere, and the more comfortable straps will be a noticeable benefit for many people. The backpack is also compatible with the new Outdoor Sling models, and the potential variability of connecting the two is impressive. Given my larger build, I would appreciate if the backpack had slightly wider back padding, longer straps at the top, and a designated space for my macro diffusers, which are absolutely essential for me. The new Peak Design Outdoor 45l is a refreshing addition to the existing PD backpack line, and I’m convinced it will find a wide range of uses.

Final note

After testing both the Travel and Outdoor series, how would I envision the perfect backpack for my needs? The current Travel 45l with (longer) straps and waist belt from the Outdoor series, made from the Coyote material and color.