Peak Design has a whole new line of bags designed especially for outdoor enthusiasts, and this outdoor line has just landed on Kickstarter with some tempting introductory discounts (20-25% off).
More importantly, I received an early sample of the Peak Design Outdoor 45L bag, which I used for about a month on local photo shoots and off-road vehicle shoots in Colorado.
Summary: The Peak Design Outdoor Bag 45L is a sleek product that is ideal for outdoor photographers and travelers. It’s lightweight, extremely comfortable, can safely carry a ton of your essentials, and can withstand a fair bit of abuse.
MSRP $330 Weight 3.97 lbs Size 34.5L-45L Color Options Black, Cloud, Eclipse Material Terrashell 210D Ripstop Nylon Torso Length 17″-20″, Waist Size 24″-52″ Features Roll-top magnetic cinch main closure, zippered back entry to main compartment, adjustable shoulder straps, detachable/stowable hip belt, laptop/hydration sleeve (up to 16″ or 3L), padded/breathable/quick-drying back panel, lightweight Very versatile Very comfortable Great details Can feel overly complicated Stretchy mesh usually doesn’t hold up over time
Peak Design Outdoor Line
(Photo: Peak Design)
The Outdoor Bag line will be available in two backpacks and two slings at launch, including the Outdoor Backpack 45L, Outdoor Backpack 25L, Outdoor Sling 7L and Outdoor Sling 2L.
All bags in this new outdoor line are PFAS-free and made from 100% recycled exterior fabric, which Peak Design calls “Terra Shell.”
Other premium materials used in the construction of these bags include abrasion-resistant and super-strong “Ultra Zip” and cut-resistant UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) cord.
The Peak Design Outdoor Bag Rainfly, Ultralight Packing Cube, and Camera Cube (S and M) are all great accessories to the outdoor line. (Photo/Bryon Dorr)
Accessories at the line’s launch include a rainfly for each backpack and a hipbelt for the sling. The Ultralite Packing Cube, released in June, and the Camera Cube V2, due later in 2023, are also perfect companions to outdoor bags.
The great thing about all Peak Design products is that they work seamlessly together – for example, the new Outdoor Slings can be worn across the chest or around the waist with Outdoor Backpacks.
“Our first product, Capture, was a clip that allowed you to attach your camera to the strap of your backpack while hiking,” said Peak Design founder and CEO Peter Dering. “Since then, Peak Design has become synonymous with ‘outdoor photography,’ but we’ve never made a true outdoor bag before. The Outdoor line is not only a culmination of everything we’ve learned as bag designers, but also a huge tribute to our most loyal and long-time customers.”
Peak Design Outdoor 45L Bag Review
(Photo by Ishi Seiji)
This is a large bag, and I need it to hold all my camera equipment and essentials for my trips. The Outdoor 45L bag has quickly replaced my long-time Peak Design Travel Backpack. It’s lighter, sturdier, and more comfortable to carry.
This is a versatile bag that is perfect for plane trips, outings around town, weekend outdoor adventures, and more.
Carrying comfort
(Photo/Brian Doll)
This backpack has an internal frame, weighs less than 4 pounds, and can hold a ton of heavy gear, keeping it all not only safe but also incredibly comfortable.
The harness system is customizable to fit a wide range of body types.
(Photo/Phil Hurd)
The shoulder straps are generously padded, there’s a front pocket for snacks and your phone, and there’s a built-in Peak Design Capture Clip mount, plus dual sternum straps and a luggage lifter keep this big bag safe and comfortable.
The hip belt is well padded and has a handy pocket, but if you’re like me and rarely use the hip belt, it’s easy to stow or remove.
Detail of the hip belt buckle and adjustment. (Photo/Brian Doll)
I’m always impressed with the attention to detail that Peak Design puts into all their products – zipper pulls, buckles, clasps, everything has been thoroughly thought out – not only are they functional, but they feel great to use.
Carry all your gear
Quick-release front kangaroo pocket. (Photo/Brian Doll)
Besides the expected gigantic rear zippered backpanel, what I like about the Outdoor 45L is the quick access kangaroo pocket and expandable roll-top pack access. The quick-draw cord lock is incredibly simple to set up and can be operated one-handed, but it does take a bit of practice to get the hang of.
The rolltop is basically a regular dry bag style closure, but it has a magnet that makes it easy to close. The top access also has a mesh pocket on the back of the pack. It’s the perfect size for storing valuables like your passport that you want to keep safe.
(Photo/Brian Doll)
Inside the pack’s main compartment, with zippered access and padded back panel, is a pocket that can hold a 16″ laptop or a 3L hydration bladder. If you want to carry a laptop and a hydration bladder together, you can store the bladder in the front kangaroo pocket.
A key feature of this outdoor line is the cord hook external carry system. This setup allows you to quickly, securely and easily attach and detach large amounts of gear to the outside of the pack, while also making it super easy to stow bulkier items in the upper roll-top and side pockets.
It’s nice to have, but honestly I think it’s a bit overkill – I like to keep most of my gear secured inside my bag and not attached to the outside of it, with the exception of tripods and water bottles.
I also like the two mesh pockets on each side of the bag, which are perfect for storing things like water bottles, tripods, light stands, canned alcoholic beverages, etc.
(Photo/Brian Doll)
The two zippered pockets on the front of the kangaroo pocket are also great for storing items you want quick access to. I mainly keep business cards, snacks, etc. in these pockets.
Peak Design Outdoor Camera Bag
I love that this bag is designed so that you can toss it on the ground, unzip the back panel, pull out a camera or two, and start shooting right away. The backpack’s sturdy outer panels are weather-resistant and seem to resist dirt and scuffs. They’re also easy to wipe clean.
I’m a photographer so I use this bag primarily as a camera bag, which is why I mostly pack a large Peak Design Camera Cube in this bag. This keeps all my gear safe, organized and easily accessible. The Outdoor Bag 45L’s main compartment can fit up to 3 Peak Design Cube units (1 unit = 1 small camera cube) so it can be configured in a variety of ways.
(Photo/Brian Doll)
Camera Cube V2
While testing this bag, I also had the opportunity to try out the latest Peak Design Camera Cubes V2 (updated late 2023). I’ve been using the V1 Cubes and the Peak Design Travel Backpack for years and they’re my go-to setup when traveling the world and taking photos in all sorts of conditions.
The latest version of Peak Design’s camera cube is just as impressive as the first version, just with a few big improvements: Weatherproofing has been greatly improved with the use of a Weatherproof Ultra Zip and external seam tape.
An enlarged opening improves access to your gear inside the cube, and light-colored interior fabrics make it easier to load and unload gear. The interior dividers have also been redesigned for added functionality. Rounding out the upgrades are 360-degree rotating exterior handles and a 10-15% weight reduction.
The Peak Design Camera Cube V2 is now available in XS, S, SM, M and L. These new sizes allow you to tailor your setup to handle the latest mirrorless camera systems, small drones and other video equipment.
Peak Design Outdoor 45L Bag Review Summary
(Photo/Phil Hurd)
The current Kickstarter campaign is offering 20-25% off Peak Design The Outdoor Line and ends on October 15th, 2024.
Products ordered on Kickstarter are expected to begin shipping in January 2025. It’s important to note that the outdoor bag will be available globally through Peak Design’s stores, website, and retailers in late November 2024. This means that while ordering early on Kickstarter will get you the best deal, you’ll likely end up picking up the new Peak Design outdoor bag later than others who buy it at retail later this year.
