Peak Design Outdoor Backpack Review: Mountaineering, photography, and everyday use - this one backpack can literally do it all. A crossover backpack packed with magical features.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
If you're a photography enthusiast, you've probably heard of Peak Design .
Starting out by developing camera-related accessories such as camera mounts and bags, this up-and-coming manufacturer has recently expanded its field of activity by leaps and bounds to include travel bags and smartphone accessories. The stunning debut of the camera carrying device " Capture ," first launched on Kickstarter in 2010, quickly captivated camera enthusiasts around the world, and since then has raised a total of $36 million (approximately 5.15 billion yen) through 11 Kickstarter campaigns*. It's no exaggeration to say that it's the most successful crowdfunding company in the world.
*Source: Huckberry “This Isn't About Dying. This Is About Living.”
the Capture that first introduced me to Peak Design . Over 10 years ago, when I had just started my website, I began taking cameras into the mountains for review shoots and was searching for the perfect way to carry my camera. That's when I came across this device invented by an unknown brand from San Francisco, and was struck by its unique idea and thorough quality of construction. Since then, I've purchased all of Peak Design's camera accessories for the mountains, including all of the Capture models, as well as camera straps, covers, and tripods, and I continue to use them to this day.
Outdoor Backpack, a backpack for outdoor activities that Peak Design has finally developed . I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to try it out thoroughly this summer, so I'll give you my review right away.
outdoor backpacks available , this review focuses on the 45-liter model, which is the most fully featured. Aside from the size difference, they are all generally rated the same (if there are any differences, they will be pointed out in the text), so please refer to this for other sizes as well.
table of contents
- Key Features of the Peak Design "Outdoor Backpack 18/25/45L" Backpack
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review of actual field use
- Storage capacity and ease of use: A unique ecosystem with infinite possibilities and meticulous attention to detail literally seamlessly connects the city and the field.
- Main compartment access 1: Smart dual-access opening with roll-top and Ultra Cinch™ system
- Main storage access 2: Easy access from the back with clamshell design
- External storage 1: Flex pocket and practical pockets
- External storage 2: "Cord Hook™" system allows you to freely customize attachments to suit your needs
- Ecosystem compatibility: Infinitely expandable thanks to the Cord Hook™ system and modular design
- Comfort and durability: both are at a high level for a mountaineering backpack
- Summary: If you're serious about both mountaineering and photography, don't hesitate to check this out. It's a crossover that transcends the boundaries of mountaineering, photography, and everyday life, something no one else can match.
Peak Design " Outdoor Backpack 18 / 25 / 45L" Backpack Main Features
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack is a versatile outdoor camera backpack packed with features that seamlessly connect a variety of scenes, from everyday life for camera enthusiasts to travel and even serious outdoor adventures. Kickstarter . It offers optimal functionality and versatility for mountain and photography enthusiasts who love traveling and hiking and don't compromise on their cameras. It's perfect for users who want to carry their precious camera and move between a wide range of fields, including mountains, travel, and daily use, all in one backpack.
The body is made of lightweight yet highly durable and weather-resistant materials and has a sophisticated, minimalist design.It also features a back system that provides excellent comfort and stability, allowing you to stay comfortable even when carrying a lot of luggage, including a camera, for long periods of time.
The bag is packed with unique, smart storage mechanisms common to Peak Design products. The dual-access design, accessible from both the roll top and the back panel, allows for smooth access to camera equipment and offers excellent capacity expansion. The modular design allows users to customize the storage to suit their needs by combining the included detachable cords and the company's sling bags, camera cubes, and packing cubes. The lineup includes three models: 18L, 25L, and 45L, each designed for a different purpose.
Favorite points
- Expandable roll-top main compartment with clamshell design for easy access from the back
- A highly flexible external storage system that combines cord rails and included cord locks on the exterior
- By linking with the company's packing products, the storage system can be customized to suit your preferences and is highly versatile.
- Durable and weather-resistant ripstop nylon fabric
- Adjustable back strap shoulder harness (45L)
- Sturdy back frame panel and tough padding for a stable back system
- Detachable hip belt for various uses (standard on 45L models, sold separately for 25L and below)
- The futuristic, cutting-edge design is perfect for everyday use in the city.
Interesting points
- The material is light, but the weight is not light due to the large number of parts.
- To fully utilize the product's capabilities, additional modules are required (sold separately).
- No rain cover means rain collects inside the front flex pocket (rain cover sold separately)
- The storage system and parts are convenient once you understand how to use them, but it takes some time to master them.
- The excess cords of the attachments tend to hang down loosely.
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Outdoor Backpack 18L | Outdoor Backpack 25L | Outdoor Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|---|
| image |  |  |  |
| capacity | 18-20L | 20-25L | 34.5-45L |
| Actual measured weight | 879 g | 1150g | 1800 g (including hip belt) |
| material |
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| color | Black, Eclipse | Black, Eclipse, Cloud | Black, Eclipse, Cloud |
| Female model | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
| Back length adjustment | × | × | ◯ |
| Compatible sizes |
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| Hydration and laptop sleeve | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Main Access |
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| Rain cover | × | × | × |
| Pockets, attachments, parts |
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| What's in the box |
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| Suitable activities | From the daily life of a photography enthusiast who frequently travels from the city to the field, to weekend trips | For photography enthusiasts who frequently travel between the city and the field, day hikes and mountain climbing in snow-free seasons, and for climbing snowy mountains in stable weather. | For photography enthusiasts who frequently travel from the city to the fields, day trips in the snow-free season, overnight hut hiking and mountain climbing, and snowy mountain climbing in stable weather. |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |||
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ||
| Stability | ★★★★☆ *When using the hip belt | ||
| Storageability | ★★★★★ *When used in combination with slings and packing cubes | ||
| Functionality (ease of use) | ★★★★★ | ||
| Durability and weather resistance | ★★★★☆ | ||
| weight | ★★☆☆☆ | ||
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ | ||
| Camera enthusiast recommendation | ★★★★★ | ||
Detailed review of actual field use
Storage capacity and ease of use: A unique ecosystem with infinite possibilities and meticulous attention to detail literally seamlessly connects the city and the field.
the storage system, which blew me away in many ways . To be honest, this is the first time I've ever seen a mountain backpack with so much thought put into every corner.
Outdoor Backpack, " developed over more than three years of research into the best outdoor backpacks and camera bags on the market, not only boasts high storage capacity on its own but it's no exaggeration to say that its greatest feature is its infinitely expandable and customizable nature can be explained from three perspectives: main storage access ," " external storage ," and " interconnectivity with other products (ecosystem)
Main compartment access 1: Smart dual-access opening with roll-top and Ultra Cinch™ system
Right from the start, I was impressed by the "dual access" style that combines two ways of accessing the main compartment.
First of all, the backpack's basic structure is a roll-top design, which means you can roll up the opening to store it, and naturally the opening is wide, making it easy to put things in and take them out, and it also has the advantage of being able to flexibly adjust the size of the pack depending on the amount of luggage you have. In addition, the opening, which has a core and makes it easy to roll up, has a magnet built in, so the opening naturally closes in the correct position, making it easy to fold, and it's a nice little convenience.
What's even more impressive is that the Peak Design style doesn't end there; the way the opening is opened and closed is also unique.
Instead of rolling up the opening and then fastening it with a conventional buckle, we've developed the " Ultra Cinch™" system, which closes the pack by pulling the cord connected to the front panel with one hand (excluding the 18-liter model). Indeed, it's easier and faster than using both hands to operate a buckle, and tightening it compresses the entire pack to eliminate slack. Furthermore, an elastic pocket (front flex pocket) can be placed between the roll top and the front panel, allowing you to store rain gear, cold weather gear, or a hydration bladder for quick access to your belongings. This single mechanism serves as both the roll top opening and the front pocket opening.
The top opening is closed using the Ultra Cinch™ system. After rolling up the roll-top, tighten the drawcord on the panel that doubles as a front pocket, and it automatically locks.
By the way, once the cord is tightened, it stays firmly in place unless you pull the tab in the middle, so there's no need to worry about it coming loose.
However, it's undeniable that the way you tighten it takes some getting used to, and I think it's no wonder that there are mixed opinions about its usability. What's more, what bothers me most about this structure is that the lid of the Ultra Cinch™ system isn't airtight, nor does it cover the top like a rain cover, so when it rains, rainwater tends to collect inside the front flex pocket. It doesn't get wet in light rain, but if you want to use it without worrying about rain, it's recommended that you purchase the rain fly set (sold separately).
Main storage access 2: Easy access from the back with clamshell design
Another way to access the main compartment is via a clamshell system, where the back panel zips open completely (see photo above). Anyone familiar with backcountry ski backpacks will recognize this as "ah, that one." The zipper is arranged in an inverted U-shape around the back pad, and opening it all the way opens up the entire main compartment like a suitcase. As you can see, this makes organizing and packing your belongings extremely easy, and you can quickly access items at the bottom. Since Peak Design employs many photographers as its users, it's no surprise that they anticipate frequent access to camera equipment, so this design makes sense.
When fully open, the opening is just the right size to fit Peak Design's camera protective case, the Camera Cube, and it can also be connected and secured to the backpack.By combining these, you can safely carry your complicated camera equipment on the mountains and easily take it in and out (see photo below).
I actually tried carrying a mirrorless SLR, two of the big three zoom lenses (standard and wide-angle), and a 360-degree video camera all on a mountain climb, and found that the Camera Cube, with its excellent storage capacity and safety, was ideal for carrying cameras. The smooth access and peace of mind in case of an emergency allowed me to move around without the stress and anxiety of carrying expensive equipment. If you already have a Camera Cube, I think it's well worth switching to this backpack.
While we're on the subject of carrying a camera, for those who want quicker access to their camera, this backpack comes standard with " Capture connection points " on the shoulder harness and hip belt, making it perfect for even the most demanding photographers who don't want to miss a single photo opportunity (see photo below).
External storage 1: Flex pocket and practical pockets
The external storage system is also excellent, designed with two key objectives in mind: compatibility with a variety of mountain activities and the ability to carry camera equipment.
First of all, there are deep, stretchy "flex pockets" (pockets made of stretch material) on both sides, which are perfect for storing tripods. They can also accommodate tent poles, trekking poles, umbrellas, and vertically long thermos bottles (even 2L PET bottles if you're so inclined!) (see photo below).
The 45L model has an additional shallow stretch pocket that can be accessed from the side. In our test, we put a water bottle in this pocket and were able to take it out while standing without having to put the backpack down (see photo below. However, this shallow pocket shares space with the deep pocket, so please be aware that if you put a large item in the deep pocket, you will not be able to use the shallow pocket).
Furthermore, these "flex pockets" are placed on both sides of the shoulder harness with mesh material. These pockets, which were likely designed with inspiration from running vests, allow for quick and easy access to smartphones, snacks, and even soft flasks while walking (see photo below).
Two slim vertical pockets are located on either side of the front panel. They are ideal for small items like maps, smartphones, wallets, and keys. One of the pockets comes with a detachable key tether, so you won't lose your keys.
However, because the zipper on this vertical pocket is vertical, items tend to fall out easily, making it unsuitable for storing a large number of small items. In that sense, it is a bit concerning that the standard compartment does not include a rain cover pocket for safely storing small items such as a compass, whistle, lighter, sunscreen, lip balm, batteries, and SD cards.
Only the 45L model has a mesh zippered pocket inside the main compartment. It's not large enough to replace a rain cover pocket, but it still functions well as a security pocket for keys, wallets, etc.
External storage 2: "Cord Hook™" system allows you to freely customize attachments to suit your needs
I mentioned earlier that the true value of this backpack is its infinite expandability, and the more you use it, the more you appreciate it. To put it simply, this is not just a backpack (i.e., a bag), but a "storage system" that the wearer can freely create (i.e., customize) .
One of the features that makes this possible is the Cord Hook™ system
To briefly explain the basic function of the Cord Hook™ system Cord Hook™ Strap ," an elastic carry cord with a hook that comes standard.
Cord rails are installed everywhere—front, back, top, and bottom—so you can hang hooks almost anywhere you can imagine. The standard carry cords come in two varieties: a long, non-stretchy cord and a short, stretchy cord. By making full use of these, you can secure items like tents, sleeping bags, and mattresses to the bottom or top, poles and axes to the front or sides, or tripods and poles in the side pockets more securely. This allows for a much larger load capacity than the official 45-liter capacity, and honestly, with this, I felt like long hikes were possible.
Ecosystem compatibility: Infinitely expandable thanks to the Cord Hook™ system and modular design
You may be thinking that the Cord Hook™ system is similar to the daisy chain feature found on many backpacks up until now. At first glance, they may look the same, but upon closer inspection, there are actually significant differences between the two.
The biggest difference between a traditional daisy chain and the Cord Hook™ system is its uniformity and ability to connect with other products, in other words, the presence or absence of an ecosystem. On a typical backpack, the daisy chain is simply a component attached to a specific part of the backpack, and each part has different specifications such as size and shape. In contrast, with the Cord Hook™ system, identical loops are strung throughout every part of the backpack (not just randomly, of course, but in strategic locations). What's more, these loops are not limited outdoor backpacks , but are also found on other Peak Design products, such as sling bags and stuff sacks.
Take for example this outdoor slingback (pictured below), which comes in three sizes: 2, 4, and 7 liters.
This handy sling bag is easy to carry on its own and has excellent storage, but you'll notice that it also has cord rails installed in key locations. By connecting this cord rail to the cord rail at the top of the backpack with a cord hook, you can quickly attach the rain cover you thought was missing to your backpack! (See photo below)
It fits securely and looks exactly the same as the standard rain cover from the outside (see photo below).
Additionally, if you remove the strap from the smaller 2L sling and connect it to the part that would normally be the chest strap, it becomes a convenient front pocket (see photo below).
Alternatively, if you purchase an additional helmet holder, you can also use it for rocky ridge routes and mountain skiing (photo below).
Although this is not strictly speaking a Cord Hook™ system, by combining Capture
By linking it with other Peak Design storage and accessories, you can freely create a variety of packing and carrying styles for a variety of activities and creative photography. I can't remember ever having seen a mountaineering backpack with such originality, freedom and expandability.
On the other hand, an " outdoor backpack, " which is a high-quality mountain backpack in itself, is essentially a "base" and can only fully demonstrate its true value when used in conjunction with separately sold accessories. This is a double-edged sword in a sense, but on the other hand, we all know how a well-calculated, perfect ecosystem like Apple's can provide users with comfort and peace of mind. That's exactly what Peak Design is trying to achieve with this new product.
Our ultra-lightweight packing cubes are convenient for sorting and come in a wide variety of sizes and materials, including mesh and silnylon, to suit your needs. They're also compatible with the Cord Hook™ system, so they can be attached to your backpack for ultimate convenience.
Comfort and durability: both are at a high level for a mountaineering backpack
We've talked a lot about storage so far, but of course the most important thing about a mountaineering backpack is how you can carry your packed luggage safely and comfortably for long periods of time and over long distances, even in harsh environments. Of course, Peak Design, which has paid so much attention to detail, doesn't cut corners.
Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop nylon exterior is lightweight yet highly tear-resistant, and the front and bottom are TPU-coated for exceptional abrasion and weather resistance.
Water droplets on this surface immediately run off, protecting the equipment inside. Personally, I like this because it's less likely to get scratched or dirty even when used roughly, such as when putting the backpack on the ground and sitting on it during breaks. It's safe to say that this backpack is durable enough for a mountain climbing backpack.
The back system, which determines the comfort of wearing the backpack, is not only comparable to backpacks from specialist brands, but I was surprised to find that it was one of the most stable backpacks I have ever carried.
The back has a three-dimensional U-shaped metal frame that balances rigidity and flexibility, which firmly transfers the load to the lower back and fits the curve of the back. The padding on the back, shoulders, and hip belt is slightly firm to withstand the weight, but the cushioning and breathable, quick-drying foam reduces discomfort caused by sweat.
The shoulder harness is wide, derived from a running pack, providing a comfortable fit, and the highly portable mesh pockets are convenient. It's a small detail, but Capture 's corners don't touch my chest when I set it up. The areas that bear weight are particularly thickly padded, so even when I was walking around with a full-frame SLR and pouches loaded, I didn't feel much strain on my shoulders.
The 45L model is equipped with a ladder system that allows you to adjust the back length by changing the height of the shoulder harness, as well as a load lifter that prevents the pack from swaying from side to side, allowing for an optimal fit and stable carrying comfort that suits your body type.
The 45L model allows the back length to be adjusted more precisely in four steps between 43-50cm.
The load lifter, which reduces the backpack's shaking and provides a stable carrying experience, is only available on the 45L model.
The hip belt is detachable on all 18, 25, and 45L models, and comes standard on the 45L model. Although detachable, it's well-made and supports the weight well while remaining gentle on the hips. There are mesh pockets on both sides for different purposes, both of which are spacious enough for convenience and are very satisfying.
The hip belt is attached by fitting it into the grooves on the left and right sides of the back pad. There are two grooves so you can choose the one that fits your waist size.
The hip belt pockets include a stretch pocket (top) on the right that can hold sunglasses and other items and also serves as an attachment point for Capture, and a zipper pocket (bottom) on the left that can hold a large smartphone.
By the way, even when the hip belt is attached, it can be stored behind the back, allowing you to change the style to suit the occasion.
Summary: If you're serious about both mountaineering and photography, don't hesitate to check this out. It's a crossover that transcends the boundaries of mountaineering, photography, and everyday life, something no one else can match.
Although this was Peak Design's first product for serious outdoor use, the high level of perfection, with no compromises made on even the smallest details, and the unique ideas that highlight the brand's identity as more than just a good student, are truly impressive.
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack combines the high level of construction and practicality of a mountain backpack, cutting-edge design and functional beauty, and above all, the versatility to accommodate the wide range of activities and styles that the company's accessories allow.For users who use it in the city on weekdays and then go hiking in the mountains behind their home on weekends and enjoy their hobby of photography, it is the long-awaited ``ideal backpack that does it all'' that has never been seen before.
It's true that this backpack isn't the best hiking pack, the best camera bag, or even the best city bag, but its hybrid nature—not specializing in any one particular field—is its greatest strength and unique appeal. And while the weight and price are certainly a concern, they're not unreasonable given its excellent build quality and unique appeal.
On the other hand, it's true that mastering this complex system requires some getting used to. Those who aren't used to or don't need the countless straps and parts may find it merely annoying. While it's beneficial for existing Peak Design users in the sense that it allows them to utilize their existing products, the cost can be a hurdle for those starting from scratch. In that sense, it might be a bit difficult to recommend this to someone who is simply a camera or outdoor enthusiast. However, for the active camera enthusiast mentioned above, based on my own experience as a Peak Design user for nearly 10 years, I can confidently say that the cost is well worth it.
This backpack opens up a whole new world of possibilities, and you won't understand until you try it out. If this review piques your interest, be sure to give it a try.
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