TechRadar Verdict
There's much to like about Peak Design's new Outdoor Backpack series. Theexternal/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
Pros
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Super-comfortable and durable
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Lots of scope to customize for your specific needs
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Plenty of clever design details
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Wide range of compatible Peak Design accessories
Cons
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Needs extra rain cover for heavy downpours
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Pricey accessories needed to securely stow camera gear
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Access to camera gear a little slow
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Somewhat fiddly cords with potential to snag
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Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L: two-minute review
Peak Design's Outdoor Backpack range is the latest series of bags from the US-based camera accessory maker. It's available in three colors and inexternal/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
I was among the first group of reviewers to receive a review sample, and I've been using the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L, in white, as my primary bag for the last three months ahead of its launch. I've found it to be a highly versatile bag that has rewarded the time I've invested to customize it for my needs.
I'm a photographer, commuter and serial outdoors adventurer, and Peak Design's Outdoor Backpack and has proven itself to be apt companion for all these scenarios, becoming my first-choice bag these last couple of months. It's not a dedicated camera bag per se, but it'll do the trick for a little bit of camera gear, with the right Peak Design accessories.
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L: price and availability
- Two sizes:external/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L: specs
| Capacity | 25L or 45L |
| Weight | 2.54lbs / 1.15kg (25L), 3.97lbs / 1.55kg (45L) |
| Laptop sleeve | Yes, up to 16-inch models |
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L: design
- Daisy-chain loops to fasten cords to
- Weather-resistant exterior but not waterproof
- Accessories include raincover, hip belt and more
For commuting, I usually pack a 17-inch MacBook Pro laptop, mirrorless camera with lens, a spare change of clothes, as I often run to work, plus a few accessories (in a Peak Design Camera Cube), all of which fit snugly into theexternal/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
There's no dedicated place to store camera gear – the Outdoor Backpack's main compartment is single open space, without the padded dividers you typically get in a dedicated camera bag. If you want to pack you camera and accessories you can pick up one of Peak Design's Camera Cubes, which will slot in nicely to securely hold that pricey gear. You just need to ensure that it's the right-size cube for the size of bag – there's guidance on Peak Design's website, plus new soft-shell Packing Cubes. A decent alternative to a Peak Design Cube is a gear wrap like 3 Legged Thing's Wrapz.
For daily use over months, the Outdoor BackPackexternal/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
Elsewhere on the outside are the aforementioned elasticated side pockets, and what I've seen Peak Design call a 'daisy chain' of loops along most of the bag's seams that you can feed cords through, several of which there are included, to secure larger items such as a travel tripod. The ways to customize the Outdoor Backpack based on what you're carrying feel endless, even if some are a little fiddly.
I have regularly used the bag for short runs (around 6km) from a train station to my workplace, and even with a full load it sits comfortably on my shoulders, especially with the optional hip belt in place for additional lumbar support. However, on my runs, and on hikes in hot weather, I found that got more sweaty than I'd like to; it would be great to have better breathability on the back.
I also found the two zips to the main compartment, when closed together at the top of the bag, came loose during running and on a couple of occasions I had to rescue the contents as they spilled out. Closing the zips towards the bottom of the bag on once side instead avoided this issue.
There are two ways to access the main compartment: the zips, which open the entire back, or the soft roll-top magnetic-clasped opening. For the former, you lie the bag down on its front to open it up and access the entire contents, while using the latter you can keep everything inside and rummage through the contents via the top opening.
The roll-top pocket is fitted securely inside the bag's weatherproof exterior with a cord, which is released for access via a neat pull-tab. To pack the top away, you pull at the cord to close down the opening (see gallery below). It's a very clever bit of design, and reassuringly robust, locking the cord securely with whatever tension you like. I regularly crammed a sweater or light rain jacket outside the main compartment but inside that adjustable weatherproof exterior, securing it in place with the cord. It's just a shame that there's no obvious place to put that cord when the top is closed off, as it simply dangles and is at risk of snagging.
There are no interior pockets in the main compartment, just a laptop sleeve. Peak Design says theexternal/peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" class="hawk-affiliate-link-container" data-product-key="208446-41369340903501" data-url="https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/221109/1619546/18669?prodsku=41369340903501&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpeakdesignstore.myshopify.com%2Fproducts%2Foutdoor-backpack-25l-cloud&intsrc=CATF_12091&subId1=trd-us-1050240180216907219&sharedId=trd-us" data-model-id="1025417" data-match-id="644643192" data-product-type="1000" data-link-merchant="Peak Design" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" role="link" tabindex="0">
Speaking as a photographer, I would love quicker access to gear, say through a side-access zipped opening. A few design tweaks like these could realize the Outdoor Backpack as the perfect versatile camera bag.
With a fully loaded bag and a Camera Cube positioned inside at the top, it doesn't take too long to access your gear, but you will have to take the bag off your shoulders.
I wouldn't describe this as a dedicated camera bag, nor would I specifically call it an outdoors bag; but it does a decent job of both, even if there are better alternatives out there that are focused on one or the other. As an all-in-one option, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack has served my daily needs, photography and otherwise, better than any bag I've used for quite some time.
Should I buy the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L?
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