Peak Design, founded by CEO Peter Dering back in 2010, launched through Kickstarter and has had a series of successful campaigns, including the new Outdoor Backpack from their new Outdoor Line.
The Outdoor backpack comes in 2 sizes – 45L and 25L – and 3 colors each. The 45L backpack has an internal frame and a whole host of features:
- Laptop sleeve
- Weatherproof fabric
- Stowable hip belt
- Roll down top
- Internal hydration sleeve
- Pockets everywhere for maximum organization
- Running-vest style shoulder straps
I want to love this bag for its intended purpose: an organized backpack…for backpacking. It’s unlike a traditional piece of gear from the fabric to the organization and also makes for a really great travel backpack keeping everything orderly and accessible.
I especially love the stretchy side pockets that can fit trekking poles, a tent, a tripod, and a Nalgene without stretching out. The specially-designed fabric has a streamlined shape whether full or empty, which is not only a great design-feature for practicality, but for thoughtful aesthetics as well.
I’m a huge fan of body inclusivity, especially when it comes to outdoor gear, and Peak Design has done well in this regard with this pack. The shoulder straps have various points of adjustability, including “ladder”-style manual adjustments for those with a longer torso, and “load lifters” to really vary and fine-tune the fit and feel on your shoulders. The hip belt also has multiple adjustment points, can be stowed, or also completely detached.
Going back briefly to the design of the shoulder straps, they have a bit of a wider fit for weight distribution, but also so they can better mimic a running vest for storage. We all love to have our phone up front and handy and they deliver here. Similarly, the hip belt also has mesh pockets: one with a zipper and one as a stuff pocket, so your phone would be safe here, but also, snacks.
I do have to mention, because it was the first thing I noticed and one of the only cons I’ll carry with me (pun intended): with the hip belt (which is essential for backpacking), it’s 4 pounds empty, which is about ½ pound heavier than other brands with similar capacities. The weatherproof fabric is a contributor to this, as well as the frame, and it’s noticeable.
But weight aside, this bag is riddled with creative and considerate features, like cable management, securing items like your keys, the customizability of hooks and loops and clips, and the ability to fully unzip the back panel for a full view of your gear.
I’d also like to take a moment to discuss the company, as well. Peak Design’s values are admirable, belonging to 1% For the Planet, a member of the Conservation Alliance, The Climate Label Certified, is a Certified B Corp, is committed to DEI, and manufacture with Fair-Trade certified factories.
There are other great lines from Peak Design as well, including their packing cubes, slings, duffels, phone accessories, and of course, camera gear.
Peak Design is known of their camera bags and we already know they do those well. These outdoor bags combine a few features from the photography-focused line and bring a really adjustable bag with a nod to backpacking.
