Peak Design 25L Outdoor Backpack Eclipse

2026-05-03T20:00:00

I bought this almost a year ago now. I do enjoy using this backpack however not for the intention on which I bought it for. I purchased this to take on hiking adventures as advertised. Unfortunately this pack is not a good distance hiking pack as there is no actual strap to help spread the weight of the load taking some off the shoulders. For this reason, I do not hike more than two miles with this pack. And that depends even on the gear I'm bringing. I instead use a tradiditional pack to help distribute some of the weight off my hips and use a sled out camera cube. The pack has very thoughtful elements so I do enjoy using it for road trips. But it's unfortunate that I cannot use it for big hiking trips which is most of my photo excursions.

Kait

Originally posted at

2026-05-03T20:00:00

The backpack looks elegant despite its outdoorsy design. What I value the most is that all straps can be adjusted to my liking so that the backpack feels like its made for my body proportions. However, it scratches very easily and honestly, I expected it to fit more stuff given that it is 45 liters.

Ashley

Originally posted at

2026-05-03T20:00:00

The backpack is comfortable and good looking, you can barely feel its weight. However, one thing to note is that it is easily prone to scratches.

Ashley

Originally posted at

2026-04-29T20:00:00

I have mixed feelings. I should say this is not an outdoor bag for hiking. It's still behind Osprey or Deuter backpacks. Main compartment is easy accessible from the top and back. I like it. The front top pocket is useless for big items because the material is not stretchy. The same for small front pockets. They are good for keys and snacks but there's no place to store a big box with sunglasses. It would be nice to have some sort of a top pocket for additional items. I would not buy this bag for hiking. There are better brands. BUT? The bag is great for my outdoor photography adventures. I don't want to carry a typical photo bag which has usually bad ventilation and feels bulky. This bag is for carrying photo tools all day long. Shoulder straps provide great support with heavy weight. But there is too much cushion which soaks water during rain. The idea of having special attachment points for a camera plate on both straps with two different heights is great. This is the main issue with typical outdoor bags because they don't have good attachment points for the plate (straps are too wide). Over fit is for narrow shoulders, great for me, might be an issue for more muscular shoulders. Side bottle / tripod pockets are super deep and stretchy so they can fit 32oz Yeti bottles easily. I tested the bag in 2 hours of rain and no leaks inside. Let's see how the zipper insulation will look after one year. My summary is 3 stars because it's advertised as an outdoor backpack. Get this bag if you do long hikes with camera gear. Don't get it for regular hiking adventures.

Vladimir

Originally posted at

2026-04-29T20:00:00

Great outdoor backpack, traveling with photo gears

Lccc

Originally posted at

2026-04-27T20:00:00

The 18L Outdoor Backpack is of excellent quality with no apparent defects other than it is an inch too big on two of three dimensions to qualify as a "personal item" on Air Canada plus most European Union airlines. As such, it is a problem when carrying with another "Carry On" like my PD 48L Travel Bag. Otherwise the back is pretty good on flights where I have checked luggage (rare for me). I am currently on a long trip using a checked bag and with the 18L being my only bag for camera gear and personal items. The bag is good but for reasons I can't explain, awkward. For example the city on the shoulders won't let me use a capture clip to the straps.

crusted

Originally posted at

2026-04-25T20:00:00

This review is for the 18L version - PD doesn't show you which version of the bag people bought in their reviews which is just silliness. Overall I like the bag and will be keepingit. I'll be replacing a smaller Osprey hiking bag with this for day hikes and festivals and such. Pros: - LOVE the all the connection points. They're ALL over the bag but totally invisible which is super cool. - I like being able to take off/rearrange the external cords. Hiking bags tend to have all these silly straps and hooks and loops and cords, as if all the people buying them are going ice climbing. In reality they're just liabilities waiting to get caught on the nearest shrubbery and I end up cutting them off. Take them all off and it just looks like a normal bag - chest straps are removable in the same vein - shoulder straps are wide and comfy - seems waterproof but haven't had a chance to test it yet Cons: - the optional connection points for a hip belt (sold separately) is dumb IMO. if you're putting enough weight in this bag to warrant a hip belt, you need a different bag. dead weight. I wish they had skipped that and added a luggage sleeve instead. - I straight up don't understand why the shoulder straps have metal hooks to disconnect the top from the body but not the bottom (sewn to the bag and can't pull the strap out of the slider). what is the point of that? maybe someone can enlighten me. more dead weight - chest straps are hard to keep parallel due to the invisibility of the connection points. I keep attaching mine crooked. maybe I'll get used to it. or maybe I'll take a white marker to them so I don't have to guess

d-ron

Originally posted at

2026-04-15T20:00:00

On paper this looks like a perfect backpack, but in everyday use it turns out to be more complicated than useful. There are too many straps, systems, and adjustments that end up slowing you down instead of helping. The internal organization is not very practical: to access items inside the cube you often have to open the entire backpack, which is inconvenient, especially when you need something quickly. Another downside is the glossy front panel, which scratches very easily and starts to show signs of wear after a short time. Comfort is also not always ideal, especially with heavier loads or during longer use, and some design choices feel impractical in real-world situations. Overall, it's a well-built backpack but too complicated, expensive, and not very user-friendly. I wouldn't buy it again.

Tegola78

Originally posted at

2026-04-13T20:00:00

Love the bag and how adjustable the whole system is to fit my frame. Love the versatility of the product. 3 stars because the front material is't so hardy. Shy of a year of use and there are multiple scratches and blemishes. I haven't even used is as an outdoor pack, just local and domestic travel. In my opinion, haven't put it through the ringer so I am disappointed with how the exterior facing material is holding up.

tn17

Originally posted at

2026-04-09T20:00:00

Bought this 45L to replace my REI Ruckpack for heavier and longer trips. As an avid one-bagger for international trips, I really enjoy the hip belt support this pack gives me. It's often loaded over 40lbs. I use the main stash pocket for the 7L Sling, which works great on long flights. Keep your seat-stuff handy while the pack goes up top. If you're new to the PD ecosystem, the strap/cords and their clips take some getting used to. The loops they clip on to are just starting to break in, as well as my muscle memory. They took some getting used to, but now I wish all my packs and gear had this system. They don't slip, stash away and stay away when not in use. Which brings me back to the hop belt. When I do bring a carry-on with second bag clip, the belt and shoulder straps stow away in the back panel. The pack rests flat on my 60L rolling duffle and my hardside pilot case. For rail travel in Asia, stowing the belt and the flat shape of the pack make front-carry easy and comfortable. To be fair, this is made more for light trail work so there isn't a whole lot of organization like tie Travel Backpack. But with 5 nice large stash pockets and rugged belt, it's the best one-bag for the way I travel: lots of walking and rail with the ability to go from travel to tourist to work. Love this bag.

Jskilpatr

Originally posted at

2026-04-09T20:00:00

Bought this as the lighter alternative to my 45L Travel backpack and it has performed mightily. Packing cubes and camera cubes are essential for those traveling with some camera gear. Was able to hook up my 7L outdoor sling to the front too! Was still able to fit this 45L backpack under my plane seat too!

Bulls96

Originally posted at

2026-04-04T20:00:00

Overall, this is a really, really good bag. Its tough, comfortable to wear, and fits my gear snugly. I use this bag with a smedium camera cube and tech pouch and there is still a little more room at the top. Materials are space age and TOUGH. The drawstrings are woven plastic, but feel like steel cables. Additional drawstring and daisy chains are nice to have and allow improvisation while out in the field. The laptop sleeve fits a 16" non-Apple laptop, FYI (I use a Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1), but it's super snug. You're supposed to be able to fit a hydration bladder, but i was too scared to try that so close to my expensive lenses and stuff, so I will leave that to other reviews. The outside bottle sleeves fit my Yeti 32oz snugly as well, so that handles my water needs. This bag is unstructured. The structure that it has comes from the camera/packing cubes only. The shoulder straps are also wide and fit well, I wanted to use the shoulder pouches to hold my phone, but after a few minutes it was just too painful. So I just use my Chrome Industries phone pouch instead. Expensive? Yes, but worth it to protect my kit.

Streetbeetle

Originally posted at

2026-03-30T20:00:00

No bag is perfect at all functions, it is always tradeoff. This one's optimized for comfort, packability, weight, functionality. Design of main and outer compartments is a bit controversial and long strings are not hidden in a smart way but I absolutely love the bag for the minimalist travel option. Works amazing as a day pack (compact) but expands to carry smedium camera cube plus drone. Side pockets are great for accessing while it sits on my roller pro.

Nov

Originally posted at

2026-03-22T20:00:00

I was gifted the 25L Outdoor Bag by my wife because I wanted a hydration pack that can hold a few extra items when I go birding. I have a plethora of PD products that I think are great. In terms of backpack, I have been using their 20L Everyday Backpack for six years now, and it is GOAT status for me. However, I know Everyday Bag is not an outdoor bag, even though it can make do. So having a dedicated outdoor bag from PD was something I was excited about. If I had to sum up the 25L Outdoor Bag, I would say it is a good bag, but it is not an exceptional bag because it cannot do everything it can exceptionally well at the same time. For a company that prides itself on camera gear, it is not a phenomenal camera bag. It tries to be, but what is holding it back in its current form is the Smedium Cube. The Smedium Cube is rectangular, and it fits in the 25L Outdoor Bag the long side going up and down. That orientation inside the cube inside the bag is terrible if you have an item like a telephoto lens that can be used outdoors for wildlife photography and only fits along the long side of the cube. Once you remove an item like that from the bag/cube, the weight distribution in the bag is off. Furthermore, the Smedium Cube is tapered downward, so the bottom of the cube is smaller than the top, making it difficult to maximize its utility. If it was not tapered, maybe you should fit a telephoto lens on the shorter side while using the bag. I also feel like it they made the 25L bag work with the Medium Cube, the better, even if it must be 30L. (And if the bag was 30L instead of 25L, it would be a better middle point between the 18L and 45L.) Then there is the hydration pack compartment. The bag has loops to help keep the hydration hose in place... on the other side of the clam-shell design. So if you open the bag while the hydration pack is in place, it will get in the way. Second, it is tough to use a camera cube and a hydration pack at the same time. I've tried; it was not easy, and I risked getting my camera gear wet (I closed the camera cube for extra protection). It should be fundamental to the design process that the bag should be able to every major thing well all at once. No one is going to get up in arms that they cannot carry a laptop and hydration pack at the same time because that would be weird. But the bag should be able to carry camera gear and a hydration pack well at the same time since I can do both outdoors. And there are smaller things that bother me. For example, the opening at the top is not as quick and easy it is made to be, especially compared to the Everyday Bag. The cords seem a bit flimsy compared to straps found in other bags. I haven't tested its weatherproofing in the rain of Florida yet. But as there is a separate rainfly for sale, I have doubts. So the 25L Outdoor Bag is a good bag, but it is not a great bag. Beware of the shortcomings.

digirami

Originally posted at

2026-03-15T20:00:00

This is by far the most comfortable bag in the Peak Design lineup. While I love their products, the everyday line isn't very comfortable especially with a heavier load. Beyond the comfort, I like the new material choice. The subtle branding. The deep side pockets are a welcome change from every other bag in the market. Whether it's a tripod or a water bottle, you know it isn't going anywhere. While it's not perfect because no bag is, it's hard to pinpoint any changes I'd like to see.

jcorraini

Originally posted at

2026-03-10T20:00:00

I purchased the backpack as I needed a robust bag that could handle my 400-800 lens plus associated accessories and walking kit. Just used it for the first time and it ticked all the boxes. The large packing cube worked very well and it's access via the back was easy to use and effective. I liked the variety of other storage options, especially the front area for clothing etc. it was comfortable to wear and while I have not yet used the straps to carry things externally, it all looks logical and comprehensive. Al in all, very pleased with this great piece of kir.

Simon R.

Originally posted at

2026-03-08T20:00:00

I've bought this one in Summer 2025. About half a year since then, I still like the concept and even discover new features & use cases from time to time. The longer I use it, the more I'm getting used to it. Speaking about use: for me, it's my daily all-purpose rucksack as well as my photo stuff carrier (MFT). Grace to the cube concept, re-packing is a breeze. All in all just a typical Peak Design one? Well, the answer is "jain" - the fabulous German word for "yes and no in one". I have to say, I'm disappointed with the quality of the backpack's material. After just a few weeks, whitish spots have appeared on the surface of the cover, looking as if the material has cracked. These spots are visible on the edges, on the surfaces - basically everywhere on the "flap". Keep in mind: I don't drag the backpack around on the ground or squeeze through narrow canyons, so it's not due to misuse. If this were a backpack that had seen a few years and a few hikes, it would be understandable and might even add a certain charm, like an old waxed jacket. But on a backpack that's not even six months old, it unfortunately doesn't look so great. To me, this indicates a quality issue. Of course, I understand that a backpack is primarily a tool and some wear and tear is normal. Nevertheless, I expect a bit better quality from Peak Design, especially considering the price range. I already own several pieces of luggage from Peak Design and have always had very good experiences. This problem is therefore somewhat surprising, and I hope it's an isolated incident. Peak Design, I'm sure you can do better. Maybe I just got a lemon?

aljen

Originally posted at

2026-03-02T19:00:00

I bought this bag from Kickstarter. I was very excited at first. I was unfortunately disappointed for my hiking needs, which was the main reason I bought it. It is hard on my shoulders, even after trying all the adjustments. I usually go on long hikes (usually 9km, up to 20km) and my older "real" hiking bag is always more comfortable. For traveling and short hikes, this bag is good. In the 45L, enough space for a sony a7R camera, 24-105mm lens, extra clothing, 2L water, lunch/snacks and other small things. To conclude, for long hikes, I do not recommend it. For travel and short hikes, good option but pricey... I find the shoulder straps hard and back not breathing adequately (because we can open the bag from the back)... I brought this bag in over 30 hikes (all seasons) in 2025 hoping it ll get better...

Houssein_S

Originally posted at

2026-02-16T19:00:00

My 5 Star Review I just bought the Peak Design black Outdoor 25L Backpack. I really love it. I'm using it for travel pursuit and the build quality is pretty smooth. Functionally it has tons of pockets and feels especially spacious. I do kinda wish it had more of the straps. Materials and finish are super nice. I've used it 27 times already and tbh it's been bangin' each time. They could probably improve the carry handle though. Overall highly recommend!

efceev

Originally posted at

2026-01-14T19:00:00

I bought the Peak Design Everyday Outdoor Backpack over a month ago-and then promptly let it sit in my room for three weeks. It threw me off at first, mostly because I was trying to replace a very old but familiar backpack. This one is different. Access points on both sides and the top, a slim rear pocket that's perfect for a laptop and accessories, and lots of thoughtfully designed small pockets-some zippered, some magnetic. What finally did it was emptying my old pack and starting fresh. Once I spent time figuring out where everything should go, it all clicked. There was a bit of mental adjustment, but now I'm sold. It's extremely well-built, smartly designed, and clearly engineered by people who actually use their gear. A great piece of kit.

TradeshowGuy

Originally posted at

2025-12-30T19:00:00

Brought the Outdoor backpack 25L to my New Zealand trip recently and it came in handy as a carry-on bag and a bring everywhere bag. The main compartment kept my camera and other stuff safe and while the other pocket served as a quick access pocket where I kept my headphones and even squeezed in a rain jacket. I just wished there was a small zipped pocket in this opening as well, though there are two on the sides that are pretty hidden. This bag is definitely going along with me for all my trips in the future.

namvijay

Originally posted at

2025-12-26T19:00:00

Really like the ample exterior storage for water bottles/other items you want quick access to. Nice mechanism for accessing main storage either via roll top or zipper to fully open bag. Superb comfort and customizability.

ae24

Originally posted at

2025-12-23T19:00:00

Jack of all trades, master at quite literally NONE. I've been looking for a bag to meet my photography needs over the last few years, with versatility being top of scope, as I'm frequently traveling to remote destinations. I thought this bag would be the perfect fit for carrying my camera gear while traveling, hiking 10+ miles a day, and whilst also being suitable for an "everyday" camera bag in the city. I purchased it along with the "shmedium" camera cube. Does it easily allow attachment for the capture clip? Nope. Mine has fallen off 3x it's such a tight squeeze Does it have room for my gear in the cube, + my laptop with a protective sleeve? Nope Keys? Good luck Wallet? lol Fear not though, there are 10000 straps that are effectively useless unless you have an engineering degree (which I do, and still find absolutely infuriating) Run, don't walk, away from this one.

Alsu

Originally posted at

2025-12-21T19:00:00

I bought the Outdoor Backpack coupled with the Travel Tripod and the backpack is well designed and manufactured and works great. The primary purpose is for hiking and photography.

Allen

Originally posted at

2025-12-12T19:00:00

I never liked most hiking backpacks because they always looked bulky. This one, however, breaks that mold. Not only is it built well from great materials and is modular enough to fit your needs, but it looks so good and sleek that I wouldn't mind using it as an everyday backpack, either. Can't wait to put it through its paces on my next hiking trip!

EDC E.

Originally posted at

2025-12-12T19:00:00

I had a decent experience with this bag and overall I like it but not perfect. I don't use it as a hiking or outdoor backpack; I primarily use it as my daily bag. I carry my MacPro 14-inch and iPad Pro M4 13-inch, lunch container, headphones, water bottle, jacket, pens, and a calculator. It works well for my needs and can handle small loads. Occasionally, I also carry a PD xsmall camera cube with my Sony A6700 camera and a Sigma 18-50mm lens set at the bottom. The best upgrade from my old daily bag (a PD 20-liter everyday bag) is the harness system. I would go back to the everyday bag if PD introduced the harness system to their everyday bags. It's very comfortable, especially with heavy loads and while riding a bicycle. Every review praises the long side pockets, but I'm not a fan. I can't reach my water bottle or anything from the pockets while walking, I have to remove the back to do so, which is something I can easily do with my everyday bag or even with a real outdoor backpack from other companies. I think one long pocket and one regular pocket would be better. The top handle is too small and takes time to grab in certain quick situations, like when jumping in or getting out of an Uber. I think there's a lot of room for improvement. As I said before, PD should bring the outdoor line harness system to their everyday bag packs. I wouldn't buy this bag at full price; it's not worth it. Other outdoor brands offer comparable and cheaper options. Wait for a sale; I got it with a 30% discount, and I believe that should be the actual price.

mgl

Originally posted at

2025-12-08T19:00:00

I have used this backpack (25L black) for half a year now and I am very satisfied with it, I would recommend it to anyone. The build quality is good and we see and feel it is well thought. I use it as an everyday bag, a travel bag when I leave for 2-3 days and a hiking backpack (for day hikes) ; in any case I don't use water bladder. I especially like the mesh pocket on the straps, the capture clip mount points and the camera cube compatibility. Being able to load/unload the backpack either from the top opening or the back opening is really helpful both when preparing and when on the go. I take advantage of the sides pockets by storing a 1.5L water bottle and a XS ultralight packing cube. The Ultra-Cinch is very practical and never fails on me ! Few improvments suggestion : I would mention that the exterior shell wears-off quickly on « pointy angles » especially because when using the back opening (to access camera cube for example), the bag usually sits on the ground (meaning dirt, rocks and stuff when hiking). The side pocket with my water bottle became semi-floppy though the bottle is not small. Lastly, the torso belts feel sub optimal to me, it's often hard to find the hook on the strap and hard & slow to unlock them as well. Nothing major though.

sinolight

Originally posted at

2025-12-01T19:00:00

I've had this bag for over 6 months and I love it. I use it in cities and the countryside ! It's very useful with or without camera cubes ! I have a lot of bags from Peak Design, and I think that the EDC ones are nicer but not as tidy as the ones with camera cubes possibilities. My dream would be a 20 or 25 urban bag with camera cubes ! A sort of mix between this "outdoor" bag and the Everyday ones, with a side access to my gear ! Maybe in a few months ?

Matt

Originally posted at

2025-10-18T20:00:00

For me, his bag is almost perfect and I've been searching for the perfect "everything" backpack for many years. While I'm mostly commuting with my pack, I also want something I can carryon and fit 3-5 days worth of gear/clothing/tech in when needed. I love the multiple access points, to the main compartment, pull-to-open/close and ease of access to various deep storage compartments from the front. Lots of points for looks too. It's simple and sleek with minimal branding while still having loads of storage. Now for my wish list: I wish there were a couple more zippered compartments for storing small things like cords, charging blocks, glasses, etc. (maybe a couple of the mesh compartments on the side could have closures). I understand cubes can be purchased but I'm talking zippered storage accessed from the exterior. I worry a bit about the durability of the various cords rather than using webbing but I'm putting my trust in PD to have sourced the best and repair them if they do fail. I wish the internal frame was adjustable. I have a very short torso and while I appreciate the adjustable shoulder straps, getting those to a spot that fits my torso just means the top of the pack is hitting me in the back of the head rather than the nape of my neck. I'm hoping this will improve with a heavier load pulling the pack away from my neck/head a bit. I actually popped the frame out of this pack and it improved this issue a bit but there's no way I'd be able to wear this pack with a helmet on as the pack would push on the helmet forcing me to lean my head forward awkwardly. I ended up daisy chaining the two cords that can wrap up and over the roll top, on the inside of the front flap to keep them a bit more contained as I don't think I'll need those unless I'm traveling with a large load. It would be cool if there were small pouches or pockets to stuff those cords into when they aren't needed. To me, none of these things are deal breakers. All in all, I'm happy with my first impression of this pack and that's coming from a seasoned backpack critic. Unlike some reviewers, I found the various ways to access and store things quite intuitive. I'll definitely be hanging onto this one.

Anna

Originally posted at

2025-10-05T20:00:00

Absolutely love this bag (18 L). I love how I can squish the profile down if needed with the elastic straps and the place to put your phone in the front strap is fire. Kinda the perfect travel bag. I own a lot of bags, this was is my go to right now.

Don

Originally posted at