Peak Design 25L Outdoor Backpack Black

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

2025-10-04T20:00:00

I bought this as part of the kickstarter with the camera cube. So my review is as follows - in random order: - Love the light weight ! - 25L was just right for me - Love the padded backpack straps. If Osprey did this, I would return to them asap (my previous bag) - Love the special sleeve for laptops - Love the backdoor opening This is the parts I don't like: - The front top is a VERY INSECURE setup. Please redesign version 2 with a zipper. My wallet - which I keep in the front comparment - has almost come out a few times. Plus it's a target for pickpockets. PLEASE REDESIGN WITH ZIPPERS or something more secure. - If u can make it stand, that would be great - like the Tumi ones - I don't like the Camera Cube - too big. I just put a foam at the bottom to protect my camera - Needs to fit somehow with carry-on luggage - I do have a 3rd party contraption but it's not perfect. U should design a sleeve in the back to slide the carry-on handle Overall it's my main one - but I'm still continuing to look.

tc53259

Originally posted at

2025-09-04T20:00:00

I bought this June 1, '25. I use it for geology fieldwork that I need to fly to, carrying camera, drone, and laser scanning gear. I love the airline carry-on size and the ability to easily fit in tripods, laptop and/ or a small field chair, and the material fends off rocks, water, and scrapes really well, and the easily configurable inside is exactly what I had in mind. The closing cords are...ok. They can be a bit balky, or tend to snag as other reviewers have noted, and I added a neoprene pad to the top grab handle, as it will definitely cut into your hand if the pack is heavy (also noted by others). And the top gap can let in rain to the outer stuff pocket area. A lash point or two on the outer back would have been useful, but maybe I could add that. I am 6'1", and I find it very comfortable under different load conditions, including lots of weight. ****However despite it being nearly everything I wanted, there is one major issue: when loaded with more weight, the hip belt and shoulder strap now and then detach when you pick it up to put it back on. I have almost lost half the hip belt several times, and almost dropped the pack a few times when the shoulder strap let go at the top as I picked it up. This may be a fatal flaw, as thousand of $$ of gear could bit the dust over a cliff, and half a black hip belt is invisible against many backgrounds and is easily missed. I am considering sending it back.

volcanogeek

Originally posted at

2025-08-23T20:00:00

I did a lot of research before buying this bag. And in doing so, I was aware of the pros and cons. I was torn between the 35l and the 25l backpack, but decided on the 25l in combination with the 7l sling resulting in 32l I'd I need it. The backpack is very sleek and features less pockets than the other 15l and 25l pd backpack I used prior. However, to be honest, I hardly used them and preferred using the tech pouch and others. Now, the tech pouch is replaced by the 7l sling, which I either use as a pouch in the bag, or as an extension to the back pack. The sling has all the pockets I need for cards, batteries, and fits alternative pouches for timers, small lenses, converters and all the other small stuff we need on a photo session. It obviously is more flexible and hold more stuff than the tech pouch, which why I am selling the latter. I am so happy with the sling. It is perfect, and to prevent damage to equipment if I accidentally open the buckle when I use it as a stand-alone, I use the cross strap. Anther hack is a elastic tube pulled over the buckle. The back pack itself is genius. Being used to the 15l until now, it took getting used to it. Now I won't give it away, ever ? It is light, easy to carry, easy to pack and sim'ly gorgeous. I like the easy handling of the front cord and I disagree with those, who wire you need both hands to fasten it. Like other things in life, it takes two or three times to understand the function and from then, it's smooth sailing. The front pocket is ideal for stashing a jacket, and the slits for the water system can be used - hack alarm - to fasten a light weight trekking umbrella. BTW, the pass through on the outdoor sling or the field pouch can serve the same purpose; with the sling, the brolly may "sink" to the bottom of the cavity however, which doesn't really matter ;-). The two mesh pockets on the sides are amazing when it comes to their holding capacity. Te two zip pockets are ideal for flatter stuff or keys. The two mesh pockets on straps are ideal for stowing my phone or small tools, Swiss Army knife etc. Together with the hip belt (an extra) it is the perfect carrying system for my needs. As a woman, weight is an issue and I prefer using hip belts on smaller packs as well to distribute the weight. The mesh pockets are ideal to store lens caps or keys. The hip belt is extremely comfortable to wear, the new buckle is comfortable to open and close, and the belt van be easily removed for storage. However, I find it a shame, that there is only one mounting point for the camera clip on the right side; I find it extremely difficult to insert my camera clip. Again being a woman, I prefer using the clip on a hip belt, rather thanking the backpack front straps for obvious female body features. I do like, however that the camera clip "disappears" into the mesh pocket when not in use. And to solve the problem of accessibility, I have resorted to using the camera clip with the holder accessory on the straps of the hip belt, rather than the padded section. Another, yet minor drawback, is that the hip belts have to be removed for storage or folded, it is easier to store the hip belt for the other pd backpacks. And the the colour, I am absolutely flashed - it is so beautiful in outdoor and urban settings. In fact, the eclipse backpack is so perfect in it's design an colour and so lightweight, that I am going to give away the other two pd backpacks, as I won't be switching between packs any more. Well done peak design . A very, very happy customer xxxxx

Mildura

Originally posted at

2025-08-15T20:00:00

I've had the 45L Outdoor Backpack for a few months now giving me an opportunity to properly test and review the item. I use it primarily for photography equipment using the large Camera Cube V2 internally which fits perfectly. I also use two Capture clips on the straps. I'm 6'1" tall with a long torso and find I'm able to adjust the backpack to fit perfectly. I love the padded hip belt which enables me to carry more heavy equipment due to the added support it provides. I often carry hiking poles, water bottles and a monopod in the side pockets and a variety of other equipment/waterproofs etc in the other pockets. I like the versatility of the various straps, cords, roll-top etc. My favorite features is the rear hatch which keeps my camera equipment very secure when walking in crowds and the finish on the front of the bag which makes contact with the ground when accessing the cameras etc and is easily cleaned and wiped down, which is especially useful in our damp unpredictable weather here in the UK.

AJ

Originally posted at

2025-08-11T20:00:00

Great backpack. Too bad you cannot attach it to a carry-on

Sherbile

Originally posted at

2025-08-10T20:00:00

The title is not hyperbole. I had been hoping PD would bring out a bag designed for active outdoor use since the Everyday Messenger Kickstarter (the first of many KS projects for PD I've backed over the years). So I backed this one on the first day. On delivery, I was underwhelmed at best. But I tried to make a go of it. This is less a review of specific features (and some of the truly puzzling design issues have been addressed by others), and more about my own expectations and experience with the bag in the field on two different expeditions, and a comparison with the two bags I hoped this one would replace. This covered a two-week trip in March, 2025, a second two-week trip in June 2025, and a final one-week trip in July 2025. Of course, your experiences will be different, but I hope this is helpful in your buying decision. My photography is primarily of wild birds, and I was looking for something that could carry long glass on long hikes. My go to that I was looking to upgrade is a skiing backpack rated at 32L. A PD Medium cube fits in there reasonably well. A bit of a struggle getting the empty cube in there, but it holds up well, can be fully loaded, and is still easily accessible from the back panel of the bag. I've taken this to the Himalayas and the Andes, and the jungles of Southeast Asia and rainforests in Central America. It has been through its paces. The second bag is a 29L waterproof bag designed for fly fishing. The medium PD camera cube fits inside it well, too, although access is a bit more problematic, but a fair tradeoff for the specific use case (basically only when a trip involves travel by Zodiac...). The biggest reason I wanted the Outdoor 45L was to fit the large camera cube. This would allow me to take both a long lens and a spotting scope out into the field with me. I wanted this to be the perfect bag for when I went out and had to hike to get to the birds. And one of the cool things in early testing was that the water bottle pockets were large enough that it can actually hold my scope, with the tripod on the other side. So when I did get to where we were birding, I didn't have to get back into the bag to move my stuff around... Ironically, the first use this spring -- especially a couple day hikes to remote nests in Panama's Darien region -- only made me miss the ski pack. Quite frankly, the bag was painful to carry. Yeah, I know this seems to be a feature with PD's bags. See the Travel Line bag for star witness number 1 in this regard. But this was supposed to be a new, and seemingly plush, harness! And it did initially feel good. Until it didn't. And most frustratingly of all, the load lifters and straps were both confusing and difficult to use. Making some features on bags as thin as possible isn't always a good idea. And as for the water bottle pouches? Well, after hiking up with them empty, when I got to the nesting region, I noted they had already suffered two holes. Doesn't bode well for the long-term durability of the bag, unfortunately. The insult to injury was that access to the camera cube is actually more difficult with the PD bag than it is with the skiing bag! And this is even before the issues of the other poorly thought out design choices, including the routing of the water bladder hose that prevents fully opening the back, the need to crush or move out of the way pockets (and thus lose functionality) to use the Capture Clip load points, an approach that relies on using so many cords that anyone who has spent any time in the outdoors asked for never, the lack of an integrated space for the rainfly that was on the Travel Line (and infuriatingly has a little area that seems to have been designed for just this purpose, but was never followed through on), and for the kicker -- ultimately not an appreciably greater level of storage than I have in my roughly 30L other bags! Yes, a larger cube fits in this bag, but there is seemingly more (and better thought out) additional storage possibilities even when using the PD bag with a medium cube. I didn't want to give up on the bag, though, and was willing to chalk the discomfort with it up to my sizing adjustments made prior to this trip as being just off. So, after returning home, watched all the videos, made all the measurements, dialed it in, and set off with the back on the second two-week road trip to Nevada's Ruby Mountains. On the first full day there, I took it on an all day hike. Well, it wasn't supposed to be that long of a hike but the bag was so uncomfortable that I stopped pretty frequently to rest. Fortunately the skiing bag was in the car as well, and I have not used the PD bag since. The gear I was carrying isn't light by any stretch of the imagination. But this was marketed, and presumably designed, as a bag that could carry a large camera cube -- a cube that there is a reasonable expectation would be heavy. There's even a picture in the camera cubes part of this website showing an Outdoor Line backpack loaded with more and probably heavier glass than what I usually take. The skiing pack and even the flyfishing backpack handle these weights with ease! This is even more impressive with the fly fishing bag as it lacks a true hip-belt, and I doubt either bag was designed with lugging loads as heavy as a loaded medium-sized camera cube. My most recent trip was with the skiing bag alone. Poor planning on our part had us rushing to meet up with a guide for a glacier hike in the middle of the trip. Well, I prefer to call it poor planning rather than saying a decision on my part to stop for 20 minutes en route to take a picture of this cool bird that was just posing along the side of the road... It was a travel day, so the pack was loaded with all my gear for the trip. Two telephotos, one mid-range zoom, one UWA, two primes. Probably looked closer to the pic of the camera cube in the Outdoor Line bag I mentioned above. Because of our lateness, I didn't have time to actually pull everything out and load up the bag with just the mid-range zoom as I had originally planned. I carried easily more weight than I had in either the Darien or the Ruby Mountains. For four hours without a real break -- because we were hiking/climbing up a glacier... I seriously did not think this one through. And yet, I really didn't feel the weight. Even when the guide was laughing at me for carrying so much with me. (But tellingly, he had the larger version of same bag I was carrying, speaking to its load carrying qualities.) Probably the very limit of how long I want to carry a pack of that weight anytime in the future, but very reassuring to know that if needed, it can handle it. After that trip I put the PD Outdoor Line 45L up for sale...

A p.

Originally posted at

2025-07-27T20:00:00

I just used my outdoor backpack for the first time today and I have to say, I'm REALLY stoked about it. I do mostly 4x5 large format photography and finding a bag that fits that niche, plus has solid features for hiking, has been tough. This bag with the smedium camera cube is exactly the right size for me; my Intrepid 4x5 fits folded above the cube, all of the other odds and ends fit perfectly inside the cube (including two lenses with shutters attached), and my tripod sits really comfortably in the deep side pockets, AND there's still space for my water bladder. The harness is comfortable and solid and the materials, hardware, everything feels super premium and built to last. The pockets in the harness are really nifty and nicely fit a capture clip, and the white colorway is super clean too, even when it's dirty BUT. The sternum straps, omg. PD is huge on their cow hitches and ropey attachment mechanisms but it does NOT work well here. Catching those two little flat plastic clips on the piping in just the right spot can be tricky, especially when moving. It makes getting into/out of the harness a significant enough chore that I found myself avoiding taking it off whenever possible. I really wish it was just a clip like every other backpack. I'm hoping that they release a drop-in replacement since the whole thing's modular anyway

Torin

Originally posted at