Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L – Built for the Outdoor Adventurer

In late 2024, Peak Design launched its Outdoor Range on Kickstarter. The range included a backpack bag with 25L & 45L capacities (they also introduced an 18L version in 2025) and a sling bag, with 2L and 7L capacities. These bags were launched as dual-purpose bags with the option to use the current range of Camera Cube inserts (except the 2L Sling) for those wanting to use the product for carrying camera gear. None of the bags include a Camera Cube as they have been produced primarily for outdoor enthusiasts who may or may not carry camera gear.

For this review, Peak Design kindly sent us the Outdoor Backpack 25L in the Eclipse (sort of a Burgundy/Crimson) colourway. Please read our disclaimer at the bottom of this post. As mentioned, the bag did not include a Camera Cube, however we already own a SMedium V2 cube to test in the backpack (unfortunately we do not have the XSmall V2 to test in the bag). The bag also does not include the Rain Fly or Hip Belt (the Hip Belt is included in the 45L version).

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L arrived flat-packed, which is ideal for storage when not in use. 

On first inspection, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpacks 25L and 45L are attractive yet rugged, versatile, weather-resistant backpack bags. The 25L version is more of a lightweight daypack (1.15kg/2.54lb without a camera cube) with no internal frame. Keep in mind that the bag’s capacity is actually 20L, and only by filling the roll top will you get the 25L capacity. The bag is more suitable for day trips whereas the internally-framed 45L is aimed more toward the more serious hiker that carries more gear and is hiking for multiple days. In a nutshell, the bag is primarily designed for adventurers and hikers, with an option for photographers to include a camera cube for their gear, rather than a camera bag for photographers who can remove the cube for hiking purposes. If you are a photographer looking for a day-to-day camera bag, this is possibly not the bag for you.

All of the innovations and features are on the exterior of the bag. The interior is barren, and except for some connection hooks for a Camera Cube to be inserted and a laptop/water bladder sleeve, it is devoid of any pockets. This may pose a problem for photographers accustomed to having plenty of pockets for storing less frequently used accessories in the interior. If this is an issue, then read no further and consider the Peak Design Everyday bag range instead. As a result, the Interior section of this post is extremely short

OUTDOOR BACKPACK 25L – EXTERIOR

As mentioned above, most of the magic happens on the exterior of the 25L and 45L versions. There are quite a few extra exterior features on the 45L so we have written another post reviewing this bag.

The exterior is crafted from robust Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop nylon fabric that is 100% recycled, Bluesign-approved, and PFAS-free. This material gives it a durable abrasion-resistant finish. The abrasive-resistant finish is important for this bag as you will be laying it flat on the ground to access the bag through the main entrance, so the front of the bag needs to be more resilient to scrapes. A DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating ensures water beads off, making it suitable for light rain. For consistent or heavy rainfall, we suggest you use the waterproof Rain Fly 25-30L (optional) for this bag. The materials strike a premium tactile feel without excessive bulk; making it ideal for urban and outdoor environments.

As with all their latest releases, Peak Design opt for the #8 and #5 weatherproof UltraZip zippers over the popular YKK zippers. All the cord hardware on the bag is constructed from ultra-high-strength UHMWPE (Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) for extended durability.

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The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L has two interior entry points. The main zippered opening is at the rear of the bag, however, there is a top entrance via the roll top at the top of the bag. This can be accessed by pulling the black loop at the top of the bag. This will reveal the magnetized entry to the roll top and the interior of the bag. If you are using a Camera Cube this entry is probably not ideal as the camera cube will normally sit at the bottom of the bag. In addition to the roll-top entry to the interior, there is also a deep pocket which is ideal for storing frequently accessed items or it can be used to store a water bladder rather than in the interior of the bag. There are also 2 Cord Hooks* attached to the Cord Rails. The opposite end of the Cord Hooks can be attached to another Cord Rail at the top of the bag near the zipper. This will allow you to lash items to the top of the bag. A similar system allows you to lash items to the sides and base of the bag. The attachment points at the base of the bag are recessed just below the PD logo. 

Gear Loops vs. Cord Hooks – to clarify any confusion. Gear Loops are shorter, circular cords featuring a single hook. In contrast, Cord Hooks are longer cords equipped with hooks at both ends. These are utilized for securing extra items to the outside of the bag.

The rear of the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L  houses the main dual-zippered entrance to the bag. The zipper extends around all three sides of the bag and has robust zipper pulls attached for easy opening. The bag’s single handle can also be found between the zippers and the shoulder straps.

The back panel and shoulder straps are well-padded and can be unhooked from the top. This allows you to swivel and store the shoulder straps behind the back panel, however, if you are using the Hip Belt then there may not be enough room for this option. The inside edge of the straps are lined with Cord Rails allowing you to attach 2 sternum straps. When the sternum straps are not in use they can be tucked away behind the strap’s mesh pockets. The shoulder straps have a stretchy mesh pocket on both sides, one of which could be used to accommodate a mobile phone. If you are not using a Peak Design Capture Clip then the mesh pocket on that side can be used for storing quick-access items while on the go.

Behind the mesh pockets on both straps are two hidden attachment points for those who use the Capture Clip. If you do use the Capture Clip then it will limit what you can store in the mesh pocket. Lastly, just below the upper shoulder pads is another attachment point. We must admit that there has been a lot of functionality crammed into these two shoulder straps making it ideal to quickly access items, without the need to remove the bag.

Behind the bottom of the back panel is a cavity to feed the optional Hip Belt. There are 2 sets of attachment points for connecting the Hip Belt. There are two sets for different waist sizes, however, if connected to the attachment points closest to the centre of the bag it may infringe on the pockets at the front of the Hip Belt. If you do purchase the optional Hip Belt it will also give you more storage area for small frequently accessed items so if space is a premium, the Hip Belt is a good investment.

The external dimensions of the Outdoor Backpack 25L  are –

Roll-top down: 48.5cm x 28cm x 15cm (19.09″ x 11.02″ x 5.91″)
Roll-top extended: 66cm x 28cm x 15cm (25.98″ x 11.02″ x 5.91″)

That’s it for the exterior of the Outdoor Backpack 25L Now let’s venture inside the bag.

OUTDOOR BACKPACK 25L – INTERIOR

As mentioned in the introduction, all the magic happens on the exterior of the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L bag (and the 45L). The interior lacks an internal frame (unlike the 45L), which means the bag will have no rigidity until items are added inside. It features a single velcro-connected sleeve that can fit a laptop up to 16 inches or a hydration bladder of up to 3 litres capacity. It will not take both in the interior. If you wish to carry both a laptop and a water bladder then use the Flex Pocket at the front of the bag for the water bladder. The bladders tube can be fed through the black loops in the interior, and then out through a small hole at the top of the interior. There’s also a loop hidden underneath the velcro flap for securing the top of the water bladder when using the sleeve.

The additional loops on both sides of the interior are used to secure a Camera Cube if being used. If using a Camera Cube you can use the connection clips that are supplied with the cube. These feed through the loops on both the cube and the interior of the bag to keep the Camera Cube securely in place. Please keep in mind that this bag is designed to be used with the Peak Design Packing Cubes, Pouches, and Camera Cubes, however, it is ONLY compatible with the SMedium and XSmall Camera Cubes. We have a SMedium V2 cube and this fits well in the bag, however, we do not have the XSmall cube so can’t confirm how it fits. The SMedium V2 camera cube takes up most of the space in the interior and there’s not much room for anything else unless you expand the roll-top, so it depends on how much camera gear you want to carry and how much space you have left over. If you are a minimalist photographer who takes a camera and a couple of lenses then the XSmall V2 camera cube will give you far more room in the interior.

The internal dimensions of the Outdoor Backpack 25L are –

Roll-top down: 48cm x 27.5cm x 14.5cm (18.90″ x 10.83″ x 5.71″)
Roll-top extended: 65.5cm x 27.5cm x 14.5cm (25.79″ x 10.83″ x 5.71″)

Above: The bag with the main entrance open and the roll top extended

Above: The Peak Design SMedium V2 Camera Cube. If you carry more equipment this camera cube is perfect for the Outdoor Backpack 25L although it does restrict space inside the bag and you may have to extend the roll-top to fit other items in the bag. The beauty of the V2 version of the cubes is that the insert in the flap can be removed making it easier to fold the flap underneath the camera cube

Above: The Outdoor Sling 2L or 7L can easily connect between the shoulder straps for extra storage to hold frequently accessed items such as a camera, map, etc. We removed the shoulder strap from the sling and used the sternum straps of the 25L bag to secure it. Consider using the lower cord rail on the shoulder strap so the sling sits lower, making it easier to access. Images courtesy of Peak Design.

PROS

• Great design
• Premium quality but still lightweight
• Plenty of internal storage when not using the Camera Cubes
• Ample external storage areas
• Well-padded and comfortable shoulder straps and back panel.
• Works seamlessly with XSmall & SMedium Camera Cubes V2 and Packing Cubes
• The Outdoor Sling 2L or 7L easily connect creating even more storage
• Accommodates a laptop (up to 16″) or a hydration bladder (max 3L capacity)
• Dual Purpose – great for hikers, photographers, and hiking photographers
• Weatherproof and waterproof with the optional Rain Cover
• Made from 100% recycled material
• Lifetime Warranty

CONS

• No internal pockets but considering the number of external pockets, does it matter?
• A hip belt is not included but considering the size of the bag you may not need one for this bag unless carrying excessive weight.
• Rain Cover is not included. We strongly recommend purchasing this. 
• Pricey, especially if you add the cost of the Rain Cover, Camera Cube, and Hip Belt

Some of these cons may not be an issue for certain photographers. The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L is an excellent bag, and we can’t find much wrong with it, although it would have been nice if the Rain Fly and Hip Belt had been included. We understand that every photographer has different size needs for their gear, which explains why a camera cube is not included. Although it is a bit pricey, keep in mind that this is a premium-quality product from a very reputable company and it will last you a lifetime.

COLOURS

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L and Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L are available in Black, Eclipse, Cloud, and Kelp. Hover over the image below for a better look at the colours.

Above: Kelp

THE FINAL WORD

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L excels at blending durability, weather resistance, and sleek design. Its exterior is meticulously engineered for hikers, photographers, and travellers seeking a versatile, rugged, yet polished backpack. While the bag is only 25L, it boasts a wealth of useful features on the exterior, making it extremely functional, particularly for short-term hikers. The thoughtful details and robust construction of this bag justify its position as a top-tier outdoor companion.

For those looking for more space, you might find the 45L version more suitable. The two bags are quite similar, although the 45L includes a few extra features which will be detailed in a separate review. If you want something even smaller, you may want to consider the 18L version. This version was released after the 25L & 45L and is only available at the time of writing, in Black and Eclipse colourways.

Would we use the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L? Yes, we would – see update below.

We’d love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions about this product. 

The bag fitted comfortably in the overhead storage on the flights and was easily accessed for the countless searches by security in Beijing. The only negative was the need to remove the bag to access other camera lenses. This required both the bag and the camera cube to be opened, which can be time-consuming and a bit awkward when travelling. This is not a dealbreaker for the bag, but just something you should be aware of before purchasing. Just keep in mind that this bag was not really designed for street or travel photographers, but more for hikers and landscape photographers who work at a more leisurely pace.

RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

PRICING, PURCHASING, & SHIPPING

The prices listed below are for the Outdoor Backpack only. Peak Design also offers –

1. Photo Bundle – includes the SMedium Camera Cube and a 10% discount
2. Packing Cube Bundle – includes the Ultralight Packing Cube Trio and a 10% discount
3. Build a Bundle –  allows you to purchase any 2 accessories with the bag and get a 10% discount

Note: The Hip Belt is only compatible with the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 18L, 25L, and 45L. It is included with the 45L bag. We highly recommend purchasing the Hip Belt for the 18L & 25L bag if carrying a lot of weight in the bag to prevent excessive strain on your shoulders.

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