Use a Peak Design Outdoor Backpack as a camera bag
Peak Design is known for innovative products like the Travel Tripod and the Everyday Backpack. But why do they now also have an Outdoor Backpack? The answer lies in the versatility that many photographers and filmmakers seek. The backpacks and slings in the Outdoor line are light, strong and flexible to use. They are perfect for anyone who wants to use a camera bag for other purposes as well. Whether you are going hiking or visiting a city, with these bags you will be ready for anything you encounter along the way.
Benefits of a Peak Design Outdoor Backpack
Changing bag contents
A flexible outdoor backpack is ideal for outdoor activities, as well as photography. Whether you are going out into nature for a weekend or out for a day to take photos, you adapt a Peak Design Outdoor Backpack effortlessly. With a Peak Design Camera Cube you organise your camera equipment easily, and for personal items you use a separate Packing Cube, also from Peak Design. This makes the bag suitable for different activities.
Space for personal items
While shooting or filming, it is often necessary to carry more than just your camera. Thus, an outdoor backpack should also provide enough space for your personal items, such as a laptop, notebook, snacks and a water bottle. This allows you to have everything you need within easy reach, without having to lug multiple bags around. This is especially useful during long days on the road, where efficiency and comfort are desired.
Comfort and wearing comfort
If you often spend long days travelling with heavy camera equipment, comfort is very important. A carrying harness allows you to carry a heavy backpack for a long time, even during hikes or intensive shoots. In the case of the Backpack 45L, for instance, the weight of your gear is well distributed over your shoulders and back, reducing pressure. The other bags also have features that make them comfortable to carry. For a photographer or videographer, it's not just about convenience; it helps you focus on getting great shots without suffering from fatigue or pain.
Turn an Outdoor Backpack into a camera backpack
What is a Peak Design Camera Cube?
A Camera Cube is a handy compartment you can place in your Outdoor Backpack 25L or 45L or Sling 7L. This allows you to easily turn a backpack or sling into a camera bag. They keep your camera and accessories organised. They also offer protection against bumps and scratches. This is especially important during outdoor activities where you move around a lot.
‘You place the Cube in the bag and add your camera, lenses and accessories.’
You place the Cube in the bag and add your camera, lenses and accessories. This makes it quick and easy to carry your gear in an organised way. For example, for a photo shoot in the woods, you can place an S-Medium Camera Cube in the Outdoor Backpack 25L, so you have everything you need neatly and safely together. This way, you are always well prepared for unexpected moments, which often lead to the best photos or videos.
Cube units
Different sizes of Camera Cubes are available, so you can choose what best suits your gear and what you want to carry. The sizes of Camera Cubes are expressed by Peak Design in Cube units. For example, the size of the Small cube is 1 unit, a Medium cube is 2 units and the Large cube is 3 units. Peak Design Packing Cubes also work with these sizes.
The special Camera Cubes cannot be placed on top of each other, as is possible with the Package Cubes and the other pouches. You can attach the cubes to the inside of the bag with the Peak Design c-clips. These are c-shaped clips that pull through two loops to hold them together. It is wise to always fasten a cube at at least four points, even if your bag is full. That way it can't slide around at all.
Advantages of a modular system
Using Camera and Packing Cubes offers many advantages. You can easily adapt the layout of your bag to what you need. For example, do you only have a camera and a lens with you? Then put a Small camera cube in your bag. Going from a photo shoot to a hike without camera equipment? Take out the camera cube and you instantly have more space for other gear. This modular approach makes it easy to switch quickly between activities.
Peak Design's Outdoor Backpacks and Slings
Peak Design's Outdoor line consists of four bags: two backpacks and two slings. They are designed for photographers and filmmakers who want to use the bag for other purposes as well. The backpacks work perfectly with the Peak Design Camera and Packing cubes, which are available separately. These bags have a clean and minimalist design, without messy flaps or dangling straps. Despite their simple appearance, they are highly functional, with a good balance between form and ease of use. In addition, the bags are Climate Neutral and B-Corp Certified. All four bags are available in three colours: Black, Eclipse and Cloud (white).
Outdoor Backpack 45L - Backpack that goes with you on big photo adventures
The Outdoor Backpack 45L is ideal for long photo sessions or multi-day activities. The bag has a capacity of 34.5 litres, which can be expanded to 45 litres. As a result, this bag offers enough space for a lot of camera equipment and some personal items. The internal frame provides extra stability and carrying comfort, allowing you to travel longer distances without any problems. The adjustable shoulder straps with load lifters distribute the weight well. The 45L backpack comes with a hip belt. You can tuck away the supplied hip belt neatly when not in use, which is handy for versatile use. The back panel is breathable and quick-drying, providing extra comfort during longer trips.
"The Ultra Cinch drawstring can be operated with one hand."
The roll-up backpack features an Ultra Cinch drawstring designed by Peak Design. You can operate this draw cord with one hand, which is much easier than a traditional cord. The bag is equipped with two attachment points for a Capture Clip, which is ideal for quick access to your camera. The bag is made of Terra Shell™ 210D Ripstop Nylon, which protects well against light rain. For prolonged rain, you can use the separately available Rain Fly rain cover for extra security.
What fits in the Outdoor Backpack 45L?
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L fits a Large Camera Cube (3 cube units) in the main compartment and an Extra Small Cube (0.5 cube unit) when you roll out the flex space. These camera cubes are available separately. The Large cube is the largest camera cube, allowing for many different compositions. It fits approximately two camera bodies and six to eight lenses, depending on the length of the lenses. For example, you can also carry two compact camera bodies with a 400mm telephoto lens, three regular lenses and accessories such as filters.
Another option is to choose a Medium Camera Cube (2 cube units), for example, and use the remaining space for personal items. In addition, many other layouts are possible. This makes the bag very flexible in use. Besides the main compartment, there is also room for a 16’ laptop and a 3L water bag, with an opening for the drinking hose. In addition, the bag has side pockets for a water bottle or tripod.
Outdoor Backpack 25L - Ready for a day trip
The Outdoor Backpack 25L is ideal for short trips. It has a capacity of 20 litres, which you can expand to 25 litres by using the flex space. As the bag has no frame, it is light and easy to carry. Although the shoulder straps are not adjustable, this backpack is still comfortable for a day of shooting in the city or nature. You can expand the backpack with a separate hip belt for extra support. The bag weighs 1.15 kilograms, about as much as a pack of sugar.
The roll-up backpack features an Ultra Cinch drawstring designed by Peak Design. You can operate this draw cord with one hand, which is easier than a traditional cord. The back panel can be completely unzipped for easy access to all your gear. The bag is made of Terra Shell™ 210D Ripstop Nylon, which protects well against light rain. For prolonged rain, you can use the separately available Rain Fly rain cover for extra security.
What fits in the Outdoor Backpack 25L?
This 25L Backpack has enough space for an S-Medium Camera Cube (1.5 Cube unit) in the main compartment and an Extra Small Camera Cube (0.5 Cube unit) or some accessories in the flex space. The S-Medium cube can hold about two full-frame camera bodies and a few lenses. The Extra Small cube fits a Sony A7III body with standard zoom and two additional lenses or a small drone. These cubes keep your camera gear well protected and organised during transport. If you don't need much gear, you can, for example, take only the Extra Small Camera cube and leave the S-Medium cube at home. You can then use the main compartment for other gear. Packing Cubes and Pouches make it easy to store your clothes and other gear neatly.
The backpack has a sleeve for a laptop up to 16 inches or a drink bag up to 3 litres. The laptop sleeve is not padded, so for protection it is better to use a separate sleeve. The backpack also has several compartments for smaller items, such as water bottle pocket on the side, a large pocket on the front for e.g. a rain jacket, and handy zip pockets for your keys or phone. Moreover, there are external attachment points for carrying a tripod, for example, and for a Peak Design Capture Clip.
Outdoor Sling 7L - Lightweight on an adventure
The Outdoor Sling 7L is ideal for short trips where you want to move hands-free while hiking, but still keep your camera close at hand. The main compartment has two zips, so you can quickly access your camera and accessories. At the back is a pocket with a magnetic closure, perfect for your phone. Inside fits an Extra Small Camera Cube, so you can organise your stuff neatly. This Cube fits a premium compact camera such as a Leica Q3 43, FUJIFILM X100VI, or a compact mirrorless camera with a standard zoom. This is handy for city photography or events where you need to move quickly.
The 7L sling is made of strong Terra Shell 210D Ripstop Nylon and has Weatherproof UltraZips. This means your gear is protected if the weather is not cooperative and a shower comes over. The carry strap is adjustable in length, so you can easily make the bag comfortable for you. It has two carrying options: wear the sling over your shoulder or around your waist. In addition, you can optionally attach it to a Peak Design Outdoor Backpack. This bag is ideal for photographers who often visit interesting photo-worthy places and want to carry a compact camera to do so.
Outdoor Sling 2L - For your essentials
The smallest bag in the Outdoor line, the Outdoor Sling 2L is practical and minimalistic. This ultra-light crossbody bag is ideal for festivals, running or short trips. You can use it in many ways: separately as a small bag or as a handy addition to a larger bag. Its compact shape makes it easy to carry and it offers space for your essentials, such as your phone, keys and wallet. With its three compartments, everything stays neatly organised.
Like the other bags in the Outdoor line, the 2L Sling is made of strong Terra Shell™ 210D Ripstop Nylon and features Weatherproof UltraZips. The Terra Shell™ exterior is lightweight, hard-wearing and weatherproof, with a PU coating and PFAS-free water-repellent treatment. This minimalist sling weighs only 177 grams. The quick-adjust, padded shoulder strap allows you to wear it cross-body comfortably. The strap is easy to remove or flip over. It has a padded compartment with magnetic closure for your phone and two internal mesh pockets for small items.
What is Terra Shell™ 210D Ripstop Nylon?
Terra Shell™ is a 210D ripstop nylon used for the Peak Design Outdoor line. This fabric has many positive features:
- Durable: resists tearing and abrasion.
- Lightweight: contributes to the low weight of the backpacks.
- Weatherproof: protects your gear from light rain and moisture.
- Bluesign® approved: produced with minimal environmental impact.
- PFAS-free: contains no harmful perfluorinated chemicals.
The ‘210D’ stands for how thick and strong the nylon fibres are. ‘D’ stands for denier, which indicates the thickness of the thread. 210D means the fibres are thin, yet strong. This makes the fabric light, but also sturdy and difficult to tear. This makes this fabric perfect for outdoor bags.
