Peak Design Outdoor Line Will Take You and Your Gear into the Wild

News

by Omri Keren LapidotSeptember 10^th, 2024

Peak Design, the San Francisco carry solution innovators, is coming up with a new line of outdoor products. This will include a tiny 2L sling, a 7L sling capable of fitting a camera insert, a technical day trip-ready 25L backpack, and a larger, feature-packed 45L backpack. While the line is aimed at outdoor activity, Peak Design is deeply rooted in the photo-video industry, and the outdoor line bags, save for the 2L sling, are compatible with various camera cubes. Mixing the company’s know-how in both outdoor and photo-video carry solutions creates a rare beast in the industry – an actual outdoor photo-video backpack rather than the common “gear cupboard with shoulder straps” design.

For the opening line of their launch video, Peak Design chose to talk about how the company was born in the outdoors. If I were to point to the birthplace of Peak Design, I’d point to Kickstarter. The Outdoor Line campaign is the 13th successful campaign by the San Francisco-based manufacturer. Though it’s far from over, the campaign is about 2,500% funded at the time of writing, and it’s run by a company that has never missed the mark, delivering each and every project to backers.

7L Sling

I’ll start with the 7L Outdoor Sling since I don’t think the smaller 2L version is particularly relevant for dedicated use. When fitted with the X-small camera cube (not to be confused with the larger “Small” camera cube), this setup will handle the most minimalistic video kit – a hybrid camera with a small zoom lens or two compact primes, some additional batteries, memory cards, and other essentials.

Ample pockets will help you organize efficiently, but expect a rather tight fit for all but the most compact kits. Two gear loops at the bottom allow for a compact tripod carry and can be neatly stowed away inside a dedicated hidden compartment (one of Peak Design’s signature design cues).

Both the 2L and the 7L outdoor slings can attach to the harness system of the outdoor backpack, making them easily accessible while trekking.

Outdoor Line backpacks

The real deal starts here. After revolutionizing the high-end everyday carry segment, Peak Design set their aims on the outdoors. Innovations include a new top load closure dubbed “Ultra Cinch.” This system combines an expandable rolltop (my personal favorite, BTW) with a self-locking cord cinch. Cords are all over these backpacks as a key design feature. They cinch, compress, hold, and attach to various contact points making the backpacks extremely versatile and adjustable, as well as durable.

Peak Design has always obsessed over materials (in a good way), and the new Outdoor Line gets its fair share of innovative custom hardware. The end result seems to be a backpack that manages to retain traditional features that make backpacks great but provides new, interesting, useful, comfortable, and efficient ways to utilize the backpack.

25L Backpack

The 25L is a compact, feature-rich daypack. All essentials are there – broad, padded shoulder straps, cushioned, ventilated back panel, generous side pockets for water bottles or a tripod, and a clamshell back opening for easy access. There’s also a laptop/hydration system back pocket. A front stretch pocket can also accommodate the hydration system, as well as an occasional sweater.

The 25L Outdoor backpack lets you choose between the X-Small, Small, or Smedium camera cubes (not to be confused with the “Medium” camera cube, which won’t fit). In terms of gear, it will carry a hybrid camera and may even fit a compact cine camera, say a RED KOMODO, with little to no external accessories. A single 70-200 f/2.8 or similar lens may also fit. It may otherwise hold two or three Medium prime/zoom lenses aside from the hybrid camera.

45L Backpack

The 45L Outdoor backpack is much more than an upscaled version of its more compact sibling. Although the external design may seem similar, the 45L features set it apart in terms of ergonomics and gear-carrying options.

What may seem like a small difference to some may be quite striking for others. Unlike the 25L back panel’s full clamshell opening, the 45L harness system is directly attached to the main frame. This suggests better structural strength and enables the ladder of attachment points to be a perfect fit for your body. Load lifters are also there to pull the weight close to you, and the 45L comes equipped with an internal frame and a stowable waist belt.

In terms of gear capacity, the 45L Outdoor Backpack is compatible with every Peak Design camera cube, including the “Large” one. With this setup, you’ll be able to haul full professional kits deep into the wild or create your own special mix of video-outdoor gear. Bear in mind that packing a full 45L bag with metal, electronics, and glass can dampen your enjoyment along the way.

A rare breed

A hybrid photo-video-travel backpack is a rare breed. Most photo backpacks are mostly square, designed to accommodate cameras and lenses with little regard for human back health. Most outdoor and travel backpacks seem never to consider videography needs. One may opt to shove an insert inside and hope for the best, but it’s far from an optimal solution.

Enter Peak Design. After transforming the high-end everyday photo-video bags, the company now provides an elegant solution for traveling creators. It seems to solve most issues. (Though I wish the backpacks had a side-access opening, like the one found on the WANDRD Frenweh, for instance.)

Both videographers and hardcore hikers tend not to emphasize style and feel. Peak Design, however, puts major design effort into this matter. I suspect it stems from a holistic form-follow-function approach, in which external elegance is deeply aligned with functional elegance, but that’s just my interpretation. Anyway, the Outdoor Line bags, especially the backpacks, look great. Kudos, PD!

Price and availability

An intricate pricing system is available on the campaign page. Following the article’s general vibe, I’ll highlight the relevant offers:

• The 7L Sling photo bundle, which includes an X-Small camera cube, will cost $110, $30 less than the future retail price.
• The 25L backpack photo bundle, complete with the Smedium camera cube, three Ultralight Packing Cubes, and a Rain Fly, will set you back $299, saving $101 from expected retail.
• A 45L backpack photo bundle will include a large camera cube, three Ultralight Packing Cubes, and a Rain Fly. The price is $390 for a savings of $130.

Three color schemes are available: “Cloud” (essentially white), “Eclipse” (dark purplish red), and “Black,” which is, well, black. According to Peak Design’s timeline, the campaign backers should expect their products around Nov 2024 – Jan 2025.

Crowdfunding disclaimer

This disclaimer must go with every crowdfunding campaign. Though the process may be somewhat similar to preordering, it’s fundamentally different. Backing a project is neither a purchase nor an investment, and some projects never deliver. That said – Peak Design seemed to be among one of the trustworthy players in this game. They are seasoned crowdfunders, kickstarting every significant product line with this system, from which they humbly started more than a decade ago.

Will you back this campaign? Which bag will work best for you? Let us know in the comments.