The Peak Design brand has responded to apparent niche demand for a new line of backpacks explicitly designed for photographers.
These new backpacks are called the Peak Design Outdoor Line and they’ve now arrived as what the company claims to be its most highly anticipated Kickstarter launch so far.
According to the company on its Kickstarter page for the new bags,
“Peak Design has straddled the outdoor and photography industries for over a decade. Having experienced repeated shortcomings with other outdoor bags on the market, Peak developed the Outdoor Line to address issues like poor fit, overly-bulky harness systems, limited access, and over-engineered ‘technically baroque’ designs.”
The new creations by Peak Design consist of two different kinds of backpacks and two new kinds of slings.
Alongside these is a range of so-called “packing tools” that let photographers easily attach their equipment, clothes, accessories and other photo gear to the backpack of their choice.
According to the brand, its Outdoor Line bags are also highly customizable thanks to a modular design that makes gear easy to access and comfortably fit into them.
One of the key differences between the two different lines of backpack/sling combo is their comparative sizes.
The larger edition backpacks are called the Outdoor Backpack 45L line while their smaller cousins are called the Outdoor Backpack 25L. The slings for the larger backpacks are called Outdoor Sling 7L, while the slings for the smaller backpacks go by the name Outdoor Sling 2L.
As you can guess, these different numbers correspond to their internal volume.
In the case of both backpack sizes, users get a proprietary system of harnesses for low-profile and adjustment-friendly shoulder and waist straps that offer “superior comfort and fit with significantly less bulk”.
One particular detail about the design of the shoulder straps on these backpacks is that they’re built wide, to look more like running vests than typical backpack shoulder straps.
This lets them distribute weight much more widely while also offering plenty of space for their built-in storage pockets and attachment points.
Another cool feature of the backpacks is how they’re designed to be opened in two different ways.
You can either add or remove gear through a top hatch for quick opening, called the “Ultra Cinch” by Peak Design, or you can completely open up your Outdoor Backpack through a large rear access panel for total exposure of all internal space.
The Outdoor Backpack offers the above features in both of its sizes but there are differences between the two packs aside from their sizes.
In the smaller 25L version, there’s no internal frame for weight distribution. This is because this smaller pack is designed more for day use instead of long-range multi-day expeditions.
The smaller backpack also lacks the hip belt of the larger model, though one can be bought as an optional accessory for $44.95.
The larger of the two backpacks is also of course heavier than the other thanks to its bulk and extra carrying features, but in the case of either backpack, overall weight is pretty modest with the 45L weighing just 1.8kg or 3.97lbs and the 25L weighing a mere 2.54lbs or 1.15kg.
For packs that strap to a user’s back, these are easy-to-handle weights.
As for the two sling types, both come with padded, removable straps and include a clasp and other hardware for easily adjusting them to a user’s specific waist size. They can also be configured for strapping and adjusting across a user’s body.
In the case of the slings, there are also a couple of differences aside from size: The 7L version includes external Gear Loops for attaching extra personal photo accessories and also has one of Peak Design’s X-Small Camera Cubes, which turns the whole sling into its own mini, dedicated camera bag.
Peak Design’s two slings are also really light. The 7L version weighs just 0.74lbs or 340 grams while the 2L version would be barely noticeable at 0.39lbs or 180 grams.
A useful aspect of Peak Design’s design philosophy is easy inter-usability between products.
Thus, with these new backpacks and slings, the slings can be mounted to the shoulder straps of the backpacks for placing your sling along your chest.
Furthermore, the Outdoor Backpacks can store the Camera Cubes or Peak Design’s Packing Cubes. Peak Design offers said Camera Cubes in several sizes too. These include L, M, SM (small-medium), S, XS. As for the Packing Cubes, these are available in XXS (extra, extra small), XS and S sizes.
According to the brand, “Camera Cubes in available in five sizes to accommodate any creative kit, from mirrorless cameras and drones all the way to full-blown professional photography kits.”
All of Peak Design’s bags use PFAS-free, fully recycled weatherproof “Tera Shell” material for their exterior design and include slash-resistant polyethylene cording in their build.
These new backpacks and slings are now available as pre-order items on Kickstarter up to October 15, 2024, for a 25% discount from their eventual normal retail price. After that, they’ll presumably be available through the company’s website.
Their prices are set at $249.95 for the 25L pack, $329.95 for the 45L pack, and $59.95 and $89.95 for the Outdoor Slings in their 2L and 7L sizes respectively.
