Needing a smaller pack in which to carry my equipment, I put the new Peak Design 18L Outdoor Backpack and 4L Sling through their paces. I wish I had them available years ago.
When it comes to going on a photoshoot, I am a minimalist. Often, I don’t take anything more than one camera, my filters, and maybe a tripod or monopod. I always emphasize this to my clients, persuading them that carrying a heavy bag of gear they won’t use detracts from the enjoyment of the shoot. Furthermore, it can be dangerous to be top-heavy when walking in challenging circumstances.
Of course, that depends on what I am shooting. Sometimes, I need to stow a bit of extra gear away, and at other times, I need to take a packed lunch with me. When on a walk in the countryside to photograph wildlife, I might suddenly spot a fabulous landscape, so having a second camera with me helps in that situation; I do not change lenses outdoors here at the coast. So I have been on the lookout for a smaller bag.
I make no secret of my keenness for Peak Design gear. It’s always well made, and their dedication to preserving the planet is outstanding. While my Peak Design Everyday Backpack is great, the minimalist gear that I pack is often lost inside it. Therefore, I was eager to try the new Outdoor 18L backpack.
Peak Design’s 18L Outdoor Backpack
I reviewed the 45-liter version of this bag back in November last year. Since then, it has been up mountains and down valleys with me. I find it perfect for hillwalking and hiking. The design of the 18-liter bag is slightly different, but similarly featured and exceedingly robust, yet light enough to carry without being a hindrance.
Because the bag is designed for the great outdoors, it is intended to be placed with the front of the bag against the ground. Therefore, the straps and back panel don’t get wet or muddy when you set it down. The back panel unzips from the bottom around to the other side. The fastening has two zippers and comprises Peak Design’s weatherproof UltraZips made with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) thread. That is a strong, low-friction thermoplastic that has exceptional wear resistance, high impact strength, and chemical resistance, and is used in body armor and orthopedic implants.
Unzipping the back reveals a spacious interior compartment designed to take Peak Design’s Cubes. Around the edge of the interior are sewn-in loops for attaching them.
Inside, there is also an interior pocket for a 13-inch laptop, tablet, or drink bladder. There are loops and an access point alongside the zipper for feeding the bladder tube.
The front section is made from waterproof Ultralight Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop fabric. It is weatherproof, 100 percent recycled, and bluesign approved. It has an internal PU coating that adds weatherproof protection. Externally, it is treated with PFAS-free water repellent, which is a more eco-friendly option than standard DWR.
It has two compartments on the front. Each has a zipper for access, with one on either side. One of these has a bungee cord with a carabiner for securing keys. There are also two open side pockets suitable for carrying water bottles or a small tripod; it would comfortably fit the Peak Design Travel Tripod.
The back panel is well padded, and there is space for adding Peak Design’s Waistband, which isn’t included. There are two hook-on narrow chest straps attached to the removable shoulder straps. Those straps swivel freely at the top, making it comfortable to wear. I am much larger than my wife, and we both found it sat on our shoulders without rubbing our necks, which is an issue with some bags I have tried. Being removable makes the bag less likely to become entangled in conveyor belts when traveling.
Each shoulder strap is fitted with a small, webbed pocket for quick access, and there is a section designed to take a Peak Design Capture Clip. At the top of the bag is a strong grab handle, and around the edges is a continuous cord sewn to the bag at regular intervals, providing a series of gear loops.
Peak Design’s 4L Outdoor Sling
Four liters might at first sight seem like a strange size for a bag, but it’s useful.
Worn over the shoulder or around the waist, it’s a versatile bag for carrying a wallet, passport, cell phone, spare batteries, memory cards, and more. Furthermore, it can be used as an extension to the 18L, as it can attach across the chest from the shoulder straps of the backpack, giving your valuables extra security.
The 4L Outdoor Sling is made from similar materials to the Outdoor Backpack.
The Sling has two zippered compartments and, closest to your body, an open pocket. The outermost pocket has a key lanyard similar to the backpack’s. Meanwhile, the largest double-zippered section features three internal pockets, the largest of which also has a zipper. The open rear pocket delivers quick and easy access to non-valuables; I used it for a lens cloth and a pack of tissues.
The removable shoulder strap is wide enough to be comfortable and has a strongly sewn-in gear loop.
The Bags In Use
The 18L Outdoor Backpack worked best with Peak Design Cubes installed. It’s important to note that the bag is not compatible with the Small, Medium, or Large Cubes. However, it does take one Smedium and one Extra-Small V2 Cube. I found they helped the bag keep its shape when fully open. The Extra-Small Cube will happily take my OM-1 Mark II with the 40-150mm f/4 Pro lens attached.
Although it’s not intended in this configuration, I discovered something neat. I can fit my camera with its large 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro lens plus my spare camera in the Extra-Small Cube alongside it. Then, inserting the removable top panel from the Smedium Cube into one of the outer pockets helped protect the gear.
I found the bag comfortable to wear. Doing my usual tests, I ran it under my shower for 30 seconds, and it stayed dry inside.
Similarly, the Outdoor Sling stood up to the shower test and was comfortable to use while both walking and cycling. I could also use it to carry the same camera and 40-150mm lens combination.
I found it easy to use both bags to keep my gear safe. However, with every advantage comes a disadvantage: it is slower to retrieve gear from the backpack. That doesn’t bother me, as I prefer security over fast access.
I don’t own a water bladder, but after my tests, I read that someone had compatibility issues with the brand they use. Perhaps Peak Design could release its own water bladder for use with its bags.
As I write this, it’s midsummer. Nevertheless, I tried the backpack while wearing gloves and mittens and could operate the zippers and straps.
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved Next Time
What I Liked
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As one would expect, both items are exceptionally well made.
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The design is well thought-through.
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Comfortable to wear when walking or cycling.
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Versatile and easy to reconfigure.
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Compatible with other Peak Design equipment.
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The Eclipse colorway shown here is attractive and unique; the bags are also available in black.
What Could Be Improved Next Time
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I use a Peak Design Anchor Link on my keys. Having an Anchor Link Receiver on the end of the lanyard instead of a carabiner would be handy.
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An internal pocket on the backpack for storing valuables would be a boon. I got around this by using a small Peak Design Tech Pouch.
In Conclusion
As usual, this is a first-class product from Peak Design. It looks and feels well made and robust. There are a lot of cords on the backpack, and I will remove some of them when they are not needed. They are useful, however, for storing external gear and for securing a water bottle and tripod in the side pockets.
There are larger versions of both items, and it’s worth considering which would suit your circumstances better. I liked these compact versions, as they fit my camera gear and way of working.
