u/halfdollarmoon

In this post I will describe why I think the Peak Design Outdoor Bags are great for travel. A few notes up front:

• I am writing specifically about the 45L size. This post is primarily for people who travel with a maximum carry-on and value versatility and quick access.
• It is possible that people who agree with my main points but travel with a smaller bag will find value in the 25L version, even though some of the features will not apply.
• If pack security (e.g. lockable zippers) is a dealbreaker, these bags are not for you. They are also unlikely to work with 7kg weight limits.

The 45L Outdoor Bag is absolutely made of versatile, quick-access storage. It is an excellent solution for people who travel with a "ready for anything" mindset. To illustrate this, I will walk you through the pack, describing the various storage options available and how I use them. For reference, this video walkthrough may be helpful.

Main compartment:

• You can unzip the entire back panel and flip it open. In practice, I rarely do this. I treat the main compartment as having three sections: left, right, and top.
• Depending on where I open the u-zip, I can access vertically-oriented packing cubes on the left or right size, or one or two horizontally oriented cubes in the top section.
• All of this sits below whatever is in the rolltop, although it is all one continuous space.

Rolltop, kangaroo pouch, and cord system:

• This system is absolutely brilliant. They call it ultracinch.
• The kangaroo pouch is for clothing that I am actively using that day and want quick access to. Maybe a sweater and rain jacket, or the button-up that I took off because it got too warm out. It holds about three layers.
• The rolltop is for clothing that I am not actively wearing that day, but still use pretty frequently. Like pants and a jacket on a day when I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It's also a catch-all for random bulky items, like groceries picked up on the go.
• Accessing the rolltop is incredibly satisfying. Pull up the tab to release the cords, pinch the roll between two fingers, and slide upward, letting it unroll in your hand. As you reach the top, your finger catches on a little tab that keeps it from sliding off the end, and the magnet releases and it pops open. You are now holding the bag upright with one hand, the other hand free to access the open rolltop.
• The cords do three things at once: pull the kangaroo pouch closed, pin down the rolltop, and act as straps for any additional items on top of the pack, such as a rolled up towel.

Side pockets:

• There are FOUR stretchy side pockets, two on each side. The way they are structured/nested is genius.
• In the big pockets, I keep a 40 oz water bottle and a standard sized paperback book and Peak Design Small Tech Pouch in the other. That should give you an idea of how big and stretchy these are. To give you an idea of how tall they are, I also keep a small first aid kit underneath the book and tech pouch, and a travel board game about the size of a rubik's cube underneath the water bottle.
• The smaller stretch pockets in front sort of curve around the larger pockets so they have space both in front and underneath them. You can put anything you want (such as a battery bank, or snacks, deck of cards, etc) and either have it sit in front of what's in the big pockets, or tuck underneath.
• Long story short, these four pockets mold to whatever shape needed and hold very tight, no matter how you pack the pockets. After packing these pockets with a dozen various items, big and small, I turned the bag upside down and shook it, and nothing came out. And yet each item is accessible as easily as reaching in and grabbing it.
• Example loadout of one side (one big pocket and one little): Big pocket: first aid kit (size of two decks of cards,) paperback book, 1L tech pouch. Little pocket: padlock for hostel lockers tucked way back underneath the first aid kit, headlamp in the middle, granola bar closest to the pocket entrance. Each of these three items are easy to access independently, even the lock tucked way in the back. The mesh pins each item into its own distinct area, as opposed to the pocket being a bucket that everything is swimming in.

Additional pockets:

• Two vertical zipper pockets on either side of the kangaroo pouch, pretty self explanatory. These are best for flat-ish items, especially the kangaroo pouch and/or main compartment are pretty full.
• Two stretchy shoulder strap pockets, which I tend to keep empty by default so they can hold my sunglasses, phone, and/or wallet in a pinch.
• Passport-sized zipper pocket on the inside of the rolltop.
• Packing cubes can be strapped anywhere on the outside of the bag to provide additional pockets. I keep a PD XXS packing cube in between the rolltop and the kangaroo pouch to provide a handy zip pocket near the top. If I could change one thing about this bag, it would be to add a built-in zip pocket at the top of the kangaroo pouch, just under the tab for the ultracinch, similar to the little pocket on the PD Travel 45L.

Harness system

• The harness system is incredibly comfortable and adjustable for different torso lengths.
• Two hip belt pockets, one on each side.
• Hip belt is removable or can be tucked away behind the back panel.
• The 45L comes with hip belt, 25L does not. They both use the exact same hip belt. Side note, I also own the 25L and use it as my hiking daypack, using the hip belt that came with the 45L.
• The 45L weighs 3.5 lbs with hip belt, 3 lbs without.

Common Concerns

• Too many dangling cords: There is only one non-removable cord, the long one in the middle for for the ultracinch system. I have found this to be a non-issue, but it can be tucked away if desired, for example putting the bag in an overhead bin. I recommend removing the other six cords – two sternum straps, two stretchy cords, and two non-stretchy cords. This provides a blank, clean slate. Tuck them away and they can be used when you need them (I use the two stretchy cords to secure my sandals on the outside of the bag.)
• Ultracinch finicky: I have read some complaints that the ultracinch "requires two hands" to operate. I don't understand this, as I am always using both hands when accessing any backpack – one to hold the bag steady, and the other to open it and grab something. Also, it is worth noting that you must pull the tab up before pulling it out. I have seen several videos from reviewers who try to simply pull the tab outward and they wrestle with it for a second until it reluctantly releases.
• Rolltop and water resistance: this is a common concern for people who are unfamiliar with rolltops, but it is simply not an issue. That said, the pack overall is water resistant, not waterproof. The kangaroo pouch and the side pockets are all open to the elements, so I carry a rain cover.

Whew! If you made it this far, I'd like to hand the mic over to you. What are your thoughts? Do you have any questions or concerns about this bag that weren't addressed? Or if you own this bag, what has been your experience with it?