Deuter, the German backpack manufacturer, has been making backpacks for over 110 years and they have a reputation of being a leader in innovation and quality. We had a chance to check out some of their new packs for the Winter 2011 season and were really impressed. Here are a few of their new products.
Guide 40+SL
Deuter expanded their current Guide series of packs to include a women-specific fit model with a larger load capacity. The Guide 40+SL is perfect for mountaineering, climbing, as well as winter activities like snowshoeing. Among the many features are a removable and adjustable X-frame stays, bottom-access panel, side loops for carrying skis, ice tool attachment points and a hydration sleeve that will accommodate a hydration bladder up to 3 liters in size. It will retail for $169.
ACT Trail 24
The Aircontact (ACT) series is one of Deuter’s large lines of trekking packs and the ACT Trail adds to the existing family (ACT, ACT Lite, and ACT Zero) of packs. Designed for day trip excursions, this pack maintains all the technical features of a larger style, but with the smaller capacity of a daypack. Access to the pack is through either the top lid, or the two-way zip on the front of the pack. Built-in rain cover keeps your pack and belongings dry during unexpected downpours and the exterior mesh pocket gives you easy access to items like trail maps, GPS, and sunblock. It also has ice ax and trekking pole loops, as well as a pocket on the hip belt for your energy gels. MSRP $109.
Cruise 26SL
The new Cruise 26SL is a women-specific fit pack designed for winter snowsports adventures. Much of the construction on first glance is similar to a trekking pack, with the top lid with single buckle closure and side mesh pockets, there are some features that make it perfect for snowshoeing or alpine touring. Front compression straps expand to hold a pair of snowshoes, loop points for ice axes or poles, hydration compatibility, ski and straps, and internal pockets for shovel and probe are a few of features Deuter included on the Cruise 26SL. A men’s version, the Cruise 30, with the same features will also be released for Winter 2011. MSRP $145.
Freerider Pro series
We saw a lot of pack companies venturing into the backcountry ski/snowboard territory at OR. Deuter’s take on the backcountry ski/snowboard pack is the Freerider series. The Pro will be available in a women-specific 28SL size and unisex 30 size. These packs are burly–designed to take a beating in the backcountry. A low-profile design doesn’t throw off your center of gravity, a rugged face fabric with expandable compression straps keeps your snowshoes, snowboard, or skis from ripping up the fabric, your goggles are protected with a fleece-lined pocket, and the shovel pocket has a removable foam mat. MSRP for both the 28SL and 30 is $149.
Pace 28SL
Designed for the ultralight hiker, the Pace 28SL is a women-specific pack designed for alpine pursuits. The top-loading pack features a rod support system for stability, mesh back panel, ventilated straps and hip belt (with zipper pocket), front stretch panel stuff pocket, side stash pockets, and hydration compatibility. I gave this pack it’s initial (informal) testing on the show floor at Winter Market last month and it performed well for the task at hand, however, it is also part of our upcoming queue of product testing so check back for a more in-depth review after we test it on the trails. The Pace will also be available in a unisex 30-liter size. MSRP $99.
[...] for their innovation and quality, German backpack manufacturer Deuter presented a few new styles at the most recent Outdoor Retailer Winter Market back in January. One of these packs is the Pace [...]