Deuter have been making some of the best packs on the market for over 100 years, and manage to keep surprising us with new ideas and designs of their packs. This season is no different with the release of updated versions of some much loved packs.
Here at Rock + Run we’d had a sneak preview of this season's bags prior to their spring launch, and having a week in Glencoe coming up I was lucky enough to test the new Guide 44+8.
The new Guide 44+8 comes in a striking new blue colourway, which mirrored the clear skies I had for my trip. The bag immediately feels durable and ready for a lifetime of adventures, but sleek enough with the removable hood and waist belt that it’s not cumbersome or holding any excess weight.
Fit
The bag I tested was a standard size, which didn’t quite cinch up tight enough for my thin physique, however, Deuter have released a lot of their new packs in a Slim-Line (SL) version which should suit women and slimmer guys like me better.
A standout feature of Deuter packs are the hip fins, which are detachable and free-moving thanks to the VariFlex technology. This allows the bag to adapt to the movement of your body as you walk and climb, keeping the weight on your hips rather than transferring it to your back and shoulders as you change position. This keeps the bag comfortable and in the correct position as you tackle your hiking and climbing objectives.
The well ventilated and superbly padded Alpine back system allowed ample air flow, regulating temperature and keeping the fir comfortable and cool. This allows the bag to be used all year round with multiple layers in winter and through (hopefully!) t-shirt weather in the summer. The same can be said for the shoulder straps which are ergonomically shaped and easily adjusted.
Performance
This rucksack packs a huge number of features into a lightweight alpine pack. The detachable lid is great for storing your snacks and sunglasses and can be removed to slim the 44+8 down to a smaller, drawstring only pack. The drawstring itself opens and closes efficiently with pull tabs and includes a unique locking mechanism which prevents accidental opening and the loss of your precious contents.
The brand new J zip on the front allows you to access the central compartment of the pack with ease and is a feature that, once you’ve tried, you’ll wish all your bags had it. The ability to access your layers, lunch and technical gear at a moment's notice without the faff of having to unload stuff out of the top first, is great when the weather isn’t on your side.
The bag comes with plenty of technical attachment points for your ice axes, helmet, rope and any other accessories you may wish to carry. There’s a gear loop on the hip fin which you can rack your climbing gear, and a handy pocket on the other hip for easy access to items like your phone or GPS.
Sustainability
It’s great to see Deuter are thinking ahead when it comes to their products and sustainability. The bag is PFC free, meaning it does not contain dangerous chemicals commonly used for waterproofing, and instead uses Durable Water Repellency (DWR) which is harmless to your health and the environment.
The materials used in construction are highly durable and resistant to wear, which means you should expect a long lifetime of use from the bag. Deuter also ensures that the bag is climate neutral, and are taking great steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Summary
In summary the Deuter Guide 44+8 is a comfortable, versatile and impressive rucksack which will stand up to many adventures. The lightweight pack combines many great features from Deuter and should be at the top of your list if you're looking for a large day or a fast and light multi-day pack that can do it all in the mountains.
