Best of Breed

By Thomas E Campbell Ranked #193 - Overnight Backpacks (2000 - 2999 cu in) March 26, 2011

This is a great alpine pack where the priority is comfortable carrying and features for your mountain tools. All the tool attachments are perfect: ski slots, leashless or leashed axes, space to add crampon straps. It is not a light pack, and is a bit too stiff to be an ideal leader pack (although I've not tried removing the internal frame which might do the trick), but it is ideal for cragging, backcountry skiing, ultralight overnights, ice climbing, and will last many seasons of all of that. Side zip may be excessive in a 35 L pack, but you use it when it's there. Pack is slim in the woods or couloirs and overall a pleasure to carry with excellent lumbar weight transfer and Deuter's signature well ventilated back padding. I've had or used most top rated alpine day packs in the past decades and 'love' many others, especially Cold Cold World and CiloGear, as well as Black Diamond. I prefer those for leading or use while climbing almost exclusively, but use this more due to the comfortable carrying it offers.

View Details: Deuter Guide 35+ Backpack - 2140cu in

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