Deuter ACT Lite 40+10

Summary

This bag is an excellent overnight bag with some amazing strengths and very minor weaknesses. It's light, durable, and comfortable.

The Deuter ACT Lite 40+10 is an excellent overnight to two-day backpack. It is lightweight, weighing in at about 3lb, has excellent space, and is even expandable. The bag fits great, as it has an adjustable shoulder harness. You can quickly change it up or down to fit your torso perfectly.

The interior is an open top loader with a separate sleeping bag compartment that is separated by a zippered flap. It is hydration compatible, and has two small pouches in the lid. The +10 comes in at the top, with an additional collar that can expand the bag by 10 liters. This is a great feature, as it keeps the bag small when you need it to be, but can hold that last few winter items. It makes it a true year round bag.

There are two mesh pockets, one on each side of the bag. There is an expandable "helmet" net on the outside that I use to store my rain jacket and snacks. Easy access! There is even a little pouch on the hipbelt. How convenient.

If there was any negatives, they are minor, and really a point of opinion, as they may work best for you. First, the bag is very narrow, and it hinders my packing style. However the narrow profile does make it very easy to trek through the smaller spaces out in the great outdoors.

Second is, and again, just a matter of need, the loops on the bottom are made for ice picks or some other tool. I wanted straps or at least 2 sets of loops on the bottom to strap my sleep roll to. So for most, this wouldn't even be a problem.

I have had this bag out in the woods several times, and I'm not exactly gentle on my stuff, and the bag doesn't even have the first signs of wear on it. I love this bag, and if I ever needed a bigger bag, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Deuter.

Summary

I love the fit of this pack, and the ventilation up the back. Feature rich, and built to last. This is a great pack.

I have used this Deuter ACT Light 40-10 for 1-, 2-, and 3-day hikes, and will use soon on a 4-day trip. I travel with my son, so we split stove/cook/tent/water system, and this pack ensures I pack light. 

Designers are clearly users of their products, as every feature contributes to comfort and function, with nothing extra to create weight nor problems.

The pack's strap system is muti-adjustable, for a wide range of torso sizes. I'm 5'10" and I have the length set in the middle. The hip belt is highly stable and comfortable, but moves well.

This pack is waterproof, so no additional cover/fly is needed. Top quality, super smart. Totally worth the few extra dollars.

I had searched the net for a midsize pack for days! I read a review in Backpacker for the Deuter brand, I checked it out and glad I did. I hike in the Arizona desert and the cooling effect of the back panel is a dream. This pack handles a 30 lb. load with ease due to the reinforced hip-padding and the fully adjustable shoulder straps (using a velcro fold-over slotted flap) these adjustment points dont sag under weight, either. The pack fabric has withstood the desert abuse and has not faltered. Lots of useful pockets, very well built. I would recommend. Other packs used: Arc'teryx bora 65, Osprey Ceres, and Gregory.

I was looking for a weekend backpacking/travel pack. The adjustable suspension is great--lots of tweaks to fit me individually. I can put a small 2-person tent, sleeping bag, food, clothes, etc. all inside for a 2-3 day 3 season trip. It handles the load without a problem and the air vent suspension isdefinitely a must. Also, BIG plus is that it fits end-wise in plane overhead compartments - mush easer to negotiate airports with a backpack rather than a roller.

Liked it so much and quality is good enough that I just bought an AC Lite 20 for around town.