Deuter ACT Lite 65+10

Summary

This is a very solid backpack for those looking to go lighter but not ready to forgo all advantages of a traditional internal-frame pack. This pack is light on bells and whistles by design, but doesn't skimp on durability.

I grabbed this pack after suffering for several overnighters with a cheap, hand-me-down Camp Trails Night Song II (a women's pack, mind you) and I can confidently say that save for changing my footwear, changing my pack to one that fits properly has been the single most important upgrade I have made to my backcountry kit.  

This pack fit me well right off the rack, but Deuter's VariQuick adjustment system accommodates a wide range of torso lengths (15" - 21" per manufacturer website). The hip belt and shoulder straps are decently well-padded and the adjustment straps slide easily and hold fast. The Aircontact system on many of Deuter's packs — essentially two long padded tubes that serve as the only place where your back is touching pack — works very well to vent heat off your back:

According to Deuter, this results in a 15% reduction in perspiration and a 5 degree average reduction in temp.  I don't have any way to verify this quantifiably, but I can say that it does feel noticeably cooler than my old bag.  

The sleeping bag compartment is cavernous, and for 3-season use I am easily able to pack all my spare layers and sleeping bag within.  The main compartment is quite tall and thin, which does limit the number of ways you can arrange your gear inside, and this is the main drawback in my opinion. Additionally, there is no easy way to access gear buried deep within the bag, which becomes slightly problematic when combined with the aforementioned narrowness:

This pack claims to have a 65L capacity with a 10L sleeve that can be extended to yield a 75L capacity, and this does not seem to be an exaggeration compared to other packs that I have examined with similar capacities.  

In my experience, the frame of this pack is a perfect mix of rigid yet forgiving.  The removable hollow-core X frame transfers weight well and holds up to heavier loads (I consider anything over 45 lbs. to be quite heavy, but I think this pack would hold up well with loads slightly heavier than this). The shoulder straps have enough padding to keep me reasonably comfortable for a 20 mile day.  

One of the features I really like about this pack is the huge stretch pouch on the front. This easily swallows your puffy layer or wet rain fly that you want to keep separate from the dry contents of your pack:

Other conventional features include a pocket on the hip belt that houses a camera or snack perfectly, dual water bottle stretch pockets on either side of the pack, dual ice axe loops, and a water bladder compartment. Of note, the velcro closure device intended to hold a bladder in place will typically drop any bladder with more than 2L inside. Usually this isn't a problem for me since the contents of my pack will keep the bladder from moving anywhere, but this could potentially cause problems with smaller loads and a full water reservoir.

This pack has been used for a few overnighters as well as a half-dozen longer trips (4 days). So far, no obvious signs of wear are apparent. The bottom of this bag is a reinforced proprietary fabric (duratex lite) that I have found to be quite tough. This pack ostensibly comes PU coated from the factory, but the first moderate rainfall I experienced saw a decent amount of leaking into the main compartment. Don't leave home without your pack cover.

I have used this pack almost exclusively for on trail hiking in the Midwest in early spring to early winter.

The reason I really like this pack is that it fits me nicely, is well made, is under 4 pounds (3 lbs. 15 oz.), under $200, and houses all my gear needed for a week-long 3 season trip perfectly.  While this pack lacks some of the nicer features on other models of comparable capacities (i.e. Gregory Baltoro 75), this was by design.

Deuter also has an Aircontact model in a similar capacity that is heavier and doesn't deny you any luxuries, but the ACT Lite series of packs are essentially meant to be stripped-down while maintaining the most necessary of features. No daisy chains, integrated rain cover, or additional straps. If you need these features and don't mind carrying a 6 pound pack, this may not be the bag for you. If, however, you are looking for a great compromise between features and light weight combined with solid value, then this would definitely be a pack to take a closer look at.

Fully loaded:

Summary

Highly recommended for multi-day hikers, tons of space.

Great pack. Took this on a 5-day hike on the AT and I had more than enough room for necessities. I was able to carry my sleeping bag in a stuff sack inside the pack with a hammock, as well as my clothes/food. Very light for its size but very durable.

I've hiked more than 1000 miles with this pack and it's still 100% functional and has gotten more comfortable. I can carry 30 lbs very comfortably.

The pack was always comfortable on my five day segment of the John Muir Trail but annoyed me in a few ways:

The shoulder straps, and straps that draw the pack bag closer to your shoulders continually slipped their settings. The problem was particularly acute descending the steep and very loose Paiute Creek Trail. The sloppy fitting pack was a distraction as it wouldn't behave the way an internal frame pack should. That was day two of the trip, with a full bear canister.

I am 6'4" and am not persuaded that the pack is optimized for people my height in light of the above...

That same morning the main hip strap buckle gave out within ten minutes of hitting the trail. Half expecting it to fail, I had taken the liberty of stashing a grams heavier, same size mainstream fastex buckle in the pack.

Dandy but for the Deuter hip strap system, with its very tight fitting strap guides, forcing me to slash away the back-stitched anti-fray fold in order to get the faulty buckle out, and install the new one. All in all a very frustrating episode.

The paucity of lash points on the pack was an issue at water crossings. I like a place to tie my boots to. There is one flimsy-looking loop beneath the poseur elastic net. My sandals rode on a caribiner on this loop when the boots weren't hanging from the same. It never gave out, but it made me nervous.

Another feat typically eluding all pack makers that this pack suffers from is the complete loss of space in the hydration pocket with a bear canister loaded. I had to keep the bladder under my top pack, creating a slipping top pack as it drained. I didn't notice right away because I thought it was the slipping shoulder straps...

The hydration port in the pack bag chewed-up time as it is too small for easy ingress/egress of my Camelbak bite block fitting. Often the valve lever would be forced open as I struggled to get the hose through, leaking filtered water into the dirt instead of my mouth.

I liked the roomy sleeping bag compartment, able to hold my long bag and my uninsulated parka, handy in hail or rain. The pack weighs less than half my old pack. Stuffing with brutality had zero effect on the fabric or stitching of the pack bag. The top pack is deceptively roomy, and cleverly divided. The poseur elastic netting actually held my stuffed Thermarest perfectly. The suspension is great when the straps aren't slipping.

Update: April 6, 2011

Following up on my previous review I must add that after contacting Deuter with the complaints I listed in my review they took back the offending pack and sent me a brand new, modernized model of the same.

So refreshing after being left high and dry by other companies.

I haven't taken the new pack out in the field yet. But I felt the people of Deuter deserve the story published.  

Hi,

I just bought this pack and I'm wondering how it goes on flights. The last pack I owned had a zip cover to enclose all the back straps to ensure they weren't damaged when in the cargo of a plane.

Is there a good way to secure the straps or does anyone have any advise on what works/what doesn't?

Cheers,

Erin

I recently replaced my old Kelty Slickrock with the Deuter 65+10. It made its first four-day excursion on the Appalachian Trail.

The pack was comfortable and roomy enough for my needs. It handled well with 40lbs. I liked the sleeve and strap set up for the 3l bladder and I had no problems with 32 oz water bottles staying put in the side pockets. (This was a concern, as I had read a complaint about this on a review). Not sure why they had a problem??

Will keep it for years of fun. Good German engineering!

If you just started backpacking and you have a low budget this is the pack to start out with. I took this pack on a weekend hike for a 12-mile round trip in the Shenandoah National park in the spring time. The pack had a decent amount of room for gear and a big enough sleeping bag compartment.

The only downside to this pack was the durabilty of the materials and the comfortabilty of the foam used in shoulder straps and the hip belt.

Great for a weekend backpacking trip if your budget is low.

I started backpacking last year and purchased a Gregory Z pack. After two day carrying 35 pounds I had sore hips and a sore spine. This pack would work great for another body but not mine.

I did research and looked at Osprey, Gregory, Deuter and REI. I went to a store that had all these models and immediately liked the Deuter when I cinched the belt. Love it. It's 12 ounces heavier than the Z pack I started with but it doesn't matter how light it is if it's not comfortable. I like the torso adjustment which can be changed in seconds.

Where do I start. First let's talk about what makes Deuter packs different, the ventilation. The pack is BY FAR the coolest pack I've ever carried. Historically I've used North Face, VauDe, and Jansport packs. Each one left me a sweaty mess after just a couple miles. The Deuter left a couple spots that were wet but overall I was dry.

Otherwise, the pack is plenty stable with the X style aluminum stays. I really dig the double duty bottom. There seems to be just the right number of pockets. The pack's weight-to-capacity ratio is good. The bottom line is I can put 35 lbs in this thing and carry it for 18 miles and not have all the usual sore spots.

Nitpicks that cost the pack half a star. Some of the zippers for smaller pockets are overkill. Next is a nitpick I have with many packs. The bottom compartment divider. I love the bottom compartment with separate access, but the divider is always optional with a really heavy duty zipper. Make the darned pack one way or the other. Make the compartment or leave it out. Who the heck chooses a separate compartment and then an open rucksack the next time out. Wow, that was a rant.

RD

I am a gear junkie and this is absolutely the best pack I have ever owned. Lightweight, comfortable, relatively cool.

I have not had any problems with the straps. The pack has very little outside storage pockets, but that is the only drawback. The adjustable torso system did not give me any problems; I was able to dial it in to my exact torso length.

My Osprey was $100 more in price, but now resides in the closet...

I bought this pack for a 6 day trip in Alaska because I could make it fit the 62 linear inch requirement of the airlines.

I had it loaded at about 45 pounds and it did great. First time I've had a pack that didn't leave me with sore spots on hips and shoulders the morning after.

Adequate room. Carried the full load well, and also is light enough that I used it as a day pack every other day.

Love it.