Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Backpacks

Deuter USA ACT Lite 60+10 SL

This pared-down pack hauls big loads.

Brand: Deuter USA

Model: ACT Lite 60+10 SL


Killer Deal

Big packs with small prices usually sacrifice comfort, weight, or durability. Not this one. One Alaska tester jammed in a week’s worth of cold-weather gear and experienced a sway-free ride as she trekked from the Alaska Pipeline to the Delta Range south of Fairbanks. “It never distorted or scrunched, even with 50 pounds, and I was able to focus 100 percent of the weight on my hips,” she says.

That’s because the cost savings come from organizing features, not suspension. The semi-rigid backpanel and aluminum stays that cross in an X are big-load capable, and a padded dual-layer back/lumbar pad literally pumps air off your back as the foam compresses and expands. The sack has few amenities other than deep wand/bottle pockets, a giant sleeping bag compartment, and a stretchy shove-it pocket.

Quibbles: “The side pockets are too tight for bottles when the packbag is stuffed,” says one tester. “The hipbelt pocket is too small for energy bars or point-and-shoots. And the triangular stretch shove-it pocket holds clothes well, but ejects items like bottles and bladders.” $189; 4,550 cu. in.; 3 lbs. 15 oz.Introduced in 2008, this is Deuter’s answer for ladies in the lightweight crowd who do not want to sacrifice all the features.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.