DEUTER TRAIL 28 SL / TRAIL 30 £100

Is this stable, close-fitting pack with good ventilation the ideal choice for those tackling rockier terrain?

■ Capacity 28/30 litres

■ Wome■’s One size (trail 28 sl) ■ Me■’s One size (trail 30)

■ Weight 1130g (inc 67g raincover)

iT's good

Designed with those who may be heading over rockier terrain in mind, such as the scrambler and more adventurous mountain walker, this pack features a closefitting, clean style that is clutter-free and yet still offers added ventilation over conventional packs.

the air Comfort back system sits close to the back for extra stability but has a wide air chimney up the centre between the padding. i found this provided plenty of ventilation and stopped me from getting too sweaty.

the main body is clean cut, without too many bits hanging around waiting to snag. there’s a simple single buckle lid, which i loved for its ease of use, and the lid has internal and external pockets. the long side-zipped pocket on the main body is great for a one-litre water bottle, and there’s a zipped hipbelt pocket too.

the front of the pack also opens up with a zip, so you can access the lower section of the main compartment easily.

However

the pack lacks some nice-to-have features. You don’t get a front stretchy pocket or a big front zipped pocket, which others do have, and this is a shame as those are both useful for stashing waterproofs between showers.

strangely there is just one pocket on the hipbelt and yet there is no reason why a pocket could not have been placed on both sections of the hipbelt, to make small items readily available on the go.

this pack does come in a men’s and women’s version, but there is no additional back length adjustment. also it is not the lightest or cheapest option, so if these are your priorities then others may be better. Finally, the women’s pack has a removable flower attached – is this really necessary when the men’s doesn’t have a removable power tool hanging from it?

verdicT

great pack if you want more stability from a closer-fitting design as well as ventilation for mountain walking and scrambling.