Trail (UK)

Deuter Guide 44+ £155

-

+ Comfort, load-carrying capacity, back system

- Heavy, over-engineered

There are a few things to dislike here: it’s pretty heavy (1450g), thick padding detracts from the close-to-the-body feel some alpinists crave, and excessive features, pockets and extras seem over-engineered if you prefer simplicity. Or, in other words, the Guide 44+ isn’t as technical, lean or streamline­d as other products. But, as an all-round pack for winter mountainee­ring and hillwalkin­g, it’s a really solid bet: comfy, supportive, tough and fully-featured.

It has some nice touches other bags don’t, including an extendable lid, rear lid baffle and zippered bottom compartmen­t, while all-day comfort and load-carrying support are particular strengths. The latter comes courtesy of a solidly-built, V-shaped frame with two aluminium stays, as well as a thickly-padded hipbelt, chunky shoulder straps and plush back system with pronounced lumbar support. Rain can be safely locked out via the main compartmen­t’s double drawcord closure (although the external side zippers may be an ingress weak spot), while the 330-denier fabric feels reliably hard-wearing. You also get ample pockets and gear straps.

The overall shape is just trim enough to work for technical snow days, but this pack’s gear-hauling capabiliti­es make it equally well-suited to winter backpackin­g or bothying.

■ Weight 1450g ■ Volume 44+8 litres ■ Sizes One size (Guide 42+ SL is women’s version) ■ Main fabrics Deuter 330-denier micro rip pro 6.6

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