Deuter AC Lite 22 SL Pack for Women

The Deuter AC Lite 22 SL Pack for Women is a nicely ventilated daypack with a spring steel inner frame and a rain cover, and it is 50% built from recycled materials. 

Key features & benefits

What is in the name

This Deuter AC Lite 22 SL Backpack has been around for at least a decade or so, it may be more, this is how long I know about it. If you are familiar with this brand, then you probably know that this is the only series apart from their famous Futura packs, with a ventilated back panel.

I shall say more about this below. Here just to add that this design is now accepted by many brands, but it comes originally from the Futura packs of Deuter. This design is behind the letters AC in the name of the pack, and this means ‘air contact’. 

The letters SL in the name is the Deuter’s way of denoting packs for women and for physically smaller users. The letters mean ‘slim line’. The women fit implies a narrower back panel, a shorter adjustable back length, a conical hip belt, and narrower shoulder straps.

The pack is a part of a large series of many packs and they are all small daypacks suitable for day tours. From the pictures you realize this is a top loading pack with a classic lid equipped with a single buckle on the front. Inside you have a 

Suspension

The picture below shows its suspension system. There is an inner spring steel loop that gives it a shape and it gives tension to the trampoline style mesh.

So this is a ventilated design and the pack is completely separated from the body. They claim this ensures 25% better ventilation and I would take this as a fact, have been using packs with this design for 20 years already.

Note that you have a great lumbar padding so typical for Deuter’s packs, while the hip belt is wide and very breathable. An adjustable sternum strap is in place.

Note that the torso length here is not adjustable. The picture below shows the pack from the side and you can clearly seen its curved profile and the mesh separated from the pack.

The pockets

There are no many pockets here, 4 only. The usual stretch mesh pockets for water bottles are on the sides. One zippered pocket is on the lid, and there is also one narrow zippered pocket on the sides, the picture below.

Attachments and straps

They were economic in this department too. But the pack has a very useful attachment for glasses shown in the picture above. There is also a set of 4 loops for a helmet holder (not included). You can use the same loops to attach anything with the help of an extra cord.

There is a pair of loops on the left bottom side for trekking poles. They are paired with bungee cords higher on the pack side, see the picture above.

Integrated, detachable rain cover stored in a bottom pocket shields your gear from wet weather. Please see more in this short video:

The materials

They build this pack in several nice colors which you can see in the pictures here. This is a combination of a 600D polyester and a 210D nylon.

These materials meet the bluesign criteria. They are free of per- & polyfluorinated chemicals. Deuter now uses DWR (Durable Water Repellency) impregnation that is harmless to health and the environment. 

Specifications

• Type: top loading pack.
• Weight: 2.05 lb (0.93 kg).
• Capacity: 1343 in³ (22 l).
• Dimensions: 21.3 x 11 x 8.7 in (54 x 28 x 22 cm).
• Torso fit: 14-19 in (36-48 cm).
• Best use: hiking.
• Gender: women’s.
• Limited lifetime warranty offered by Deuter.

Final thoughts & rating

Below you can see how I rate the pack against my usual rating criteria so that you can easily compare it with other items of this type:

Deuter AC Lite 22 SL Pack

8.8

Volume-Weight ratio

8.3/10

Features & bonuses

9.0/10

Comfort

9.2/10

Pros

• Ventilated pack.
• Durable materials.
• Rain cover.

Cons

• Not adjustable torso length.
• Not many pockets.

BEST PLACEs TO BUY

Deuter

Amazon
REI

Campsaver

For more options, please check under the category Day Packs. Check this Deuter Speed Lite 30 SL Women’s Day Pack from the same brand, it is a bit larger and with more features. For a smaller option, see this Salomon XT 15 Pack.

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