Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

Advertised 24 l capacity provides less usable space than my old 19 l Kelty. Vertical zipper on side pocket snags on items within that shift during hiking. Disadvantages outweigh comfort.

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

Since I mostly do shorter hikes and car camping accompanied with shorter hikes, I've always gotten along with the bookbag style pack. But I decided to get a good quality hiking pack for the first time in my life. I did a lot of research, both online and going to various stores and physically looking at the product. For a smaller daypack, I just don't think this can be beat. It's clear a lot of thought went into the design, and the materials are quality through and through. In fact, the latter is why I went with it over the 2nd place finisher in my purchase competition (the Osprey Talon 22). I just thought the fabric of the ACT Trail felt much stronger and more durable. The bag feels like it is made well. It's comfortable, too. I also liked that it had a built-in raincover and that the bottom of the bag was made of an even stronger and thicker nylon to give it extra protection. I also liked the asymetric design of the side pockets. All of my packs have two water bottle holders on them-- and I ever only need one-- the spare goes inside, so having the zip up pocket is great. The bottom opening is also very convenient. Would have liked a small organizational pocket, but that is my only complaint.

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

I tried on a lot of backpacks and none were very comfortable until I tried this one; I knew it was the one. I use this pack for hiking, and although it's feels a little heavy with a full reservoir before you put it on your back, once it's on your back and strapped, you hardly know its there.

The shoulder straps are very comfortable and well ventilated. The only minor changes I wouldn't mind seeing with this pack are a more secure water bottle holder (it's fairly short and not very snug), and hip belt pockets.

Great pack!

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

I bought this backpack before I had a semester abroad in Europe. I also had a large suitcase with me, but whenever I left my home in England to travel for a weekend or so, I would use this. I also lived out of it for two weeks while backpacking through Europe. It fits so much inside of it, and it's really nice that it opens from the top and the front (especially if you've got a lot packed in there as I did). I never had a problem with the zippers, buckles, or straps. The rain cover was large enough to cover the entire pack if I had my shoes attached on the outside, which was super nice. I carried this pack on my back through Europe for 2 weeks straight and never had any issues or discomfort. It's a good size for an airplane carry-on and the way it closes on top makes it relatively pick-pocket proof. I rode a bicycle with this on and that wasn't a problem. I'm only 5'1", so this was a good size pack length-wise, since most of the others are so long that it gets uncomfortable for shorter people. My father also used it in the Bahamas and it was super easy to clean the sand out of it afterwards.
Overall this pack is great for almost anything!! I would recommend it to everyone!

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

This pack is perfect in every way except the horrible color.
I love that the straps tuck away and the ventilation is great. I use this pack 24/7/365. I live on a boat so this bag gets pretty roughed up hauling gear to and from the beach to the boat. I travel constantly and always have it ready to go. Because I am never without my Nikon DSLR I love the water proof cover to protect my gear from a sudden down pour but even without it is very water resistant. I don't have a car so I use this as my weekly grocery getter and even here in the PNW where it rains 25 hours a day this bag excels. It is just the right size for a quick overnight or two in the back country and can hold all my junk for months in the field. I'm a minimalist so I don't try and take everything I own on my expeditions, I pack for three days and stay out three months. I wish I could come up with a single fault but other than the color this bag is perfect. The panel loading is great for travel and general easy access, the outer sleeve holds a bottle of wine perfectly and the water bottle pocket can hold my Klean canteen and a loaf of french bread. Its sitting beside my desk packed right now, in 12 hours I will be sitting on a beach in Maui in twelve days who knows where I will be but who cares, I have everything I need in my little day pack.

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

Downsizing from the ACT 32 i really loved the comfort of these 2 packs. The frame seems stiff enough to have good control at all times. The shoulder straps are padded well and are very comfortable. Stow away hip belt is a great option for smaller loads. Back venting is also very good.
The best feature is the main compartment bottom opening for access to the interior.

The way the main compartment opens seems restricting (too narrow). and the top zipper compartment seems a tad on the small side with its triangular shape. the external bottle pocket is very lose for an average size water bottle.

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

I use this pack for day hikes. It has just about every feature that it's possible to put on a backpack. In that sense it may be a bit overbuilt---personally I don't find things like front access and hipbelt stabiliser straps necessary or even useful on a pack this small. The pack is a bit heavy, but on the other hand it will carry more weight comfortably than most backpacks of this size due to the good suspension, harness, and hipbelt.

The adjustable torso means you should be able to get a perfect fit. Contrary to the review below, it in fact does have a hipbelt pocket. It does dissipate warm air from the back as claimed. I find the top pocket and front stash pocket very useful. The side pockets don't have much volume.

I only have one problem with this pack: the depth from back to front is a bit restricted, and the curved shape compounds that. In other words, it's a long narrow pack, not a wide deep pack. I carry a folding seat when I hike. Once that's in the pack, there isn't a lot of room left due to the limited depth and curve. Normally 24 litres should be plenty for a day pack, but this specific shape constricts the space. It is not spacious enough for winter hiking, for example.

Other than that, this pack is just about perfect, especially if you carry more weight than most, like books.

Comments about Deuter ACT Trail 24 Pack:

I returned a smaller pack and after trying on everything in two different REI stores, I settled on this one. It is comfortable and full of great little features. Really very adjustable and easy to pack. I love the bottom zipper allowing me to get to stuff at the bottom, and the included rain cover is also a nice touch. The delrin frame adds some good support without being intrusive. Loss of a star for some effort to get the bladder in and lack of pockets on the hip belt, but that's nitpicking.