AC Lite 28 SL

The Deuter AC Lite 28 SL is a full-day hiking pack shaped for women, with a ventilated mesh back that keeps air moving between you and the load. Twenty-eight litres takes the water, layers and lunch for a long day, and it still weighs under a kilo.

Who it's for

Women heading out for the whole day who want room for proper kit and a cool back on the climbs. Deuter give it five out of five for hiking, and the 3-6 kg recommended load covers a big day: the Border Track from Binna Burra to O'Reilly's, a summit of Mount Barney's easier ridge, or a long circuit in the Grampians.

Capacity, and what actually fits

28 litres swallows a 3 L hydration bladder in its sleeve, a rain shell and a fleece, lunch for two, a first aid kit and a head torch, with the lid for snacks and the side pocket for your phone. The mesh side pocket carries a bottle, and it measures 59 x 30 x 23 cm. Step down to the AC Lite 14 SL if your days are shorter and lighter.

How it carries

A round steel frame flexes to hold the mesh back in an arc, so the pack body never sits flat against you and sweat has somewhere to go. The same frame spreads the load evenly across your back. Padded hip fins carry weight onto your hips, and the sternum strap slides two ways so it sits right across your chest.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit, with a shorter back and a harness shaped for women's shoulders and hips. The AC Lite 28 SL suits back lengths of 38-48 cm, which Deuter match to walkers around 158-178 cm tall. Load it with a few kilos, snug the hip fins on your hip bones, then pull in the shoulder straps.

Access and organisation

The main compartment opens at the top under a drawcord and lid, with a pocket on the outside of the lid and a zipped one inside. Poles strap to the outside, attachment loops take extra gear, and there is a glasses stow loop on the shoulder strap and a key clip inside.

• Top-loading main compartment with drawcord and lid
• External and internal lid pockets
• Side smartphone pocket and a mesh side pocket
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Removable rain cover included
• Pole attachment, gear loops, glasses stow, key clip, SOS label
• Ready for a mesh helmet holder (sold separately)

Weight

950 g for 28 litres, with a full steel-framed ventilated back. That is light for a pack that carries this well, and it is the size we'd point most women to as their one do-everything day pack.

Looking after it

The fabric is recycled 600D polyester with recycled 210D polyamide, with a DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter cover it with a 2-year warranty.