Fox 40

The Deuter Fox 40 is a proper backpacking pack scaled for kids and teens: 40 litres, a framed Aircontact back, real hip fins and a harness that adjusts as they grow. It is built the same way as Deuter's adult trekking packs, so a young walker on their first overnight carries their own sleeping bag and clothes in a pack that fits them.

Who it's for

Kids and teenagers around 130-170 cm tall who are ready to carry their share. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking and four for trekking. It is the pack for a school camp, a family overnighter at Girraween, a first go at the Thorsborne Trail or a Scouts trip in the Blue Mountains. Keep their load to the 3-6 kg Deuter recommend: their own sleeping bag, clothes, water and snacks, with the tent and stove on a parent.

Capacity, and what actually fits

40 litres takes a sleeping bag, a mat strapped outside, a warm layer, a rain jacket, spare clothes and food for a couple of days. A zip-out divider separates the sleeping bag at the bottom from everything else, the lid pocket holds a torch and snacks, and the stretch side pockets carry a water bottle each. An elasticated inner compartment takes wet gear or a hydration bladder of up to 3 L. The pack measures 65 x 28 x 26 cm.

How it carries

The Aircontact back lies close to the body so the load stays near their centre of gravity, and the padding ventilates as they walk. S-shaped shoulder straps with soft edges are shaped for narrower shoulders, compact hip fins with pull-forward adjustment take the weight onto the hips, and stabiliser straps and a two-way sternum strap keep it steady.

Fitting it

VariQuick lets you set the back length anywhere from 32 to 46 cm, which is why the Fox 40 lasts through several growth spurts. Load it, buckle the hip fins on the hip bones, then pull in the shoulder straps. Re-check it each season as they grow.

Access and organisation

• Lid compartment and zipped bellows pocket
• Main compartment with zip-out divider
• Elasticated inner compartment for wet clothes or a 3 L bladder
• Stretch side pockets
• Pole attachment, compression straps and material loops on front and lid
• Loops on the hip fins

Weight

1260 g empty, for a framed 40 litre pack with an adjustable harness. That is light enough that a young walker's load is mostly their own gear, not the pack, and the harness means it carries like an adult's.

Looking after it

The fabric is PU-coated polyester and recycled polyamide, made without intentionally added PFAS. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.