Speed Lite 17

The Deuter Speed Lite 17 is the smallest of the Speed Lite day packs: 410 g, slim, and just big enough for water, a shell and lunch. It is the pack you grab for a quick summit before work or a half-day walk when anything bigger would rattle around half empty.

Who it's for

Fast walkers, trail runners who want a little more room, and anyone heading out for a few hours: Mount Coot-tha before breakfast, Burleigh Head's coastal track, or a morning climb of Mount Kosciuszko from Thredbo. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking and four for trekking, and the recommended 2-5 kg load covers a half-day kit.

Capacity, and what actually fits

17 litres takes a 1 L bottle in each mesh side pocket, a light rain jacket, a snack bag and a small first aid kit, with keys and phone in the zipped top pocket. The pack measures 46 x 26 x 16 cm, so it stays slim and quiet on your back. There is a wet compartment inside for a damp layer or swimmers.

How it carries

The Lite back system uses body-hugging back padding that keeps the pack close, so it does not sway when you move quickly. Wide, perforated shoulder straps are ventilated right through, and a lightly elasticated sternum strap adjusts two ways and detaches. A detachable waist belt steadies the pack on a fast descent and comes off when you want the lightest carry.

Fitting it

The Speed Lite 17 comes in one size for back lengths of 44-54 cm, which Deuter match to walkers around 170-195 cm tall. With a light load, snug the shoulder straps so the pack sits high, then clip the sternum strap where it is comfortable across your chest.

Access and organisation

A zip runs right around the top of the main compartment, so it opens wide and you can see everything without pulling it out. The zipped top pocket holds the key clip, phone and snacks, and two mesh side pockets take bottles and sunscreen. Docking loops on the front take Deuter's mesh helmet holder, sold separately.

• Zip-around main compartment opening
• Zipped top pocket with key clip
• Two mesh side pockets
• Wet compartment inside
• Attachment loops and helmet holder docking loops (holder sold separately)

Weight

410 g for 17 litres. That is barely more than a full water bottle, so you carry your water and food instead of your pack. If you want a front pocket and a few more litres, the Deuter Speed Lite 21 adds them for 60 g more.

Looking after it

The body is 140D recycled polyamide with a DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified.