Speed Lite Pro 28 SL

The Deuter Speed Lite Pro 28 SL is a women's pack for covering ground quickly. It strips out weight, wraps the harness around you like a running vest, and puts water, snacks and poles where you can reach them without breaking stride.

Who it's for

Women who move fast in the hills: a one-day push along the Six Foot Track, or summit-and-back missions on the Main Range. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking. The recommended 6-10 kg suits a full day's kit.

Capacity, and what actually fits

28 litres takes a shell, a puffy, lunch, a first aid kit and a head torch inside, with soft flasks in the shoulder strap pouches. The mesh front pocket swallows a wet jacket and the mesh side pockets take extra bottles. The pack measures 62 x 28 x 21 cm.

How it carries

The LiteAir back pairs a pared-back skeleton frame with a light back panel that hugs your body, so the load stays still when you move quickly over rough ground. Wide, perforated vest-style shoulder straps breathe on hot climbs, and supple hip fins and a lightly elasticated sternum strap keep everything snug. Stabiliser straps fine-tune the fit.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit: a shorter back of 38-48 cm and a harness shaped for the female body, for walkers about 158-178 cm tall. Set the hip fins on your hip bones first, then pull in the shoulder straps so the vest sits flat against your chest.

Access and organisation

The pack loads from the top under a drawcord and lid, with a pocket on the lid. Everything you need on the move is on the harness: zipped pockets on the shoulder straps and hip fin, soft flask pouches, and quick-release bungee holders that grab your poles when the track turns to a scramble.

• Top-loader with drawcord and lid; outer lid compartment
• Zipped shoulder strap pocket and hip fin pocket
• Soft flask pouches on the harness
• Mesh front pocket and mesh side pockets
• Quick-release pole holders; ice axe and pole attachment on one side
• Wet compartment inside; key clip

Weight

740 g for 28 litres with a framed back and a full vest harness. That is the whole point of this pack: less weight on your back and more energy for the climb.

Looking after it

The body is 120D recycled polyamide ripstop with a finish made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter cover it with a 2-year warranty.