Trans Alpine Pro 28

The Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 28 is the pack for days and weeks on the bike, where you carry tools, food, clothes and water hut to hut or town to town. It has a frame to carry the load properly and enough pockets that you know exactly where the chain tool is.

Who it's for

Mountain bike tourers and big-day riders: the Munda Biddi Trail between huts, a multi-day ride across the Victorian high country, or a long day out on the Mawson Trail. Deuter rate it five out of five for mountain biking and touring, and the recommended 4-8 kg load is water, tools, spares, food, layers and a night's kit.

Capacity, and what actually fits

28 litres takes a 3 L bladder in its own compartment, a rain shell and a warm layer, spare clothes in the separate bottom compartment, and tools and a tube in the organiser. The pack measures 55 x 29 x 21 cm. A mesh front pocket with a hook closure holds a helmet or a wet jacket, and a pump attachment keeps the pump on the outside.

How it carries

A flexible aluminium X-frame spreads the load, and the Airstripes back with Air Spacer mesh lets air through on long climbs while keeping the pack tight to you. ActiveFit shoulder straps move with you, and padded hip fins with Pull-Forward adjustment take weight off your shoulders. Stabiliser straps and a one-handed sternum buckle stop the load swinging on technical descents. When the trail turns to a hike-a-bike, the Carrying Guard lets you shoulder the bike without it crushing the pack.

Fitting it

The Trans Alpine Pro 28 comes in one size for back lengths of 44-54 cm, which Deuter match to riders around 170-195 cm tall. Load it, buckle the hip fins over your hip bones, pull them forward to snug, then set the shoulder and stabiliser straps so the pack moves with you when you stand on the pedals.

Access and organisation

A zip runs right around the main compartment so it opens wide. The tool organiser keeps tools, tubes and a pump in order, the separate bottom compartment holds clothes or a wet layer, and there is a wet compartment inside. Large hip fin pockets and a cell phone pocket keep food and phone within reach while you ride, with a key clip and glasses stow.

• Zip-around opening; separate bottom compartment
• Tool organiser; zipped front pocket; mesh front pocket with hook closure
• Dedicated bladder compartment, up to 3 L
• Large hip fin pockets; cell phone pocket
• Carrying Guard; pump attachment
• Rain cover included; safety whistle; reflective details

Weight

1350 g with a frame, padded hip fins and a rain cover. That is the weight of a pack built to carry a touring load comfortably all day, day after day, rather than a few hours of trail riding.

Looking after it

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