Welcome to a special Buyer’s Guide installment of Gear Spotlight from FREESKIER. Here, we provide a close-up look at the equipment and accessories that everyone should know about. Can’t get enough gear? Click here to see our entire 2019 Buyer’s Guide.
Deuter Freerider Lite 25
This pack is the lightest of Deuter’s Freerider line, meant for ski tourers looking for the most efficient, bulk-free travel. This offering provides 25 liters of storage in a single compartment build, meaning your safety tools—shovel and probe—are housed in special slots within the main storage zone. The pack is hydration compatible, up to a three-liter bladder, and features ice axe and helmet attachment mechanisms on the exterior. While the Freerider Lite 25 is super low-profile, weighing in at 907 grams, it’s built with tightly weaved, yet very lightweight yarn that is incredibly tear and abrasion resistant, meaning you can hold on to this bad boy for years to come.
Pack Features:
Lite Back System—Built with minimalism in mind, but still capable of carrying light or medium hauls, the U-shaped frame is flexible and enables comfortable, yet stable load-carrying. Additionally, the ultra-soft, three-dimensional mesh-covered padding is ventilated to push warm air away from the body and pack.
Internal Shovel Pocket—A dedicated sleeve for the blade, along with Velcro straps for the probe and shovel handle keep your safety tools organized and easily accessible.
Hydration System Compatible—A spacious compartment fits a water bladder up to three liters in size.
Reinforced Ski Carry Straps—Durable straps allow for vertical or diagonal ski carry with worry of ripped fabric.
Deuter Freerider Pro 28 SL
Deuter utilizes its Alpine System in the women’s-specific Freerider Pro 28 SL, a construction that ensures comfort through optimal load transfer, venting and fit. The S-shaped shoulder straps provide an ergonomic fit and a cushy belt with close-set pivot points hugs the hips, allowing the strap to move with your body but keep the pack in place. The cherry on top of the Alpine System sundae is the individual Tempurpedic-like back pads that conform to your body’s shape for a close fit. The space between the separated pads also allows for a “chimney effect,” sending hot air up and away from the backpack to keep you cool. We’ve recommended Deuter’s women’s backcountry packs for years because of the thoughtful design features. Ladies, take a look at the Freerider this fall.
Pack Features:
Alpine Back System—The flexible back pads follow the wearer’s movements while Deuter’s VariFlex hip fins can pivot and move with them, as well. This allows for efficient travel, regardless of the terrain beneath your feet. The fins can also be removed to shed weight. Deuter employs adjustable straps and hip belts to help fine-tune the fit for optimal load-carry positioning. Breathable mesh on the shoulder straps wicks moisture and heat away, allowing you to cool down and keep your straps sweat-free.
Slim Line—The pack’s back length is shortened specifically for women, and S-shaped shoulder straps better adhere to the female anatomy.
Back Panel Access—Provides quick and easy access into the rear of your pack, and helps keep everything organized when you’re rummaging around inside.
Reinforced Compression Straps—These durable straps allow for flexible ski, snowboard or snowshoe carry in either vertical or diagonal orientation. The pack also features attachment loops for an ice axe or poles.
