My summary

How do I use the Deuter AC Lite 21 backpack?

The Deuter AC lite 21 SL backpack is a daypack adapted to women ‘s morphology (SL model). It’s a truly versatile bag.

Features

Here are the features of the AC Lite 21 SL:

• Weight: 890 g
• Volume: 21 liters
• Dimensions: 50 / 26 / 24 (H x L x W) cm
• Colors: various colors available (blue, green, gray, orange, yellow)
• Price: €105

My full test of the Deuter AC Lite 21 SL

Deuter AC Lite range

AC stands for “Aircomfort”, referring to the ventilated back system. Lite refers to the bag’s lightness. At Deuter, I find the AC Lite range to be a good compromise, with an interesting lightness/comfort ratio.

If you’re looking for a more comfortable daypack, the Futura range is for you. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for lightness, look no further than the Speed Lite range.

Deuter AC Lite backpacks are available in the “SL” (Slim Line) model, a cut adapted to women’s morphology. Personally, I really appreciate this choice, as our morphological differences are not insignificant… The SL cut has three important differences:

• the back is shorter because women’s backs are often shorter in proportion than men’s backs
• straps have a pronounced S-shape and narrower ends
• hip stabilizers have a conical shape that adapts to the female anatomy

Material

The bag is made from 600-denier polyester with a polyurethane coating, for a fabric that’s both lightweight and tear-resistant.

I was able to test its sturdiness one day when I hadn’t properly attached this backpack to my bike rack: it fell off and I dragged it a few meters along a pebbled road before realizing what was happening and stopping…. I was expecting to find my bag ruined, but it came out with only a small tear, which hasn’t gotten any bigger since!

General comfort

This is certainly one of the most important aspects of a hiking backpack that you’re going to wear all day long: comfort! Having opted for a fairly light bag, I was hoping that comfort would still be there, and it is.

I found the bag comfortable right from the first time I used it, and this was confirmed afterwards, even when I loaded it quite heavily. I don’t feel it and have never had any pain or rubbing to report. It was, for example, my day bag when I hiked in Austria in the Salzkammergut or on the Transardennaise.

The bag’s comfort is ensured by several features:

• back mesh (more on this below)
• the shoulder straps, which seem very thin at first glance but turn out to be comfortable enough (they’re padded)
• a waistband with hip flaps, which again look slim at first glance, but with a well-padded back section that’s just as pleasant to wear.

Back net

This was one of the decisive factors in my choice of this bag:its aerated back system. Deuter’s Aircomfort system offers a sort of mesh grid stretched across the back, allowing air to circulate between the back and the backpack.

Fed up with having my back soaked just from wearing my backpack, even without making a particularly strenuous effort, I decided to test this system. I’m really pleased with it. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you won’t sweat anymore, but perspiration is limited and wearing the backpack proves to be much more comfortable, even in hot weather.

This type of mesh is usually found on heavier bags, so I find the AC Lite to be a really good compromise, as you benefit from the comfort of this back mesh while keeping the weight of the bag down.

You just have to bear in mind that having a net implies the presence of a somewhat rigid structure on the back of the bag: it’s very comfortable, no worries there, but it means you won’t be able to fold the bag, for example. That’s just good to know if you’re planning to put it in a suitcase, for example: it can’t be folded or rolled.

Weight

Admittedly, this bag isn’t a featherweight like the Speed Lite range (for which you’ll have to say goodbye to the back mesh, for example), but it’s still a fairly light bag. As I said earlier, I think this is a good compromise between comfort and lightness.

The AC Lite 21 SL weighs 890g (including rain cover). This compares with 1,160g for the Futura 21 SL and 430g for the Speed Lite 21.

Compartments

As lightness is one of the bag’s hallmarks, you can’t expect a multitude of different pockets. The AC Lite is fairly minimalist in this respect, but in use I personally found it sufficient. In fact, I find that there are often plenty of pockets and compartments that you never use when there are plenty of them… The bag has the following compartments:

• main bag compartment
• inside, a pocket against the back
• an elasticated zipped pocket on the right-hand side for holding a phone or snacks, for example
• an elastic net on the left side for a water bottle
• zipped top pocket with hook for attaching keys
• a zipped compartment for the rain cover on the underside of the bag

Personally, I find it a little difficult to reach the water bottle, and items can be found in the side pocket without unhooking the bag at all (I usually remove a shoulder strap to slide it off and grab what I need), but it’s still okay in my opinion.

Central bag opening

One of the features of the AC Lite 21 is its large, full-length central zipper opening. In fact, it was one of the factors guiding my choice, and I find it very practical indeed! It means you don’t have to take things out of the bag, even when the object you want to reach is at the very bottom (because let’s face it, you always want what’s at the very bottom, don’t you? 😉 ).

You just have to be careful to lay the bag flat before opening it, otherwise the entire contents of the bag will quickly fall out. It’s silly, but we can sometimes have stupid reflexes when we want to quickly open the bag while walking 😉

Rain cover

The rain cover is located on the underside of the bag, in a zipped compartment. It’s super-easy to take out and put away, so you can protect your bag and its contents quickly in case of bad weather. Really practical! It’s flashy green, so it’s visible too.

Practical details

There are also a number of small details that can come in very handy: various ties for attaching walking sticks or helmets, a small fastener on one shoulder strap for attaching sunglasses, and a hole at the top of the bag for passing the hose of a water pouch.