Deuter Race Air Lite Backpack

Another excellent feature of the Race Air Lite is Deuter’s own water bladder design, a 3-liter (100 fl. oz.) Streamer Hydration bladder, which is included with the pack. I never realized how simple and pain-free filling my water bladder could be until I used the Deuter system for the first time.

The top of the bladder opens wide and is sealed by folding it over on itself and closing it with the “Streamer Clip,” kinda like a Ziplock bag. (Just be careful not to lose the orange “clip,” as it is a necessary piece of the equation.) The Streamer Hydration Bladder is taste free, BPA free, and super easy to clean. The bite-valve has also been leak free and can be taken apart for easy cleaning.

The Race Air Lite’s 370 cubic inches might not seem like much storage capacity, but I’ve had no problems bringing everything I need on rides of varying duration in inclement weather. (I’m not, however, the type of rider who packs or stops for a lunch, so if you are, you might want to consider one of Deuter’s slightly larger hydration packs.)

I can stuff all of my tubes, pumps, tools, extra layers, and snacks into the three main pockets. Everything fits quite snugly, but I find that to be an added benefit. Instead of the gear’s weight shifting around on my back while negotiating technical singletrack or hopping off rocks, it sits nicely in a tight little package, almost unnoticed.

Of the Race Air Lite’s three main compartments, the largest holds the hydration reservoir snugly in a nylon sleeve and also provides the bulk of the pack’s storage capacity. The next storage compartment is smaller and narrower, with a zipper at the top, a couple of internal pockets, and a key clip for organization of tools and gadgets. The third and outermost pocket is attached to the pack with an expandable bungee. It’s small, but ideal for items that you want to access quickly, like trails snacks and a phone.

The outer pocket and the bungee that attaches it to the pack are the ace in the hole of the pack’s storage, and work great for carrying a jacket, helmet, pads, or all three when not in use. And if you don’t fill the pack, the bungee also works as a compression system to tighten up the load.

I have ridden hard with my Deuter Race Air Lite pack for five months, and so far, the pack has been incredibly durable. In fact, there isn’t a single frayed stitch or even the slightest tear in the ripstop fabric. All of the zippers function perfectly, and the plastic buckles on the sternum and waist strap are in working order.

Despite my obvious enjoyment of the Race Air Lite, I do have a few gripes with the pack. As I mentioned before, the storage capacity of this pack is small, and the pockets are narrow. While this keeps gear held snugly in place while riding, it also makes it somewhat difficult to pack and unpack, or pull out a tube from the bottom without pulling out everything else. I would also really like to see some pockets integrated into the waist belt (a feature that I was accustomed to from my previous pack) for accessing food or other items without taking off the pack. Also, the pack only comes in one color option (pictured above). Personally, I don’t mind the color, but if you’re trying to go all color coordinated with your riding wear (1) Really? and (2) it might be a bit difficult….

Overall, I’m thoroughly pleased with the Deuter Race Air Lite hydration pack. The pack’s intelligent design, thoughtful features, and great fit are ideal for XC trail riders who demand exceptional performance from all of their gear. Personally, I never realized how much difference a hydration pack could make in my overall comfort and enjoyment until I rode with this one.