What I Liked

One pack, many purposes. While I have not taken it on any Leadville 100-level outings, the combination of lightweight fabrics and some interesting design elements mean it would lend itself well to that purpose. In fact, I think it would be a fine choice for everything from a daily commute to a day amidst a peloton. I have taken it on rides, runs, and even on a weeklong dive trip. In each of those settings, the Deuter Race EXP Air 14+3 was excellent. 

Weight. Weighing in at 890 grams (1.96 lbs.) the pack is surprisingly light. It is constructed with Ripstop and Hexlite nylon fabrics with a Denier of 420, 210, and 100 respectively. Each is coated on the inside with a polyurethane treatment to resist water intrusion. These fabrics are lightweight with reasonably good wear characteristics – though they are a compromise between the two. In this case, it is a reasonable compromise. The designers sacrificed some ruggedness to limit the weight. However, in a race pack, that is fully justified. That said, if you go skidding down a steep descent a few too many times, there may be some consequences.

Outstanding Features

• Fourteen liters of storage capacity, with the ability to increase that by an additional three by opening a zipper, provide room enough for gear, parts, tools, a snack, and more. 
• A bladder with 3 liters of water to aid with hydration during long days in the saddle is very easy to fill and clean out (Maintenance is key! )
• An integrated, webbed helmet holder is convenient when you dismount, as is the included high-visibility rain cover for inclement weather. 
• Webbed shoulder and waist straps are great for airflow – though I did find that they tended to chafe a bit after a couple of hours when I wore sleeveless shirts. 
• The straps have perhaps the largest range of adjustment that I have seen – making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The chest strap can be adjusted up and down roughly 5 inches and features an elastic portion to keep it snug, but not too tight.
• Support pads that do an excellent job of transmitting the load across the shoulder and hip areas without taking up too much space or trapping too much heat.

Ventilation. My favorite feature is the “Air Comfort” system. Two metal rods and a piece of stretched, webbed fabric create a space in which air can flow between the pack and my back. Deuter claims “25% less perspiration.” Though I am not certain what that means (I do not sweat any less), I will say that I feel more comfortable when using this pack than I do wearing any of my other hydration bladders. 

What Could be Better

• The bite valve is somewhat larger than I prefer and seems to take more effort to get the amount of water I want. Normally this is not a huge issue, but when climbing and breathing hard, that does make a difference. Some claim the design increases longevity of the valve, but I would trade that for a freer flowing option.    
• The shoulder straps chafed slightly after a couple hours when wearing sleeveless shirts. Some padding or a bit of contouring would have helped a bit here. Wearing shirts with sleeves eliminated the issue leading me to suspect that my particular body shape or how I had the straps adjusted may have been part of the problem.

Final Thoughts

I tend to be hard on gear. Like, really hard. So, when I started using the Deuter Race EXP Air 14+3, I was curious how it would hold up. I have been pleased so far. The pack is thoughtful designed, light weight, and strikes an excellent balance between functionality and features. It continues to be the one that I reach for when it is time to hit the singletrack. 

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