The Deuter Trail 30 Pack

Story, photos, and video by Murray Selleck, HIKE ROCKY magazine's equipment specialist

Editor’s note: HIKE ROCKY receives no compensation from brands reviewed by Murray.
 
Recently, I had the opportunity to carry the Deuter Trail 30 daypack to Lake of the Clouds on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park. The pack carried great and I highly recommend the Trail 30 for your day hiking adventures.
 
To qualify a few things about my day hiking style, I am not a light packer. I probably carry more than what I need but I'm not about to put Murphy's Law to the test. If I don't pack it I'll probably need it and if I pack it, odds are I won't use it. But, if I have it and use it I'm one happy hiker. That is one convoluted way of saying the weight in my pack can add up quickly.
 
The Deuter Trail 30 carried everything I wanted extremely well. The number 30 refers to liters or the volume of the pack. A 30 liter day pack can hold a lot and may be a bit big for some hikers. Or it can even be a bit small for day hiking depending on who you are and what you like to take.

On the trail to the Lake of the Clouds in Rocky Mountain National Park

 Your pack size depends on where you're going, how long it will take, and if you're carrying additional items for members in your group. Kids anyone? One of my main considerations regarding pack size is how well it supports and carries the weight?
 
For instance, your hiking partner may pack 30 liters of feathers and you carry 30 liters of rock. That is a huge difference in weight. Regardless of what you are carrying, how a pack's harness system handles the weight is just as important as the volume of the pack.
 
For our hike to Lake of the Clouds the Trail 30 was perfect. It offered the volume to load what I wanted to take and a harness system that allowed me to carry that weight comfortably.

Favorite Features:
 
Pack Access: One of my most favorite features of the Trail 30 is how you access the inside of the pack. At first glance the Trail 30 is a traditional top loader. But take asecond look and you'll find a zippered front panel access, as well. A clause in Murphy's Law says whatever you want out of your pack it will be at the bottom. With lots of traditional top loaders that means emptying your pack trailside looking for that one elusive item.

With Deuter's front panel access you can easily see and find exactly what you are looking for without emptying your entire pack! Brilliant!
 
Benefit: When we had reached Lake of the Clouds strong gusty winds greeted us. The wind was rippin'! It was time to find and put on my windbreaker. With the panel access into the main body of the pack I found my windbreaker easily (at the bottom of the pack). Right after our lunch break a rain squall came over the ridge. Again I was able to grab my rain jacket easily from the pack as we started our way back down.

The Deuter 30 Trail Pack offers easy access to the bottom of the pack!

Aircontact Harness System: Another great feature is Deuter's Aircontact harness system. On either side of the back panel are two vertical ventilated pads that create a channel your spine centers between. You feel immediate comfort.
 
The hip belt creates a comfy wrap around your hips. A key here is how the hip belt is attached to the back panel. The two attachment points are pretty close together and that is what helps create this snug, enveloping, wrapping feel around your hips.

The hip belt itself is nice and wide which creates a bunch of nice surface area that creates comfort. And with its increased surface area that also helps carry the load of what you are packing. Pull down the perfectly padded shoulder straps (not overly padded and not too thin either), pull in the load stabilizers forward off the top of the straps and suddenly you have a pack that is snug to your body, supporting the weight of what you have packed inside your pack, allowing for all day hiking comfort. 

Benefit: Besides supporting the weight inside the pack this harness system snugs the pack comfortably against your body. As we worked our way up through the boulder field on the final approach to Lake of the Clouds the pack moved with me smartly with each step. I was able to maintain a steady pace both up and down the boulder field, keeping my balance, maintaining a steady pace, and not really being aware of the pack on my back at all.

Working may way up the boulderfield to reach Lake of the Clouds

Pockets and Packing Options: There are many ways to pack a pack and the Deuter Trail 30 gives you plenty of options. The top lid offers two pockets. There is an inside sleeve that can accommodate a water reservoir or use it to divide out contents inside the pack. Outside there is a water bottle holder and another zippered pocket which can be used in any number of ways. I used the zippered outside pocket for a second water bottle, packed my primary water bottle in the other pocket, used the ice axe loop and lash strap for my tripod, and later in the hike attached my hiking poles to the other lash straps outside. A place for everything and everything in its place!

Benefit: Not everyone takes the same things or likes to pack their packs the same way. Having lots of options to handle what you like to take is a benefit we can all enjoy.

The Deuter Trail 30 has so many zippered pockets, I was able to find my cameras quickly at beautiful spots along the way!

Load Compression Straps: There are two sets of compression straps on the Trail 30. Two external straps at the top and two internal straps near the bottom.
​
Benefit: Compression straps stabilize the load side the pack. When there are more ways to prevent the contents from shifting inside your pack the better. Compression straps also reduce the volume of the pack before you pack it. If you want to take less with you the compression straps allow you to still pack your pack vertically without everything just flopping to the bottom of the pack

Taking a break on the way to Lake of the Clouds

Rain Cover: Deuter includes a rain cover with the Trail
30. The rain cover is tucked away in its own pocket at the bottom of the pack. This is a great feature that adds value with your purchase. Pack rain covers cost at least $40 so this represents some nice savings for you.

Benefit: Keep the contents inside your pack dry during a heavy thunderstorm. Dealing with wet gear is a hassle especially when the stuff that is wet is what you wanted to stay dry!
 
Additional Features: Delrin Internal Pack Frame, Hydration Sleeve, Adjustable Sternum Strap, Pocket on the Hip Belt, Trekking Pole Lash Straps, SOS label under top lid.
 
Price: $140.00

Lake of the Clouds and the Deuter 30 Trail pack

​Closing Thoughts: Deuter is a German company and have been making packs since 1898. The USA distribution is located in Longmont, Colorado, that's pretty much right in Rocky Mountain National Park's front yard! And their Longmont location makes Deuter a Colorado company, as well. Deuter's quality is excellent and they offer a huge line of packs from kid's packs to kid carriers to fast and light packs to long haul backpacks. When you are looking for your next pack make the effort to seek out a Deuter pack… quality never disappoints!

Murray Selleck moved to Colorado in 1978. In the early 80’s he split his time working winters in a ski shop in Steamboat Springs and his summers guiding on the Arkansas River. His career in the specialty outdoor industry has continued for over 30 years. Needless to say, he has witnessed decades of change in outdoor equipment and clothing. Steamboat Springs continues to be home.
​

---

The publication of this article of independent and local journalism was made possible by the following sponsors.