Dueter Race X Air Pack
Deuter . X . Air: Being in the backpacking business, I'm familiar with most of the gear companies out there. But Deuter was not one of them. Turns out though, that this German outdoor gear maker is 104 years old. They started out in 1898 making postal bags, then tents, and later expedition gear used on Himalayan expeditions. What's more, alpinist Peter Habeler helped them with the development of their "Aircomfort" backpacks. Today they produce packs for virtually any outdoor endeavor, and sleeping bags for a multitude of uses.
My test pack was the Race . X . Air, a medium-weight water-pack that weighs in at just over a pound empty and has a capacity of 141 cubic inches. They list this pack as being compatible with the sports of cycling, cross-country skiing, hiking, and running. It comes with a plastic collapsible water bladder that holds approximately 2 1/4 quarts of water, along with a drinking hose and squeeze nozzle. The water bag fits into a pocket that rests against one's back, leaving some room at the bottom front of the pack for a bit of food and gear. A small, outer pocket on the outside front of the pack gives you a bit more room if you really need to stock up. The drinking hose can be pulled through a slot at the top of the pack and then threaded through a loop on the shoulder strap to finally rest in another loop which is sewn on the breast strap. Race . X . Air is equipped with the aircomfort system, a mesh backrest that can be affixed tight at the top of the pack via a large Velcro fastener to create an open space between the mesh, which your back rests against, and the actual back of the pack. This open area allows for a considerable amount of ventilation to occur between your back and the pack. Its shoulder straps are also mesh, though a bit thicker than that of the backrest. Finally, a thin curved aluminum band at the bottom of the pack keeps the mesh backrest taught and away from the back of the pack. The band also helps to contour the waist belt soundly around the torso.
My first outing with the Race . X . Air was on a 7 hour hike during the heat wave we've just recently experienced. I filled the water bag to full capacity, stuffed in a first-aid kit, and tossed in several GU's and my wallet. The pack cinched down quite well, and the mesh backrest and shoulder straps felt OK, as I ended up hiking without a shirt. Rarely if ever did I have to fool around with recinching the shoulder straps - they're pretty bomb proof when you tighten them!
The hydration system worked fine. And I had plenty of water for the day. But what really knocked me out was Deuter's aircomfort system. Having just that 1/2 to 1 inch of open space between the back of the pack and the mesh backrest made a huge difference in the quantity of perspiration on my back. Typically in this kind of heat, with an unsuspended pack that's snugged up against my back, I end up with a spigot of warm sweat pouring down my spinal column and into the back of my hiking shorts. Not so here. I was sweating, but it just wasn't running down my backside. The system does indeed work. But......... how would it hold up for running?
I'll have to admit that I was a bit concerned about using this pack for the run. First, when filled with water, its weight is noticeable. Second, though the pack cinched down great for hiking, a several hour trail run is quite another animal. And thirdly, I wondered if all the jarring movements from running would loosen the aircomfort suspension system.
When you start you will notice that you have several quarts of water on your back. But after 10-15 minutes of jumping over logs and dodging tree roots I pretty much forgot about the extra weight. Throughout the two hours of running the shoulder straps only had to be recinched a couple of times, and only for very minor adjustments. My biggest fear - the aircomfort system blowing out - never occurred. It held up wonderfully, and kept my back ventilated enough to prevent the dreaded "soak-butt". Do wear a shirt though if you use this pack for running. The mesh shoulder straps could possibly chafe your shoulders from your arm pumping motions.
To sum it up, Deuter's Race. X . Air is a very well designed pack. The aircomfort system isn't just hype. I does work. You can carry a good deal of water and food in the pack and not compromise comfort. The Race . X . Air makes for a great day hiking water-pack and a very good ultra running water-pack.
Manufacturer: Deuter
Price: $ N/A
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