The Deuter Speed Lite 30 is a do-everything backpack that can be used for hiking, peakbagging, trail-running, and even fast and light overnight trips. Weighing 30 ounces, it’s got vest-style shoulder straps with scaled-back padding and a lightweight frame. But a host of technical features and durable fabrics give the Speed Lite some serious chops for rugged adventures.
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Specs at a Glance
- Weight: 30 oz.
- Volume: 30L
- Type: Internal frame (Delrin U-hoop)
- Gender: Men’s; the Women’s version is called the Deuter Speed Lite 28 SL
- Pockets: 7 plus main
- Load lifters: Yes
- Hydration-ready: yes
- Torso Range: 17″ – 21″
- Waistbelt: 26″-50″
- Fabric: Recycled Polyester
- Max recommended load: 25 lbs
- Pros: Vest-style straps and pockets, daisy chains, dual ice/axe loops with shaft holders
- Cons: Can’t carry water bottles on shoulder straps
Backpack Frame and Suspension
The Speed Lite 30 has vest-style shoulder straps that are lightly padded and covered with mesh to wick away perspiration. One strap has a zippered pocket large enough to hold a smartphone or GPS, while the other is open on top but not large enough to store a soft bottle. The increased width of the straps helps distribute the load off your shoulders and onto the upper chest while keeping the pack closer to your core for maximum efficiency. It’s really quite comfortable!
The hipbelt is sewn to the pack and lightly padded in a fastpack style, with one mesh zippered pocket good for storing snacks. It doesn’t provide any load transfer but is designed to keep the pack close to your torso and prevent it from bouncing around while you hike or run.
The sternum strap can be moved up and down on a daisy chain with easy-to-use clips. The pack also has load lifters running between the frame and shoulder straps. While many smaller volume packs don’t have them, they can be useful if you carry heavy winter gear using the pack’s external attachment features, which we review further below.
The Speed Lite 30 frame is an internal U-shaped Delrin fiberglass rod that loops around the perimeter of the pack and helps it keep its shape. It’s soft, flexible, and body-hugging, which you want in an adventure pack, but it isn’t strong enough to support much load beyond 20-25 pounds. It feels solid, though, and easily handles water bottle weight, unlike many frameless daypacks, which sag under the added load.
The back of the pack is covered with mesh and contoured die-cut foam that provides some ventilation for your back. Not a lot, but some. It feels comfortable if you’re just wearing a thin shirt, but it is pretty much unnoticeable if you pile on a few clothing layers.
Backpack Storage and Organization
The Speed Lite 30 is a streamlined alpine-style pack with a sewn-on top lid. The lid has two pockets, one external with a key fob and one internal, printed on the outside with the SOS signaling instructions found on all Deuter backpacks. The main compartment closes with a drawstring and has an internal hydration pocket capable of holding a 3-liter reservoir. The hydration port is located between the shoulder straps and there are hose keeper loops on both shoulder straps.
The side mesh pockets on this pack are not reachable when the pack is worn, so you will need to use a hydration system if you want a drink on the move. The mesh used for the side pockets is tough and has a dense weave, so you can play rough with the Speed Lite and not worry about them getting ripped and chewed up. The Speed Lite 30 has a front stuff pocket that’s open at the top. It’s also made with mesh so you can store wet layers or a water filter in it. The mesh has the same durable weave as the side water bottle pockets.
External Attachment and Compression System
The external attachment system on the Speed Lite 30 is where this pack shines. The Speed Lite features full-length daisy chains down the sides of the stuff pocket, which are also good for rigging up custom attachment points with accessory webbing or cord. There are also four additional gear loops on top of the lid for this purpose. There are also a pair of ice axe/trekking pole loops on the front of the pack and shaft keepers, which is a detail many backpack makers leave off backpacks.
The Speed Lite 30 has two tiers of webbing compression straps that close with buckles, making it easy to attach bulky items to the side of the pack. However, the side straps are not long enough to attach snowshoes to the sides of the pack. They also don’t buckle over the rear mesh pocket, unlike the previous pack version where both were possible.
Recommendation
The Deuter Speed Lite 30 is a great multi-purpose adventure-sport backpack that can be used year-round. While it is large enough for overnights or hut-to-hut trips, I think its sweet spot is for all-day hiking and trail running adventures like peakbagging and hiking trips with additional layers and gear. The internal frame handles heavier loads particularly well, and I find myself taking it out all the time on my longer day hikes.
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