Best Overall Daypack

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 came in as our daypack of the year for many reasons. Compared to the older Speed Lite 20, it is a major improvement and includes several additional accessories. The Speed Lite 24 has a well-constructed harness system with a V-shaped back panel to really balance the weight of the pack onto the center of the user. The variety of gear loops on the exterior and price helped the pack earn our pick as the Best Daypack of 2020. 

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See Our Best Hiking Daypack Review 2021

Are you looking for a one-pack-fits-all style of hiking daypack? If so, then look no further. While very similar to its old counterpart, the Speed Lite 20, the Speed Lite 24 comes with enough extra accessories to stand out as a highly versatile and lightweight technical pack. From a perfectly contoured and comfortable harness system to straps for hiking poles or ice axes, this pack can do it all. The overall design, convenience, and comfort of the Speed Lite 24 earned it the title of the Best Overall Daypack on our list. 

Deuter also has three female designed packs in their Speed Lite family. When shopping for a Deuter backpack, look for SL beside the product name, as this indicates that the pack is designed for a female frame. 

Deuter has developed its Speed Lite packs very well. They offer several different sizes and they are all slightly different in terms of accessories and gear attachment points. The packs range in sizes from 12L, 16L, 24L, 26L, and 32L. All of these packs are very close in size; the differences lie in storage set-up. The Speed Lite 26 and 32 both come with top lids and drawstring top-loading access to the main compartments. 

Ventilation and Suspension

The Speed Lite 24 comes with a framed, 3-D stretch mesh back panel to provide superior support while allowing for airflow along your back. The addition of a frame improves the structure and enhances comfort while supporting a heavier load. The V-shaped back panel will also help keep the pack centered on your back, helping everything stay balanced while on the move. 

The contoured shoulder straps are designed for comfort while carrying a load, and the excellent padding will also allow for all-day comfort while wearing the Speed Lite 24. The shoulder straps also have an adjustable sternum strap for harness customization. 

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 comes with a lightly padded hip belt. The hip belt features zippered pockets for more storage and the ability to keep your pack on while accessing these items. Overall, for the weight and size of the pack, this harness system is top of the line and will not let you down. 

Storage

Deuter has again managed to create a daypack that will let you carry everything you need for a day in the backcountry or a trek through the city. The main compartment is spacious and accessible with a large dual zipper opening for all of your large items. The main compartment includes a hydration sleeve that can accommodate up to a 3L hydration bladder. The external stretch mesh side pockets are able to hold your large water bottles for additional water or storage if needed. 

On the top of the pack is a small zippered stash pocket for items like phones or wallets, and it also includes a key clip, so you never have to worry about losing your keys while stopping for a snack. On the back of the pack is a stretch mesh pocket that could hold a raincoat for easy storage or access if the forecast is looking grim. 

As mentioned earlier, there are also zippered pockets attached to the hip belt for smaller items—like a multi-tool or snacks. Unfortunately, the pockets are too small to fit some of the larger cell phones that are now on the market, but this is true of nearly every pack. However, this does make for a good excuse to leave the phone packed away and to truly enjoy the views you’ve likely worked very hard to reach.

The Speed Lite 24 comes with excellent external gear attachment systems. There is a system for ice axes or trekking poles to be strapped to the back of the pack to stay out of the way until they are needed. Also found along the outside of the pack are the gear loops or “daisy chains.” These simple loops open a world of opportunity by helping to strap additional items to the outside of the pack and offering the ability to really customize your storage and gear selections.

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 has compression straps that can be run all the way around to the back of the pack to create very secure cargo and keep everything as close to your center of gravity as possible. The straps could even hold onto a snowboard or skis if you are looking to go for a backcountry ski tour. This is yet another amazing feature that shows how Deuter is able to fit everything into such a simple yet functional day pack.

Material and Weight

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 weighs in at a very comfortable 794g. This is in part due to the lightweight polyamide textile that uses an extremely thin yarn constructed into a web structure. The weave not only reduces the overall pack weight but also creates a very durable material. Deuter then coated the Speed Lite 24 in a PFC-free Durable Water Repellency (DWR) coating to give the pack a water-resistant barrier. This coating will be able to manage a light rain, but if you are headed into the Pacific Northwest where a sunny day could become a monsoon in minutes, it may be worth investing in a waterproof pack cover. The DWR coating also helps to keep out dirt while keeping the contents of your pack clean throughout the day. 

The Bottom Line

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 is easily one of the best hiking daypacks on the market today. That made it easy to choose it as the Best Overall Daypack of the season. The versatility of the Speed Lite 24 opens the door to endless opportunities for adventure. It is a well thought out and designed daypack, proving that having over a century of experience in the pack design business has not gone to waste for Deuter. The Speed Lite 24 is an excellent bag for high alpine pursuits or even a bike around a local park. Furthermore, it is very reasonably priced at only $109, making the Speed Lite 24 a tough daypack to beat. 

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