Upgraded for 2025 with a lighter and more eco-friendly design, deuter’s popular Speed Lite Pro
series of backpacks has already bagged a prestigious industry award. From 17L to 30L options,
including three women’s-specific versions, there’s a perfect pack in the range for every hiker.
From Audi’s "Vorsprung durch Technik" tagline (“progress through technology”) to Mercedes’ “the
best or nothing” slogan, German engineering has a near-legendary status in the UK, respected for its
precision, reliability, innovation and meticulous attention to detail.
It might lack the fame of these car brands, but German backpack brand deuter is synonymous with
these same levels of engineering genius, expertise and rigorous quality – that Allemagne aptitude
and Deutschland deftness we’re so enamoured with here in the UK.
This means, if you’re looking for a new hiking backpack, a deuter pack comes with certain reassuring
attributes. You know it’ll feature a well-executed design, with top quality materials, innovative
features, cutting-edge back systems and a high-tech approach.
How did deuter become a market leader?
If you don’t know much about the brand, deuter is Germany’s top-selling, market-leading backpack
manufacturer. Founded more than 125 years ago, deuter was originally set up to supply the Bavarian
Royal Mail with mailbags and post sacks.
Since those humble beginnings, it has grown into Europe’s premier backpack and sleeping bag
manufacturer, with over a century of expertise, customers across the globe and a deep passion for
the international mountain sports scene.
Focused on continual innovation, the brand has pioneered a few big breakthroughs during its
history. It was the first brand, for example, to introduce a mountaineering backpack with a women’s-
specific fit.
More recently, it has revolutionised its manufacturing processes for “sustainability and a responsible
approach to people and planet”, with 50% of the entire product range now made from recycled core
materials.
What is the Speed Lite Pro series?
The latest innovation along this road is deuter’s new Speed Lite Pro series, which has been given an
eco-friendly upgrade for 2025.
Made for hikers, lightweight trekking enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers and anyone looking to keep
things fast ’n’ light in the mountains, the collection is an evolution that improves on the already
lightweight series, adding features while reducing weight.
The range features six different sizes. There are three SL (slim line) women’s-specific models: the
Speed Lite Pro 17 SL, Pro 23 SL and Pro 28 SL. For men, there are also three regular fit options: the
Speed Lite Pro 19, Pro 25 and Pro 30.
Deuter describes the range as “ultralight without compromising comfort”, with the ergonomic
LiteAir back system “taking comfort to extremes” and providing hikers with an energy-preserving
ultralight product.
Key features
Features of each backpack include space for a 3L hydration bladder, quick-release hiking pole
attachments for speedy transitions and a spacious lid compartment. Pocket options are plentiful,
including stow options on the cushioned shoulder straps and hip fins.
But the main innovations are the weight and sustainability. Each pack is made from a 100% recycled
polyamide material, which is bluesign, Green Button and ClimatePartner certified.
The fabric is also PFAS-free, meaning no harmful chemicals are used in the manufacturing process.
Often eco improvements come at a weight cost, but not here. The minimalist design approach has
ensured the packs are ultralight, clocking in at impressively low weights.
It was these twin successes that enabled the Speed Lite Pro range to win a prestigious ISPO award in
2024, with the judges stating: “The new Speed Lite Pro impresses with its great fit, good ventilation
and low weight."
Are you convinced? If you think the German engineering expertise of deuter’s new Speed Lite Pro
range might be the perfect pack for you, then here’s everything you need to know about the full
range, including volumes, prices, weights and product specifications.
Six of the best: deuter’s new Speed Lite Pro range
1. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 17SL - £110
This women’s-specific pack has a 17L capacity, weighs just 610g and is available in two colourways:
black and ‘lotus-mystic’ (a purple-pink mix).
Billed as “ultralight to preserve energy”, this pack’s lightweight construction, lightweight materials,
LiteAir back system and pared down feature-set combine to mean you can put more energy into the
trail and less into carrying the load.
2. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 19 - £110
This regular fit pack has a 19L capacity and clocks in at 630g, available in black and light green
colours. As with all Speed Lite Pro packs, the Pro 19 delivers ergonomic back comfort via deuter’s
LiteAir back system.
Wide, ergonomically-shaped shoulder straps with full ventilation, supple hip fins and a precision-
adjustable, lightly-elasticated sternum strap create a snug fit with zero load wobble and distribute
the weight evenly between the hips and shoulders. This minimises strain on the shoulders and
therefore also on the back.
Weighing just 640g, this slightly larger 23L pack features deuter’s SL (slim line) cut, which has been
tailored to provide a perfect fit for a woman’s body shape.
The SL back length is specific for women as, on average, women have shorter backs than men. The
carrying system in the SL model is, therefore, somewhat shorter than in the deuter standard
backpacks. In addition, the carrying system is specially adapted to the female anatomy.
3. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 23 SL - £120
Weighing just 640g, this slightly larger 23L pack features deuter’s SL (slim line) cut, which has been
tailored to provide a perfect fit for a woman’s body shape.
The SL back length is specific for women as, on average, women have shorter backs than men. The
carrying system in the SL model is, therefore, somewhat shorter than in the deuter standard
backpacks. In addition, the carrying system is specially adapted to the female anatomy.
4. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 25 - £120
For many hikers, a 25L capacity will hit a sweet spot for day hiking. The Pro 25 weighs just 680g and
has lots of minimalist features for ultralight adventures.
Pockets on the shoulder straps and hip fins have space for a bottle, energy bars, a cell phone or GPS
device. Quick-release bungee drawcords on the shoulder straps provide fast on-the-move access to
poles without having to take the pack off, so you don't have to break stride.
5. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 28 SL - £140
Clocking in at 740g, the Pro 28 SL is the largest women’s version in the Speed Lite Pro range.
Features include stabiliser straps, perforated shoulder straps, two-way adjustable sternum straps
and a zip-around opening.
You also get soft flask pouches on the shoulder straps, two hip fin pockets with zipper closure and
several attachment loops.
6. Deuter Speed Lite Pro 30 - £140
The largest pack size in the Speed Lite Pro range, the Pro 30 has a regular fit, weighs 760g and is
sized 65cm x 28cm x 22cm.
Available in black or ‘mineral grove’ (a light, soft green), this pack will prove perfect for fast hikers
who want a large volume for big day hikes, or ultralight gurus who can fit their entire overnight wild
camping set-up in a 30L space.
For more information and to view the full range, visit the deuter website.