Submitted by
jk
a Cross Country Rider
from pencilsuckey Date Reviewed: November 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all of em
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
yurp
Strengths:
Mesh back panel provides lots of air to the back so you stay dry(er). Mesh shoulder straps work well.
Weaknesses:
I'm being really picky here, but you asked: the zippers are a little tricky as they are rounded. If I could change something I'd make the pack a bit more square with maybe a coupla compression straps on the sides.
Similar Products Used:
Many inferior Camelback products...
Bike Setup:
coupla 29ers
Bottom Line:
I found this in europe years ago and had to have it. Not sure why no one at camelback ever thought of this design. I was always annoyed at how sweaty my back was, but do not like to ride without a pack (lots of tools/water/food/protection/etc) so this fit the bill. I got another one for my wife and she loves it too. We even used them on a rim-to-river-to-rim day hike at the Grand Canyon and they carried everything we needed no problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Bike USA
Strengths:
Deuter Race X Air: I have used this pack for 7 years! Incredible quality, mesh back... so no sweat spot unless you wear a non breathable jacket, hidden rain cover underneath, one of the best designed products I've ever seen
Weaknesses:
You get what you pay for, not a great deal of space... all I do is strap my body armor and jacket around the pack- seperate mesh platform enables you to run the strap in between the mesh and pack so you don't feel a thing.
Similar Products Used:
none,thinking about buying another one now in case they stop making them another 10 years from now.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
German Design at its best! I can't understand why anyone would buy anything else. Worth the money trust me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Art
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, OR Date Reviewed: October 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hidden lakes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Siera trading post
Strengths:
This review is for the Race X Air I. Much cooler on you back than a camel back. Stays in place, comfortable. Reasonable Storage.
Weaknesses:
Slight pressure spot at bottom of pack against back. Bladder?
Similar Products Used:
Camelback Mule, Hawg
Bottom Line:
My Mule was always stuffed full and resembled a sausage. The Hawg was great but a little more than I needed and made my back sweat. I considered a Wingnut but standard camelbacks provide some back protection. The Wingnut doesn't provide any and this Deuter provides more than normal.
The Deuter has done a good job but I haven't even tried it's bladder. I stuck with my camelback bladder. My back definitely stays cooler and the pack is comfortable. The size is right for me, right between a Mule and Hawg.
On a pack the more pockets the better and this one is reasonable. The large compartment could have more dividers and the small pocket could be a little bigger but it works for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay Okay
a
from Toronto Date Reviewed: November 30, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
MEC
Strengths:
Good size, hugs in the right places considering my build which is pretty wide. cool to the back as i tend to sweat and heat up during rides as it lifts the pack's backside off my back. definitely a keeper, if i wreck this one you guys know what i'm gonna buy next.
Weaknesses:
none that i know of or report about.
Similar Products Used:
haven't tried other brands but fitted most of them at the stores. and they were hot to the back, camelback fits alright though, adjustment on those are good and comfy but still hot to the back! needs more ventilation.
Bike Setup:
montain bike, not the expensive and serious type yet... have to lose a few more pounds and gain a few more dollars to get a serious bike... good enough for now though. adjusted and modified with parts. it's a schwinn... i know, i know - few hundred bucks more then i can get a better one. that would be for another date.
Bottom Line:
the best one in the market, as far as how i actually use it for. comfy and well ventilated... something other manufacturers must look into. cleverly designed but functional. will take some time getting used to and if not secured or fitted properly it tends to swish side to side, very minor hinderance but i suppose most hydration packs do this too.
GO GET ONE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a
from Aliso Viejo Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
Rock Creek Outfitters
Strengths:
Comfy when on the bike, the design really works! Large capacity for storing all that I need, and 3liters of h2o. Neat design perks such as hose holder, key clip, and side pockets that are easy to reach while riding or negate the need to take off the pack when off the bike (snacks and tubes and such). Real easy to load up water and go.
Weaknesses:
When standing up, frame of pack puts pressure on lower back area. Nothing too bad, just noticable. WIll not use for hiking!
The bladder that came with it was replaced with a Camelbak unit. Nothin wrong with it, and I will keep it and give it a try.
Similar Products Used:
Camelbaks, Wingnut, SIerra Design etc.
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5 with all good bits.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the Race Air X 2 (3liter)
My trusty Camelbak MULE bit the big one and was bitten by a small one (mouse who chewed up my bag and made a nest in it). As I have a couple of bags (hiking etc) I did not replace it too quickly. But the others were either too big and too much for day rides or weekenders.
I was looking for a hydration pack that would also keep my back cool and feel good (better yet if I don't feel it) when on.
The new Camelbak I tried out had ventilation but when full, it was rounded out by the bladder negating the ventilation on a rounded back.
I got a WIngnut 2.5 which is comfy, but hose routing and straps all over were not working for me. I will use this pack on occasion however as it's design and concept really work.
The Deuter fits well, feels great and keeps my back cool. After this weekends session at Mammoth, I think I sold a couple!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005
I'm actually reviewing the Race X Air II. Great for long day rides, with more capacity, side mesh pockets, front pocket, with stowaway helmet holder, interior valuables pocket, 3M reflectors and attachment loop for the rear blinkers. I transfered my Camelbak Stealth bladder to the Deuter and its fine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakewood, Ca, USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Turnbull
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
REI Outlet
Strengths:
Great fit, Airstripes design, Adjustabilty of straps with clips that keep straps in place, not flying in the wind. Well thought out storage compartments.
Weaknesses:
NC Filler Cap and Z-Cap hanging by a string.
Similar Products Used:
Camelback Classic
Bottom Line:
This review is for Deuter Hydro M3. The fit, design and function of the pack is excellent. That said, the hydration system is not so well designed, cool ideas but poor execution. Source makes the reservoir and sip tube and their design pales in comparison to the Camelback. Examples filler cap hanging by a string and does not open wide enough to empty and clean. Camelback gets thumbs up in this area. Z-Cap protective bite valve cover great idea, but hanging by a string and flappin in the wind, too hard to remove cap while riding, let alone pop it back on. I know that Camelback makes bite valve cover as well but I don't have one yet, I know it doesn't hang by a string, hoping it functions better than Source. Maybe I'm being too harsh on Source on this Z-Cap I don't know because I have not used anything like it yet. Atleast the Taste Free Reservoir is good as well as the Grunge Guard anti microbial compound, so far so good with those two. But then again Camelback has a system that works just as well. Bottom line I bought the pack because I needed something larger for carrying more stuff.This pack does a fine job of that. I didn't want to pay Camelbacks higher dollars. I found this Deuter on REI outlet and paid less, no shipping charge, pick up in store. This pack might just work perfectly if I place Camelback reservoir inside. I think I'll give it a try,Later days to hanging by a string and flappin in the wind.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ERIC
a Cross Country Rider
from OTTAWA, IL USA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
nice pack for the money
Weaknesses:
The bite valve is horrible it always leaks unless you put the cap back on and who has time to do that when you are flying along on some tight single track when I use the pack I usually end up getting sprayed with the water coming out of the bite valve.
Similar Products Used:
Camelback which is far superior to this pack in so many diffrent ways.
Bike Setup:
2002 stump jumper fsr xc pro
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is unless you get a great deal on this pack do not buy it or unless you need a bath while riding your bike because as I stated earlier this packs bite valve leaks like crazy. If you want a good hydration pack that does not leak buy anything by camelback.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crash&Burn
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
MEC
Strengths:
Comfortable and pretty good at cooling.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none, bottles up until now
Bike Setup:
2 wheels etc...
Bottom Line:
Nice product very comfortable to wear, I have slightly wide shoulders for my body size and so I am hard to please with the fit of packs. It has the perfect amount of room for me to use on longer trips. It doesn't even feel overly heavy with 2 liters of water + gear, the mesh system seems to stop the weight from being uncomfortable on my back. I would have given it 5 chilis for value except MEC does not include a bladder with the pack. I am not sure it's supposed to, the other reviews made me believe it should.
So as a bonus second review I picked up a Source-Vagabond bladder (based on the always brilliant metric: it cost about $8 US) it has a funky opening at the top and some kind of wierd fold over flap and a clamp type seal which I wasn't 100% sure about. On my first trip out I inadvertantly tested the strength of the seals by promptly falling flat on my back with a full bladder of water. If it can survive me at 190lbs it should last a long time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
porkchop
a Weekend Warrior
from Evansville, IN USA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Nebo Ridge
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Mesh panel is much cooler than my last pack. Its not quite as cool as nothing though. Excellent construction no flaws after two years. Plenty of room for gear & tools. The pack has reflective tape and a blinker loop. I also like the large mouth design of the bladder. Very sturdy and easy to fill. There is a seperate bladder pouch inside to keep your tools from poking holes in it. COMFORTABLE!
Weaknesses:
Bite valve is about done after two years. No disappointments here.
Similar Products Used:
K2
Bike Setup:
FS, SS, & Road
Bottom Line:
I said most of it above. Its been a little while since I bought the pack so I'm not sure on the price I paid. I got it on closeout so I got a good deal. The pack works as advertised. I have never used the rain cover. It would be cool if Deuter scrapped the rain cover and added a little more cargo room in its place. This is a 70oz pack. I'm thinking of trying a 100oz bladder in it. This pack has plenty of room without being bulky to wear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gianpaolo
a
from camden, maine, usa Date Reviewed: September 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$71.00
Purchased At:
arequip.com
Strengths:
looks fantastic mesh frame keeps you drier very light
Weaknesses:
limited cargo capacity poor bite valve steel frame pushing into the back of your neck
Similar Products Used:
bottles, camelbak blowfish, camelback flashflo
Bike Setup:
road bike
Bottom Line:
Camelbak and the other US pack manufacturers should take a page from the deuter book of design. This pack is gorgeous. Hardly surprising really. Why is it that Europeans have such a better sense of design? The pack really looks great. The design is nice too, though not without flaws. The mesh/spring steel frame does do a better job of keeping the pack off your back than a solid foam pad, but don't expect not to get sweaty back there. When the bladder is full, or even half full, the pack expands to fill the gap between the mesh and the body of the pack, eliminating the pocket of cool air created by the frame design. The other problem with the steel frame is that instead of a soft foam/nylon pack pressing against the back of your neck when really low on the bars, you have a steel rod there. One thing i will say for the deuter pack, the mesh shoulder straps are awesome. I don't understand what camelbak is thinking putting those solid straps on their packs. i get drenched with sweat with those things. It should be noted that deuter lists the cargo capacity of the pack as comparable to the camelbak blowfish, but they must be listing cargo capacity without the bladder. With a full bladder, don't expect to carry much. One other advantage to the camelbak: the bladder on the camelbak is in a fully enclosed pocket of its own. the race x air has a 3/4 length pouch for the bladder. On a hot day, with a cold bladder, condensation forms and your clothes etc may get wet. Lastly, the bladder while nice is no camelbak. The bite valve is a pretty design but i got tired of popping my ears trying to suck fluid through it at a good clip. The camelbak big bite valve is simpler, has a shut-off, doesn't leak as much and delivers more volume with less effort. I've also found that the deuter bladder tastes more like plastic than the c'bak.
Bottom line is I kept the pack, but if the return policy hadn't been so stringent, i might have sent it back. I will use it as a backpack (those mesh shoulder straps sell it for me), but i will use my camelbaks for hydration.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: August 13, 2004
Cannondale Scalpel 900 with LX/XT bits and Azonic Double Wall riser bars.
Bottom Line:
Actually a Race X Air II which I think has a slightly larger capacity but has the same design as the Race X Air.
In the 30+ degree celcius heat in Queensland, I don't find myself peeling a soaked pack and shirt off at the end of a long ride anymore. The sprung steel frame support and mesh back panel really do deliver excellent ventilation and comfort by keeping the pack off your back. The design of the harness makes the pack support a lot of its own weight on your hips which is so much more comfortable than a fully loaded pack hanging off your shoulders exclusively.
The pack itself is extremely lightweight and as mentioned earlier, when it's loaded, it still feels very light due to the way it supports itself when you're wearing it.
Look out Camelbak.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nic
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the dam
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
Looks slick, works even better
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Camel bak etc
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bottom Line:
A great little piece of kit. Designed as a streamlined unit with no bits to catch on to low branches or shrubs. The best back ventilation system by a long way. Has the volume and load strength to carrys all I need for a day ride and yet weighs very light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pc
a
from seattle Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Leon France
Strengths:
design
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
usuals floating in the market
Bike Setup:
suger team
Bottom Line:
I've been using this system for 3 plus years and have never seen a better product this goooood yet.....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jolly Roger
a Cross Country Rider
from West Sussex, UK Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$52.00
Purchased At:
Storrington Cycles, West Sussex, UK
Strengths:
Light weight, holds all I need (rain jacket, rain trousers, 2 litre of water, tools, maps, first aid kit, camera, notebook), great harness, tough material (I've mis-judged a few fallen trees and collided with them, and the pack just shrugs off the impact - unlike the camelbak mule horror story that I read about, the rider had the outer pocket ripped off by the tree!) , great design.
Weaknesses:
None that I've yet to find in more than 18 months of riding.
Similar Products Used:
The over-priced and under-durable crappy bloody camelbaks, blackburn hydrapaks, da kine drafter.
Bike Setup:
1997 Saracen Tufftrax (rigid).
Bottom Line:
After seeing the aforementioned camelbaks absolutely bloody everywhere, it was a pleasant surprise to find a company that can produce a product to "do exactly what it says on the tin" (tagline from a well known ad here in the uk).
The harness is a revelation, all the other packs I'd seen have some sort of neoprene pad that sits against the wearer's back and makes you sweatier than pig on a roast. The Deuter uses a mesh panel suspended from the wearer's back using one curved horizontal and two curved vertical metal bars in the pack itself, this creates an air channel that really does work. It is without doubt the best pack / rucsack that I've ever worn - bar none!
Not including a hydration reservoir with the pack is in my opinion a bonus that allows the user to use their preferred choice of hydration reservoir, rather than having to use a poor design (camelbak take note - how do you fill the omega without spilling some when the lid is closed?). Personally I use a Platypus BigZip 2 litre, you freeze the reservoir and the tube and then top up the rest before your ride.
The only possible downsides with my pack is that in the specification it states that there should be an integral pack cover and an inside valubles pocket, the fact that neither of these exist doesn't matter at all (my rain jacket is big enough to cover the pack, I look a bit like the hunchback of notre dame when its raining, but I don't care!).
The bottom line really is that the Deuter Race-X Air is the best hydration / carry-all pack out there. Buy it you won't be disappointed!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Earth Date Reviewed: May 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$38.00
Strengths:
Slim design harness
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Platypus
Bike Setup:
Tommasini Sintesi
Bottom Line:
The Race X is just like every other carrier out there. There's only one difference, but it's a big one: the harness. You don't even realize you're carrying a pack because the harness is so damn cool, and I mean that literally. Great design.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
agentgrape
a Weekend Warrior
from ri Date Reviewed: April 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
sierra trading post
Strengths:
lightweight high quality construction mesh back keeps pack off the body
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
camelback platypus
Bike Setup:
as it came with no bladder i used a camelback omega. its insulated and has large twist on opening
Bottom Line:
excellent investment in hydration. also new for 2003 they come with a water bladder.in hot weather the mesh keeps the pack off your body and air flows thru keeping you drier and cooler. enouigh storage for a full days ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Robinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City, USA Date Reviewed: November 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
the one i made
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Fitzroy Cycles, Melbourne
Strengths:
The perfect pack for all day rides (except in remote areas). I can fit my 80 oz bladder, rainjacket, windvest, arm and leg warmers in the main pocket and all my tools and Gu in the small pocket. Alternately, you can fit a spare bladder in the main pocket instead of the extra clothes. The design is top notch. The material is lightweight, ripstop and waterproof. The strap system keeps the pack securely fastened so it doesn't move around. It doesn't move around when I use it for running. It uses a mesh back and metal bars to suspend the pack off of your back which helps keep you and your water cool.
Weaknesses:
The straps were a bit short for my long torso. I had to modify it slightly. Doesn't come with bladder.
Similar Products Used:
Camelback Mule, HAWG, Aeroback, various other hydration systems
Bike Setup:
Mountain bike with brakes, wheels, tires, handlebar, derailleurs, chain, saddle and other items. Rigid, Fixed gear mountain bike with many of the same items. 700c mountain bike with skinny slick tyres, drop bars...
Bottom Line:
I'll never go back to those archaic Camelbacks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome B
a Cross-Country Rider
from McLean, VA Date Reviewed: August 26, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
Dozens of water bottles and cage combinations
Bottom Line:
The best pack ever created! It's called 'air comfort' you have to see it to believe it. Makes camelback seem primitive. It fits TWO 100 oz bladders for those epic trips. Everything about it is perfect, there's even a hideaway mud/raid cover hidden in the bottom. Pads/harness fit perfectly to my back with the weight evenly distributed between the shoulders and hips. For details look up or down If you happen to find a Deuter you WILL buy it!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Willamette
a Cross-Country Rider
from Walnut Creek, CA Date Reviewed: August 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Diablo Foothills
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Design Craftsmanship Accomodates a wide variety of hydration systems Storage Capacity
Weaknesses:
Does not come with a hydration resevoir and drink tube
Similar Products Used:
Camelbak Lobo
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F700, Headshok Fatty D
Bottom Line:
I discovered the Deuter pack at REI and like the design so much I had to buy it, even though it did not come with the resevoir and drink tube. The pack is built so that the only thing touching your back is a broad piece of mesh. The biggest problem I have with the Camebaks and many of the other hydro-packs out there is their use of a broad piece of rubber or neoprene that rest against your back. I end up having to peal the pack off my back after a long ride, the Deuter does not cause this problem. In addition, the Deuter uses mesh shoulder straps to allow air to flow through them. The pack has one main compartment with a partition for the fluid resevoir, one outer pocket which also contains a smaller pocket within for wallet and keys. There is an additional mesh outer pocket for more storage. At the bottom of the pack there is a zippered compartment which contains a rian cover for the pack. Since I also backpack I conveniently used the resevoir and drink tube from my regular backpack. I have a Platypus 2.0+liter (80oz) system that fit perfectly in the Deuter pack. The Race X Air looks like it could easily accomodate any of the resevoir brands out thereI would highly recommend that anyone looking for a hydro-pack consider the Deuter as it works great and keeps your back from sweating like a pig.
Overall Rating:
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