The Deuter Guide 35+ backpack is a piece of mountaineering genius that is now slimmer, lighter and more comfortable than ever. It’s also designed to withstand the worst of whatever the outdoors can throw at it.

The Deuter Alpine Back System built into this bag is incredibly comfortable and the fine-tuning set up means the pack is adjustable to fit any user. The contact points made with 3D Air Mesh are soft and the straps hug the body. They’re designed to follow even the quickest of movements and keep the load close to the wearer’s centre of gravity, which you really notice when you take the bag out on a scramble or on tougher terrain.

The bag also features a ventilation system where the pack itself is held slightly apart from the back, something starting to appear on more and more high-end hiking packs that makes all the difference when you’re out on the trails for even just a few hours.

“If you don’t notice the tech features when you’re walking that’s because they’re doing precisely the job they were designed to do.”

Well-fitting, pivoting hip straps reinforce the fit on the waist, keep the bag tight and helping shift the weight to the appropriate centre when walking. It’s these kind of intricate details that work in the bag to ensure the elimination of the smallest of annoyances. If you don’t notice them when you’re walking (we didn’t in testing) that’s because they’re doing precisely the job they were designed to do. You shouldn’t notice your backpack straps when you’re out walking, that’s the whole point of all this tech.

The Super Polytex fibre is thick, durable and light, and the anti-tear fabric it’s combined with provides great resistance against the nature looking to cause trouble. Seriously, this thing can take one hell of a beating in even the worst of conditions.

There isn’t a detachable lid on the Guide but the lid is adjustable, and the convenience of the lid pockets is matched in a great side zip pocket on the pack which gives easy access to the load. It’s not designed for lengthy multi-day treks, but at 35 litres this has all the space you could ever want for a day trip, or even a two day hike.