I’m a big fan of wearing hip packs, or no pack at all if my bike can become a mule. But, despite being more practical for certain rides, hip packs have their faults. They can have too little room and force you to toss essential items to the side to accommodate the bare essentials. I’ve also never worn a hip pack that hasn’t caused me to adjust my shorts at every trail intersection.
On the flipside, backpacks often have an unnecessary amount of space and weight, they make your back sweaty, and swing around like a monkey on a vine.
Deuter’s Race Air packs are here to say “No compromise is necessary. You can have your cake and eat it too,” when it comes to packing cargo and staying hydrated and comfortable on the trail.
The Deuter Race Air 14+3
Deuter makes the Race Air in two different sizes; the Race Air 10 and the the Race Air 14+3. But, they also make the Race 12 and 16, the Race EXP Air, and a handful of others that should not be confused with the Race Air 14+3
The 14+3 is an “ultra-light” backpack with a lightweight, ventilated design. The pack uses a lifted back panel that Deuter calls the “Aircomfort back system,” and it’s made for mountain biking. A mesh back panel that’s separated at the spine keeps air running along your back during rides. Ventilated shoulder and lightweight hip straps keep everything else in contact with the wind.
Deuter uses a thin, high thread density fabric with a ripstop structure to keep the pack lightweight. There is one main pouch with 14 liters of carrying capacity, but another zipper will let the pack expand to 17 total liters.
A secondary pouch unzips for additional space and this has a zippered pocket inside, two mesh pouches and another tubular sleeve that I don’t really understand. On the outside of the pack at the bottom is a net to carry a helmet up service roads and transfers plus a rain cover. There are also mesh pouches on the sides of the pack that are great for storing a water bottle.
On the trail
At just over 2lb, or 940g, the Deuter Race Air 14+3 has a light feel to it, as does the material, a nice change of pace from heavier packs out there. I used Deuter’s 2L reservoir, made by Source, but this pack is compatible with up to a 3L reservoir. The pouch fits easily in the pack and there are guide loops on both shoulder straps so you can choose which side you’d like the hose to be on.
My only problem with the pack and the reservoir, is there does not seem to be any place on the pack to secure the drinking piece, thus you’ve got a hydration hose sort of flapping around, unless you tuck it along the shoulder strap. This seems like a pretty big lapse, considering there is a spot on the shoulder strap to stow your sunglasses.
I haven’t used Source reservoirs often, but this one’s not bad. The drinking nozzle has a twist feature to open and close out, and then you have to bite as well to drink. There is a black cap for the bite valve too, but I found it mostly unnecessary.
With a full 70oz of water, the sturdy reservoir keeps fluid under control and never felt awkward, whether I was climbing or going downhill.
But, my routine climbing with this pack on was consistent: get to the top, pull the pack off, review the amount of sweat on my back, and be surprised by how little there was.
Inside the main pouch, I had room for all the essentials, plus food and rain jackets. I never needed to open up the additional 3L of storage, but it’s nice to have just in case and adds quite a bit of room.
Tool organization in the secondary pouch could be better, with just two mesh pouches and a zippered pocket for small items, but it does the trick.
Pros and cons of the Deuter Race Air 14+3
Pros
- Light and comfortable
- Vents exceptionally well for a backpack
- Plenty of room, but doesn’t feel big
Cons
- Tool organization could be better
- No home for bite valve
Closing thoughts
The Deuter Race Air 14+3 hydration pack is a lightweight backpack that’s small enough for lunch rides and big enough for the backcountry. It’s not perfect, but it is comfortable for almost any kind of ride.
- Price: $185
- Buy from Moosejaw and Chain Reaction.
