AC Lite 32 EL

The Deuter AC Lite 32 EL is the long-backed version of Deuter's lightweight ventilated daypack, made for tall walkers who find most packs ride halfway up their spine. It gives you 32 litres for big day walks with the same suspended mesh back as the rest of the AC Lite family.

Who it's for

Tall hikers, roughly 185 cm to two metres, doing full days on track: the Six Foot Track in a day, a long loop through the Budawangs, a summer walk across the Bogong High Plains. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking. The recommended 3-6 kg covers a full day kit with plenty of water.

Capacity, and what actually fits

32 litres takes a 3 L bladder, a rain jacket and a warm layer, lunch, a stove and mug for a hot drink at the top, a first aid kit and a camera. The pack measures 64 x 33 x 26 cm. The lid holds small things inside and out, so the main compartment stays for bulk.

How it carries

A round-profile spring steel frame holds the mesh back off you, so air moves across your back and the load spreads evenly over the frame. Ergonomic padded hip fins take weight onto your hips, and a 2-way adjustable sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps settled.

Fitting it

This is the EL, built for back lengths of 48-58 cm and body heights of about 185-205 cm. If you are 185 cm or taller and standard packs sit high on your back with the hip fins above your hips, the EL is the one to try.

Access and organisation

The main compartment loads from the top under a drawcord and lid, with a zipped pocket on top of the lid and another inside it. A side pocket takes your phone so you can grab it without stopping, and mesh side pockets carry bottles. Trekking poles ride on the pole attachment, and sunglasses clip to the glasses stow on the shoulder strap.

• Top-loader with drawcord and lid
• External and internal lid compartments
• Side smartphone pocket and mesh side pockets
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Removable rain cover
• Pole attachment, attachment loops, glasses stow, key clip

Weight

1020 g for 32 litres with a framed, ventilated back, light enough that the pack is not the heavy thing you are carrying. We stock the EL because tall walkers deserve a pack that fits rather than one that nearly does.

Looking after it

The body is 600D recycled polyester and 210D recycled polyamide with a DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter cover it with a 2-year warranty.