Freerider 22 SL

The Deuter Freerider 22 SL is a light, women's-fit backcountry pack for days earned on the skin track. Shovel and probe in their own pocket, skis or board on the outside, and a back panel that sheds snow instead of soaking it up.

Who it's for

Women who ski tour, splitboard or ride sidecountry: a dawn lap up from Guthega towards Twynam, a day off-piste at Mount Hotham, or a trip to Japan or New Zealand for real powder. Deuter rate it five out of five for freeride and ski touring, and the recommended 3-6 kg load is avalanche gear, water, a layer and lunch.

Capacity, and what actually fits

22 litres carries a shovel, probe and first aid kit in the avalanche pocket, with a down jacket, spare gloves, skins, a 3 L bladder and food in the main compartment. Goggles live in the fleece-lined goggles pocket and lip balm and snacks in the zipped hip fin pockets. The pack measures 51 x 32 x 16 cm.

How it carries

The LiteSnow back uses EVA foam pads covered in snow-shedding Spandex, with recesses between them so snow cannot pack in, so the back stays dry after a fall or a sit in the snow. A flexible Delrin U-frame holds the pack's shape, padded hip fins and stabiliser straps keep it still on a turn, and the sternum strap clips one-handed with a glove on. Skis carry on the sides or diagonally, a snowboard or snowshoes go on the front, and an ice axe clips to one side.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit: a shorter back length of 38-48 cm, for body heights around 158-178 cm, with a harness shaped for a woman's shoulders and hips. Try it on over your ski jacket, set the hip fins on your hip bones, then snug the shoulder straps and stabilisers so the pack does not swing on a jump turn.

Access and organisation

The main compartment opens two ways: a zipped top, and a U-shaped rear clamshell whose zip runs below the shoulder straps, so you can lay the pack face down and get in without unstrapping your skis or board. The avalanche pocket on the front is separate so your shovel and probe come out fast. Inside are a wet compartment for skins and a zipped mesh pocket, plus a key clip.

• Front avalanche equipment pocket
• Rear U-zip clamshell access plus zipped top opening
• Side and diagonal ski carry; snowboard and snowshoe carry on the front; ice axe attachment
• Fleece-lined goggles pocket; zipped hip fin pockets
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Detachable mesh helmet holder included; safety whistle

Weight

950 g for a 22 litre pack with a frame, hip fins and full ski and board carry. That is light enough that the pack is not the heavy thing on a long skin, and leaves the weight budget for the shovel and probe.

Looking after it

The body is 200D recycled polyamide 2x2 ripstop with a DWR finish made without intentionally added PFAS, and it is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.