Freerider 28 SL

The Deuter Freerider 28 SL is a light, women's-fit snow pack for days that start on the lifts and finish off the groomers. Skis or a board ride on the outside, your shovel and probe sit in their own pocket, and the back panel shrugs off snow instead of soaking it up.

Who it's for

Women who ride freeride lines, sidecountry gates and short tours: a lap off the back of Thredbo, a hike to the Main Range from Charlotte Pass, or a day in the Japanese backcountry. Deuter rate it five out of five for both freeride and ski touring or splitboarding. The recommended load of 4-8 kg covers avalanche essentials, water, food and a spare layer.

Capacity, and what actually fits

28 litres takes a puffy jacket, spare gloves and goggles, lunch, a thermos and a first aid kit in the main body, with your shovel blade, handle and probe in the separate front avalanche pocket. The pack measures 52 x 32 x 20 cm, slim enough to sit on a chairlift.

How it carries

The LiteSnow back uses EVA foam pads covered in Spandex, shaped with recesses so snow cannot cling and melt into your layers. A flexible Delrin U-frame holds the shape, padded shoulder straps and hip fins take the load, and stabiliser straps keep it tight through turns. The sternum strap buckle works one-handed, even in gloves.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit: a shorter back and a harness shaped for the female body. The Freerider 28 SL fits back lengths of 38-48 cm, which Deuter match to riders about 158-178 cm tall. Fit it over the layers you ride in, with the hip fins on your hip bones.

Access and organisation

A U-shaped rear zip runs below the shoulder straps and opens the whole main compartment from the back, so you can dig out a layer while your skis or board stay strapped on. A top zip gives quick access too. Inside are a wet compartment and a zipped mesh pocket; outside, a fleece-lined goggle pocket, zipped hip fin pockets, a glasses stow and a key clip.

• Ski carry at the side or diagonal; snowboard and snowshoe carry on the front
• Front pocket for avalanche equipment
• Detachable mesh helmet holder
• Ice axe attachment on one side
• Fleece-lined goggle pocket; zipped hip fin pockets
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Safety whistle on the sternum strap

Weight

980 g with the frame, the snow-shedding back and a full set of carry options. Light enough to forget on the lift, solid enough for a bootpack with a board on your back.

Looking after it

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