Freerider Pro 32+10

The Deuter Freerider Pro 32+10 is a backcountry pack for skiers and splitboarders who earn their turns. It carries skis or a board on the skin track, keeps your shovel and probe in a pocket of their own, and opens from the back so you can get to your gear without unstrapping anything.

Who it's for

Ski tourers and splitboarders heading out past the resort boundary: the Main Range out of Charlotte Pass, a lap of Mount Feathertop's northern slopes, Bogong's open bowls, or a hut trip in the Victorian Alps. Deuter rate it five out of five for both freeride and ski touring. The recommended 6-10 kg suits a full touring day, and the extra 10 L of roll-top takes an overnight hut kit.

Capacity, and what actually fits

32 litres holds a shovel and probe in the avalanche pocket, skins, a puffy and shell, a thermos, lunch, goggles and a first aid kit. Unroll the top and you have another 10 litres for a sleeping bag or extra layers. The pack measures 58 x 33 x 18 cm, and even at full height it stays clear of your helmet when you look uphill.

How it carries

A flexible Delrin U-frame keeps the pack's shape under a load of skis and gear while moving with you on the descent. The LiteSnow back uses EVA foam pads with recesses between them, covered in snow-shedding fabric, so snow does not stick to it and soak through after a fall. Padded shoulder straps, padded hip fins, stabiliser straps and a one-handed sternum buckle keep it locked down when you are skiing.

Fitting it

The Freerider Pro 32+10 is one size for back lengths of 38-54 cm, which Deuter match to body heights of about 158-195 cm. Fit it over the layers you ski in: hip fins on the hip bones, shoulder straps snug, then the stabilisers. The sternum buckle works one-handed, so you can do it up with a glove on.

Access and organisation

A U-shaped zip opens the back panel like a clamshell, running below the shoulder straps so they stay out of the way. Leave skis or a board strapped on and still reach everything inside. The top loads through a zip as well. A dedicated front pocket holds avalanche gear, a fleece-lined pocket protects goggles, and the zipped hip fin pockets keep snacks and a phone in reach.

• Ski carry at the sides or diagonally; snowboard and snowshoe carry on the front
• Ice axe attachment on both sides; rope strap
• Detachable mesh helmet holder
• Front avalanche equipment pocket and fleece-lined goggles pocket
• Wet compartment and zipped mesh compartment inside
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L; safety whistle

Weight

1100 g for a 32+10 L ski pack with a frame, back-panel access and full carry options. That keeps more of your energy for the skin track.

Looking after it

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