Guide 34+6

The Deuter Guide 34+6 is a full-spec alpine pack: 34 litres plus a 6 litre extension, carried on a backplate and flexi spring steel frame, with every attachment a climber needs and the option to strip the lid, hip fins and backplate when you want it light. The body is recycled polyamide and polyester ripstop.

Who it's for

Climbers and mountaineers on alpine routes, glacier days and multi-pitch approaches. Deuter rate it five out of five for climbing and mountaineering and three for ski touring. Think Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a winter ascent in the Snowy Mountains, or a big day at Frenchmans Cap with a rack and rope, carrying the 6-12 kg it is built for.

Capacity, and what actually fits

34 litres takes a rope, harness, rack, helmet, a belay jacket and food for a long day, and the lid lifts to add 6 litres when you need the space. A wet compartment inside keeps a damp shell off the rest, the zipped lid pocket takes a head torch and topo, and a 3 L hydration bladder fits in its sleeve. The pack measures 66 x 29 x 24 cm.

How it carries

Deuter's Alpine back pairs an ergonomic backplate with a flexi spring steel frame, so a heavy rack and rope sit stable and close while air can still move. ActiveFit shoulder straps follow your arm swing on a scramble, VariFlex hip fins with Pull-Forward adjustment move with your hips, and stabiliser straps and a one-handed sternum buckle keep the load quiet on technical ground. The hip fins carry a gear loop, an ice clipper slot and a zipped pocket.

Fitting it

The Guide 34+6 is one size for back lengths of 44-54 cm, matched to climbers around 170-195 cm tall. Check the hip fins sit clear of your harness belay loop and gear loops before a route; if they get in the way, take them off.

Access and organisation

It loads from the top under a drawcord and lid, and a J-shaped zip on the front opens the main compartment so you can grab a jacket from the middle without unpacking the rope. Ice axes go on either side, skis carry at the sides, a rope strap holds a coil over the top, and a detachable mesh helmet holder takes your lid on the approach.

• Top-loader with drawcord and height-adjustable, detachable lid
• J-zip front opening
• Ice axe attachment on both sides; ski attachment at the side; rope strap
• Detachable mesh helmet holder
• Detachable hip fins with gear loop, ice clipper slot and zipped pocket
• Removable backplate; hydration compatible, up to 3 L

Weight

1210 g fully built. Pull the lid, hip fins and backplate for a summit push or a long multi-pitch and it gets lighter again, while the full harness is there for the heavy walk in.

Looking after it

The fabric is made without intentionally added PFAS and the pack is a bluepass product. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.