Guide 44+6

The Deuter Guide 44+6 is a classic alpine pack: tough, clean-sided, and able to shed everything you do not need on summit day. Carry the full load in, then strip it back and climb with only what the route needs.

Who it's for

Alpinists and mountaineers on glacier travel and technical climbs, from the Southern Alps of New Zealand to a ski ascent of Mount Feathertop. The 8-15 kg recommended load covers rope, rack, crampons, layers, food and water for a big day.

Capacity, and what actually fits

44 litres in a 73 x 33 x 26 cm body, with 6 litres more under the height-adjustable lid. That takes a harness and rack, a down jacket, shell, food, a stove and a 3 L bladder, with crampons and a rope strapped outside.

How it carries

Deuter's Alpine back pairs a shaped backplate with a flexi spring steel frame, so a heavy load stays stable and close to your centre of gravity on exposed ground. Ventilation channels between the back pads run under breathable mesh. ActiveFit shoulder straps, stabiliser straps and VariFlex hip fins with Pull-Forward adjustment keep it tight when you are moving in a harness.

Fitting it

One size for back lengths of 44-54 cm, matched to climbers around 170-195 cm tall. Fit it with the hip fins on, set on top of your hip bones; when you take them off for a climb, the gear loops come off with them, so rack on your harness instead.

Access and organisation

Load it from the top under a drawcord and lid, or open the J-shaped front zip to reach the bottom of the pack.

• Detachable, height-adjustable lid with outside pocket
• Detachable hip fins with zipped pocket, gear loop and ice clipper slot
• Removable backplate
• Ice axe attachments on both sides; rope strap; side ski carry
• Detachable mesh helmet holder
• Internal wet compartment; hydration compatible up to 3 L

Weight

1250 g with everything on. Take off the lid, hip fins and backplate and it drops further for the climb itself.

Looking after it

The body is 210D recycled polyamide and polyester ripstop, abrasion resistant against granite and ice, and the buckles are a lightweight, weatherproof material. It is bluepass and Green Button certified and made without intentionally added PFAS.