The Traick range is Deuter’s first fully focused trail running specific pack range. They have previously offered the Ascender which was a hybrid pack and was well received in the running community and as such Deuter developed the Traick to fill a gap in their extensive pack range.
What immediately jumps out at you with the Traick is how streamlined the design and fit is and how wide an array of pockets there are. As the pack is based around a vest style, as most running packs are now, the Traick fits like a piece of clothing. As such, as long as you get the sizing right almost entirely eliminates any movement of the pack as you run, reducing risk of rubbing or just being annoyed by the bounce!
Sizing wise the Traick comes in two fits; the standard and the SL which stands for “Slim Line” and although traditionally seen as a women’s fit, they are equally suitable for smaller, slender users in general. It is also available in 5L and 9L versions with the packs essentially being same with the only difference being an expandable section at the back of the 9L version increasing the overall carrying capacity.
The main carrying capacity is made of two sections a large main compartment positioned against the back, and a second large, zip closed compartment positioned externally to this which is where the volume differs between the 5L and 9L packs. Together these can easily carry all the essential training gear or mandatory race kit for Ultra distance events.
In addition to the main compartments there is a “kangaroo” style pocket that passes all the way across the back and is therefore accessible from both sides. This is ideal for stashing an easy (as long as you have reasonable flexibility!) to reach jacket or other items of clothing.
One of the standout features of the Traick is the layout and total volume of pockets on the front of the pack. Essentially it features three overlapping pockets: a zipped outer pocket, a top-accessed pocket behind that, and further side-access pocket behind that. What this means is you can organise your essentials such as food, compass, phone etc into individual sections so you always know where everything is.
The layout is identical on both sides which means you get two zippered pockets, something that isn’t that common on running vests and is great if you want to keep something a little more fragile like your phone totally separate from other essentials you want to keep secure such as keys. If you are someone who carries a lot of small items and likes to have them well organised and close to hand then this is the pack for you!
As is pretty standard with running vests the Traick has your hydration needs covered with front pouches for 2 soft flasks (2 x 500ml flasks are included). These feature elasticated loops to keep the flasks stable as your drink reduces. What the Traick doesn’t cover that well is the ability to carry a bladder securely as there is no dedicated bladder compartment, although there is a very small loop to hang a bladder from and a dedicated pass out for the hose from the shoulders to the front. You can still use a bladder, but you’ll need to use a dedicated sleeve or rely on the kit inside the pack to hold the bladder in place.
A lot of runners want to be able to carry their poles securely and the Traick has multiple ways of doing this. The pack comes with a range of bungee and hook attachments that allow you to attach the poles in the way that works best for you for example across the lower back or vertically on the front.
Fit wise the Traick is made from super lightweight, stretchy material that hugs the body like an additional layer of clothing. This keeps the pack fitting closely minimising bounce and also meaning that if you need to throw a waterproof over the top this works well too. Breathability is good thanks to the strategically placed mesh panels which ventilate well and thanks to the lightness of the materials it doesn’t hold much water and dries very quickly. Deuter have also done a great job of reducing any risk of rubbing from stitching by folding over all the seams, so the stitching is internal rather than being exposed to the skin/
If you want a lightweight, really well featured running pack that is best suited to runs and races up to (and, with strategic packing, beyond) marathon distances. Although the lack of a dedicated bladder section will be a limit to some if you have access to refill bottles on the route then this won’t be an issue. What really stands out with the Deuter Traick is the extensive front storage and the brilliant body hugging fit.
