Hans Deuter started the Deuter company in 1898 by supplying the Bavarian Royal Mail with mailbags. They move on to sailcloth, and horse blanket manufacturing and by 1905 the company was making tents and renting them out, and by 1910, the army commissioned Deuter to create saddlebags. In 1968, Deuter produced the first nylon backpack which soon became the norm for this kind of product and in 1970, Deuter is recognized by Germany as the leading manufacturer of backpacks and bags. Deuter employs mountaineers, mountain guides, and bikers in 1988 to influence the products they will be using, and by the 1990s they develop the bike backpack. In 2001, Deuter opened a USA subsidiary.
The Deuter offers many functional features for parent comfort.
This pack has a padded back pad with spaces for airflow and a contoured design that improves overall comfort. The pack sits close to the wearer with a tight cockpit that positions the baby's weight closer to the wearer. The shoulder straps are well padded with more structure that helps distribute the baby's weight.
The torso adjustment works well with a range of 5.5 inches. The strap is located under the lumbar support pad making it harder to access, but the greater range helps the pack fit better.
The waistband of the Deuter is firm, comfortable, and well padded. The buckle opens one-handed, and the straps move smoothly in a forward motion that operates while wearing the pack.
The Deuter offers superior child comfort with a design and features with baby in mind.
This pack has a snug cockpit with a firm seat that doesn't fold under the baby's weight. The passenger doesn't flop around like some of the lower scoring options we tested giving little ones a secure overall feeling.
This pack has a face rest with a drool pad for comfortable napping. The face rest is removable (above left) and covers the adjustment buckle for the seat height (above right).
The face rest is angled and creates a good place for a baby to rest their head unlike the vertical pads in some of the competition. It is covered in a soft breathable material and angles up on the sides to prevent little heads from being unsupported.
This pack has stirrups to prevent feet from awkwardly dangling. The stirrups are removable and adjustable with a loop for resting the foot. The buckle and height strap work well and are adjustable while wearing the pack.
The Deuter has a canopy that deploys from a small pocket at the top of the pack. It provides some protection from the elements and has good visibility but it isn't the best for wind protection.
The Deuter is easy enough to use, but it isn't the easiest in the group thanks to so much adjustability.
The passenger harness adjusts by lifting the Velcro behind the back padding and pulling up or down. The seat height adjustment is located under the face pad and can be raised or lowered easily once you get the hang of it and both can be done with baby in the carrier.
The Deuter shoulder straps (above left) has an easy adjustment that moves smoothly even on the fly. The waistband is a forward pull and the buckles can be used one-handed. The chest clip (above right) helps draw the cockpit forward and closer to the wearer and can be operated with one hand on the go.
The Deuter has a lot of storage features and options.
The Deuter main storage pocket is easy to access, and the zipper runs smoothly. It is big enough for a jacket, diapers, travel-sized wipes, and snacks. The zipper runs across the top and both sides creating a very wide opening (above left) so it is easier to find what you are looking for without digging your hand deep into the pocket (above right).
There is a flat pocket on the back of the pack with an elastic top that has a strap and clip to keep your belongings secure. It can hold diapers and wipes but is better suited to maps and thin items.
There is an additional zippered pocket on the back of the pack for smaller items. This pocket piggybacks the pouch mentioned above and is narrow and deep but flat and will not hold bulky items. There are two stretchy side pockets that hold water bottles, but neither the adult nor the child can reach these pockets when the pack is on.
The waistband also has storage with two medium-sized pockets that are deep, wide, and easy to open. One pocket can fit two granola bars and a small to medium-sized mobile phone and the other carries a small mirror that is attached to a Velcro strip so you can see your passenger while hiking.
This pack is hydration ready with an insulated pocket between the child and parent and a straw port with a loop on the right shoulder strap. The pocket has a side zip access but there doesn't seem to be a place for securing the bladder to the bag. As a result, the bladder may want to settle to the bottom of the pocket.
