Deuter Guide 35+ Backpack - 2140cu in

Deuter is a great company, and I have had nothing but good things to say about their packs. This pack is no exception. The guide series is built super tough, and after having used it out backcountry skiing, I can honestly say its one of those packs you could do pretty much anything to and it would be just fine.

Some things may turn a few people off. First of all, there is no hip pocket at all, just the two tool/carabiner loops. Not a huge deal, but some people like to keep small things in those pockets that get lost easily, or need to be handy (cameras, chapstick, small snack)

There is one giant internal pocket, and two pockets on the top, and thats it. If you like just having a large space to stuff things into, and don't need to be super organized, then its no biggie. But, for backcountry skiing, I noticed having to dig around a little bit for things that fell to the bottom. And carryign around avy gear reuired some advance thought on how best to pack it.

Those are really, in my opinion, minor matters, that to most people that would liek this bag are irrelevant. However there is one thing that really dings this pack, and ended up requiring me to return it. If your use it for backcountry skiing, and more specifically, backcountry splitboarding, then you are out of luck. Your board is too wide to fit into the ski loops. And there are no buckles and little room to make it bigger. No matter how we tried to do it, my board would not fit in the little loop. Its wide, but not quite wide enough for a Venture Helix 163cm. Which is too bad, as its a great bag. But i ended up needing to boot pack part of the tour we were on, and being in a high alpine environment, with really strong wind, it was not a fun trek up to the summit carrying a heavy board in my hands.

If you are a skier, it looks like it would work for most skis, but if your ride fatty's, be cautious.

Otherwise, if you are using it for climbing or overnights or whatever, its a great pack. Just not for the single plank riders among us.

I had a Deuter Guide a While ago and thrashed with various excursions. Eventually the zipper on the inner side broke and I decided it just became too old.

So I was looking for a backpack that:
Can carry skis
Can carry 2 ice axes
Has just one compartment (I don't like backpacks with heaps of compartments and zippers)
Is reasonably priced
Has a hydration sleeve

Well, guess what, most of the backpacks are way more expensive than the Deuter Guide. Being satisfied with the Guide I had I decided to just purchase another one.
I find the the Guide is perfect for alpine climbing and quite good for ski touring. Perhaps it would also be OK when rock climbing.

If I do get to whine about a few things in this backpack it is:
It can't carry wide skis - be careful with skis that are more than 120mm ON THE TIPS!! (perhaps means 95mm underfoot or so)
The top compartments cannot detach from the backpack, why Deuter why??
There's a side zipper - and I seriously ask - what the hell?!?!?

But Deuter learns, from my last backpack they changed some of the materials to be a bit more rugged, and also added a "rope loop", or whatever it's called. I find it extremely useful also for carrying skins while touring.
The external top compartment is far from being waterproof, however the inner one is pretty OK for storing your car keys & wallet.

All in all - a 5 star piece of equipment and trust me guys, I'm usually not very generous with the stars to say the least.

I'm super psyched on this pack, and have no regrets about the purchase. I'm not a guide or an alpine climber, just a regular climber, and this pack has been perfect for day trips; even for Indian Creek, where we stuff as many cams in our packs as possible.

That said using it as a Creek pack is probably pushing it. A bigger pack is probably ideal for that use if you don't want to strap the big cams on the outside.

For most "normal" areas where you don't need a thousand cams the Guide 35+ is bomber. Super comfortable. Nice features like the rope strap at the top and pockets on the strap. I dig this pack, and I'm packing it up, for tomorrow's climbing adventure.

Great shape and size, nice and simple.

I don't own one, alas, but have used a friend's several times and been very pleased. Best of all, like all Deuter packs, it's super super super durable.

I am a pack freek and this is the best and most useful pack I have owned, very comfortable, holds just the right amount of stuff, 60m 10.2 rope, harness, helmet, and hardware, plus water bottle, extra clothing, and skis. if you want a awesome day pack, this is a good one

Used the Deuter Gide 35+ for a day hike & ski trip to Tuckerman Ravine. This pack is essentially a long, narrow cargo bag. No internal or external pockets except on the top flap. Having said that, I found just enough room for ski boots (Lange size 7.5), several layers needed for a day on Mount Washington, water & lunch. The single bag means that you have pack carefully, so you don't end up having to unpack everything to get at something on the bottom (There is a side zipper that might address this, but with ski boots taking most of the space, I wasn't able to use it).
The compression/ski straps worked very well. The ski were easy & quick to load on & stayed secure. The ski boots needed to be "nested", not enough room to pack side by side.
In actual use, this pack performed excellantly. It was comfortable to carry (approx 45lbs), no load shifting, and no sore shoulders or back. The pack looks to be in good shape after being packed to the max., though only for one trip.
If weren't for the single pocket, I would give this pack 5 stars. As is, it's still a damn good buy and I look forward to making more trips with it.

This is a great alpine pack where the priority is comfortable carrying and features for your mountain tools. All the tool attachments are perfect: ski slots, leashless or leashed axes, space to add crampon straps. It is not a light pack, and is a bit too stiff to be an ideal leader pack (although I've not tried removing the internal frame which might do the trick), but it is ideal for cragging, backcountry skiing, ultralight overnights, ice climbing, and will last many seasons of all of that. Side zip may be excessive in a 35 L pack, but you use it when it's there. Pack is slim in the woods or couloirs and overall a pleasure to carry with excellent lumbar weight transfer and Deuter's signature well ventilated back padding. I've had or used most top rated alpine day packs in the past decades and 'love' many others, especially Cold Cold World and CiloGear, as well as Black Diamond. I prefer those for leading or use while climbing almost exclusively, but use this more due to the comfortable carrying it offers.