As the name suggests, the City Lite has been designed with the city roamer in mind as a general every-day pack. So I have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of times this little pack has fitted the bill for a number of activities outside the ‘city spec.’ To breakdown the specifications; the City Lite is a 16L pack weighing in at 440g. It features a two way u-shaped zip providing access to the main compartment – inside which you find an internal document pocket set against the back of the pack with an elasticised opening. The elasticised opening can be seen on the two side mesh pockets. Central to the front of the bag is a zipped pocket which includes a plastic clip to attach your keys to.

The City Lite also features the ‘Deuter Airstripes System.’ After acquiring this pack just over three months ago, I had yet to delve into the mystery of this terminology. After scouring the information pages on Deuter’s website I am now equipped to pass on the knowledge! The foam inserts covered in a breathable mesh on the back of the pack are spaced to create a ‘chimney effect’ to enhance ventilation and the Airstripes system is designed so that only 5% of its surface area comes into contact with the wearer’s back. These two air ‘channelled foam stripes’ also keep the pack’s shape which is useful when the bag is not fully packed.

I didn’t appreciate the relevance of these foam stripes until I’d been out for a few considerable walks and could feel the benefits after a few hours. The pack I had before did not have any support or rigidity in the back; so for example, every time I was running down a steep incline the pack would be flying all over the place. In contrast, the City Lite stayed pretty much where it should, was comfortable to wear and kept my back a lot cooler. Ultimately, I am just surprised at how comfortable the pack is, which again comes down to the padded Airstripes – this system is starting to make a lot of sense!

The front zipped pocket is handy for all those items you want easy access to, like your camera or energy bar if you are out for a jaunt in the wilderness. The pocket has a plastic clip you can fix your keys or your camera to for extra security should the pocket come open accidentally. I think the placement of this pocket is a slight negative as the cynical me won’t put anything of value in it when I’m wandering around town - or anywhere with a substantial number of people.

This is when I’ll use the document pocket in the main compartment of the bag to put my wallet in - it’s secure inside the bag but also fairly accessible in that you don’t have to delve into the depths to fish it out! The only other negative point I can make is that we at Rock + Run do not have the pack available in black – yes I’m afraid I am one of those women that like to have the majority of their wardrobe and worldly belongings in black. But I’m coming to terms with this, maybe it’s a good thing.


Specifications
Weight: 440 g
Volume: 16 litre
Size: 45x24x17 cm
Colours: Lime, Terra, Blue