deuter Trail 28 SL Review: A Perfect Fit for Women Hikers
A hiking daypack that actually fits a woman’s body? Yes please. Here’s my honest review of the deuter Trail 28 SL and why it’s the best pack I’ve used in years.
After more than a decade of hiking and testing gear, deuter remains one of the few brands I keep coming back to. My love for their packs started back in 2014 when I hiked the John Muir Trail with the deuter ACT Lite. It was the first backpacking pack I actually liked, and I’ve been using their gear ever since.
So when the deuter Trail 28 SL was released, I was excited to try it out. After logging over 50 miles with it—and packing it full of toddler gear, camera equipment, and all the essentials for long days on the trail—I can confidently say this is one of the best-fitting and most comfortable daypacks I’ve worn in years. If you’ve struggled to find a pack that truly fits your body and doesn’t leave your shoulders sore by mile two, the deuter Trail 28 SL might just be the answer.
*This post is sponsored by deuter. Their packs have consistently delivered comfort, durability, and thoughtful design, and I’m thrilled to be partnering with them after so many years of being a fan! As always all words and opinions are my own, and I only recommend gear I truly love and think you will too.
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Fit & Comfort
Comfort is where this pack really shines. I’ve tested a lot of daypacks over the years, and the Trail 28 SL is the first in a long time that hasn’t aggravated my herniated disc. That alone would make it a winner—but there’s more.
The SL fit is tailored for women or anyone with a shorter torso and slimmer frame.
I have a body type that can be tricky to fit when it comes to backpacks: I’m 5’6″ with long legs, a short torso, and an average build (I wear a size 8 in women’s pants). What I’ve found over the years is that packs sized for my short torso length often feel too tight or narrow everywhere else. The hipbelt might not wrap all the way around, or the pack tugs in the wrong places.
So instead, I usually size up—only to end up with a pack that’s too long for my back. That means it sits too high above my shoulders, which causes it to sway and pull as I hike. By the end of the day, my shoulders are aching and I’m constantly adjusting to try to get comfortable.
The deuter Trail SL feels like a huge upgrade and eliminates all of the fit issues I’ve had with so many packs. It sits perfectly on my hips, and the shorter torso length keeps the pressure off my shoulders.
One of the most noticeable comfort upgrades is the S-curved shoulder straps. Unlike straight-cut straps that can press uncomfortably into the side of your boobs, these narrower S-curve straps contour around them. As someone with a larger chest (I’m a 36D), this means no uncomfortable pressure points or feeling like my boobs are being squeezed. It’s honestly one of those features you don’t realize you’ve been missing until you finally feel the difference.
The semi-structured frame gives it just the right amount of support while still being flexible enough to mold to my body. It doesn’t feel like a stiff panel digging into my back; instead, it moves with me. There’s no shifting or bouncing, even on uneven terrain, and I’ve noticed my balance is better because of it.
One of my favorite comfort features is the ventilated back panel, which includes two foam air strips that run vertically. These create a channel down the center that helps airflow circulate, keeping my back cool and reducing that dreaded sweaty-back feeling on hot days.
At a size 8, the hip belt (also called hip fins) hugs my waist just right—snug and supportive without any pinching or digging. That said, because this pack is designed for smaller frames, I think people with a larger waist size than myself might find that the hipbelt pocket sits too far back, making it a little awkward to reach while hiking.
I’ve been putting this pack through its paces by loading it up pretty heavily. Since I’m usually hiking with my toddler and two dogs, I’m carrying more than your average day hiker—diaper supplies, extra snacks, layers, plenty of water for everyone, plus my Sony full-frame camera, Insta360, first aid kit, and other day hiking essentials. Even with all that weight, my shoulders have never felt fatigued. The load stays stable and supported, which is a huge win for me.
If the SL Fit Doesn’t Work for You…
If the SL (Slim Line) fit doesn’t work for your body type – say, if you have a longer torso or broader build – deuter also makes a standard sized trail pack with a unisex fit. It has the same core features and smart design, just with slightly wider shoulder straps, a longer back length, and a roomier hipbelt to better accommodate different body shapes. So if you love the look of this pack but need a little more space or length, the standard fit is definitely worth checking out.
Construction & Materials
This pack feels every bit as durable and thoughtfully constructed as deuter’s full-sized backpacking packs.
The deuter Trail series is made with a blend of 600D PES and 210D PA—two technical fabrics that are designed to hold up to real-world wear and tear.
This jargon doesn’t mean much to most people, so let me break it down:
In simple terms: these are durable, recycled fabrics that balance weight and strength, making this pack strong enough to stand up to all the pokey-stabby things you might encounter on the trail
On top of that, the pack is made with bluesign®-approved materials which requires that no harmful chemicals are used at any point in the manufacturing process. It’s also treated with a PFC-free water-repellent coating, and deuter is actively working reduce its climate impact.
Pockets & Organization
One of the things I really appreciate about the deuter Trail 28 SL is how streamlined yet functional the layout is. The pockets are well-placed, and I’ve found it easy to keep my gear organized without feeling like I’m carrying a bulky pack full of unnecessary compartments.
Here’s how I’ve been using the storage:
If I could make one change, I’d love to see a stretchy front pocket – something for stashing a puffy, poop bags, or in my case dirty diapers. I find myself missing that feature, especially when I need to quickly stuff something without opening the main compartment.
Final Thoughts
The deuter Trail 28 SL has officially earned its spot as my go-to daypack. It fits beautifully, feels great on long hikes, and has just the right amount of storage and structure without being bulky or overcomplicated. The price ($150) is also very reasonable compared to other technical daypacks, especially considering the quality, fit, and sustainable construction.
Having used deuter packs since 2014, I’ve always trusted the brand for comfort and durability, and this pack is no exception. If you’ve used a deuter backpacking pack before, I think you’ll absolutely love this one for day hikes. And if you haven’t? This would be a great daypack to try!
One more reason I feel good recommending this pack? deuter stands behind their gear with a lifetime warranty. If something breaks, they’ll repair it for free—and if it can’t be repaired, they’ll replace it with the most comparable model at no cost. That kind of commitment to quality (and to their customers) is getting harder to find, and it’s just one more reason I’ll keep reaching for Deuter packs year after year.
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Do you have questions about the deuter Trail SL? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to help!
