Deuter Compact EXP 8 hydration pack review

Organisation is kept to a minimum on the EXP 8, with pump and bladder sleeves in the expandable main compartment and two smaller pockets up front taking care of tools and so on.

It’s an eficient way of organising a pack but we’d prefer more segregation to save small items from vanishing into the depths.

The padded shoulder yoke and sliding chest strap mean great comfort but we’re not fans of the minimal rubberised mesh harness, finding that it lacked support when the pack was heavily loaded.

The base of the pack is on the narrow side which doesn’t aid support. We also repeatedly forgot that the waist belt pockets weren’t waterproof enough for our phones or cameras – although they’re great for snacking on the move.

The extra-wide front stash sleeve accommodated all manner of stuffings, and the sensibly placed relective details are handy for road use.