Review: Why we as tour guides choose the Deuter Trail Vest

A good trail vest is important for every trail runner. As tour leaders, however, we have slightly different requirements for them.

On an average travel day, we not only carry our own gear but also have equipment for the group. A first-aid kit, an extra survival blanket, extra food, extra trekking poles, the drone, or a satellite phone for emergencies. Everything needs to be quickly accessible without getting in the way while walking. That is precisely why we are enthusiastic about the Deuter Trailick 9L trail vest.

“Everything I want to bring along as a tour leader, such as a first aid kit, survival blanket, food and drink, windbreaker, etc., fits in.” – Evelien

As a tour leader, you are constantly switching gears. You walk at the front, then at the back of the group, help participants along the way, and simultaneously keep an overview of the route and the group. In those situations, you don't want to have to think about your equipment. It should simply do what it's supposed to do.

“I am very happy with the Deuter Traick. I have the women's fit size M and it fits perfectly where it needs to. The flasks fit nicely and they don't bother me while running.” – Evelien 

A trail vest that cooperates 

When you are out on the go for hours, you actually don't want to notice that you are wearing a trail vest anymore. Thanks to the ergonomic design, the Traick stays close to the body and moves smoothly with you, even when the terrain becomes more challenging. The contact points on the shoulders and back are soft, flexible, and well-ventilated. As a result, the vest remains comfortable even after hours of walking. 

“The cardigan is highly adjustable, allowing you to make it fit snugly and comfortably against your body.” – Roos 
 
“Thanks to the soft material, it doesn't chafe anywhere on me either.” – Evelien 

Hydration and nutrition always within reach 

During a trail run, you want to be able to drink and eat easily without constantly taking off your vest. That is why the Traick comes with two soft flasks placed at the front of the vest. This way, you always have water within reach. Other items you use regularly along the way are also easily accessible thanks to the smart layout of the front pockets. 

The pockets on the front are handy for water bottles and small items you want to grab quickly on the go. – Roos 

It seems like a small detail, but especially on long days, you notice how much difference it makes. 

Smartly organized for on the go 

What stands out most to us about the Traick 9L is the many storage compartments. Everything has its own place, so you can quickly find what you need while on the go. This is especially important for tour leaders. You don't want to be searching for a survival blanket or energy bar when someone in the group needs one. 

The vest has many handy pockets, making it easy to access everything while walking. I am also always a fan of key hooks and a zipper on the back, and this backpack has all of that.

“It took some figuring out how to carry the poles, but with a quiver I have now found the method that works best for me. In any case, there are plenty of attachment options!” – Evelien 

There are various attachment options available for trail poles. Helpful instructional videos showing you the options are available on the Deuter website.

• Video: Packing Deuter Traick
• Video: Attaching Deuter Traick poles

Honest real-life experiences 

For most trail running trips, the 9-liter version offers more than enough space. This may be different during races with mandatory equipment. Several tour leaders notice that the vest can rattle a bit when lightly filled with loose items, but a little ingenuity (which you can certainly use as a tour leader anyway) easily solves this. 

“In my experience, 9L is just slightly too little for a mountain trail race where you have to carry a lot of mandatory (bad weather) gear. I ran the Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival in May with this vest, and a little more room would have been welcome.” – Evelien 
 
“It’s not very nice when there is more stuff in the back. It’s hard to tie down properly. It does roll nicely with light stuff, like some clothes.” – Guido 
 
“One downside is that the vest can rattle quite a bit when it isn't properly filled. That is actually easy to solve by always putting something light, like a shirt, in the back pocket.” – Roos 

Our conclusion 

For trail running trips, longer training sessions, and leading groups, the deuter Trailick 9L offers exactly what we are looking for: comfort, stability, smart storage options, and enough room for all the essential gear you need on the go. 

The vest is lightweight, comfortable, and practically designed. Our tour guides notice how pleasant this vest is, especially during long days outdoors. You can move freely and focus your attention on the surroundings, the trail, and the people around you. 

Exactly the way we like to do it at Alltractive. 

Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us:

Phone number: +31645536252

Email: info@alltractive.com or evelien@alltractive.com