Review: the new Deuter Pulse 1, 2 & 3 hip packs
Finally my backpack is collecting dust because all I need for my rides come in the form of the Deuter Pulse series.
I’m not the kind of person who likes wearing a backpack when I ride. They always cut into my shoulders and leave my entire back wetter than a 5 year old at a water park. Sure there are good backpacks, but when I’m heading out to ride after work, I prefer to leave mine at home. This is where the new Deuter Pulse series comes into play, especially number 3.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| smaller than a backpack | not waterproof |
| less back sweat | |
| comfortable |
The Pulse 3 in the bay colour.
The Pulse 2 in black.
The Pulse 3
I spent most of the 3 month testing period riding with the Pulse 3. It is outfitted with a 1.5 litre hydration bladder, two zipped mesh pocket on the wings and 2 zipped main pockets, one with a few dividers as well as a zipped mesh pocket on the inside for organization. I tested the bay version, which has orange accents, but black and cranberry colours are also available. Overall, a very sleek and practical hip pack that has enough space for everything I needed for one day rides.
The Pulse 3 sits extremely well.
The hydration bladder has a capacity of 1.5 litres.
The drink hose clips on the left side.
The hose clip is secure and easy to use.
The mesh pockets are great for keys,
... phone as well as snacks.
There is plenty of space for larger items in the main compartment.
| Pulse 3 facts | |
| Volume | 5 litres |
| Hydration bladder | 1.5 litres |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 21 x 64 x 10 cm |
Riding witht he Pulse 3 is comfortable and fun.
During the ride
The Deuter Pulse 3 is a joy to ride with. It clips around the waist comfortably with padding lining the wings and the back. While the padding does have good ventilation, it will still leave a small part of the back sweaty after a really taxing ride. I found this to not be a problem because only a small portion of my back was wet, not like when wearing a backpack.
The hose to the hydration bladder runs from the right side, across the waist and then clips in on the left. I found this to be easy to clip and unclip while riding. The Pulse 3 also does a great job at not bouncing around. Often, I had the 1.5 litre bladder full, mesh pocket stuffed with snacks and the main pockets filled with a lightweight jacket and my phone, but the pack just never moved. I ride without suspension on all sorts of terrain and I was really impressed at how well it stayed put. After a few rides, the Pulse 3 became my go to bag for day rides.
The Pulse 1 also sits well.
The water bottle is held in place with an elastic band.
The Pulse 2 offers a second pocket.
The zippred mesh pockets are practical for holding many things.
The Pulse 1 & 2
The Pulse 1 and 2 differ from the 3 in that they carry water bottles and not a hydration bladder. The difference between the 1 and 2 is the amount of mesh pockets each has. As the numbers suggest the 1 has one pocket and the 2 has two. My colleague, Kamil, spent some time with these and loved them. They are super breathable and when all you need is a bottle, snack and place to put your keys they are a great option. Similar to the Pulse 3, they also don’t bounce around and are very comfortable. If you were wondering about the bottle bouncing out on rowdy rides, don’t worry an elastic strap keeps it secure.
The Pulse 1 & 2 are great hip packs for after work rides.
A great update
Deuter really put some thought into the Pulse series with this new update. I found the Pulse 3 to be useful on both after work or day long rides and it has definitely replaced my backpack. No more sweat filled rides or sore shoulders! For those who really want to pare down, the Pulse 1 and 2 are great options, especially when all you need is a water bottle or a pocket or two. So if you were looking for a way to leave your backpack at home, you need to check out the Deuter Pulse series.
