LONGMONT, Colo. (November 3, 2009) – Deuter, makers of innovative, high quality and multi-use packs with over 110 years of internationally proven experience, is pleased to announce the hiring of Christian Mason as Director of Sales and Marketing. Mason joins the staff immediately, bringing his extensive experience in sales, marketing and product development to the company.

No stranger to the outdoor realm, Mason comes to Deuter USA from Petzl America, where he most recently managed the headlamp division for the vertical and headlamp equipment manufacturer. Prior to Petzl, Mason worked as a marketing manager for Kelty backpacks and as director of product development for Mountainsmith. An avid backcountry skier, mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast, Mason built his career in the mountains of Colorado and the West, honing his product knowledge, marketing acuity and sales network. Mason will be responsible for sales and marketing of the entire Deuter USA brand including backpacks, child carriers, winter sport, hydration/cycling packs and sleeping bags. To visit Deuter’s products, please go to http://www.deuterusa.com.

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LONGMONT, Colo. (August 18, 2009) Deuter, makers of innovative, high quality, and durable packs with over 110 years of internationally proven experience, announces the launch of their CommuterCross packs, as well as updates to their hydration packs and cycling accessories for 2010. The CommuterCross category includes packs targeted toward the cyclist, commuter, and outdoor enthusiast looking for do-everything packs for on and off the bike. In addition, the company continues to offer their extensive line of cycling hydration packs featuring true ventilation, technical materials and efficient designs. Deuter completes their offerings with bike touring/commuting accessories, panniers, underseat and handlebar bags. The Deuter Bike collection will be on display at the Interbike Trade Show in Las Vegas, September 23-25, 2009. Deuter’s 2010 packs will be available in outdoor, bike and specialty stores in early spring 2010.

According to Bill Hartrampf, president of Deuter USA, “Bike commuting is one of the fastest growing segments for our retailers. Deuter has a long history of rugged, innovative, quality packs. We’ve brought our expertise to this market and consumers will find a broad range of offerings well-suited for bike commuting, longer adventures and daily life. In short, you can do anything with a Deuter pack.”

Key packs from the Deuter lineup include:

CommuterCross Collection
Deuter’s CommuterCross Collection includes larger capacity packs perfect for bike commuting, long tours or any activity. These packs feature multiple compartments, hydration capability, built-in rain covers, helmet holders, body-hugging designs and back panel ventilation.

The Trans Alpine 26SL and Trans Alpine 30, $129, feature Deuter’s patented lightweight Airstripes-System®. This special ventilation system, designed specifically for cyclists, is made of two contoured foam strips with AIR channels and is covered in highly durable, breathable mesh. The 26 SL, a women’s specific pack, features a female-friendly design with a shorter back length and narrower shoulder straps. Both packs include a dividable main compartment, contoured shoulder straps, mesh hip fins with pockets, two exterior zip pockets, buckled helmet holder, and pump holder, safety blink loop, built-in rain cover, hydration capability and 3M reflectors. TransAlpine 26SL, Capacity: 1600 Cu. In. TransAlpine 30, Capacity: 1850 Cu. In.

The Cross Air EXP, $119, is a versatile pack with excellent back ventilation matched with a creative design. The pack features Deuter’s Aircomfort-System® which is the first of its kind to be patented; laboratory-tested and still the only pack with three-way ventilation. A special mesh covering the frame creates the optimum space between the backpack and the wearer’s back. The Cross Air EXP expands to accommodate more volume with a unique hidden zipper. This pack also includes: an exterior shove-it pocket perfect for helmets or jackets, two zippered front pockets, mesh side pockets, 3M reflectors built-in rain cover, and hydration capability. Cross Air EXP, Capacity: 1100-1300 Cu. In.

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As an avid mountain biker and a volunteer with the East Bay Regional Parks Bike Patrol, I can easily put a product through its paces. Recently, I was given the chance through MTBR.com to evaluate the Deuter Compact EXP 8 and the Deuter Hydro Lite 3.0 hydration packs. The Compact EXP 8 is a new extended hiking/biking hydration pack that carries 3L of water and was made for those who hike or bike for greater than two hours as recommended by Deuter. The Hydro Lite 3.0 is marketed to those who will be on the trails for two hours or more. This hydration pack carries 3L of water, about 1L more than the competition.

Compact EXP 8

Features:
Like all hydration packs, this one comes with your standard, shoulder and chest straps that are fully adjustable but also include a waist strap where each side also has a zippered pouch to store small items as well. If you are looking for a hydration pack that can literally carry everything, your search is over. This one has a small zippered pocket and a large zippered pocket with key ring on the outside of the pack, plus an area to hold your helmet or jacket via adjustable straps and bike pump sleeve. Hold on, there’s more! Inside the pack where the water is stored, there is another zippered pocket and another fairly large storage pocket that is behind the water reservoir, this one unzipped. Even the area where the water reservoir is located has some additional room to store things, if needed. And if you still don’t have enough room, there is a zipper that almost encircles the whole pack to almost double the volume of storage.

Included is a mouth piece cover that is connected via a cord to protect the mouth piece from grit and dirt while you are on the trail. The mouth piece also has a built-in shut off valve activated just by turning the mouth piece clock wise by one turn. There is a tube fixation piece on the right shoulder strap for those who prefer having the tube and mouthpiece secured while on the trail. The water reservoir uses an innovative slip clip called the streamer clip to open and close the water reservoir for filling and use. There is a reflective tail light strap and Deuter uses what they call Airstripe that is supposed to hold the pack onto your back and still have airflow to keep your back cool and not sweaty. The whole reservoir system uses an anti-bacterial material that inhibits bacteria growth and doesn’t add any taste to the water.

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