Deuter Pulse Pro 5 hip bag review: you can cram a surprising amount in this comfy pack
Meet the reviewer
Deuter Pulse Pro 5: first impressions
Clipping into the Deuter Pulse Pro 5, I was impressed with how snugly it fits without being so tight it cut off my breathing. The helmet / gear sling was a welcome bonus; most hip packs don’t have that feature, and it’s a handy one when you’re wheeling your bike around, or if you’re a person who takes off your helmet on big climbs.
Specifications
• List price: $125 (US) / £90 (UK)
• Gender specification: Unisex
• Sizes: One size
• Materials: 330D textured REC PA, & PA stretch mesh
• Weight: 531g / 1.17lb
• Volume: 5L
• Dimensions (H / W / D): 20cm x 33cm x 13cm
• Colors: Atlantic & Desert / Graphite
• Compatibility: Hiking, running, cycling, commuting
The sling is also sized to carry that long sleeve shirt or windproof jacket you took off mid-ride or hike, or to stash gloves, sunglasses, energy snacks or even knee pads if you’re doing any technical riding.
But there’s quite a lot of space inside the pack as well. I was pleased with the amount of space the pack offers. With water, snacks, tools and a jacket in there, I still had space to spare, which meant that when I went to find something, I didn’t have to pull everything else out to get to it because the pack was so stuffed.
The Pulse Pro 5 pack is tough without being heavy, with 100% recycled polyester fibers that are tear- and abrasion-resistant, as well as being water-repellent too.
Deuter Pulse Pro 5: materials and design
On January 1, 2025, new PFAS legislation in a number of states will ban PFAS chemicals in outdoor apparel and textiles. There are 12,000 PFAS chemicals and they’re really good at what they do: repelling water, dirt, and grease. But PFAS takes ‘geologic time’ to break down in the environment, and in the meantime, they cause cancer and other harm to people, animals and the environment. Many brands are scrambling to meet the new standards; Deuter has been working on getting PFAS out of everything they make, and they’re ahead of the curve. This pack is certified PFAS-free.
The pack aims to reduce CO2 emissions both through materials and offsets. The pack is bluesign certified, which means a third party has verified that it conforms to strict safety and environmental requirements. It’s also Green Button-certified for sustainable textiles, which means it meets 46 stringent social and environmental criteria covering everything from wastewater to forced labor.
Other awesomeness: Deuter promise to repair any Deuter pack free of charge, no matter its generation or the reason for damage or defect. If you use your gear as hard as I do, that’s one of the best reasons to buy this pack!
Deuter Pulse Pro 5: on the trails
The Pulse Pro 5 is super comfortable and spacious. The back of the pack uses mesh-covered, air-channel back padding – much like that found in good-quality backpacks – to prevent sweat buildup while riding.
The back panel extends into a double-velcro cummerbund, with a webbing overlay that velcro-fastens then clips to close. It is super supportive when I’m carrying heavier loads. Sometimes hip packs pull on my lower back when I’m riding but once I’d clipped into this hip pack, I forgot it was on.
When I need to reach for a tool on the trail, I love that I can get to it instantly. I can store it in a mesh-side zip pocket that overlays another non-zippered pocket, which I use to hold snacks. It’s great to be able to reach them without having to open the pack’s main compartments. The Pulse Pro 5’s front pocket secures my car key with a handy clip. It also holds a spare tube, a multitool, sealant and other trailside tools I routinely carry. And if it isn’t overloaded with tools, I stick my phone in there too.
The pack’s main pocket has divided storage: a spacious main compartment easily able to hold a waterproof jacket and flexible knee pads, and a reservoir pocket with a velcro strap that threads through the reservoir closure clip to keep it from slumping as I drink my water and empty the bag.
The reservoir hose threads through the right side of the pack and the hose clips into the pack on the left side. The clip does a good job of securing the hose, but drinking from the hose and replacing it in its holder is best done when you’re not on the move. The hose mouthpiece has a cap, which keeps dirt off the mouthpiece, but it adds an additional step to stopping for a drink.
The pack also has a pocket that’s sized for a water bottle with a retainer bungee to keep it from falling out. The pocket held the container securely, but it isn’t placed or designed so that I can get my bottle back into the pocket without stopping.
When wearing this pack for gravel biking, the tail of the inner waist belt works its way up; it isn’t uncomfortable but it looks awkward. The 37.5in / 95cm-long cummerbund-style waist strap is great for those with a larger waist; on a smaller person, the waist strap is so long it wraps around their entire body (on me – I wear 29in / 74cm waist pants – it was so long that I’ll be trimming it before I wear this pack again).
