Eagle Creek Deviate 60L Travel Pack Review
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Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack (60L)
First Impressions on the Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack
Eagle Creek is a brand that has always been focused on producing awesome, durable gear for adventure-oriented travelers. I personally have an Eagle Creek rolling carry-on bag which I’ve been using since I received it close to 20 years ago as a gift during college! Aside from a compression strap that is a bit frayed from getting run over by the wheels about 1000 times, its still in great condition.
The Deviate line, new for 2015, is a backpacking-style heavily-featured pack for the adventure traveler. At first glance, it looks like just another backpacking pack, but closer examination reveals thoughtful features just for traveling, and heavy use proves these to be indispensable.
The ‘Brilliant Blue’ colorway Eagle Creek sent me is great-looking, and the bulk of the material is a ripstop nylon with a sort of pinstripe texture that overall, gives the pack a great high-tech but sophisticated appearance.
The Deviate with detachable daypack attached
The detachable daypack was a feature that caught my eye right off the bat because of how well it was integrated. We’ve all seen multi-piece bags before, but the way the Deviate’s daypack seemed to be secured to the main bag when attached really impressed me. I was excited to get this packed full of gear and hit the road!
Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack Features
Ill admit it, this review took a long time to write. The pack is so jammed with features, that every time I thought I had finished the review, I discovered something else I thought someone interested in buying one needed to know about. Where to start? Well, perhaps the standout feature of the Deviate pack is a 15L daypack that detaches completely for separate use. The daypack is not difficult to remove or re-attach and is well-secured when attached – the unit feels stable as a whole. The daypack also has a soft felt-lined pocket in the interior which blocks RFID for security with your connected electronic devices (see below). This isn’t a huge daypack, but I found it perfect for heading out with the essentials – a couple light jackets, an umbrella, and a book or two.
Fleece-lined RFID-blocking pocket inside daypack
The other very unique feature that impressed me was the included duffel shell that doubles as a rain fly, but primarily is intended to be used for added security when airport-checking the Deviate bag. When not in use, it stows in the bottom compartment of the main bag (and doesn’t take up too much of the interior room), but when removed from the hidden compartment in the bottom of the pack, it is big enough to contain the entire bag, fully packed. It is even equipped with ballistic nylon handles as well as lockable zippers! Once inside the duffel, the pack is secured and also protected from damage.
The Deviate pack secured inside its integrated rainfly/duffel bag!
The duffel’s locking zipper closure
The Eagle Creek Deviate pack includes a strap-down lid with modest capacity, like many backpacking packs, but unlike those, the lid also detaches completely via 4 of the pack’s straps and quick-release latches. Eagle Creek says that the intention is that removing the lid and placing it inside the daypack reduces the size of the main pack to carry-on size. I actually succeeded in carrying on the pack without detaching the lid on a 3-day long weekend trip (to Nashville in case you were wondering – great upcoming city! Check it out), but the ability to remove the lid is a nice feature. The underside of the detachable lid also features a hidden zippered pocket Eagle Creek intends to be used for passports and other important documents.
The dual zippers for the main compartments, including the main pack, lid and daypack are all metal and lockable, for great security.
Some other, perhaps less sexy (but no less useful) feature points of the Deviate pack include sternum strap with safety whistle and capacity for an up to 3L hydration pack as well as rubber-reinforced opening and elastic loop for the hose.
The sternum strap’s quick release features a safety whistle
Performance of the Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack
I tested the Eagle Creek Deviate pack on a long weekend trip and used it as a carry-on bag. Several times, I removed and re-attached the daypack to stow the pack for flights or to carry some light personal items for sightseeing. The pack was perfect for this purpose.
I originally tried to test the Deviate pack on a longer, 5-day trip and found it to be a little short on capacity for what I needed to bring, so it had to wait for my next, shorter weekend getaway. However, Eagle Creek has you covered, as the Deviate also comes in a larger, 85L (including lid and daypack) option which also boasts a few extra features.
Back padding of the Deviate pack
The Deviate pack has a molded polycarbonate ‘framesheet’ that gives the pack structure and shape, while the foam padding is wrapped in mesh and has a cutout in the middle for ventilation. The frame and padding proved to be enough to make trekking for an hour or so without discomfort. The shoulder and hip straps also have the same padding and were very comfortable and breathed well.
All foam padding covered with super-breathable mesh
I was impressed as well with the durability of the Deviate pack. I didn’t try to baby it on my weekend trip – allowing not-so-careful cabbie’s to jam it into tight trunk spaces and tossing it into overhead bins, and was impressed that the fabrics of the pack’s shell held up very well. I ended up with one minor scuff which could probably be removed if I was really concerned, but didn’t notice any other concerning signs of wear.
Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack Summary
Eagle Creek is one of the undisputed kings of travel gear in the industry, and the new Deviate line of travel-oriented packs just solidifies that title. The Deviate boasts performance and durability of the best backpacking packs, then throws in really thoughtful travel-focused bells and whistles (literally!). The detachable daypack is unique due to its RFID-blocking tech pocket, its compact size, and the fact that it becomes a secure, stable part of the whole pack when attached. I also really liked the fact that the pack zips completely open, making packing and unpacking it a breeze compared to other top-load only backpacking packs.
The Eagle Creek Deviate 60L Travel pack retails for $235. For more info, visit www.eaglecreek.com or www.backcountry.com/eaglecreek.
Deviate Pack Features from Eagle Creek:
- Carry-on travel pack with companion clip-on backpack for ease of air travel – You’ve got your carry-on luggage & personal item in one! *To use as a carry-on, remove detachable backpack and lid
- Molded polycarbonate framesheet for ultra-light carry and extreme durability
- Contoured moisture-wicking Air Mesh padded back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt for a comfortable fit
- Sternum strap with safety whistle
- Large panel load opening for easy access to main compartment
- Compressible, stowable Check-In Fly™ serves as a rain cover and transforms to a check-in duffel bag with lockable zipper for added security when checked
- 3L hydration bladder compartment with elastic loop on shoulder strap for securing hose
- Lockable hood compartment with internal hidden security pocket
- Lockable zippers on main compartment with reflective pulls
- Central Locking Point locks main compartment and hood
- External compression straps help to stabilize load and provide multiple gear attachment points
- Side mesh pockets for quick grab items
- Integrates with Eagle Creek’s Pack-It™ System
- All Ways Secure™
- Anti-Theft: Lockable, self-repairing zippers on main compartment, plus an RFID Blocker pocket for ID protection
- Digital Safe-Zone: Padded, e-fleece electronics pocket
- Personal Safety: Reflective accents for dusk and nighttime visibility
- Moisture-wicking Air Mesh backpack straps
- Bottoms Up™ Compression to cinch and control contents
- Zippered front pocket for quick stash items
- Quick reattachment to main pack using color-coded webbing loops
- No Matter What™ Warranty
