Deuter has been making backpacks since 1898. Not trail vests: backpacks, the big ones you carry on hikes and treks, built on German know-how focused on load carrying and back comfort. In 2024, the Gersthofen brand took on the trail running market for the first time in its history with the Traick range. It's a late bet against specialists who have owned the category for fifteen years, but it rests on an argument few rivals can claim: more than a century of back ergonomics.
© Deuter, official photo used for editorial purposes
Deuter and trail running: the load-carrying specialist fights back
Trail running is one of the last major apparel and accessories categories where Deuter simply didn't exist. The Bavarian brand has ruled hiking and trekking packs for decades (Aircontact, Futura, Guide), to the point of being a near-default choice among mountain guides. But the hydration vest market was already crowded with Salomon, Ultimate Direction, Raidlight and NNormal, brands that were born with trail running or made it their core business.
With the Traick, unveiled in 2024 and offered in 5 and 9 liters (each also available in a lighter SL version), Deuter isn't trying to reinvent the trail vest. It applies its usual method: a back panel built to spread the load (the DEUTER LITE SYSTEM), stretch fabric across the entire cut, and a very German take on sustainability with Green Button certification and the Bluesign label. The result owns its limits: no soft flasks included, no bladder in the box, and reasonable but unremarkable storage. The Traick 5 doesn't aim to be the most complete vest on the market. It aims to be the most comfortable to wear over time, a credible promise from a brand that has done nothing else since 1898.
© Deuter, official photo used for editorial purposes
The DEUTER LITE SYSTEM: what does it change on your back?
The Traick's only real technology argument is its heritage. The DEUTER LITE SYSTEM wasn't invented for trail running. It's a back-panel design philosophy Deuter has applied for years to its lightweight hiking packs: spread the load over a larger contact area, avoid localized pressure points, and use perforated mesh that lets air flow without adding thick foam. On a 5 liter vest that never weighs more than 300 g fully loaded, the benefit is subtler than on a 12 kg backpack, but you feel it over time. The four-way stretch mesh hugs your rib cage without bunching up around the ribs, even when you're breathing hard on steep sections.
The elastic, adjustable sternum strap adds to that feeling of wearing a garment rather than a pack. Unlike rigid buckle systems, the elastic absorbs small upper-body movements, so you don't have to cinch it down every time you pick up the pace again. The adjustable side compression cords let you tune the volume depending on whether the vest is half full or packed, a useful detail when you head out with just a wind jacket or add a full bladder for a longer run.
RunMorph's advice: the Traick 5 rewards runners willing to complete the kit themselves (soft flasks, bladder) rather than those looking for a vest that's ready to run out of the box. If you already own 500 ml soft flasks from another vest like the NNormal Race Vest 5L or the Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6L, the math gets much more favorable.
© Deuter, official photo used for editorial purposes
Field test: between 4:30 and 6:30/km on mid-mountain trails
We tested the Traick 5 across a range of paces, from 4:30/km on runnable sections to 6:30/km, or even power hiking on the steep grades, for close to 70 km spread over several runs of 1 h to 2 h 30. The first clear impression: the vest disappears. At 165-175 g empty, you forget it from the first strides, even during abrupt pace changes like hill intervals. Bounce is almost nonexistent, even loaded with two full soft flasks and a light jacket in the rear pocket, proof that the side compression system does its job.
The downside is the available volume. Five liters gets tight as soon as a run goes past two hours or the weather forces you to carry a rain jacket on top of the wind jacket. The four shoulder strap pockets handle small items well (gels, bars, phone), but the single rear pocket quickly shows its limits if you want to fit both a full bladder and a spare layer. Another point raised by several French testers: the soft flasks sit securely in their pockets at the start but can loosen slightly after several hours of use, a teething problem common on a brand-new first-generation product.
Deuter Traick 5 vs NNormal Race Vest 5L: head to head
In the very specific segment of ultralight 5 liter vests, the most relevant comparison remains the NNormal Race Vest 5L, co-designed by Kilian Jornet and already reviewed by RunMorph for skyrunning.
| Criterion | Deuter Traick 5 | NNormal Race Vest 5L |
|---|
| Empty weight | 165 to 175 g | 174 g |
| Weight with soft flasks | 165 to 175 g (soft flasks not included) | 254 g (soft flasks included) |
| Soft flasks included | No | Yes, 2 x 500 ml |
| Bladder compatibility | Yes, up to 2 L | Not supported by the manufacturer |
| Environmental certification | Bluesign + Green Button | Not disclosed |
| Official price | €139.90 | €135 |
It's closer than it looks. The NNormal wins on ready-to-run convenience (soft flasks included, slightly lower price) and on the brand's trail credibility. The Deuter takes the lead as soon as you want to switch to a bladder for longer runs, an option the NNormal doesn't offer. The choice mostly depends on the gear you already own: if you already have soft flasks, go for the Traick; if you're starting from scratch, the NNormal is the more natural pick.
Who is the Traick 5 for?
Runners doing short, intense mid-mountain outings
This is the ideal profile. On runs of 1 h to 2 h 30, the Traick 5's featherweight build and highly breathable back make you forget you're carrying anything, even during hill intervals or frequent pace changes.
Runners preparing for a 20 to 50 km race with gear they already own
If you already have compatible 500 ml soft flasks, the Traick 5 becomes a very competitive race vest on weight, at a price that ends up close to its rivals once you subtract the hydration.
Hiker-runners who mix trail running and fast hiking
Bladder compatibility up to 2 liters, rare at this weight, makes it a good companion for mixed outings where water supply matters more than room for food or mandatory gear.
© Deuter, official photo used for editorial purposes
The RunMorph Coach's verdict
The Deuter Traick 5 is an honest success for a first attempt. Weight, back comfort and breathability match the best specialists on the market, which was never a given for a brand that had never designed a trail vest before 2024. The score is pulled down, though, by choices that hurt its real value for money: no soft flasks included when nearly all its direct competitors include them, and a volume that limits the vest to short runs.
RunMorph overall score: 7.5/10. A very good vest if you already own your hydration setup and mainly want comfort and low weight on runs under three hours. A tougher sell if you want a complete solution from your first purchase.