Review | Deuter Attack 20

E-mountain bikes can take you further, faster and to more extreme terrain than ever, this specialist backpack from Deuter neatly combining the carrying capacity and protection you may need if that’s your thing. Or just looking for a cool commuting bag with an interesting back story and some neat bike-friendly features!

Endorsement by legendary racer turned professional YouTube lunatic Gee Atherton helps prove its credentials, the Attack 20 part of his kit for long days out in the mountains scoping out the latest wild lines to throw himself down for algorithmic glory. Deuter’s focus on sustainability is another appealing feature, earning it certification from the German government sponsored Green Button initiative for eco-friendly textiles while its in-house developed water-repellent coating replaces the harmful PFAS chemicals more commonly used in the outdoor clothing business. Partnership with body armour specialist RE ZRO meanwhile brings protection levels more usually associated with motorcycle clothing. 

Deuter Attack 20 tested

You don’t have to be sending it like Gee Atherton to appreciate the Attack 20’s many and various thoughtful design features, and how attuned it is to cyclists’ needs. But if you do decide to follow in his tyre tracks there is, at least, the reassurance of the built-in RE ZRO back protector, which slips unobtrusively into the lining and moulds itself to the shape of your body to the point you barely notice it’s there. In more everyday use the Attack 20 is simply packed with features, clever airflow management directing cooling air to stop your back getting all sweaty while the waistband includes neat and easily-accessible zip pockets for your phone, keys and wallet.

A full-length zip reveals the main body of the bag, which is relatively slim but packed with pockets and storage for your pump, drinks bladder and all your bits and bobs, a deeper pocket on the front offering a separate compartment again fully equipped with pockets, clips and stash space. A lined pocket on the top provides safe storage for goggles or sunglasses, the soft material preventing scratched lenses while tie-straps on the outside can carry a regular or full-face helmet when you’re not riding. The bag is even shaped to provide a handy ‘shelf’ if the terrain is so steep you need to carry your bike for stretches. If it’s really tipping it down a pull-out rain cover is also included.

This single-minded design philosophy is all very admirable but, accepting we’re not all riding like Gee Atherton, we’d have liked some more commuter-friendly features like a laptop pouch as well. True, the main section of the bag proved big enough to swallow a MacBook Pro but it’s an additional faff having to source a separate sleeve to protect it. 

Verdict

This is a very specialist – and expensive – piece of kit but if you enjoy big days out in the wilds on your e-mountain bike the Attack 20 is an impressively designed bag, with space to carry what you need to keep you warm, dry and safe no matter how wild the terrain. Sweaty backs are always an issue when cycling with backpacks, and while the air channelling feature can’t completely avoid this it does help. Which you’ll appreciate just as much on the commute as you will when out in the mountains.

The neat restraint systems also keep it secure even when riding steep or bumpy terrain, while making it very comfortable on the day-to-day. If we have one complaint it’s that there are almost TOO many pockets and compartments in the pack, to the point you can easily lose things, never to be seen again! A quick-draw net on the outside for a drinks bottle would also be handy.