Is the SL genuinely different from the men's Ultra?

Yes — the Clip & Loop range runs 35-56 cm, properly shortened at both ends rather than capped, with a women's-specific harness. Most ultralight makers offer women's fit only as a smaller size run, so an SL-specific carry at 1,210 g is genuinely rare.

It's only 60 g lighter than the men's version — which should I buy?

Exactly — the weight difference is noise, so choose purely on fit: if your torso is under about 42 cm or unisex straps land wrong on your chest, the SL is the answer. Otherwise the men's 50+5 gives 5 L more for the same $295.

Where does it stop carrying comfortably?

The 12-15 kg (26-33 lb) rating is the honest working range — the spring-steel perimeter frame keeps weight on your hips at a total pack weight where many competitors have already gone frameless, but 50 L of volume is easy to overfill past it.

Will a bear canister fit?

Deuter doesn't publish canister compatibility for the Ultra line, so test-fit your canister before a Sierra or permit trip — the roll-top does allow carrying one vertically near the top of the bag as a fallback. This is one spec where cottage competitors are more forthcoming.

How does the warranty compare in the ultralight world?

Deuter's lifetime repair policy covers it, which almost no cottage ultralight brand matches — a real consideration on 175D fabric that will eventually meet sharp granite. The line is newer to market, though, so the long-term track record is shorter than a Hyperlite's.

Ultralight Pack

~$295

Deuter

Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL

Name: Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL
Brand: Deuter
Price: 295 USD
Availability: InStock

The women's-fit Aircontact Ultra, at 1,210 g for 50 L. Between this and the 35+5 SL at 1,140 g, it is the lightest framed pack Deuter offers in a women's fit, and one of very few ultralight packs with a genuinely women's-specific carrying system rather than a short size of a unisex design.

Approx. price

~$295

Capacity

45+5 L

Weight

2.67 lbs

Best For

Women wanting an ultralight framed pack with a women's-specific carry

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Specifications

What do these specs mean? →

Type

Ultralight Pack

Frame Type

Internal Frame

Capacity

45+5 L

Weight

2.67 lbs

Max Recommended Load

26-33 lbs (12-15 kg)

Torso Fit

Clip & Loop, 35-56 cm (13.8-22 in)

Material

175D PA ripstop Ultra HD

Back Panel

Aircontact with Air Spacer mesh over spring steel round-profile frame

Warranty

Deuter lifetime repair policy

Raincover Included

Fits BV500 Bear Canister

Sizes Available

Capacity	Price	Weight
35+5 L	$275	2.51 lbs
45+5 Lthis pack	$295	2.67 lbs

Features

Adjustable TorsoRemovable LidHydration SleeveVentilated Back

Pros

✓1,210 g in a women's fit is exceptionally light for a pack with a frame and an adjustable back length.
✓Both SL sizes have published weights, so the 35+5 at 1,140 g is a quantified option for shorter trips.
✓The 35-56 cm Clip & Loop range is properly short at the bottom end rather than a capped men's range.
✓Most ultralight packs offer women's fit only as a size run, so a genuinely SL-specific carry is rare here.
✓Roll-top plus removable lid gives the same strip-down flexibility as the men's version.
✓175D ripstop Ultra HD is a real fabric upgrade over the Aircontact Lite's 140D.
✓Spring-steel perimeter frame keeps load on the hips at a weight where many packs give up and go frameless.
✓Lifetime repair policy, which almost no cottage ultralight brand matches.

Cons

✗12-15 kg ceiling is the binding constraint, and 50 L can be loaded past it easily.
✗$295 is the same as the men's 50+5 for 5 L less capacity.
✗Only 60 g separates it from the men's version, so the choice is entirely about fit rather than weight.
✗Reduced back panel ventilates less than the suspended-mesh Futura Air Trek.
✗Roll-top and lid together are fiddlier than a simple top-loader.
✗Hipbelt pockets are not listed in the specification.
✗Newer to market than the cottage ultralight packs it competes against.
✗Bear-canister fit is not stated by Deuter.

Common Questions

Compare the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL

vs Deuter Aircontact Core 55+10 SL vs Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5

Related backpacks

Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5

The Aircontact Ultra is Deuter's move into genuine ultralight territory: 1,270 g for a 55 L framed pack with a roll-top closure and a removable lid. It keeps the Aircontact name and Air Spacer mesh but swaps the aluminium Y-frame for a spring-steel round-profile perimeter frame, which is where most of the weight saving comes from.

50+5 L2.8 lbsRoll-Top ClosureVentilated back

Weight

2.8 lbs

Capacity

50+5 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40+5 L

Best for: Lightweight multi-day trips for hikers who still want an adjustable framed pack

View details

~$300

Traditional Pack

Deuter

Deuter Aircontact Core 55+10 SL

The SL is Deuter's women's-fit Aircontact Core, and the changes are structural rather than cosmetic: a 35-56 cm back length range in place of the men's 42-62 cm, shorter and more steeply curved shoulder straps, and hip fins shaped for a higher, narrower iliac crest. Frame, fabrics and feature set are otherwise identical to the standard Core.

55+10 LWomen's SL Fit22-44 lb Load RatingVentilated back

Weight

4.98 lbs

Capacity

55+10 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 45+10 L

Best for: Women carrying 30-45 lb loads who need a shorter back length than standard packs offer

View details

~$280

Traditional Pack

Deuter

Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10

The Aircontact Core is Deuter's mainstream load-hauler and the pack most often cross-shopped against the Osprey Aether and Gregory Baltoro. Its Aircontact back uses foam ribs and Air Spacer mesh against an external aluminium Y-frame, which prioritises load transfer over the suspended-mesh airflow of the Futura line. The +10 collar and detachable lid make the stated 50 L closer to 60 L when loaded for a longer trip.

50+10 L22-44 lb Load RatingVariClick TorsoVentilated back

Weight

5.09 lbs

Capacity

50+10 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 60+10 L

Best for: Multi-day and hut-to-hut trekking with 30-45 lb loads

View details

~$255

Traditional Pack

Deuter

Deuter Futura Air Trek 45+10 SL

The Futura Air Trek is Deuter's answer to the Osprey Atmos and Aura: a fully suspended mesh back panel tensioned over a spring steel frame, so the pack sits off the back entirely rather than against foam ribs. That buys the best ventilation in Deuter's trekking range at the cost of load rating, which tops out at 15 kg against the Aircontact Core's 20 kg.

45+10 LSuspended Mesh BackRaincover IncludedVentilated back

Weight

4.41 lbs

Capacity

45+10 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 55+10 L

Best for: Hot-weather trekking where back ventilation matters more than maximum load

View details

~$240

Daypack

Deuter

Deuter Futura Pro 40

The Futura Pro sits between Deuter's day packs and its trekking line: 40 L with the same suspended Aircomfort mesh as the Futura, but VariClick five-stage back length adjustment, a separate bottom compartment and a lid section. It covers long day trips, hut tours and overnights where a full trekking pack is overkill.

40 LVariClick TorsoRaincover IncludedVentilated back

Weight

3.57 lbs

Capacity

40 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 36 L

Best for: Long day hikes, hut tours and light overnights needing ventilation

View details

~$230

Traditional Pack

Deuter

Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 SL

The women's-fit Aircontact Lite, with the SL back range of 35-56 cm and women's-specific strap and hip fin geometry. It is the lightest framed trekking pack Deuter offers in a women's fit outside the Aircontact Ultra, and at $230 it is priced well under most women's packs of the same volume.

45+10 L3.4 lbsWomen's SL FitVentilated back

Weight

3.4 lbs

Capacity

45+10 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 35+10 L

Best for: Women wanting a sub-3.5 lb framed pack for weekend and multi-day trips

View details

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