Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 vs Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL
Quick take: The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 carries more (55 vs 50 liters); the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL is lighter (2.67 vs 2.8 lbs).
| Spec | Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 | Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295 | $295 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 50+5 L | 45+5 L |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs | 2.67 lbs |
| Max Load | 26-33 lbs (12-15 kg) | 26-33 lbs (12-15 kg) |
| Torso Fit | Clip & Loop, 42-62 cm (16.5-24.5 in) | Clip & Loop, 35-56 cm (13.8-22 in) |
| Material | 175D PA ripstop Ultra HD | 175D PA ripstop Ultra HD |
| Back Panel | Aircontact with Air Spacer mesh over spring steel round-profile frame | Aircontact with Air Spacer mesh over spring steel round-profile frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Deuter lifetime repair policy | Deuter lifetime repair policy |
Pros & cons
Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5
- ✓1,270 g for a framed 55 L pack puts it in the same weight class as a Gossamer Gear Mariposa while keeping an adjustable back length.
- ✓The 42-62 cm Clip & Loop range is unusual at this weight -- most ultralight packs are sized rather than adjustable.
- ✓A roll-top closure plus removable lid means it can run stripped or fully featured depending on the trip.
- ✓175D ripstop Ultra HD is more durable than the 140D fabric on the heavier Aircontact Lite.
- ✓The spring-steel perimeter frame still transfers load to the hips rather than relying on a foam pad.
- ✓Air Spacer mesh keeps some ventilation despite the reduced back panel.
- ✓Modular gear straps allow external carry without permanent attachment hardware.
- ✓Deuter's lifetime repair policy is rare in the ultralight segment, where cottage brands typically offer far less.
- ✗12-15 kg maximum load is limiting for a 55 L pack, so the volume can be filled past what the suspension handles.
- ✗$295 is expensive next to the Aircontact Lite 40+10 at $220 for a similar load rating.
- ✗The roll-top plus lid combination adds fiddliness compared with a straightforward top-loader.
- ✗Air Spacer mesh over a reduced panel ventilates less than the fully suspended Futura Air Trek.
- ✗The 40+5 has no published weight, making the two sizes hard to compare directly.
- ✗Hipbelt pockets are not listed in the specification.
- ✗Deuter's ultralight range is new and has a shorter track record than the cottage brands it competes with.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated by Deuter.
Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL
- ✓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.
- ✗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.