deuter Aircontact Core 45+10 SL Review

Testing the Aircontact Core SL

My husband and I took the Aircontact Core bags on a trip to hike the Laugavegur Trail in August last year and loved them! While these are not ultralight packs, they provide what ultralight packs don’t have: extreme comfort and cushion. My Aircontact Core SL bag felt like it was made for me specifically after I adjusted the back panel and shoulder straps to my size. The back panel also has a mesh spacer that keeps the bag slightly off the back, which means it’s much less sweaty. I particularly liked this, as in Iceland it is quite cold, which means I tried to sweat as little as possible to stay warm.

I brought the SL version of the pack and was really happy with how well it fit me. I’m used to using bags that are unisex or made for a man’s posture, and so to have a bag that fit to my body so well was a treat. Especially with all of the layers I was wearing, it was nice that the bag wasn’t slipping around and actually stayed put in the adjustments I set.

We camped for four nights and had the packs very full with all of our food and gear, along with maxxing out the hydration reservoirs (which are included!) with 3 liters of water each day. However, where this usually would have been really difficult and made the trail more challenging, we could tell the packs were made for this specifically. This was my husband’s first time camping while trekking, as we usually stay in mountain huts, and thus the pack weight was heavier than he was used to. However, he didn’t feel the difference because of how well the Aircontact fit him and pulled the weight off of his shoulders. We were really impressed!

There are many different compartments for your needs, like one for dirty/wet clothing, and even the lid is removable, so it’s possible to carry it as only a 45L pack as well.

About the Aircontact Core 45+10 SL

The Aircontact Core SL backpacks by deuter are fantastic bags if you’re looking for a heavy-duty, unbreakable backpack that is actually built for women. It’s meant for tough trekking in difficult terrain and weather and will keep you comfortable and your gear safe and dry as you hike, while not rubbing uncomfortably.

The SL, or “Slim Fit,” means that the pack was made with a woman’s anatomy in mind. The carrying system is a bit shorter than the men’s version, which accounts for back length and hips. I could feel the difference, as there was no discomfort in my hips as I adjusted the bag.

Designed for trekking above all other activities, the pack can be adjusted to different back lengths within the SL using the VariClick system, which offers two strap positions for a more personalized fit. The ActiveBalance shoulder straps move naturally with your body, while the VariFlex system helps maintain a stable carry. It balances your weight through the hip fins, and the aluminum frame, along with Air-Spacer mesh, provides both structure and ventilation.

The pack is also insured with the deuter repair options. Committed to cutting their carbon footprint as much as possible, deuter runs a number of programs (like you can rent their child carriers instead of buying!), aiming to make the world a more sustainable place. With the repair option, you can send your pack back at any time during its lifetime and have it easily repaired and returned to you.

Conclusion

I was really pleased with the Aircontact Core 45+10 SL and found it to be well-suited to my needs and size as we took on Iceland’s famous trekking. It weathered the river crossings, random snow, small glimpses of sun, and all of the wind without a scratch. I’ve always found that deuter products hold up to their quality promise, and this was a clear example of that.