How to Choose a Backpack

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Tackle the trail in total comfort with the lightweight and ventilated women's Deuter Aircontact Lite 45 + 10 SL pack. It's built tough to accompany you on a lifetime of adventures.
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View the Deuter Aircontact Product LineView all Deuter Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
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Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 55 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 3,356 cubic inches |
Weight | 3 lbs. 12 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | 14-19 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | 27-52 inches |
Material(s) | Nylon/polyester/closed-cell foam |
Frame Material | Aluminum |
Number of Stays | 2 |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Pack Access | Top / Bottom |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 4 + main compartment |
Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Dimensions | 29.1 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches |
Gender | Women's |
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Love this pack! I bought it to use when I served in the Peace Corps in Botswana and it made my life so much easier. I had to walk about an hour from the main road through thick bush and pretty deep sand to get to my house with my pack filled with groceries to last a month (about 60-70lbs), this pack never let me down. I'm also extremely petite (5ft, 105lbs) and had struggled to find something that fit my body, but wasn't a children's pack (had hip and back support, didn't topple over because it was so much taller than me) and my Deuter did this perfectly. It has lasted me over 3 years with no issues and I'm about to go do some grad research deep in the back country for a few months and know my pack will do the job!
I’ve been going back and forth between this backpack and the Osprey. I’ve never liked Osprey products (to me, it seems like their pockets for water bottles are a little big and my bottles always slip out). However, I decided to go with this backpack and never turning back. There is plenty of back support and lots of compartments to stuff your items in. I took it on its first 3-day backpacking trip in the Eastern Sierra mtns and I was surprised I didn’t have sore shoulders (I carried our two person tent, 3 liters of water, and all the essentials). Can’t wait to go on other backpacking trips with my backpack :). I’m 5’3” and it’s very adjustable.
I love the Deuter ACT and have been using their bags for about 6 years. This updated bag addressed all the issues I had in my previous 45+10 including larger and 2 hip pockets, a more adjustable brain, and a better color-way :) I trained and used this pack for Wonderland last month and it was ALMOST perfect. My only issue is the internal water bladder pocket. I wish the fabric came up higher because when I'm refilling I need to take gear in and out to shimmy it back in after refills so I know I'm not at risk of puncturing anything. Feels just like the old version on my back after 250 miles. I'll be using for JMT next summer as well, plenty of room.
Words cannot describe how much I love this pack. I have owned it for 4 years now and have used it for everything from single day hikes to multi-day technical mountain summits. I have a bad shoulder and a bad hip and it has never once bothered me. I consistently put 40-50lbs of stuff in it and it has held up incredibly well. There is plenty of space in the pack and great gear attachment loops, I've never had any trouble fitting everything I need. One thing I think differentiates the pack from the ones friends own is that it is more on the narrow and tall side, it is narrowing than my back, which I really appreciate.
After reading tons of reviews and watching YouTube videos of ultra light back packs, I was convinced I was an ultra light back packer. However, after going to REI Christiana De, and getting fit and trying several loaded packs, I found out that my body type loves Deuter Packs! It contours to my back and doesn’t press on my sciatic nerve (yes, I have issues!) I had convinced myself that another brand, that had an extra sacrum cushion was it but it caused me pain once loaded. I have packed out 35 lbs so far and still love this pack!! I do need to add a few customized pouches for my phone but loving it!!
This bag has held up very well for me, fits my body and height well, doesn't hurt when fillled with heavy gear and used for backpacking for 2-3 day trips. It is high quality and has a good shape and sections for me to fill with my gear. The only downsides are it is a heavy pack so not good for ultra-lighters, and as with any packs I've found, it's really hard to reach a water bottle in the side pocket while it's on.
The only reason this pack does not get a 5 star is because I can’t reach my water bottles in the side mesh pockets. It has enough room for all of my thru hiking gear. It took me a few times to get it dialed in, but I love it. The lower part of the pack has padding that sits firmly against your lumbar area of your back and I felt much more supported in this area. When I first tried this on in the store and walked around for 30 minutes with 25lbs, my back got really sweaty and I did not like that. That was the only reason I was contemplating another pack. But I went with my gut and bought it. I have been on 10 day hikes ranging from 2-9 miles and do not regret it. No back sweat, and some of the temps were in the 80’s.
Owning this backpack makes me want to go out and camp more often -- if that feeling isn't an endorsement of this bag, I don't know what is. I'm a thick lady with a really short torso, and this bag accommodates my body in miraculous ways. It is very adjustable and could fit a whole range of body types. This pack always feels light on my back, even when carrying more weight than usual. The thick hip belt is especially helpful for distributing weight. A word on pockets: There aren't a ton of compartments in this bag if you're a hyper-organizer. However, I will say that I really like my gear well-organized when I go out, and there are plenty of pockets in the pack to let me compartmentalize my setup. When I bought the bag at first, I saw that some people couldn't reach the side water bottle pockets while wearing it and thought, "Okay, but maybe those people just aren't flexible." I was wrong. Unless you are a contortionist, you will probably not be able to access those pockets while hiking. Overall, this is an awesome bag. It's durable, comfortable, and sleek. I can't recommend it enough, especially for people who feel that most backpacks aren't designed for their body type.
I'm 5'2" with back problems. But this bag fits me really well. It's almost like hugging me, and the weight is evenly distributed. Haven't used it for trails yet but I've brought it with me to the California Coast Classic events and a few car campings. The design and functionality is great. The buckle was broken on my trip flying to Vegas because United Airlines wouldn't let me carry on my bag. Luckily, Deuter replaced the buckle for me and it was free of charge! It's one of the best customer services I've ever had. I now love my bagpack even more. I bought it at the REI with them helping me finding the best fit. I think it really makes a huge difference.
I have only used this pack on one overnight trip but I will give my feedback based on limited use. I ultimately chose this pack over an Osprey because I did not like the trampoline style backs. They always felt like they were floating off my back and pulling my center of gravity off. This pack sits right on your back but has great cushioning and ventilation. It is a very narrow pack built for women's narrow frames. Expect your load to be narrow and tall. What I wish I could change: the hip belt pockets are small and don't hold much, the water bottle pockets are completely inaccessible while wearing the pack. If you are hiking alone, plan to use a hydration bladder or take off your pack every time you want a drink.