How to Choose a Backpack

Need a pack that can handle an overnight this month and a longer trip the next? The men's Deuter Aircontact Core 50 + 10 pack offers comfort and versatility for thru-hikers and backpackers.
Imported.
View the Deuter Aircontact Product LineView all Deuter Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
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Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 60 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 3,661 cubic inches |
Weight | 4 lbs. 6 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | 17-24 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | Unavailable |
Material(s) | Main: 235-denier polyamide (at least 50% recycled); bottom/high-wear areas on hipbelt: 500-denier textured polyamide |
Frame Material | Aluminum |
Number of Stays | 2 parallel |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Pack Access | Top/panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 6 + main compartment |
Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes |
Raincover Included | No |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Dimensions | 30.7 x 12.2 x 10.2 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This first thing I will say about this pack is that it is very comfortable. This is great for hiking and traveling. The gear straps can be positioned to attach a wide range of items. The Y-shaped frame and hip fins wrap around the hips and lumber pad really do distribute the weight you carry. Some great features are: walking pole holder, material loops on front & lid, load adjustment straps, elasticated inner compartment for wet items, lid compartment, removable backpack lid, separate compartment with removable base, hip fins with pockets, key clip; just to name a few. This backpack has so many zippered compartments to store everything you need with making it accessible, versatile and comfortable.
Inam finding this backpack to be confortable and well balanced during this "trial phase," when I have put 20+ pounds of weight in it and used it on local greenways and parks. I am yet to use it overnight on the trail. I purchased it to have a tougher material and more comfortable fit. So far that is true compared to the thinner straps on my ultralight backpacknwhich had a hole wear through on its outermost pocket afterbonly using it as a carry-on during a series of flights. The Deuter backpack is already showing itself to be tougher. So far I believe this is a wiser choice than the previous Hyperlite which I returned to REI.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I just recently got my hiking backpack, which I my first. I have to say the Aircontact core is not only the nicest backpack I've ever had but it's the most comfortable as well. There is so much room inside and also has a very sturdy backbone to keep the back from sagging. There is also an airway down the back to keep your nice and cool. Looking forward to going on a nice hike with my awesome backpack.
What I Liked: This pack has tons of features. Separated bottom compartment for easy access to tent or storage for wet gear at the bottom of the pack. Bottom compartment will open up to extend the bag. Outer and inner pocket on brain great for snacks and rain gear. Didn't like so much: This pack is very heavy. At around 4.5 lbs, this was 25% of my base weight on my last trip. Stretch pockets on outside can get tight if the pack is stuffed, but I've found that will happen with many packs. Straps on hip belt are very long and attempting to stow them under the hip belt pockets is futile. Hip belt pockets are also not very big, and can at most fit a headlamp and 1-2 snacks.
Good backpack, packs down flat when empty and expands really well when filling it up. It feels good on the back after several miles of hiking and the outside material is easy to clean off. Big pouches and lots of room.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Deuters Aircontact Core 50+10 in graphite shale is the perfect color pack for the rugged outdoorsman such as myself who has a problem keeping things 'clean looking'. I couldn't be happier with the massive size of this park or the abundance of pockets it has. But, my favorite part about this backpack is how comfortable it is! The air mesh ventilation system makes sweat minimal. I'm very fond of the fanny pack type pocket by your hip that makes carrying and accessing your essentials effortless. You'll have no problem fitting everything you need in here. The adjustable straps help craft the perfect fit to your back. Overall this is a super premium, well crafted product.
Bought one of these 4 years ago and logged almost 900 miles with this pack. This thing is a sledgehammer when it comes to durability. Its made very well and is very user friendly. It has a limited amount of pockets on its exterior but its interior compartments make a lot of sense. This pack straps down quite well and checks the boxes for most things you would want in a starter internal frame pack. I've been able to squeeze 6 days of food with my setup into it for one trip with no problem. The additional 10 liter expansion is a great feature for those trips. The drawstring close for the main compartment is a feature to be loved instead of dealing with a roll/clip top. Having the separate bottom compartment is nice if you want to compartment certain items but also having the zipper inside to make its interior one large space is great as well. Things I don't like but have gotten used to: -The straps on this pack are awful when you load it down with additional weight. -Its not the most comfortable pack I've ever worn. The back padding can be a bit stiff when your pushing on that 20th mile of the day. -The front exterior compartment is virtually useless when this pack is loaded up. It would be nice if they gave it a bit more material to expand if needed. - Its very rigid, doesn't have a lot of give or movement and feels like the entire load is directly attached to your back which causes fatigue over long mileage. -The exterior mesh pockets have started to separate on mine at the bottom over time. -Its a substantially heavy pack at almost 5 lbs... thats what ended its service with me when I started going lighter. Love this pack though. Its gone all over the continental US with me and would highly recommend it if your looking for something to hold up to rugged trips.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I recently received the aircontact Core 50+ 10 hiking bag by Deuter. This bag is absolutely amazing for hiking or camping. The straps aren’t uncomfortable and adjust perfect yo your fitting, there is so many types of storage and zippers as well. I also enjoy how there is a Fanny pack near the bottom that can hold important items such as your cell phone or maps. i loved the color, and the quality is amazing for the price I would definitely buy. I’m obsessed with this bag. I couldn’t ask for a better one, I could fit all my gear and everything in it and I have had no problems! Love this
My first not-oldschool-frame pack, so my standards are not ultralight or super-high-tech - if yours are, this isn't for you. That said! I'm loving the adjustability and comfort of this pack. It's very spacious inside and has a bunch of intuitive zips to access stuff at the bottom and sides without completely unpacking. The straps on the sides are minimal (i.e. not a ton of unneeded weight) but help hold poles and bottles securely. When I got the straps just right, I felt like I was carrying an empty pack - it feels great.
Mediocre bag with confused sizing features. The bag isn't sized and relies on an adjustment system for changing the length. Although the adjustment system is well made, a bag of this size really needs to be made in specific sizes. I'm 5'9" with long legs and short torso so I have the adjustment at it's shortest. With the shoulder straps as far down as they can go, the thin parts of the straps are riding on my shoulders (not the thicker more padded part) and it's fairly uncomfortable. The notion that the lid of this bag adds 10 liters is silly, it's a lid and you can't put anywhere near that much in it. Likewise, it doesn't work well without the lid so, essentially, this is a 55 litre bag- no more, no less. I have the 30l version of this bag and it has a u-shaped zipper that allows you to access all the contents (even on the bottom) without unpacking. This model does NOT have that feature even though the deuter website shows that it does (seems a running change and this 'older' version missed out). That means you'll need to unpack all of the contents to get to anything at the bottom. The highlight of the bag is the options for moving the exterior strap mounting points. They're very versatile and easy to move around. Lumbar support is also good but hampered by the overall poor fit for me.