What is the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 Backpack?
The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 is a lightweight, rugged backpack designed for multi-day hikes and long treks. Its adjustable features and customisable fit ensure this pack adapts to your journey, delivering reliable, ergonomic support for extended explorations across diverse terrains.
What is it made of?
The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 utilises 175D PA Ripstop Ultra HD fabric, a high-density polyamide material known for its ruggedness and minimal weight. The "Ripstop" construction method integrates a grid of thicker threads woven at regular intervals throughout the fabric, forming a reinforced pattern that resists tearing and abrasion. This grid enhances durability and prevents snags from expanding, allowing the backpack to withstand rough handling in challenging environments.
The 175-denier fabric balances strength and lightness, making it highly suited for multi-day hikes where weight reduction is critical, but gear protection is also a priority. The high-density weave fortifies the pack's exterior, helping it endure impacts from rocks, branches, and other rugged surfaces encountered during treks. Additionally, this material is easy to clean, contributing to the pack's longevity by preserving its quality and aesthetic over extended use.
The backpack's fabric is PFAS-free, avoiding the use of harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances often employed for water, dirt, and grease repellency. Instead, Deuter utilises a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating that is environmentally conscious and safer for humans and animals. This DWR provides weather protection while eliminating persistent, potentially toxic chemicals.
This backpack is also a ClimatePartner-certified product. Deuter actively offsets the carbon footprint generated during the production and transport of each ClimatePartner-certified backpack by investing in carefully selected social and environmental projects.
Additionally, it is bluesign certified, signifying that the materials used meet strict standards for resource conservation and minimal environmental impact.
This pack also carries the Green Button certification, a government-endorsed label for sustainable textiles that meets 46 rigorous social and environmental standards to protect both people and the environment.
What type of back system is used?
The backpack system is designed for optimal comfort and ventilation, utilising the Aircontact System to provide a tailored, supportive fit over long-distance adventures.
The Air Spacer Mesh, a core feature, enhances airflow by reducing contact with your back. It ensures continuous ventilation while cushioning and balancing the pack's load. This combination of comfort and ventilation allows for prolonged wear without excessive heat buildup.
The back length is fully adjustable using the Clip and Loop system, catering to various body types with great precision. This easy adjustment provides a customisable fit for users between 170cm and 205cm tall, ensuring the pack sits properly and distributes weight evenly along the spine.
Additionally, ergonomically shaped, padded hip fins enhance stability, hugging the hips securely to transfer the load from the back to the pelvis, which eases the strain on the shoulders and promotes better balance.
A round-profile frame made from flexible spring steel supports the load transfer and adapts to body movements while maintaining good structure. Complementing the frame, the pack includes movable Active Fit shoulder straps designed to contour to the upper torso and follow body movements, preventing chafing and discomfort.
What are its features?
This backpack features a Floating Lid design, allowing for adjustable volume and flexibility. You can raise the lid to accommodate more gear or remove it to reduce weight. The floating lid provides added adaptability, which is ideal when you need to pack more for extended trips.
Accessing your belongings in the Aircontact Ultra 50+5 is straightforward, thanks to its top entry system. The top entry design ensures easy packing and unpacking, providing direct access to the main compartment. This layout is ideal for hikers who prioritise simplicity and efficiency when loading their essentials and can quickly reach into the pack without hassle.
The main compartment is sealed with a drawcord and press stud closure.
The drawcord lets you quickly cinch the main compartment closed, pulling it snugly to secure contents within the pack. The design ensures that even when packed to total capacity, your gear remains tightly organised and accessible.
Adding an extra layer of security, the press stud closure fastens over the drawcord opening. This press stud provides a secondary seal, further protecting the contents from external elements like dust, light rain, or unexpected spills.
The lid pockets at the top provide quick access to essential items, perfect for things you need frequently, like a map, headlamp, or snacks. Positioned on the hip fins, hip pockets add convenience by allowing easy access to items like energy bars, a small first aid kit, or your phone without removing the pack.
Inside, the pack includes internal pockets to safely store smaller, often misplaced items such as keys, a multi-tool, or navigation devices. These pockets keep valuables organised and secure within the main compartment, so you don't have to dig through larger gear.
For more technical needs, the backpack has pole and axe attachments, allowing you to stow trekking poles or an ice axe securely. These attachments are strategically placed, keeping your hands free while maintaining these tools within reach for quick access during climbs or tricky terrains.
Additionally, a hydration sleeve compatible with a three-litre reservoir is included, making it easy to stay hydrated on the trail. This sleeve keeps the hydration system close to your back, enhancing balance and keeping water cool.
The pack's exterior also offers versatile storage options, including bottle pockets on each side for additional water or small gear. External stretch pockets provide extra space for bulky items or those you frequently need, such as a rain jacket or pack cover, while webbing loop attachments and bungee lashing allow you to fasten items like a helmet, crampons, or wet clothing securely to the outside. These attachments enable carrying larger, irregularly shaped items without cramping the main compartment.
The pack also includes modular gear straps, offering even more flexibility. You can adjust them to secure items like a sleeping mat, tent, or additional gear. They can also compress the load, bringing it closer to your back and enhancing stability, particularly on uneven terrain.
This pack also has strategically placed compression straps, which allow for efficient volume reduction and load stabilisation. These straps are located on the sides and can be adjusted to compact the pack's contents, making it easier to carry and ensuring your load stays stable on challenging terrain. Deuter has incorporated thoughtful positioning of these straps to enable quick adjustments on the go, offering an effective way to manage varying loads.
Features:
- Lightweight
- Adjustable sternum strap (detachable)
- Stabiliser straps
- Two lightweight mesh,
- Zippered hip fin pockets
- AIRCONTACT back system with breathable Air Spacer mesh
- Clip and Loop back length adjustment
- Height-adjustable, detachable lid for extendable capacity (5L)
- Top-loader with drawcord and press stud
- External lid compartment
- Two mesh side pockets
- Mesh front pocket
- Modular gear straps to attach a sleeping mat or tent or to compress the load
- Gear loops
- Docking loops for helmet holder (sold separately)
- Key clip
- Stretch compartment inside
- Hydration compatible (up to 3 L); separate hydration bladder compartment
- Whistle buckle
- SOS label
- Ergonomic, padded hip fins
- Pull-Forward adjustment
- Spring steel frame
- Lumbar pad for optimum load transfer
- ActiveFit shoulder straps PFAS-free water-repellent finish
- Certified by ClimatePartner, Bluesign, and Green Button