Deuter Aircontact Lite 40 + 10 backpack for men is from their new 2018 series, a lightweight pack with an excellent adjustable harness and a strong suspension system.
Key features & benefits
- Adjustable harness.
- Bottom compartment.
- Expandable collar.
- Excellent padding.
What this is about
This new 2018 Aircontact Lite series includes several packs in the range 35 – 65 liters, with separate series for men and women; the latter have the letter SL in the name. So this Aircontact Lite 40 + 10 for men is in the middle of the series by its size.
This series should not be mixed with their ACT Lite packs that have been around for many years already. The same holds for their ACT Zero packs which are a different series.
This is an advanced series with a great comfort, breathable materials, and with zippers which you can use even with gloves. Now, how ‘lite’ this particular pack is you will be able to judge below when you see it side by side with some of its competitors. Note that the corresponding pack for women is the Aircontact Lite 35+10 SL.
This is a top-loading pack with a lid and collar. The number +10 in the name implies an expandable collar, so you have an extra 10 liters of volume when you need it. The lid is a floating type and it will adapt to such a configuration, see how it looks with the expanded collar:
The pack is with a separate bottom compartment and you have a divider with a zipper, so it is completely separated and not just a shelf with toggles that you can see in some even very expensive packs from the top brands. But you can keep it open and have one large compartment instead of two.
This is a hydration compatible pack with an internal sleeve and a tube exit port in the middle.
Who is it for
Size-wise, with the total capacity of 50 liters (with the expanded collar) this pack is perfect for overnight or weekend hiking and mountaineering tours. Note that it has the usual attachment elements (more below) so you can attach lots of stuff from outside.
Weight-wise, it weighs 3.7 lb (1680 g) so it is not an ultra-lightweight pack. When you see how well padded and durable this pack is, you realize why the weight. It is built to carry the load comfortably.
Overview of features
The suspension system
Deuter uses several different concepts in their suspension systems. So the one you have here is based on the idea that the pack remains close to the body. This makes it different from their famous trampoline style system used in the Futura packs, which I have been using for 15 years already.
So you have an X-shaped aluminum frame for stability and rigidity while remaining flexible, and to transfers the load to the hip belt. The picture below shows the central ventilation chimney and the padded sections on the sides. My guess is that this structure is behind the word Aircontact in the name of the pack. The padding is massive and this is an open-cell foam with a hollow chamber inside.
When you carry such a pack you always feel those two foam pads on your back. So the feeling is quite different when I compare it with my Futura packs. I guess this is also dependent on body shape.
You have an adjustable harness here. This is what they call the Vari Quick System, a ladder-type structure with a Velcro connection and a tab that wraps around a couple of the ladders which you choose, this all is visible in the picture above.
I was just experimenting with its when I was trying this pack and can confirm it is very easy to do this. This system allows for the torso size in the range 15 – 20 inches. Note that there are no numbers or letters to guide you to fit your torso size, pity. See how it works:
The hip belt is with a massive dual-density foam for stability and for cushioning, and these different sections are visible in the picture above. The belt allows some freedom of movement, much more than what you have in the Futura packs where the connection with the back of the pack is rigid.
This is an ergonomically cut, compact, ECL hip fins system that custom fit the hips, this means you have pads that precisely adjust to the hip and provide a comfortable hold of the load. The front straps are a pull-forward type, so you have a V-shape on both sides and when you pull you have a perfect hugging around your hip bones.
The pockets
There are 7 pockets in total, two are in the lid (one external and one underneath the lid), two zippered pockets on the hip belt, and two stretch mesh pockets are on the sides. On the front, you also have a large mesh stretch pocket, with a buckle on the top, so here you can store your gear needed on the go, and your wet stuff as well.
Attachment elements
This is what you have:
- 4 loops are on the front, for a helmet holder (sold separately) or for any other item.
- There are also 4 loops on the lid, so you can attach a solar cell charger.
- You have dual loops for trekking poles on the bottom, paired with two bungee tie-offs higher on the pack.
- There are two attachment loops on the bottom as well, the blue loops visible in the pictures. Two more in the same color are on the front, the mentioned bungee tie-offs are attached to them but you can still attach other things.
- Dual compression straps are on each side of the pack. The lower you can pass through the stretch pockets to cinch the pack, or over the pocket to stabilize any item carried in it.
- Note that there are no bottom compression straps; only the largest packs in the series have them. Pity.
- For extra stability, on both sides of the hip belt, you have straps to cinch the belt and move it closer to the pack.
Please see more in this video; it shows the mentioned bottom straps bit this is not available in this size:
Specifications
- Weight: 3.7 lb (1680 g).
- Volume: 2441 + 610 in³ (40 + 10 liters).
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 29.1 x 11.8 x 8.7 in (74 x 30 x 22 cm).
- Torso fit: 15 – 20 in (38 – 51 cm).
Deuter Aircontact Lite 45 + 10 pack vs Competitors
Here I give two top-quality packs from other renown brands so you can get some feeling about the features of this Aircontact Lite pack. As you see, it is not particularly lightweight, I would say it is quite standard. But it has a bottom compartment with a zipper, and a true divider inside with a zipper, and this all adds weight. Please follow the links to compare the prices.
Weight, lb (kg)
Volume, l
Adjustable harness
Access
Hip belt pockets
Rain cover
Metal frame
Bottom compartment
Side zippered pockets
Deuter Aircontact
40+10
3.7 (1.68)
40 + 10
yes
top, bottom
2
no
yes
yes
no
Mountainsmith
Mayhem 45
3.5 (1.58)
45
no
panel
2
no
yes
no
1
Kelty Redwing
44 Tactical
3.75 (1.7)
44
no
panel
no
no
yes
no
2
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
The Deuter Aircontact Lite 40 + 10 backpack for men is a top-quality item. It may look similar to the Futura packs when you see it from the front, but this is a completely different suspension system. This is a new series and it is here to stay for many years.
There is no rain cover in this series, pity. On the other hand, as mentioned above, the largest packs from this series do have bottom straps, see their 65 + 10 and 60 + 10 SL versions. The price is really good for such a quality pack. See how I rate it for several criteria which I use for all the packs in the site:
I already mentioned several other packs from this series, but if you still need something different please check my page with medium size backpacks. You might want to compare it with this Deuter Futura PRO 44 EL Pack from the same brand. Check also this Mountainsmith Approach 45 Backpack if you want a panel-loading type. If ventilation is essential, check this Osprey Rook 50 Backpack.
Note that I am not paid by the brand or related in any sense, so this is NOT a sponsored text. I only give my unbiased view of the product.
Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions or comments. Have a nice day.
Timucin Pusat says
Hi. I read all the article Thank you. Do you know what are the differences between the up to date 2022 model and the previous ones if there’s any?
I see different pictures of the this backpack on the market fro the obe on its official website which clearly shows that there is a certain differences at leat on the outer image.
Jovo says
This is the same pack, nothing substantially new in the updated version.
Christian says
I just went to an outdoor store with my 19 year old daughter. They were carrying the 40+10 and the women specific 35+10 SL version of the aircontact pack. The employee pointed us to the 40+10 version. We adjusted it and the harness is on the second lowest setting. I am wandering if we should go back and try the women specific 35 +10 SL . She might like the additional volume of the 40+10, but I am wondering if the 35+10SL would not be the better choice for a women and the harness would be more in the middle? Would that make a difference?
Jovo says
Hi Christian, if she feels comfortable (under some weight in the pack), perhaps you can keep it. But the Deuter Aircontact Lite 35 + 10 SL is indeed built with some women-specific features that might make it more comfortable for her. It is best that she tries both one after another and then let her decide. Models for women have a different shape of the harness and the hip belt, they are much better suited for an average woman. But then again, what is an average woman? So trying is the best test.
Marcus (Asia) says
I was really amazed on how you specifically review these backpacks. Just one question. I’m from Asia and I’m seeing different version of ActLite 40+10 from my friends abroad. Different to what I have. Do the design depends on the region it was released?
Jovo says
Hi Marcus thank you for the comment. If you see different versions this may be due to some updates of the models. I know for sure that some pack series evolve in time, some small features being changed, but I would not expect substantial changes. Those big brands rather launch new series instead of making big changes in the existing ones, I guess this is normal.
Marcus says
It just goes to show, it really is worth spending the extra money on a good quality backpack. I don’t have one as big as this, but even my back gets sweaty during the summer. It looks like this is designed to create more airflow down your back, which will hopefully stop it getting so sweaty.
I’m sure the padding on the straps is very important, too. If you are walking long distances with a heavy weight on your shoulders, you can end up with sore bits after a while if you don’t have good padding.
I like the bright orange colour, too. At least that means you will show up if you get injured and need to be rescued by a helicopter.
Jovo says
Hi Marcus, thank you. This is a quality product. My own Deuter Futura is still in a perfect state after 12 years of climbing. Deuter has no less than 16 different airflow systems for the back of the pack. No other brand can match Deuter in that respect. You are right about colors, good to choose some that is easily seen from the distance.
Market Merchant says
Wow great set-up, design, theme, layout, font style and size, visuals, just everything is out of this world done amazingly.
Could you maybe add more internal links so I can navigate around and check out your sight with relative ease?
If you could I would greatly appreciate it. I love th content and information you have to offer.
Zach Campbell Market Merchant (MM+)
Jovo says
Hi, not sure what you want to say, my all content is displayed in the main menu so you should be able to see everything what is in the site right there. Internal links are not for navigation, they are only for the content relevant for the present post, so you have them there.