Deuter Aircontact Core vs Deuter Aircontact Ultra Backpacks

Deuter Aircontact Core and Deuter Aircontact Ultra backpacks are new series from this brand, both functional and reliable but with a huge difference in weight and features.

So what this is about

These are two new series out of three that Deuter launched recently under the common name Aircontact. So now they have at least 5 series with this word in the name. They also have their earlier Deuter Aircontact Pro and Deuter Aircontact Lite series of backpacks.

But these new series come with some unique details and features, and with different materials. Regarding their weight, Aircontact Core packs are much heavier than the previous (and still existing) Aircontact Lite packs, and they have more features.

On the other hand, the Deuter Aircontact Ultra packs are the lightest ever packs of this brand with the word Aircontact in the name. But they have far fewer features than the Aircontact Core.

So let’s see in detail what the actual differences are, and which of these two groups is better.

Common features in Aircontact Core and Aircontact Ultra packs 

Here are some of the most important shared features: 

1. Both groups are gender specific packs. This means that they build separate versions for men and for women. The packs for women always have the letters SL in the name.
2. Adjustable torso length. These are common features, but the designs are totally different, more below. 
3. Extra volume. From some examples you will see the number +10 in the name of Deuter Aircontact Core packs and +5 in the name of Aircontact Ultra packs. This is because of expandable collar. See the picture below with a pack with an extended collar.
4. Floating lid. This feature is related to the mentioned expandable collar design.
5. Removable straps. They call this the Modular Strap System. So all the straps in both series are removable and you can use them at different places on the pack. 
6. Both series are designed so that the pack stays closer to your body. 
7. Both series are bluesign approved packs.

Important differences

Here are those that I see as important, given in no particular order:

1. The Aircontact Core packs have three access points. This means the classic top access through the mentioned expandable collar. They also have a bottom access through the sleeping bag compartment, and inside you have a true divider with a zipper. On the front there is a J-shaped zippered access, but this front access is only in the four larger packs in the series.
2. The Aircontact Ultra packs only have the top access.
3. There are more packs in the Aircontact Core series, 8 in total. Currently, the Deuter Aircontact Ultra series includes only two packs, Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL and Aircontact Ultra 50+5 packs. I do not know if they plan to make more. 
4. The torso length adjustability in the Deuter Aircontact Ultra packs is not so user friendly and it is far inferior to the Vari Slide back system in the Aircontact Core packs. More below.
5. Aircontact Core packs are much heavier, the numbers are below. 
6. Removable hip belt pockets in the largest Aircontact Core packs. The four smaller packs in this series have the same hip belt design as in the Aircontact Ultra packs. So this cannot be taken as a real comparison for the packs that are in the same volume range.
7. Carry weight is also different, more below.
8. Better attachment options and straps on the Aircontact Core packs.

Please see more about the Deuter Aircontact Ultra series here:

The result: my comparison table & rating

From the text above you already know some of the advantages of one or the other group, and these are described by the signs + and – here in the table: 

 

Here are a few more details about some of the features rated in the table:

Torso adjustability: It is best to see these two pictures below. The first system is a much better design, easy to use and it offers any length in the given range. The second is a bit difficult to access, and you have just a few positions.

Official carry weight: For the Deuter Aircontact Core packs this is 15-20 kg. For the Deuter Aircontact Ultra packs it is 12-15 kg. This difference is due to less padding in the latter, and this affects their overall weight.  

More extra volume: The core packs offer +10 liters when necessary, as compared to +5 liters in the Ultra packs. So the expandable collar in the latter is smaller, this also affects the weight. 

Attachment options: If you check the pictures here in the text you will see that the Deuter Aircontact Core packs have several features missing in the other group:

• There are bottom loops for trekking poles and an ice axe. They are paired with bungee loops on the front.
• Aircontact Core packs also have webbing loops on the lid, see the picture below. These are missing in the Aircontact Ultra series.
• The upper side compression straps are available in the Aircontact Core packs, visible below. In the Aircontact Ultra packs you have a single but longer side strap on each side. I find the first option better.

Weight: For comparison it is good to take packs that are similar in size and for the same gender. So the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 weighs 2.16 kg. The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 weighs 1.21 kg.

The difference is obvious, so you see now that Ultra packs are indeed in the ultralight group.

But see also the volume to weigh ratio because the overall volume is different. For the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 this gives around 28 liters/kg. So this is in the group of heavier packs. For the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 you get more than 45 liters/kg, so this is indeed a great value.

Price: This may depend on the seller, but as of the moment of writing this text, the Aircontact Core packs are more affordable than the Aircontact Ultra packs. I find it surprising. 

What is missing in both series

There are a few features that are missing and which I find important:

• There is no rain cover with any of these packs.
• None of these series has upper side zippered bellows pockets. But you have them in their Aircontact X packs and also in the Deuter Futura Air Trek packs.
• In both series, there are no included straps on the bottom.

Final thoughts

BEST PLACEs TO BUY

Deuter

REI

Amazon

Moosejaw

You might want to see also how the third new Aircontact series stands when compared with some of the best packs on the market. So see how Deuter Aircontact X packs compare to Osprey UNLTD AirScape packs.

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