Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack is a heavy duty backpack for women and shorter men. SL in the name means slim line or short length. This is a great tool for long outdoor trips. You will be able to carry 65 pounds and even more.
- Amazon price: $349 (check the link for updates).
- My rate: 9.2/10.
- Place to buy: Amazon.
The torso of this model is shorter than the usual men version, it can be adjusted from 13 to 20 inches. You can see how this is done in the video below, at 1:30. The shoulder harness is shorter. The area between shoulder straps is more narrow.
Many other features are the same as in the Deuter Aircontact PRO 70 15 pack. So, you will see the rain coat pocket on the bottom, but there is only one hip belt pocket. Frankly I cannot possibly imagine why they did not add pockets on both sides of the hip belt!
The pack has two pockets for water bottles, on each side. Above them are two zippered large pockets, again on both sides. The top is expandable, adding extra 15 liters of volume. There is a hydration sleeve in the main compartment, accompanied with ports on either side.
The top compartment can be removed and used as a ‘summit pack’, or when you do not need it. But in my view, this feature is not really so great.
First, when the compartment is removed, it really does not look like a proper pack. I am sure I would never use it that way.
Second, when you remove it, the rest of the rucksack looks simply ugly, like a body without a head.
Third, this also means that the main top opening of the main compartment is not protected by the rain. So you would never remove it in practice.
Some specifications:
- Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz; 3000 g.
- Dimensions: 35 / 14 / 13 (H x W x D) inches; 90 / 36 / 34 (H x W x D) cm.
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Material: Deuter-Duratex, 330D Micro Rip Pro 6.6.
- Hydration system 3 L.
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Capacity: 3970 + 920 (+610 sp) cubic inches; 65 + 15 (+10) liters.
Here is a summary of some more features that are the same for this series of large-volume Deauter rucksacks:
- Vary Flex system for the hip belt, allowing hip fins mobility.
- Vary Fit system which allows for easy adjustment of the pack to anybody’s back.
- 3 separate compartments.
- Aircontact system, unmatched by any other brand.
- Wet pocket.
- Side pockets.
- U-shape large front pocket.
- Flat steel frame.
- Height adjustable lid.
- Rain cover.
Many more features you will see in these two nice YouTube presentations of Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack:
I hope you have found information you needed, and you appreciate this great Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack just as I do.
I am using one of Deuter rucksacks, and after full 12 years it is still in a perfect state. It was an investment for me when I bought it back in 2003 in Bochum, Germany. But what an investment it was!
I used it just today in my tour on Tenerife island, from Igueste de San Andress to Chamorga. As always I enjoyed it.
See it here on the right after my today’s tour. No seam has ever been lose or damaged, there are no holes in the fabric whatsoever. Yes, that is my Deuter 38 L.
Thank you for reading. Please leave some comment in the box below. Cheers.
Sylvie Soucy says
16/01/2016 at 5:55 pmHi Jovo,
The picture in your header reminds of the trips I took to the Canadian Rockies. Your review of the pack is very informative and I wish I were a mountain climber/hiker. I’ve seen other impressive mountains, like Denali in Alaska, and every time I admire a mountain I always I think ‘I wish I had the courage to climb you’.
Love the whole site, Sylvie
Jovo says
16/01/2016 at 9:51 pmHi Sylvie, thank you for the comment and the kind words. The mountains are 4000ers in the Vallis region of Switzerland. Dent Blanche in the center and Matterhorn is in the middle-left far behind. As for the pack, Deuter is my favorite, I have been using one for many years now, it will last forever.
Angela Zechinatp says
28/11/2015 at 12:32 amHello Jovo. This item deuter aircontact pro 65 15 sl would definitely be the perfect product for me since I am short and petite. When you are short it’s hard to find things that fit you for whatever the occasion. I always had trouble finding snowmobile suits to fit when I lived in a colder climate. I am now a resident of the tropics so have no need for climbing equipment. Nicely done review of smart looking equipment.
Best regards,
Angela
Jovo says
28/11/2015 at 10:47 amHi Angela, thank you. Yes this Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack is a slim (short) version for women and with a lot of adjustability so I am sure it will suit you perfectly.
Lee says
28/11/2015 at 12:25 amMe and my girlfriend are looking at doing some travelling next year and will be looking at this backpack.
When you say this is for a shorter person I am 6′ 1″ is there a different model more suited for me?
I have always had the mentality of ‘Buy cheap buy twice’ and having a backpack break on me when carrying so much is something I’m not going to have happen.
Jovo says
28/11/2015 at 10:49 amHi Lee, for you I would recommend something from the same Deuter series, a backpack for men Deuter Aircontact PRO 70 15 pack. This will be a great choice. I am using Deuter backpack for many years now, the same pack in the past 12 years and it is still in a perfect state.
Paul says
25/11/2015 at 10:59 pmJovo,
Thanks for the review of the Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack. It would have been nice to see some customer reviews on Amazon, but reading what you’ve said and watching the videos it sure looks like it’s a quality product. It’s not something I would use since I’m not considered short, but I actually do know one person who might be interested, and I’ll be sure to send them over here. Thanks again.
Jovo says
26/11/2015 at 12:14 amHi Paul, Deuter Aircontact PRO 65 15 SL pack is most suitable for women, but also for shorter men. This is a top class product in every sense. I have been using Deuter in the past 12 years, the same rucksack all the time, and it will last forever as I see.