Deuter Aircontact X vs Deuter Aircontact Core Backpacks

Both Deuter Aircontact X and Deuter Aircontact Core backpacks are new series which this brand launched recently. They share many common features but there are also important differences. So which is better?

Why this comparison

Deuter has launched three new series under the common name Aircontact. These two that are discussed here are incredibly feature-rich, and they come with some unique features.

I have no doubt that these are the best Aircontact packs they have ever made. Note that they also have Aircontact Ultra, Aircontact Pro, and Aircontact Lite series.

These Core and X series include numerous packs. So for example, in the Aircontact Core you have 8 packs in total. In the Aircontact X series there are 6 of them. 

This is why I think it is important to have such a text as it applies to all of them. But note that there are some differences among the Core packs, I shall mention this in the text below.

All these packs are currently available at Deuter, on Amazon and some you can find also at REI. 

Common features in Aircontact Core and Aircontact X packs 

The list below shows the most important shared features, so these are not all common features, just to know: 

1. Gender specific packs. These packs are built separately for men and for women. The latter have the letters SL in the name.
2. Adjustable torso length. This is essentially the same adjustability design. 
3. Three access points. This includes the top access where you have an expandable collar. There is also a bottom access through the sleeping bag compartment where you have an inner divider. Both packs have also the front access, though the zipper is J-shaped in the Core packs and U-shaped in the X packs.
4. Extra volume. This is described with the number +10 in the name of Deuter Aircontact Core packs and +15 in the name of Aircontact X packs.  
5. Floating lid. This is a feature which is expected with such expandable collar design.
6. Removable straps. So all the straps on these packs are removable. This may reduce weight a bit.
7. Both series are heavy. But Aircontact X packs are much heavier.
8. Both series are built so that the pack stays closer to your body. 
9. In both series you have an auto-rotating shoulder straps attachment design.
10. All are bluesign approved packs.

Important differences

This is mainly about advantages of the Deuter Aircontact X packs when compared to Aircontact Core packs:

1. Rain cover. Only Aircontact X packs come with it. The rain cover is in its own dedicated pocket on the bottom.
2. Day pack. So this is again something you have only in Aircontact X packs and this pack can be used on its own or you can attach it on the front shoulder harness of the main X pack. This is a unique feature of these X packs. See how the day pack looks:

   

3. Aircontact X packs have more pockets. Note that this includes two upper side zippered bellows pockets.
4. The Aircontact Core packs have a zippered divider between the two inner compartments. In the Aircontact X packs this is just a shelf with toggles. So this is one feature where the former pack is better.
5. The Aircontact X packs have a fully pivoting hip belt, this is not so in the Aircontact Core packs.
6. Removable hip belt pockets. This is the feature you have in all Aircontact X packs. But only the four largest Aircontact Core packs come with it. The picture below shows how they look. Note also that one of them is expandable so you can store a large water bottle in it.

A bit more about the Aircontact X packs you can see in this short video:

All the features of Deuter Aitcontact X backpacks you can see in my separate text.

Comparison table with my rating

The comparison table below summarizes most of what you have already seen above:

 

Access: I give an advantage here to Aircontact X pacs because the front opening is indeed larger and it is easier to get to the stuff inside of the main compartment. But this is not a big deal in my view. You practically do not need such a front access. 

Day pack: The Deuter Aircontact X packs come with a separate day pack and this is a huge bonus in every sense. This day pack is fully functional and nicely designed. 

Rain cover: So this is yet another bonus with the Aircontact X packs. I would not use a pack without a rain cover, but this may not be so important for everybody.

Pockets: The Deuter Aircontact X packs are a clear winner here, there is no doubt about this.

Weight: Here are some numbers to understand the situation. The Aircontact X 60+15 pack weighs 3.1 kg. So its volume to weight ratio is around 24 liters per kilogram. Not so great indeed. 

Now see the Aircontact Core 65+10 SL, this is a version for women (hence the letters SL) and its volume is the same as the X pack above. The weight is 2.33 kg, and the volume to weight ratio is 32 liters per kilogram. So this pack is still heavy, but clearly far lighter than the X pack above, and its volume to weight ratio is good.

But this was a pack for women, and thee are normally lighter. So take the Core 70+10 which a version for men. It weighs 2.53 kg and its volume to weight ratio is around 32 liters/kg. As you see it is indeed heavy, but the volume to weight ratio is still good.

Price: So Aircontact X packs are more expensive but they are also larger. As of the moment of writing this text you will pay around $4 per liter of volume of these packs.

In the case of Aircontact Core packs this is around $3 per liter of volume. 

Now, is this a big deal? It depends on what you want from such a pack. There is no doubt that Aircontact X are stronger and with more features.

Carry capacity: For the Deuter Aircontact X packs this is officially 30 kg. For the Core packs this is 15-20 kg. So the winner is obvious.

Final thoughts

BEST PLACEs TO BUY

Deuter

Amazon

REI

You might want to see also how Deuter Aircontact X packs compare to Osprey UNLTD AirScaoe packs. See also my comparison of Aircontact Core and Ultra packs.

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