Deuter Aircontact X vs New Gregory Baltoro Backpacks

The Deuter Aircontact X is a new packs series from Deuter, and new Gregory Baltoro backpacks are the best ever. So how do these two series compare? Find out here.

Why this comparison?

First a few words about the Gregory Baltoro series. If you follow this brand, then you know that these packs have been around for many years. Every now and then, the brand launches some new version of these packs. 

So for the season 2022/2023 they have again launched new Baltoro packs and also the corresponding Deva packs for women. Both of them look the best ever and with plenty of advanced features.

On the other hand, the Deuter Aircontact X is a completely new series by Deuter, they launched it very recently. They also build a version for women, and these packs are with the letters SL in the name.

I am convinced that these are the best packs of this type that Deuter has ever had. In my earlier text, I argue that they are better than Osprey UNLTD AirScape packs.

So I find it appropriate to compare them also with the best what Gregory has to offer.

Common features in the Deuter Aircontact X and Gregory Baltoro series

The following features are the most important once that both series share:

1. Gender specific. Both are available separately for men and women. The Deva series is the corresponding version for women in the Gregory case, and Deuter has packs for women with the letters SL in the name.
2. Adjustable torso length. This is just a formal similarity. The adjustability systems are completely different, more below.
3. Many pockets. It is interesting that there are 10 pockets in both series. But they are very different, you will see more below.
4. Floating lid. In the case of the Deuter pack this is because of an expandable collar. The Gregory Baltoro has this as a feature but this is not so important here.
5. Three access points. You have top access through the collar, an U-shaped front access, and also a bottom compartment access where you have an inner divider which is just a shelf in both series.
6. Auto rotating shoulder harness. The picture below shows how this looks in the Baltoro pack where it is better than in the Deuter pack.

   

7. Attachment for glasses.
8. The packs are designed to stay closer to the body.

The most important differences

Important different features in the Deuter Aircontact packs

• Expandable collar. This is behind the number +15 in the name.
• Removable hip belt pockets. These are the largest hip belt pockets I have ever seen. This may not seem so in pictures, but you will think the same when you see them in real life. See them in the picture below.
• One of the hip belt pockets is expandable. This and the previous feature mentioned above are both unique to this series and also to the Deuter Aircontact Core packs. 

• Load lifters with two attachment positions. This you can see in the picture below. You need this feature when you expand the collar and have 15 liters more volume.

• Rain cover. It is in its own zippered pocket on the bottom.
• Day pack. You have a unique day pack here. It can be used on its own, or you can attach it on the shoulder harness of the main pack.
• Fully pivoting hip belt.
• Strong steel stays support the pack.
• All compression straps are completely removable.

More about these packs you can see here:

Important different features in the Gregory Baltoro packs

1. Hip fins are fully adjustable. You have Velcro hook and loop connection so you can move the padding if you need this. 
2. These packs are much lighter than the Deuter packs.
3. Each of the Baltoro packs is available in three sub-sizes. There is no such an option with the Deuter packs.

They write about what they call the FreeFloat Dynamic hip belt design. But when you try it, you realize it is very limited and it is far more stiff than the Deuter pack where the pivoting is completely obvious. So it is best to ignore what they write here.

In fact, the hip belt of the Gregory Baltoro pack is so stiff that it feels like having a frame. This is an excellent design but the hip belt is not pivoting.

More about the Baltoro packs you can see here:

My rating 

Based on what I have said above, here is my overall rating of these two series:

 

For some of these rating criteria it may be necessary to add a few words that explain my rating. 

Adjustability: I give advantage here to the Baltoro pack because of the extra adjustability in its hip belt fins. 

Day pack: This is a huge bonus with the Deuter Aircontact X packs, the picture below shows how the day pack looks. 

As you know, the previous Baltoro (still available on the market) has an inner sleeve that doubles as a day pack. But there is no such a feature in the new Baltoro packs.

Rain cover: The Deuter Aircontact X has it always included. On the other hand, Gregory Baltoro comes with a rain cover only in some market areas. 

Fabric durability: I have had these two packs today side by side. It is totally obvious that the Deuter’s fabric is much stronger. But Gregory’s fabric looks really cool.

Pockets: Both series have 10 pockets. But Deuter Aircontact X is better because of its more functional hip belt pockets that are also larger than the huge pockets of the Baltoro packs. 

Besides, the huge front pocket on the Deuter pack is with a long vertical zipper that looks like a waterproof design. 

Expandable collar: This is a useful feature typical for many Deuter series. It adds to functionality of these packs. You have extra volume when you need it.

Compression straps and attachment elements: All compression straps on the Deuter pack are removable, see the picture below. Also some attachment loops are removable. This makes the pack more functional.

On the other hand, the Deuter pack has more attachment loops. Note for example that there are 4 loops on the lid. But the Gregory pack has only two loops on the lid, and I find this far less useful. I wonder what they were thinking.

Weight: Baltoro is a big winner here. So here are some numbers. The Deuter Aircontact X packs are very heavy. Take the Aircontact X 60+15 as an example, it weighs 3.1 kg (6.8 lb).

The Gregory Baltoro 75 is much lighter, it weighs only 2.19 kg (4.8 lb). This is almost one kilogram of difference and their volumes are the same, simply incredible.

Now, let’s see why this is so.

• The frame of the Gregory pack is inferior to the Deuter’s pack.
• The fabric of the Gregory pack is much thinner.
• There is less padding everywhere in the Gregory Baltoro pack.
• See also the day pack and rain cover in the Deuter’s pack. They add weight. You do not have them in the Baltoro pack.
• There is a thick flap that protects the front U-shaped zipper of the Deuter Aircontact X pack. You do not have it on the top section of the Gregory pack where you need it most, see the picture with the arrow pointing to the zipper; and this pack is also without rain cover to protect this zipper.

So there are very good reasons why the Deuter pack is much heavier.

Carry capacity: Official carry capacity of the Deuter Aircontact X pack is up to 30 kg (66 pounds). For the Gregory Baltoro this is “only” 25 kg (55 lb).

But when you see the packs side by side, you indeed have a feeling that the Deuter’s pack is more suitable for a heavy load. Its frame is much stronger, its padding is far more massive, and its harness attachment looks far more reliable than the Velcro attachment on the Gregory pack.

Wow factor: What I mean by this is that the Gregory Baltoro pack simply looks better. When you see them both side by side you realize why this is so. I had this opportunity today before writing this text.

Summary

So here is how I would summarize this comparison between the Deuter Aircontact X backpacks and the new version of the Gregory Baltoro backpacks: 

• In my view, the Gregory Baltoro packs look really cool, while the Deuter packs are built in a more classic way with incredibly robust but less attractive hip belt. So from esthetic side, Baltoro looks better.
• The back panel in both packs is on the same level, very breathable and advanced. 
• Deuter Aircontact X packs have bonus rain cover and day pack. They are also better for extremely heavy loads.
• However, the weight of these Deuter packs is something that will surely turn many potential customers away.

⇒ Check Deuter Aircontact X packs at Deuter, Amazon, Moosejaw, Campsaver.

⇒ Check Gregory Baltoro packs on Amazon, REI, Backcountry.

You might want to read also how this Deuter Aircontact X pack compares with the Osprey Aether Plus. You will find a detailed comparison in my separate text.

Let me know what you think, there is a comment box below. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and stay informed, the form is also below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.