Deuter Aircontact X vs Osprey Aether Plus Backpacks

Deuter Aircontact X and Osprey Aether Plus backpacks are designed for heavy loads, with great features and three access points. But which is better? Find the answer here.

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Why this comparison

One of my readers has asked me to write this text, and this is why it is here. These are excellent packs from two top brands and such a comparison makes sense. In fact, it is indeed a pleasure to write about such great outdoor items.

So you have two series of backpacks designed for heavy loads and for bulky equipment. This implies a number of features that are common or similar, but there are some important differences as well. 

Being designed for heavy loads, these packs are with the harness and back panels that keep them closer to the body. So although they have some venting features, ventilation is limited. But with a heavy load, you will sweat no matter what kind of pack’s design you have. 

Common features

Note that you have a separate text here in the site about the main features of the Osprey Aether/Ariel packs. As for the Deuter Aircontact X packs, you can also read more if you follow the link.

Here are some features that are the same or similar in both series:

Gender specific design. In the case of Deuter Aircontact X packs, you will sometimes see letters SL added to the name. This means ‘slim line’, and it implies packs for women. The packs without SL in the name are for male users.

In the case of Osprey, they have Aether Plus packs for men and Ariel Plus packs for women.

Adjustable torso length. Both series have this feature, but there are formal differences here, more in the text below.

Great organization. This implies plenty of pockets and compartments, plus several separate access points.

Three access points. Both series have:

• Standard top access through the collar which is under the lid.
• Front access through a zippered U-shaped opening (in the case of Deuter’s packs), and an inverted-U opening in the case of Osprey packs.
• Bottom access through a bottom compartment.

Rain cover. You have it included with the packs from both series. 

Multiple volumes. The Osprey Aether Plus packs series includes four packs, 60, 70, 85, and 100 liters. All of them include two different torso-length sub-sizes S/M and L/XL. So this is 8 packs in total.

But the Ariel Plus packs for women include packs of 60, 70, and 85 liters, and you have sub-sizes XS/S and M/L. 

In the case of Deuter Aircontact X packs, you have 6 packs that include Aircontact 60+15, 70+15, and 80+15 packs for men, and corresponding SL versions for women. They all share the same basic features.

Internal reservoir sleeve. Both series have a similar internal sleeve for a reservoir.

Carry capacity: For the Deuter Aircontact X pack the official carry capacity is up to 30 kg (66 pounds). For the Osprey Aether and Ariel Plus packs this is 32 kg (70 pounds).

So in my view this is the same. I am sure that these packs can easily handle much more, if you are able to carry them.

Here is a video about Osprey Aether and Ariel Plus packs:

About the Deuter Aircontact X packs you can see a bit more here:

Most important differences & my rating

In the table below I summarize the most important differences and give my rating (the signs + and -). Below the table you can read why I give advantage to one pack or another.

 

Harness adjustability

This term in principle implies three essential elements:

1. Torso adjustability.  
2. Shoulder harness padding adjustability.
3. Hip belt padding adjustability. 

Torso adjustability in both series is of a sliding type, so you can have any length within a given range.

But only torso adjustability is available in the Deuter Aircontact X packs.

All three elements are available in the Osprey Aether/Ariel packs. With so many adjustability options, you have more chance to have a perfect fit for your body. On the other hand, different family members may use the same pack and adjust it as they want.

Note also that you have sub-sizes for torso length in the Osprey’s packs. So there is no doubt that Osprey packs are better regarding this feature. 

But observe also the massive padding on the hip belt in the Deuter’s packs and their lumbar padding, plus a pivoting hip belt that works with your body and not against it.

Day pack

In the case of the Osprey Aether/Ariel packs, the lid is removable and it transforms into an incredibly functional Day Lid Day Pack.

When you remove the lid, you still have an integrated Flap Jacket that allows you to completely close the main backpack when you use it without the lid. See these features in the picture:

With the Deuter Aircontact X packs you also get a separate day pack. You can use it for day tours, and it can be attached on the shoulder harness of the main pack so you can carry it on the chest. This is shown in the picture below.

So frankly speaking, it is difficult for me to decide which is better. However, in the case of Deuter, this is a separate pack, and I find this design more versatile and more functional than what you have in the Osprey packs. Hence my advantage given to the Deuter packs.

Expandable collar

This feature is frequent in many series of Deuter, and I find this very useful. The same pack may be used for various tours and you basically have two different volumes. So when you see the number +15 in the name of these packs, this is the extra volume you have when you expand the collar.

On a long tour, you may start with lots of food and water, so you need more volume and for this you expand the collar. In time, as this stuff becomes reduced, you can reduce the volume of the pack.

Perhaps you collect some stuff on your tour? This was the case of my reader who asked me to write this text. For this you might need and expandable pack, and the Deuter Aircontract X is the right choice. 

So these are the reasons why I put this feature in the table, and why I give advantage to Deuter. You can ignore it of course.

Pockets

Both series have excellent pockets, so there is no doubt you will have plenty of options to stay organized with any of them.

In the Osprey Aether/Ariel Plus packs you have 9 of them. They include two side stretch mesh pockets, two hip belt pockets, two zippered front pockets, one large front stretch pocket, two lid pockets.

In the Deuter Aircontact X packs you have a very different organization of its 9+1 pockets, and they include also two upper zippered bellows pockets on the sides. I like this feature and I have it in some other packs of Deuter.

But I wish to point out the hip belt pockets in the Deuter packs. They are larger than any I have seen on the market, and they are also removable. In addition to this, one of them is also expandable. These are completely unique features.

All in all, I give advantage here to the Deuter’s packs.

Materials

The Osprey Aether/Ariel Plus packs are built from a bluesign-approved 210D high-tenacity nylon. The frame is a LightWire aluminum.

The Deuter Aircontact X packs are with a steel frame and the fabric is very strong and thick combination of a 330D and a 1000D textured polyamide, a sort of nylon. When you see the pack you realize it is built to last for years. So I have no doubt here and give my advantage to Deuter.

Weight

The weight is not the best feature of the Deuter Aircontact X packs. So for example, the Aircontact X 70+15 weighs 3.18 kg (7 lb). The SL version for women weighs 3.16 kg (6.97 lb).

You can compare this with the Osprey Aether Plus 85 (L/XL) that weighs 6.2 lb (2.8 kg). 

Obviously, both series are very heavy. In fact, they are among the heaviest on the market. A bit more weight in the Deuter’s packs is because of some extra details. See also its thick steel stays that make the frame.

Attachment options

Both series have all the necessary attachment options, but Osprey’s packs have something extra.

So the Osprey Aether/Ariel Plus packs come with the Osprey’s unique Stove-on-the-Go attachment feature for trekking poles. They use this in many of their series, and no other brand has something similar. If you do not use trekking poles, this feature is not important for you. I use them all the time, and I love to have this feature. 

In the Osprey packs you also have two extra straps on the front. This is to cinch the load and to attach some extra stuff. You can see them in the top picture above.

So these are the reasons why here I give advantage to Osprey packs.

Variety of options

You have already seen above, there are 14 packs in the Osprey Aether/Ariel Plus so you have more options for a perfect fit. 

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Final thoughts

BEST PLACEs TO BUY Osprey Aether Plus Packs

Osprey US

Osprey EU

REI

Amazon

BEST PLACEs TO BUY Deuter Aircontact X Packs

Deuter

Campsaver

Moosejaw

Amazon

Thank you for reading. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed because I add texts here regularly. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.