Osprey UNLTD AirScape 68 vs Deuter Aircontact X Backpack

Here you have my comparison Osprey UNLTD AirScape 68 vs Deuter Aircontact X Backpack, I show their common features and the most important differences, and my overall rating.

Why this comparison

Osprey has launched its UNLTD series of backpacks that is without doubt the most advanced series they have ever built. In fact, they have two series, the UNLTD AirScape and UNLTD AntiGravity packs, and they are compared in my separate text so follow the link to see more.

On the other hand, in the same year Deuter has also launched their Aircontact X series of three packs, and in versions for men and women. These are very advanced and incredibly well built packs, and most likely the best they have ever built.

Both series are designed for heavy loads. This is why I thought it would be appropriate to make such an easy to follow comparison with packs presented side by side.

Note that for this formal comparison I use Osprey UNLTD AirScape 68 and Deuter Aircontact X 60+15 packs.

Features that are more or less common in both packs

Here are some of the features that are in principle the same although there may be differences in some details and designs: 

1. Rain cover. Both packs come with a rain cover included and it is in its own separate pocket.
2. Gender specific packs. These brands build packs separately for men and for women.
3. Adjustable torso length.
4. Volume to weight ratio. You have 23.9 liters per kilogram in Osprey pack vs 24.2 liters/kg in the Deuter pack. The difference is negligible.
5. Day pack. Both packs have this, but there are some differences, more below.
6. Floating lid. In the case of the Deuter pack this is because of expandable collar. In the case of the Osprey pack, this is because the lid is removable and it transforms into a day pack.
7. Both are very heavy. The Deuter Aircontact X 60+15 pack weighs 3.1 kg. The Osprey UNLTD AirScape 68 pack weighs 2.84 kg.

Important differences

Features in the Osprey UNLTD AirScape pack that are different from the Deuter Aircontact X pack

1. Transport sack. 
2. External hydration sleeve. 
3. Industry-first 3D Printed Fitscape Lumbar with Carbon DLS Technology.
4. Fit-On-The-Fly hip belt adjustment.
5. Two sub-sizes.
6. Compression divider for sleeping bag storage.
7. AutoLift design. So there are no classic load lifters.
8. The pack comes with their unique Stow-on-the-Go attachment system for trekking poles.
9. Two access points. 
10. No bottom compartment.
11. Compression divider for sleeping bag storage.
12. Injection molded sleeves for the frame termination.

Please see more in this video:

Features in Deuter Aircontact X pack that are absent in Osprey UNLTD AirScape pack

1. The pack is built in several sizes, 60+15, 70+15, and 80+15 liters. But there are no sub-sizes for these three packs. 
2. Expandable collar, hence the number +15 in the name.
3. Upper zippered side bellows pockets.
4. Removable hip belt pockets. These are the largest hip belt pockets I have ever seen.
5. 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. 
6. Inner divider between the bottom compartment and the main compartment.
7. More pockets than in the Osprey pack.
8. Classic load lifters with two attachment positions.
9. Three access points.
10. Bottom compartment.

More about these packs you can see here:

Comparison table and my rating

The table below summarizes some of the features that I see as the most important, and I give advantage to one or another pack:

 

Below I explain my reasons for giving + to one or another pack.

Access: The Deuter pack has a separate bottom compartment and this means also one access point more. This is an extra feature that may be important for some users who want to stay organized. Namely, there is an inner zippered divider in the Deuter’s pack, so you have two completely separated inner compartments.

Ventilation: There is no big difference here. Both packs are designed to stay close to the body. So do not expect much ventilation in any case, in spite of the words AirScape and Aircontact in their names.

Adjustability: The Osprey UNLTD AirScape pack is better because both torso length and hip belt fins are adjustable. In the Deuter Aircontact X packs you have torso length adjustability.

Transport sack: You do not have this in the Deuter pack. This is a clear bonus with the Osprey pack.

Advanced technology: You have a 3D Printed Fitscape Lumbar with Carbon DLS Technology in the Osprey’s pack, and this is the first ever. Only their UNLTD packs are with such a design. You can see more in my separate text about the Osprey UNLTD Airscape 68 pack.

Day pack: Both packs come with a day pack. But in the case of the Deuter Aircontact X pack, you have a separate day pack that come in one of its pockets. You can use it on its own, or you can attach it on the shoulder harness of the main pack. There are specific attachment elements for this purpose.

In the case of the Osprey’s pack, the lid is removable and it transforms into a fully functional day pack. The main pack has a flap that you use to close it properly. 

In my view, Deuter’s design is better, it is more functional and more versatile.

Pockets: The Deuter Aircontact X pack has more pockets and they are far more functional. Clear winner here.

Fabric: The Deuter Aircontact X pack has a more durable fabric. This is a 1000D and 330D polyamide. Osprey’s pack has a 210D high tenacity nylon combined with a 500D high tenacity nylon.

Price: Osprey pack is almost twice the price of the Deuter’s pack.

Volume/Weight ratio: In both packs it is almost the same, by this I mean Osprey UNLTD AirScape 68 and Deuter Aircontact X 60+15.

But it is fair to say that both are very heavy. The reasons for such a weight are given in some different texts, so in the following links you can read about Deuter Aircontact X pack weight and about Osprey UNLTD packs weight. 

However, the larger packs in this Deuter Aircontact X series (the versions 70+15 and 80+15) have a bit better volume to weight ratio. It is 27 and 28 liters/kg for these two versions, respectively.

Carry capacity: For the Deuter pack this is officially 30 kg, for the Osprey pack this is 29 kg. As you see, not a big deal, I see them the same here.

Final thoughts

In summary, in view of the score above, it appears that the Deuter Aircontact X pack could be described as slightly better but the differences may not be so significant. This is all the matter of preference, and these are my views.

But this may be surprising for some people in view of the fact that the Osprey UNLTD series is perceived as the most advanced series they have ever built. Yet it is outranked here by the Deuter’s pack which has not received so much attention on the Internet.

Features aside, I think that the price is the major factor here. These are very expensive packs, but in this respect Osprey UNLTD series (both UNLTD AirScape and UNLTD AntiGravity) is an infamous champion on the market in general. There are no packs that are even close to the price of these packs.

What do you think? Let us know, there is a comment box below. If you need more detailed information, check my text about the Osprey UNLTD Airscape 68 pack, and about Deuter Aircontact X packs you can see more on Amazon, but see also my comparison of Deuter Aircontact X and Deuter Aircontact Core packs.

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