We love Deuter's newly updated AirContact Lite. This pack is very comfortable and able to carry large loads with ease. We love that the waistband is low profile and collapsible, making it easy to store at home or camp. The back is well-padded with extra support down low, another plus for us. We appreciate the simplicity and find it easy to pack and negotiate, even with multiple days of food, camping, and climbing gear. The pack is also highly adjustable, which is excellent for various torso lengths. Unfortunately, it does mean that the waistband and high pack frame can feel a tad bulky for smaller folks.
Deuter Aircontact Lite 60+10 SL - Women's Review
The AirContact Lite is a relatively inexpensive pack with a simple design and a comfortable suspension system that works well under heavy loads.
Price: $220 List | $215.15 at Amazon
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Comfortable, adjustable, works well with heavy loads, relatively inexpensive
Cons: Lacks features, bulky waist belt, pack is tall and bonked our heads while walking up rough terrain
Manufacturer: Deuter
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Comfortable, adjustable, works well with heavy loads, relatively inexpensive
Cons: Lacks features, bulky waist belt, pack is tall and bonked our heads while walking up rough terrain
Manufacturer: Deuter
By Meg Atteberry and Jane Jackson ⋅ Nov 4, 2019
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Our Verdict
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Deuter Aircontact Lite 60+10 SL - Women's | |||||
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $215.15 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $255 List | $179.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $269.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $269.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, adjustable, works well with heavy loads, relatively inexpensive | Comfortable, supportive suspension, simple design, large pockets, durable, customization from manufacturer | Durable, comfortable even with heavier loads, streamlined features, great attachment points at outside of pack, integrated rain cover | Huge main compartment, customizable compression straps, super lightweight, comfortable with heavy loads. | Comfortable, plush padding, wide range of fitting options and adjustments, good number of pockets, easy-to-remove top lid, |
| Cons | Lacks features, bulky waist belt, pack is tall and bonked our heads while walking up rough terrain | Non-ventilated back panel, less organizational features | Main compartment is a little narrow, water bottle holster is awkward, requires thoughtful packing | Dark material makes pack contents difficult to see, hip belt difficult to adjust, rigid padding might not last over time. | Large, spring loaded waist band is hard to get into, suspension can feel bulky, expensive, hip belt can sag uncomfortably on some users |
| Bottom Line | The AirContact Lite is a relatively inexpensive pack with a simple design and a comfortable suspension system that works well under heavy loads. | The ULA Circuit is a durable bag with all the right pockets and suspension that will keep your back, hips, and shoulders comfortable all day. | The Kyte 46 is a small, but mighty pack, built for a more advanced user. The comfortable wear allows you to tackle rough terrain with ease. | The Blaze does the unthinkable with the combination of a lightweight pack that can haul heavy loads and still feel comfortable. | This pack has stood the test year after year with its robust feature set, comfortable straps, and a strong yet light suspension featuring an incredibly ventilated back panel. |
| Rating Categories | Aircontact Lite 60+10 SL | Circuit | Osprey Kyte 46 | Blaze 60 | Osprey Aura AG 65 |
| Comfort And Suspension (45%) | |||||
| Organizational Systems (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Aircontact Lite... | Circuit | Osprey Kyte 46 | Blaze 60 | Osprey Aura AG 65 |
| Measured Weight (pounds) (medium) | 4.1 lbs | 2.68 lbs | 3.42 lbs | 2.63 lbs | 4.65 lbs |
| Volumes Available (liters) | 40+10, 45+10, 50+10, 70+10 | 68 | 35, 45 | 60 | 50, 65 |
| Organization: Compartments | Lid, side pocket, stash pocket, main compartment | Side pockets, front pocket, hip belt pockets, main compartment | Lid, mesh side pockets, hip belt pockets, lid pocket, front mesh pocket, internal sleeping bag pocket, main compartment | Lid, front pocket, main compartment | Lid, front pocket, side pockets, dual front pockets, hip belt pockets, main compartment |
| Access | Top, bottom | Top | Top, bottom | Top | Top, side, bottom |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rain Cover Included | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Women's Specific Features | Women's specific fit | S-Curve Shoulder Straps | Women's specific fit | Women's Specific fit & sizing | Women's specific fit |
| Sleeping bag Compartment | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bear Can Compatible | Yes | Yes - Vertical | tight fit | yes | Yes |
| Main Materials | 25% Polyester, 75% Polyamide | 500 Cordura | 210D x 630D Nylon | 210D HD nylon | Nylon |
| Sizes Available | One size, with adjustable torso | S, M, L, XL, Kids | XS/S, M/L | Short, Regular | XS,S,M |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The AirContact is a simple, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive pack. It is a work-horse — with the ability to carry heavy loads with no trouble. If you are looking for a pack that is simple and effective, this is an excellent option for you.
Performance Comparison
The suspension system on the Aircontact provided enough stability to move through uneven terrain with ease.
Comfort and Suspension
The AirContact Lite is a simple, single-size, adjustable backpack that we find incredibly comfortable. The padding in the back and shoulder straps is thick and comfortable. These wide straps work well for those with an athletic build. This pack also provides a ton of support and padding in the lower back, which is another huge plus for us.
Designed with women's specific sizing, the AirContact Lite has a relatively short torso and extra padding in the hip belt. The newly designed hip belt is one of our favorite features in this pack. It is sleek and straightforward, while still providing plenty of padding.
The back panel on the Aircontact Lite is supportive enough to handle heavy loads.
A suspension's function depends on the proper fit. Luckily, this pack offers an adjustable torso length. When fit properly, the suspension distributes weight effectively. We found that this pack can comfortably carry loads ranging from 15 pounds to over 50 pounds. It is also spacious enough to fit a ton of gear.
The AirContact has 3D mesh on the back panel and shoulder straps, which help ventilate these areas. The pack also provides ample support in the lower back with extra padding. The X Frame and Comfort Lock hip belt help maintain a close, stable fit. We liked the stability this pack's suspension system provides. We did notice that the high frame of the AirContact meant that your head is bound to clash with the back of the pack. As we plowed up burly hills and hopped over rocks and other obstacles, we kept finding that our head hit the pack.
The Aircontact stands tall, but that didn't hinder its carrying capabilities.
Weight
The AirContact Lite weighs in at 4.31 pounds, but because the AirContact has a simpler design and much of it is within the pack's well-padded back panel and suspension system we feel it is well worth it.
As a result of the extra weight in the suspension, the AirContact Lite has a suspension system that can support heavy loads. If the weight doesn't concern you, but a cushy back panel does, then the AirContact is an excellent choice.
OGL Measured Volume Bottom Line:
Total Volume = 64 L
Main Bag = 49 L
Pockets = 6 L
Lid = 9 L
Total Volume = 64 L
Main Bag = 49 L
Pockets = 6 L
Lid = 9 L
Packing up the Aircontact Lite was easy due to its simplicity.
Organizational Systems
The AirContact Lite comes with simplicity in mind, and we find it wonderfully easy to use. We also appreciate that the pack isn't over-pocketed. The fewer, but thoughtful pocket locations let us easily organize and access all of our belongings.
We especially like the size of the sleeping bag holder — which is large enough to fit our bag as well as a few puffy jackets to improve the pack's overall organization. One awkward design feature is the arched zipper that accesses the sleeping bag compartment. Its shape makes it inconvenient to open and close.
The AirContact Lite has only three enclosed compartments, including the main compartment. (It also has three separate access points into the main compartment.) It is one of the more uncomplicated backpacks we tested, and it keeps organizational options straightforward, which we think is incredible! This backpack offers pockets only where they were necessary.
We loved the simplicity of this pack - with very few external pockets except for this shove-it pocket which we used all the time.
Adjustability
The Deuter is a one-size adjustable backpack that allows for simple adjustments to the shoulder straps, torso length, and waist belt. The minimal and well-placed adjustment points make figuring out a proper fit easy.
Tunneling lower compression straps allow you to keep the main contents of the pack nice and tight and still utilize the side mesh pockets without much hassle. You can also remove the brain, which expands significantly to accommodate big loads.
The hip belt is comfortable and simple, though the straps were excessively long.
Value
Ranking towards the lower end in price but higher-end in comfort, of the models we tested, the Deuter AirContact Lite is a good value. It has a simple design offering few pockets, yet plenty of adjustment options on a one-size-fits-most backpack. Appropriate for both the beginner and the advanced backpacking woman, the AirContact Lite offers a solid value.
Conclusion
Deuter has been making backpacks for over one hundred years, and its women's specific AirContact Lite does not disappoint. It's a simple backpack in a single size that offers more than sufficient padding on the shoulder straps, waist belt, and back frame. It also has enough adjustment options to configure to most body sizes and preferences comfortably. Whether you're new to backpacking or experienced and are looking to simplify your systems, this model is a good value for a simple yet comfortable backpack.
— Meg Atteberry and Jane Jackson