Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL

The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL is a stripped-back multi-day pack cut for women, light enough for long days and built to carry a proper overnight load. It is the pack for long walks where every gram on your back counts by day four.

Who it's for

Women and shorter-backed walkers on two-to-five day trips with a light tent, quilt and stove. Deuter rate it five out of five for trekking, and the 12-15 kg recommended load is a realistic lightweight overnight kit with food and water.

Capacity, and what actually fits

45 litres in the main body plus a 5 litre extension takes a sleeping bag, mat, cook kit, a few days of food and spare layers, with a light tent lashed under the modular gear straps. The pack stands 73 x 27 x 24 cm, tall and narrow so it rides close to your spine.

How it carries

Deuter's Aircontact back uses Air Spacer mesh over shaped padding, with channels between the pads so air moves on a long climb. A round spring steel frame and a lumbar pad move the load onto your hips, and the padded hip fins pull forward with built-in side compression. Movable Active Fit shoulder straps follow your arm swing, finished with soft edges, plus stabiliser straps and a two-way sternum strap.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit, with a shorter back and a harness shaped for the female body. Clip & Loop adjustment sets the back length anywhere from 35 to 56 cm, and Deuter match it to walkers around 158-178 cm tall. Load it to around 10 kg, set the hip fins on the top of your hip bones, then move the shoulder straps until they wrap your shoulders with no gap.

Access and organisation

The main compartment loads from the top under a height-adjustable lid with its own zipped pocket. Take the lid off for a fast-and-light trip and a drawcord with a press stud seals the pack. Mesh front and side pockets hold a wet fly, a bottle and snacks within reach.

• Removable, height-adjustable lid with zipped pocket
• Extendable by 5 L
• Mesh front and side pockets
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Modular gear straps and attachment loops
• Safety whistle on the sternum strap

Weight

1210 g for a framed, adjustable 45+5 litre pack. That is a lighter pack than many day-and-a-half walkers carry, and dropping the lid saves a little more on a fast trip.

Looking after it

The body is 175D polyamide ripstop, with a DWR made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.