Aircontact Ultra 50+5

The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 is a light multi-day pack for walkers who want a real harness without the weight of a traditional trekking pack. At 1270 g it carries a week of food and a full shelter kit on a ventilated back, and it has the adjustment range to fit almost anyone.

Who it's for

Multi-day walkers and thru-hikers. Deuter rate it five out of five for trekking, and the recommended 12-15 kg load is a lightweight overnight-to-week kit: the Overland Track in summer, the Larapinta between food drops, or the Australian Alps Walking Track in sections. It suits walkers who have already trimmed their gear and want the pack to match.

Capacity, and what actually fits

50 litres takes a lightweight tent, a down sleeping bag and inflatable mat, a stove and pot, and four to five days of food, with the roll-top extension adding 5 litres on the first days out when the food bag is fullest. The pack measures 76 x 28 x 25 cm. A sleeping mat or wet tent fly rides outside under the modular gear straps.

How it carries

The Aircontact back puts Air Spacer mesh against you, with channels between the pads so air moves across your back. A round-profile spring steel frame and a lumbar pad move the weight onto your hips, where breathable, padded hip fins with pull-forward adjustment wrap snugly. Active Fit shoulder straps pivot with your stride and have soft edges, and stabiliser straps pull the load in close on a steep descent.

Fitting it

Clip & Loop back length adjustment covers 42-62 cm, which Deuter match to walkers around 170-205 cm tall. Load it with 10-12 kg at home, set the hip fins on your hip bones, then move the shoulder harness up or down until the straps wrap the top of your shoulders with no gap. A pack this light still needs that fit to carry well over a long day.

Access and organisation

The main compartment loads from the top under a roll-top closure, and the height-adjustable lid with its zipped pocket keeps snacks, a map and a head torch to hand. Take the lid off entirely and a drawcord with a press stud seals the pack. Mesh side and front pockets take bottles and a wet rain jacket, and a sleeve inside takes a bladder of up to 3 L.

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

Weight

1270 g for a 50+5 litre pack with a full frame, hip fins and adjustable back. That is light enough to make a difference over a week on track, and the removable lid trims it further for a fast weekend. You keep the load transfer of a framed trekking pack, which lighter frameless packs give up.

Looking after it

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