First Look: deuter Aircontact Ultra 40+5/35+5 SL

The holy grail for pack design? Perfectly balancing weight, comfort, and durability. The new deuter Aircontact Ultra 40+5 nails that elusive sweet spot, thanks to cutting-edge materials and a redesigned suspension system. The 40+5 offers hikers outstanding carrying capacity and a cushy feel—all in a sleek, sub-three-pound package.

The Aircontact Ultra’s design story starts with an impeccable pedigree. In 2022, Outside Magazine staff gave the 40+5’s predecessor—the Aircontact Ultra 50+5—an Editor’s Choice Award for its innovative lightweight design. Now, thanks to some major updates, the new 40+5 is even lighter and more breathable than its big sibling. The new model also boasts smart organizational features, an intuitive adjustment system, and durable, eco-friendly materials. Here’s how deuter did it.

Outstanding Comfort

The Aircontact Ultra 40+5 owes its impressive comfort-to-weight ratio to a clever suspension system. The back panel sports a spring-steel frame, which gets its strength not from beefy materials, but from its shape: the steel wire has a slight zigzag that creates stability in the vertical plane. In the horizontal plane, the wire is 3D-contoured to trace the curves of the spine, giving it just enough flex to move with the body without buckling under heavy loads. The system allows the Aircontact Ultra 40+5 to support up to 35 pounds of cargo without issue. Foam padding in the hipbelt wings and lumbar region help prevent hot spots, and channels in the back panel’s molded foam boost breathability.

Superior Adjustability

The pack also boasts an easy-to-use adjustment system. Two carabiners hook into a nylon webbing ladder in the back panel, making it easy to fine-tune fit on the fly. The range of adjustment is also impressive: the Aircontact Ultra 40+5 fits torso lengths from 13 inches to 22 inches, a significantly wider fit spectrum than most packs.

Thoughtful Organization

Unlike some other lightweight packs, the Aircontact Ultra doesn’t skimp on features. Dual hipbelt pockets, a roomy top lid, stretch-mesh side pockets, and a large external shove-it pocket make it easy to keep gear organized. The modular compression straps and top lid are also removable, letting weight-conscious hikers trim extra ounces for light-and-fast outings.

Durable, Lightweight Materials

The men’s Aircontact Ultra 40+5 clocks in at 2.7 pounds, and the women’s version, the Aircontact Ultra 35+5 SL, is even lighter at 2.5 pounds. To shave weight without sacrificing durability, deuter uses an array of cutting-edge materials. The main body of the pack is a light yet strong 150-denier polyamide. This fabric is reinforced with a ripstop grid made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a thread that’s stronger than steel by weight. Better yet: all these materials are Bluesign certified and free of toxic chemicals. The pack is also ClimatePartner and Green Button certified, which means it meets rigorous environmental standards.

Put it all together, and you have an elegant, durable pack that’s versatile enough for almost anything you’d care to throw at it—including thru-hikes, minimalist weekends, and gear-intensive day hikes alike.

For 125 years, deuter has been making high-quality, reliable backpacks for year-round outdoor adventures. As a pioneering backpack innovator, deuter introduced the first mountaineering backpacks for women. The deuter Promise is the German brand’s commitment to sustainability and a responsible approach to people and planet throughout its entire production chain.