The Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 backpack is easy to carry and has lots of storage options.
- Comfortable with lots of padding
- Lots of adaptable storage
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy
- Only two sizes
This is a well-designed backpack that hikers will find practical for hitting the trail regardless of the weather. There are six pockets on the backpack’s main body and two removable pockets on the hip belt. There are also a number of straps and material loops for attaching extra gear. The design of the frame distributes the weight evenly between your shoulders and hips. The back and hip belt have lots of padding, which makes it easy and comfortable to carry a full load. The fit can easily and simply be adjusted to fit a range of body sizes with a narrow slimline option specifically designed for women. We recommend this as the best large-capacity backpack for women.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Osprey Atmos AG 65 | Osprey Kestrel 48 | Osprey Aether Plus 70 | Gregory Paragon 58 | Gregory Baltoro 65 | Big Agnes Parkview 63 | Osprey Aether 65 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women | The North Face Women's Terra 55 | Dueter Air Contact Core 60+10 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |
Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Award | Best for Men | Best Lighter Backpack for Men | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Men | Best for Women | Best Lighter Backpack for Women | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Women | ||||
Size | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - M/L | S - M - L | M - L | S/M - L/XL | WS - UL | XS/S - M/L | W - Regular |
Weight | 2 - 2.2 kg | 1.9 - 2.1 kg | 2.5 - 2.8 kg | 1.5 - 1.6 kg | 2.1 - 2.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.8 kg | 2.2 - 2.3 kg | 1.3 - 1.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.7 kg | 2.1 - 2.3 kg |
Capacity | 65 - 68 liters | 46 - 48 litres | 68 - 70 liters | 58 litres | 65 litres | 63 + 10 liters | 65 - 68 liters | 60 liters | 55 litres | 60 + 10 liters |
Load | 13.6 – 18 kg | 9.1 – 15.9 kg | 14 – 27 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 14 - 27 kg | 22.7 kg | N/A | 15 - 20 kg |
Pockets | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
Torso Lengths | 43 - 58.9 | 40.5 - 58.5 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38 - 60 cm | 40.6 - 55.9 cm | 46 - 56 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38.1 - 60.9 cm | 35.5 - 47.7 cm | 35 - 62 cm |
Rain Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Editor’s note: This article is part of our buyers guide to waterproof hiking backpacks. See other articles in this series:
- Best Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- How to Choose The Right Waterproof Backpack For Your Hike
- How We Tested Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Compare Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Water Resistant vs Waterproof vs Water Repellent – What is the Difference
Looking for other waterproof gear? Check out our buyers guides on:
Analysis and Test Results
It’s obvious that thought has been put into how to make the Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 backpack practical and comfortable to carry. The straps can be adjusted to ensure you carry the load at the right height, and the frame distributes the weight evenly between your shoulders and hips. The slimline women’s version is not just smaller and narrower, but the hip fins are shaped to fit the female body shape. There’s plenty of padding on the back, shoulder straps, and hip fins, so the backpack is extremely comfortable to carry.
There are lots of pockets, and they are easy to access, including a full-length zip so you can get to all of the main compartment without having to dig through the backpack from the top. The two hip belt pockets and the three external pockets are mesh, so they can contain lots of gear, and the collar can be expanded to give you an extra ten liters of capacity. The materials used are water-resistant and very breathable. A rain cover is included to help keep your gear dry. The generous padding makes the backpack heavier than similar models, but the added comfort is worth the extra weight. Only two sizes are available, but the backpack can be adjusted to fit torsos between 35 cm (13.8 inches) and 62 cm (24.4 inches).
See the Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 in more detail:
Performance Comparison
Material
The base panel and the high-wear areas on the hip fins are made from 500 denier polyamide. 235 denier recycled polyamide comprises the main body. Polyamide is more durable and color-fast than polyester. The frame is made of multi-chamber aluminum.
Breathability
To help make this backpack more breathable, Deuter has designed the Aircomfort back panel with Air Spacer mesh and a large ventilation channel. The cushioning is made from open-cell, hollow-chamber foam, and your movements as you walk create a pump effect that increases ventilation. The Air Spacer mesh lining also helps to wick away heat and sweat. All this combines to give you fantastic breathability.
Waterproofing
Since 2019, Deuter has stopped using PFAS (per- & polyfluorinated chemicals), and instead, they use an alternative DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating. While this backpack is water resistant enough to cope with brief, light showers, it will not keep your gear dry by itself if you are caught in a rain storm. You will need to use the rain cover that you will find tucked away in the bottom of the backpack. The rain cover is made of finely woven 70 denier polyamide fabric with taped seams and a PU coating.
Dimensions
You can fit a lot into this backpack. It has an expandable collar on the main compartment. This collar can contain an extra 10 liters of gear when you need it. When not in use, the collar is folded neatly away.
Sizes | Capacity | Weight | Load | Measurements |
Women
(Slim Line) | 60 + 10 liters
4,272 cubic inches | 2.15 kg
4.7 lbs | 15 - 20 kg
33 – 44 lbs | 82 x 31 x 26 cm
32.3 x 12.2 x 10.2 inches |
Unisex
(Regular) | 60 + 10 liters
4,272 cubic inches | 2.31 kg
5.1 lbs | 15 - 20 kg
33 – 44 lbs | 82 x 32 x 26 cm
32.3 x 12.6 x 10.2 inches |
Fit
Although the Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 only comes in two sizes, it is very adjustable and can be adapted to a range of sizes and body shapes. There is the regular unisex size and a smaller slimline model that is designed for women. As well as being a little narrower, the slimline backpack has shoulder straps that are closer together with smaller buckles to eliminate chafing. The hip belt is also shaped to fit the female’s body shape.
Torso Length | |
Women/Slim Line | 35 - 56 cm
13.8 – 22.1 inches |
Unisex/Regular | 42 - 62 cm
16.5 – 24.4 inches |
The primary way to adjust this backpack is using the VariSlide System. The VariSlide System is simple to use. You will see an orange lever between the padding at the center of the back of the rucksack. Push this up to release it. Above the lever is a webbing loop that you can use to move the shoulder straps up or down as needed. Unlike most other backpack adjustment systems, the VariSlide System does not have set increments but can be calibrated to exactly where best suits you.
Once you have set the torso length to the correct measurement, you need to try it on with a load in it. The hip belt should have the center of the hip fins on the top of your hip bone. You tighten the hip belt by pulling forward on the strap on each side. The straps go from 76 to 127 cm (30 to 50 inches) in diameter. Once the hip belt is in position, you can adjust the shoulder straps by pulling down on them. If the backpack is adjusted correctly at the shoulder strap, the anchor points should be positioned between the shoulder blades.
You can now adjust the sternum strap. This strap can be moved up or down. It is secured with a buckle, and then it can be tightened. When this is correctly positioned, it will stabilize the shoulder straps. You can also tighten the stabilizer straps on the shoulders and hip fins to shift the weight of the load closer to your back. Ideally, the shoulder stabilizer straps will be at an angle between 30° and 45°. You can loosen the shoulder straps to increase airflow if needed.
Storage
The main compartment is opened the traditional way through the top or by a full-length J-shaped zipper so you can easily access your belongings without digging through the entire pack. You have an inside pocket in the lid to stow your valuables. There is also an elasticated inner compartment for storing wet or muddy clothes away from your clean gear. At the bottom is a separate compartment ideal for a sleeping bag. If you don’t want the separate space, you can unzip the divider to make the main section bigger.
Dueter has made this Aircontact Core backpack very adaptable. The spindrift collar can be expanded to accommodate an extra ten liters, as indicated by the ’60+10′ in the name. The lid has two zippered pockets, one on the top and one on the bottom. The entire lid can be removed if you don’t think you will need it. The hiking pole holder and the gear loops are removable. The hip belt has two large, detachable pockets. These removable pockets are made of mesh and secured with zips. They can hold three liters; the right-hand pocket includes a zip-out 1.5-liter bottle holder. On the outside of the backpack, there are large expandable mesh pockets, one on the back and two on the sides.
Comfort
This backpack has a lot of padding, making it very comfortable to wear. This adds to the weight, but most hikers find the increase in comfort more than compensates. The Aircontact cushioning is made from hollow chamber foam, which has enough softness to feel comfortable without being too springy to feel loose and wobbly.
The articulated hip fins have the VariFlex system, so they pivot in response to your movements. The fins are concave and padded with multi-layered, PE-stiffened foam that spreads the load evenly. The ActiveFit shoulder straps also pivot and are ergonomically contoured with soft-edge finishes to increase comfort. The shoulder straps have 3D AirMesh lining and are padded with dual-layer foams.
The Aircontact backpacks are designed to bring the weight close to your body. Because it is closer to your center of gravity, you are more in control of the load, and the weight is transferred efficiently. This makes the backpack more comfortable to carry.
Features
The Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 is packed with all the features you could need. The inside pocket can be used for a hydration system. This pocket can fit a three-liter water bag and has an exit port in the middle. On the inside of the top lid is a label that gives advice on what to do if you have an emergency.
The gear straps can accommodate any extra equipment you may want to strap onto the backpack or be completely removed if you don’t need them. You also have compression straps that compress the load but can also be used to secure gear that doesn’t fit inside. There are handy material loops on the front and lid and a glasses holder on the shoulder strap.
The frame is composed of two V-shaped multi-chamber aluminum stays that direct part of the load from the back to the hips. In the back’s center is an ergonomic, trapezoid-shaped lumbar pad with plenty of padding. The hip fins have two GRP rods and load adjustment straps for precision weight control. The hip belt tapers upwards in a conical form. These all help to provide excellent stability and effective, efficient load transfer.
Durability
This is a well-made backpack. The seams are firmly stitched. The base of the backpack is made of hard-wearing 500 denier polyamide. It doesn’t rip easily or show dirty marks.
Dueter’s warranty covers the backpack against manufacturing defects for two years from the date of purchase. They also have a repair service to help if your backpack develops an issue.
Sustainability
Deuter says they “want to make a holistic contribution to society and the environment.” Their main material yarn is made from 100 % recycled industrial waste and certified to recognized standards. The fabric of the body of this backpack is Bluesign-approved, and over 50% of the pack’s body fabric is recycled. Deuter has been a Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) member since 2011 and has been consistently awarded FWF Leader Status since 2013.
Conclusion
The Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 is an excellent backpack for hiking in all weather conditions. There are plenty of storage options that can be adjusted and adapted to suit your needs. The design makes it very comfortable to carry. The water-resistant material and the free rain cover help to keep your gear dry even in wet weather.
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!