Aircontact Lite 35+10 SL

The Deuter Aircontact Lite 35 + 10 SL is a lightweight trekking pack cut for women, with an adjustable back, a load-spreading X-frame and enough room for a few nights out. It is the pack for a lean multi-day trip where every kilo on your hips counts.

Who it's for

Women heading out for a few days with a light kit. Deuter rate it five out of five for trekking and four for travel. The recommended load of 12-15 kg covers food, water, shelter and layers for a well-planned lightweight trip.

Capacity, and what actually fits

35 litres in the main body holds a compact sleeping bag, mat, cook kit, food for a few days and warm layers, with the lid compartment for snacks and a map. A zip-out divider lets you split the main compartment or open it into one space. Stretch front and side pockets take a wet shell and bottles, and the pack measures 70 x 29 x 23 cm.

How it carries

An X-frame spreads weight across the back and down to the hips, while padded ECL hip fins with pull-forward adjustment and padding inserts hug your hips and lock the load in. The Aircontact back pairs open-cell foam pads with ventilation channels and 3D mesh, so it sits close for stability and still breathes. A cut-out along the spine eases pressure, and stabiliser straps plus a 2-way adjustable sternum strap fine-tune the carry.

Fitting it

SL is Deuter's women's fit: a shorter back and a harness shaped for the female body. VariQuick adjusts the back length from 35 to 56 cm, which Deuter match to walkers about 158-178 cm tall. Load the pack with 8-10 kg, settle the hip fins on your hip bones, then slide the harness up or down until the shoulder straps wrap your shoulders with no gap. We'd always fit it loaded rather than empty.

Access and organisation

The lid compartment holds the things you reach for all day, and the lid comes off to save weight on shorter trips. Inside, a zipped pocket keeps valuables safe and an elasticated sleeve holds a hydration bladder or a damp layer away from the rest of your kit. Outside, stretch pockets, an ice axe attachment and a pole attachment keep gear handy.

• Lid compartment; removable lid
• Main compartment with zip-out divider
• Stretch front pocket and stretch side pockets
• Inside valuables pocket; elasticated sleeve for a bladder or wet clothing
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Ice axe and pole attachments; loops for a helmet holder (sold separately)

Weight

1490 g for a framed, fully adjustable trekking pack. That keeps base weight down without giving up the hip fins and frame that make 12-15 kg comfortable over a long day.

Looking after it

The body is 140D polyamide ripstop with 600D recycled polyester, finished with a DWR made without intentionally added PFAS. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.