Aircontact Lite 40+10

The Deuter Aircontact Lite 40 + 10 is a trekking pack for walks that run over several days, built to carry a real load and adjust to your back. A 42-62 cm back length range, a load-spreading X-frame and padded hip fins put the weight where it belongs.

Who it's for

Walkers heading out for two to four nights with a lightweight kit, and travellers who want one pack for the trail and the trip. Deuter rate it five out of five for trekking and four for travel, and the 12-15 kg recommended load suits a hut-to-hut trip on the Overland Track, three nights on the Thorsborne Trail or a section of the Bibbulmun.

Capacity, and what actually fits

40 litres holds a compact sleeping bag and mat, a lightweight tent or a hut kit, a stove and food for a few days, with layers and a rain shell on top. A zip-out divider splits the main compartment, so the sleeping bag can sit in its own space at the bottom. The pack measures 73 x 30 x 25 cm.

How it carries

An X-frame runs through the back to spread the load evenly from shoulders to hips. Deuter's Aircontact back uses open-cell foam pads with channels between them and breathable 3D mesh, so air moves while the pack stays close and stable. The ECL hip fins have padded inserts that hug your hips, and a cut-out down the back takes pressure off your spine. Pull-forward hip fin adjustment, stabiliser straps and a two-way sternum strap tune the carry as the day goes on.

Fitting it

VariQuick lets you slide the harness up or down to match your back length anywhere from 42 to 62 cm, which Deuter match to walkers around 170-205 cm tall. Tighten the hip belt on your hip bones first, then the shoulder straps, then the stabilisers.

Access and organisation

Stretch front and side pockets swallow a wet jacket and bottles, the lid has its own pocket, and an inside pocket keeps your wallet and keys safe. An elasticated inner compartment takes damp clothes or a hydration bladder of up to 3 L. The lid comes off when you want a lighter pack for a side trip.

• Main compartment with zip-out divider
• Removable lid with lid pocket
• Stretch front pocket and stretch side pockets
• Inside valuables pocket and elasticated inner compartment
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Ice axe and pole attachments, SOS label
• Attachment loops for a helmet holder (sold separately)

Weight

1590 g empty for a framed, fully adjustable 40 litre pack. That is light enough for long days and still structured enough to carry 15 kg comfortably, which is why it suits walkers moving towards a lighter multi-day kit.