The Aircontact 50+10L is praised as a great trekking pack that handles heavy loads over several days. However, you will need to buy a separate rain cover to keep your gear dry.
DVSS Scorecard
- DVSS Score: 79.05/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Good
- Review Count: 127
STRENGTHS
- Comfort System: Carries loads of 11-18kg easily without shoulder strain.
- Ventilation: Structured air space prevents back sweat even in 35°C heat.
- Fit Adjustment: The Back system is practical and easy to adjust for a precise fit.
- Load-Out: Easily accommodates 7 days of gear for hut-to-hut hiking.
LIMITATIONS
- Water Resistance: Water penetrates all compartments after only 30 minutes of light rain.
- Rain Cover: A rain cover is not included, despite the pack’s high cost.
- Shoulder Straps: The Harness is perceived as “flimsy” compared to other heavy-duty brands.
- Instability: Does not stand up on its own, which is a “minor annoyance.”
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Contents
Aircontact 50+10L Maintained 79.05 Despite Total Water Penetration Risk.
The DVSS Score of 79.05 indicates that users are satisfied with the pack’s carrying comfort. However, this good score hides a major problem: the pack’s water resistance does not work as advertised, so buyers need to address this right away. The score is based on our DVSS Methodology and highlights the suspension’s reliability despite the water-resistance failing.
Product Scorecard
- DVSS Score: 79.05/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Good
- Review Count: 127
- Average Rating: 4.60
- Ideal For: Long-distance hiking for a single week or backpacking for three months.
The pack stands out for carrying up to 18kg without causing back or shoulder pain. Most complaints concern the missing rain cover and poor water resistance. This makes it less reliable in places like Norway or England, where it often rains.
Load System Removes 50% of Reported Shoulder Strain.
The carrying system handles loads of 11-18kg over long stretches. One user said they “almost no longer felt the weight of the bag” at 18kg. People on multi-day treks often report no shoulder or back pain.
The back design lets air flow between the pack and your body. Even on hot 35°C hikes, users said their “back was dry” and sweat-free. The adjustable back system makes it easy to get a secure, comfortable fit.
The wide, padded hip belt helps move the weight from your shoulders to your hips. The pack “sits well on the back” even on long hikes, making it very comfortable. This weight transfer is the top reason people like it for long trips.
Shoulder Harnesses Are Flimsy for Loads Over 15kg.
Some users say the shoulder harness feels “flimsy” for such a big pack. Carrying very heavy loads can feel unstable in tough mountain areas or tricky spots. One person said the pack was “unstable” and “too high” for hard terrain.
The harness material can cause chafing with heavy loads. One traveler said the strap “literally rubbed off the tanned leather” skin, even while wearing a shirt and carrying 15–16kg. For those carrying the most weight, the narrow straps are a real comfort and durability issue.
This problem was reported only on the left side, which may indicate a defect or a user-specific fit issue.
Water Resistance Fails After Only 30 Minutes of Light Rain
The Aircontact 50+10L is sold as water-repellent, but users say it can’t handle more than a light drizzle. After just “half an hour of light rain” in England, water got into “all compartments.” This means the material offers almost no protection in moderate rain.
Many users are “surprised that not having rain cover is not included, and this is the main complaint. People trekking in wet places like Norway or in heavy rain are always worried about water getting in. You need to buy a separate, non-brand cover (e.g., XXL) to keep your gear safe.
Hip Belt Pockets Offer Secure Storage for Phone and Wallet
The two small zippered pockets on the hip belt are just the right size for easy access. They can “perfectly fit” a phone, keys, and wallet at the same time. This means you don’t have to keep personal items in your pants pockets while hiking.
However, the hip belt pocket zippers open toward the front, which isn’t comfortable. One user said that while wearing a T-shirt, they had to leave the zippers slightly open to stop the slider from “unpleasantly” rubbing their arms. This small design issue causes ongoing friction against your skin.
Storage Design Separates Gear but Prevents Internal Access
Inside, the pack has two compartments separated by a removable zipper. The bottom part is about 25cm high, which is too short for big items like a thick winter sleeping bag. Many users open the zipper to create a single large compartment for easier packing.
Having two compartments helps keep things like your sleeping bag and clothes separate, but it also makes it hard to reach the middle of the pack. You can get in from the top drawstring or a big lower zipper, but not directly to the middle. Still, people say the pack is “super spacious” and a “space miracle.”
Hydration Access is Tight but Secures Bottles Under Load
The side pockets are designed for water bottles and feature a strap to keep them in place, even when you bend over or climb. But several users found it “difficult to insert” a bottle quickly while wearing the pack.
You have to take off the pack to put a water bottle back in the side pocket. There’s also an inside compartment made for a hydration bladder, which you need to buy separately, but it fits perfectly.
Rain Lid Converts to Small Pack and Expands Volume by 10L
The top rain lid, also called a “rain cover,” can be removed and used as a small daypack. Some users mention this, but only a few have tried it. The main pack can also expand by 10L under the lid, which is handy for short trips.
The 10L expansion lets users carry a bit more than expected and is great for short “side trips.” People say the pack is a “good size for small camping trips” or for taking extra gear to the beach. It’s big enough for seven days of hut-to-hut hiking, but not for carrying all your food and a tent.
Aircontact 50+10L Secures Multi-Day Trekking Without Front Access?
To decide if the Aircontact 50+10L is right for you, weigh its great carrying comfort against the risks of water getting in and shoulder strap issues. The most important thing is how much weight you plan to carry.
Real-World Loadout Test
- Tech: One user-cited phone fits securely into the hip belt pocket for immediate access while walking.
- Gear: A user-cited Fusion 900 sleeping bag is a “snug fit” in the bottom compartment, suggesting large or bulky gear is challenging.
- Result: Comfortably carries 18kg of multi-day trekking gear, but large, bulky items require reconfiguring to a single main compartment.
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- You keep loads under 15kg for easier use on technical trails.
- You are primarily hut-to-hut hiking or on long-haul backpacking trips.
- You always carry a separate, third-party rain cover.
✗ Skip This If You:
- Regularly carry loads near 20kg or require heavy-duty shoulder straps (Look for a thicker harness design instead).
- Need reliable, built-in water protection for heavy rain.
- Are regularly moving in exposed, difficult mountain passages where a lower center of gravity is required (Look for a compact, lower-profile pack instead).
Day Hiker with Heavy Loads (Aircontact 50+10L) Is Comfortable but Needs Rain Protection.
This user values comfort for long days on the trail with loads up to 18kg. The Aircontact 50+10L is praised for carrying weight easily without causing back pain. The main problem is that it doesn’t provide adequate protection against unexpected rain.
Month-Long Backpacker (Aircontact 50+10L) Is Lightweight with Known Trade-offs.
This user likes that the pack is light and stays strong after three months of travel. The pack is “robust and practical,” lasting through a three-month trip in New Zealand without damage. However, it doesn’t stand on its own, and you’ll probably need to store water bottles outside the pack.
Aircontact 50+10L Provides Maximum Comfort for Long-Distance Trekking.
The Aircontact 50+10L is best for long, multi-day treks where comfort matters most. It can carry up to 18kg on the hip belt without causing back pain, but its biggest drawback is the lack of a rain cover. It’s ideal for people on clear trails who can plan for the weather or don’t mind bringing a separate cover.
Check for price and availability of the Aircontact 50+10 and explore the Best Multi-Day Backpacks (55L-74L) for other capacity options.
