Deuter Aircomfort Packs
Revolutionary: it’s a big word. For something to be truly revolutionary, it has to be special. It needs to represent a departure from the norm, a significant step change, and – most importantly – it has to be the first to do so. Using those criteria, German company Deuter has good grounds to claim its Aircomfort back system revolutionised rucksack design.
Launched in 1985, it aimed to address an issue that had been reducing backpackers’ comfort for as long as they’d been shouldering packs: the sweaty back. Deuter’s Gröden and Zugspitze packs were the first to feature the Aircomfort system. A taut mesh panel established an air space between the wearer’s back and the rucksack, allowing air to circulate and perspiration to evaporate. Since then, the Aircomfort system has been developed, improved and adjusted alongside Deuter’s constantly evolving range of rucksacks. In 1999 the Futura range was created, featuring an Aircomfort system. In 2002 the new AC Lite range came equipped with Aircomfort. In 2009 the launch of the Spectro range of packs also saw the creation of the new Aircomfort Flexlite. The current line-up includes the Aircomfort Futura, Aircomfort Futura Pro, Aircomfort Futura Vario Pro, Advanced Aircomfort and Aircomfort Flexlite systems.
So, has Deuter solved the issue of the backpacker’s sweaty back? Not entirely; it’s still a bugbear for hardwalking trekkers. But the company has most certainly improved rucksack comfort dramatically, and it’s something we should all be grateful for. As the pursuit of even greater back system comfort and airflow continues, it seems likely that Deuter will remain at the forefront of innovation.