In 2007, I started getting into outdoor sports. As a beginner, I bought a Polar 65-liter backpack. I was a big guy, and the back part and belt of the bag felt similar to Dort’s models. The bag was also heavy, and when loaded, it looked quite tall. Two years later, as my awareness of gear increased, I began considering replacing the large bag. That same year, I purchased a 70-liter version of the sky (likely a reference to a specific brand) and have used it ever since. This backpack has accompanied me through most of my 2-3 day mountain treks and even served as a 7-12 day long-haul pack for several years. However, as time passed, the bag has aged, and during use, I noticed that after a certain weight load, the carrying system no longer provided the comfortable experience I once had.
Hearing good things about reloading backpacks, I found that GG and Dort were highly recommended. I’ve been on the lookout for a suitable opportunity to try these brands. Coincidentally, the launch of the AIR CONTACT 65+10 reloading equipment caught my attention. The package experience immediately intrigued me, and I was drawn to the "alpine transport plane" concept. I believed this backpack could be a reliable companion for my long-term adventures. After registration and screening, I was fortunate enough to qualify for this package. Thanks to the cool equipment and Shenzhen Dortmund, I had the chance to personally test this powerful backpack.
I haven’t introduced much about the Dort brand yet. If you're someone who often uses heavy gear, their backpacks might already be on your radar. You can check out the official website at http://# for more information if interested.
**Dot AIRCONTACT (Crossing Series) 65+10L Outdoor Mountaineering Bag Introduction**
- **Name:** Aircontact
- **Model:** 33426
- **Manufacturer:** Deuter, Germany
- **Origin:** Vietnam
- **Capacity:** 65+10L
- **Dimensions:** 84 x 40 x 28 cm
- **Weight:** 2710g
- **Recommended Weight:** 33kg
- **Color:** Apple Green + Gray
- **Surface Fabric:** 330 Danny Anti-Tear + PU Waterproof Coating (Gray), High Strength Tear-Resistant Fabric + PU Waterproof Coating (Green)
- **Bottom Fabric:** Duratex (1000D)
- **Zipper:** YKK
- **Fasteners:** YKK/Duraflex Korea
- **Multi-Resistant Sleeping Bags:** Yes
- **Carrying System:** Aircontact
- **Rain Cover:** Detachable
- **Tag Price:** 2099 yuan
The logo and model number are clearly marked on the head bag and the front of the sleeping bag compartment, making it easy to identify.
There are two tags on the package: one explaining the 3D space cotton mat and another detailing the movable fin belt. I saw in other reviews that there is also a warranty card, but I couldn't find one in this backpack. Not sure if it's missing.
Several embroidered details are present on the back and belt of the bag, mainly simple expressions about the backpack’s carrying system.
The rapid adjustment system allows for easy customization of the fit.
The belt features the brand logo and a removable fin belt.
At the bottom of the backpack, there's a logo with a rain cover, which comes with its own blue rain cover.
The bag uses YKK zippers and Korean Duraflex fasteners, both well-known in the outdoor industry. Each button is labeled with LPGO and the company's brand name.
The stitching on all parts of the bag is flat, with few visible thread ends.
In areas that require more strength, additional reinforced stitching is added to increase durability.
The main body of the bag is divided into three sections: a head bag, a main compartment, and a sleeping bag compartment. The following images show the original loading setup and the expanded version.
The head bag is not detachable; it is rigidly connected via soft fabric to the main compartment. Some may prefer a detachable head bag that can function as a waist pack. I've used some head bags as pockets before, but since the design lacks significant functionality, I don’t think it’s a major issue. Both the outer and inner compartments have zippers, allowing for easy access to frequently used items or small essentials.
At the top of the head bag, there are four external buckles that can be used to hang small items like a water bottle or trekking poles.
The sleeping bag compartment is self-contained and separated from the main compartment by a curtain and a two-way zipper, offering flexibility in how it’s accessed.
After placing a 1000g down sleeping bag inside, there's still room to store smaller items. If needed, a moisture-proof pad can be placed outside the sleeping bag compartment, secured with two webbing straps.
The main compartment has a large U-shaped door that opens easily via zipper, making it convenient to access middle items. To prevent accidental loss of items due to branches or foreign objects, two fasteners are added below the U-shaped door. Additionally, there are 10 chrysanthemum-style plug-in points on the front of the U-shaped door, allowing for attaching small items like clothes using a belt.
A map pocket is located on the right side of the main compartment, ideal for storing maps or thin items.
Side pockets on the lower left and right sides can hold water bottles, with an adjustable strap on the outside. I’ve used many bags, and some feature side pockets designed based on human hand movement, which I find more practical.
A small pocket on the right belt is useful for storing items like candy or a phone.
On each side of the U-shaped door, there are velcro-controlled webbing buckles for hanging ice axes or trekking poles. Correspondingly, two O-shaped webbing buckles are located at the bottom of the backpack for securing these items.
Trekking poles can also be placed on either side of the backpack and fixed using adjustable webbing. These webbings can be tightened according to the bag's capacity, reducing internal swaying and securing external items.
Inside the main compartment, there is a dedicated pocket for a hydration bladder. The outlet of the water tube is clearly marked, and a webbing buckle on the right shoulder strap helps secure the water tube for easier access while drinking.
The backpack comes with a blue rain cover, which is very noticeable. Even when the expansion section is filled, the rain cover fits well over the entire backpack.
The color scheme of the backpack is gray and green. Different sections use different fabrics. The gray part is 330 Danny ripstop fabric, known for its tear resistance and light weight, commonly used in backpacks. The green part is high-strength tear-resistant fabric, also widely used in outdoor products. The bottom is made of Duratex (1000D), excellent for abrasion resistance, typically used on the base of backpacks. These materials are coated with a waterproof layer of PU1000, providing some water resistance.
When evaluating a backpack, the most important factor is the carrying system. The Aircontact series from Dort includes four key components: rotating fin belts, X-shaped built-in aluminum frames, quick adjustment systems, and 3D space cotton mats. From the back of the fully loaded bag, the design has a slight arc, which may better fit the human back.
The belt carries about 70% of the weight, making it a critical component. The fin-shaped rotating belt is divided into a load-bearing and adjustment section. The load-bearing part is wide at the back and narrow at the front, with a thick, soft 3D breathable mesh mat that provides comfort and support to the waist.
Why is it called a fin belt? Besides its shape resembling fins, it also functions similarly. Fins help fish maintain balance and move forward, and the fin belt serves a similar purpose. According to the manufacturer's diagram, when the body twists, the belt also rotates slightly, helping to keep the center of gravity stable. The flexible connection between the belt and the back panel allows the bag to rotate rather than sway.
The adjustment part of the belt is easy to operate. A front stepping-type fast ladder buckle tightens the webbing, while pulling the buckles on both sides backward loosens the belt.
The backpack features three built-in, detachable aluminum shelves. Two are X-shaped, and one is positioned slightly below the headbag.
The manufacturer included detailed explanations of the aluminum frame’s role on both sides, showing the curvature of the third aluminum shelf, ensuring proper design and shape of the head socket.
The shoulder straps carry about 20% of the weight and are composed of a load belt and an adjustment belt. The load-bearing belt is partially filled with the same padding and 3D breathable mesh, but thinner than the waistband. Notably, there are two buckles on the back of the backpack and above the shoulder strap that connect to webbing for adjusting the center of gravity, hence the term “center of gravity adjustment belt.†Tall people usually use the upper adjustment straps, while shorter individuals use the lower ones. However, height limits exist, so personal adjustment is necessary to find the most comfortable fit.
The quick adjustment system is attached to the shoulder straps, featuring 10 arched webbings connected via Velcro and bow webbing. Generally, four arched webbings are sufficient to stabilize the backpack. Some backpacks have independently designed shoulder straps, categorized into large, medium, and small sizes. This system allows for rough adjustments based on height, though finer tuning could enhance comfort. Some users may worry about the Velcro coming loose during intense activities, but after a 7-hour reload test, I didn’t notice any issues. Long-term reliability remains to be seen.
The back of the bag uses a patented 3D space cotton mat. According to the manufacturer's illustration, this material is macroporous, allowing air to circulate continuously, improving ventilation and heat dissipation. Research indicates that using this fabric can reduce sweat by up to 15%.
In addition to material improvements, the back design also features two grooves on each side and a larger groove near the lower back, creating an effective ventilation system.
**Outdoor Experience:**
- **Load:** 19KG
- **Walking Time:** 7 hours
- **Altitude Gain:** 800 meters
The bag is rated for 33KG, and achieving this level of load has always been challenging for me. It's a strong selling point if the bag can offer comfort at higher carrying capacities. Since this wasn’t a long-distance trek, I added extra gear to simulate a mountain line in Guangdong to test the bag's burden, reaching 38 pounds. While some bags with poor load distribution reached their limit at this weight, this one still performed well under heavier loads.
**Summary:**
Based on the design, I believe this backpack will excel in long-term reloading trips (more than a few days). Its reasonable design meets the needs of 10-day hikes. Compared to the 70-liter model I previously used, I think the weight of this bag is more important for long-term use. However, for short-term activities, the sky model might have advantages due to its own weight. If I had to choose, I wouldn’t pick such a large bag for a 2-day trip. In actual outdoor use, the contrast between 38 pounds (the weight of the previous sky model) wasn’t too strong, but the multi-pack advantage became more apparent later, maintaining a consistent load feeling. I hope to experience this bag in multi-day long-term activities soon.
The 3D space cotton fabric is very soft and comfortable when the back is heavy. Based on the material and design, it should also perform well in terms of ventilation. I can’t compare two backpacks under the same conditions for testing.
It’s worth noting that the X-shaped aluminum frame of this backpack is hollow, reducing weight somewhat. But does it weaken the bag’s support? The sky model uses two small round brackets, while the Gregory B76/65 uses a single solid built-in frame, but it's not as heavy as this bag. In actual use, with a 38 kg load, the overall performance was good, and I look forward to further weight-bearing tests in long lines.
**Main Advantages:**
1. **Reasonable Design:** The backpack’s design has a unique concept, targeting the human body’s engineering characteristics for ventilation and load-bearing. The U-shaped opening makes it easier to access middle items. Small details like webbing, pockets, and plug-ins are user-friendly.
2. **Excellent Material Selection and Craftsmanship:** Whether it's fabric, zippers, or locks, this bag uses famous outdoor materials with a great texture. The stitching and details are clear and precise.
3. **Good Carrying System:** I can only say it's good, as I think this bag needs more long-line testing to fully showcase its load-bearing performance. In my actual use, 7 hours of 38 kg load, from start to finish, the difference wasn’t significant. Some similar-sized backpacks felt heavier and more tiring.
4. **Quick Adjustment System:** This system allows for fine-tuned adjustments based on the user's height, making it more reasonable than other backpacks that use pre-set sizes.
**Shortcomings:**
1. **Design Not Attractive Enough:** Although each brand has its own design, I’ve noticed that multi-pack designs haven’t changed much over time, which seems outdated. However, the average consumer still prefers attractive bags. A more appealing design could make market promotion easier.
2. **Water Bottle Placement Is Unreasonable:** Many times, we need to access water without putting down our backpacks. The inclined water bottle opening design would be more practical.
**Follow-Up Evaluation:**
1. Evaluate the bag’s carrying capacity over 7 days or more.
2. Check the stability of the rapid adjustment system’s Velcro. Though it works well now, long-distance walking might cause issues that need further testing.
This is a recommended backpack for long-term reloading. While the weight of the bag is slightly heavier, it’s a relative fact. I estimate many people compare it with the O-series backpacks, but the Dort bag is compared to the sky 70. Its weight isn’t a grade. Strictly speaking, the sky isn’t a heavy backpack. If comparing with O’s Argon, Zenith, or other heavy packs, this bag isn’t too heavy. Many people also compare it with GG’s B65/B75. Their weights are similar to Dort’s. However, whether it's official or customer usage, the load they can handle is around 40-45 kg, which might feel uncomfortable. Therefore, choosing a backpack first depends on your use environment. For long-term loads, there are many choices. If it's a 3-5 day trip, keeping the load under 40 kg, trendy designs like O Home or GG Home are also good options.
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