Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I've used this pack on about a dozen day hikes with loads up to 30 lbs. No use in sustained precipitation so can't judge the integrated rainfly but I like the concept of not having to remember to pack it. I've always had top loading packs so this is easy to load for me. A nice design addition would be to add a side zip inside one of the side pockets so that one would have side access to the main compartment. The sleeping bag compartment at the bottom is roomy enough to fit a 3+ season bag. On day hikes, its a great place to stash your warm gear and/or rain gear for quick access. The top pocket is roomy for all those 10 essentials and items you want easily on hand. The internal zip pocket on the underside of the top compartment makes for a secure spot to stash keys, wallet, etc. side sleeves are deep and stretchy so items are held secure. One can load skis on this pack too. The only downside of this pack is it is so comfortable, I forget I'm wearing it. Great value and quality.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I travel light, this pack is well made and has all of the storage needed for an overnight or year long trek anywhere you want to go. It has a built in rain fly, and external pockets for items you need to get to often. I like the frame and suspension, It is very well made and should hold up quite well, the price is right and REI is the best place to fill out you kit. If you want to travel light, this is a good choice. I would give it 5 stars except for the lack of daisy chain. I don't like stuff hanging on my pack anyway, so no big deal to me.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

This pack is darn near perfect! I can easily make it three nights with all my gear comfortably packed. The sleeping bag compartment is small and couldn't fit my Cats Meow sleeping bag (glad to get rid of that bag anyways, see my review on that). So I got a Mont-bell spiral down #3 and can now fit the sleeping bag, my Big Agnes inflatable ground pad and a sleeping bag liner, if I expect it to get really cold, or I stuff my rain pants and jacket in there instead. I now have plenty of room in the main compartment for my tarp tent, extra clothes, cook system and food, with some room to spare. All the exterior pockets helps with organization and easy access.

Some quick things I like and would like to see:

Like:
Back mesh is comfortable and keeps my back cool
Frame is sturdy and can support up to 30lbs. (try to keep it under 25lbs.)
Durable and well designed
Fits ME just right

Would like:
Adjustable lid (is possible to fit a pad or tent under the lid if main compartment isn't stuffed)
Sleeping pad straps (though I got around this by getting a smaller pad)
Adjustable shoulder straps
Move the side suspension straps under the water bottle mesh pocket (being picky with this one)

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I'm a 50yr old dad w some back issues trying to keep up with a troop of boy scouts. We do primitive camping 1-3 mi from the trail head and lately, that means 100% of our water comes with us. We then do 7-15 mi day treks over the weekend.

What I don't like is the lack of attachment points to handle my tent and pad. The pad now ends up under the vertical straps that hold the top down, but the tent is strapped to the sides, split up. 3L water goes inside and my compressed sleeping bag, plus a camp pillow go in the sleeping bag compartment.

I also dislike the lower horizontal snug straps being closed and being OVER the water bottle holders. This is one reason why I now carry 3L of water in a bladder, I can't get to the water bottles. It could use some pockets on the hip belts too.

I'm finding that the bag is also a bit small for 2 days with food and water (I don't carry a stove yet). I'm going to see if I can sell it to a young scout (who can't carry a 60L pack) and move up a size.

On the plus side, the bag is sturdy, comfortable, and once camp is set, I like the many pockets.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

In all, I've been very satisfied with this pack. It is extraordinarily comfortable, seems durable enough, and distributes weight almost entirely on my hips, with nearly no shoulder strain.

Pack design: The main compartment is roomy, though the sleeping bag compartment is too small for winter camping (then again, the pack probably is too). The side accessory pockets and hood pockets are useful, the stash pocket on the back is not. An integral rain cover is included and works well. The lack of sleeping pad straps is maddening, as is the "non-adjustable hood" (i.e. the hood is very difficult to close when the pack is overfull) The drawcord came undone from the pack closure -- hopefully I can find a suitable replacement.

Comfort is great, as previously mentioned. Everything just seems to "work" for me. The suspension is much better than the Osprey Kestrel or Variant series and incorporates steel "wires." Ventilation is great, padding is good enough, and construction seems fairly robust. I'm 6'0 185, and the torso length (one-size-*doesn't*-fit-all) is borderline.

Definitely a solid choice for overnights and weekend trips, even long days hikes requiring a lot of gear. Would recommend.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

Just got back into hiking and bought this pack. After reading some of the reviews I decided to give it a try. I couldn't be happier! I'm 5'9" and 200 Lbs. and had no problems with the fit. The suspension really keeps the pack off your back, and the flex in the hip belt was unnoticeable yet my hips were never sore during or after the hikes. The most I had in the pack so far was a small 40+ bag, tarp, food and a full bladder for an overnight. I like how the pack can be pulled in for day hikes also. The external pockets and loops for my trekking poles are great.I'm sure if I upgrade the rest of my gear to smaller light weight stuff I'll have no problem doing some extended trips with this pack.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I have wanted a Deuter Futura 42 since I first discovered them in 2005 while working on Catalina. The packs we used have lasted incredibly well, surviving summer after summer of being dropped, dunked in salt water, dragged along rocks, sat on and generally getting the snot beat out of them. I was really excited then when this year I finally got the chance to buy one.

First the good: This pack has lots of pockets that let someone really organize their gear, and if the side pockets aren't in use they lie flat against the bag which is really nice for getting through tight spaces. The overall design of the pack hasn't changed all that much over the years, mainly because it's so good there isn't any real need to make major changes. It's got plenty of room, and cinches down enough that you can even wear it to go trail running if you wanted to.

Now, the bad: As great as these packs are, these newer versions have one major flaw, which is that there is very little padding on the hip belt. I carried fifteen pounds around in it and after a couple hikes my hip bones were sore. I tried a range of different adjustments but nothing seemed to work and I ended up returning it for a Gregory z40. Granted, I am on the skinnier side, but just keep in mind that there is not a lot of padding.

Conclusion: If you don't mind not having much padding on the hipbelt, then this pack is great because it gets just about everything else right. Otherwise you may want to try something else.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I got the Futura Pro 42 at the beginning of this summer and as soon as I put it on I knew I was going to love it. Using it all summer I was never disappointed! I mostly used it for longer day hikes and over-stuffed it on a few occasions just to see how much I could get in to it and it always felt like there was nothing on my back. Super comfortable and it holds more than you would think at first glance. I would highly recommend this pack to everyone looking for a lightweight day/weekend pack.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

I drove for 2 1/2 hrs to the nearest REI just to get this pack.

I'm not comfortable ordering some things like packs, shoes, and sleeping bags online. They all require (in my opinion) hands on fitting and I'm glad I made the drive. The Detuer pack is a quality made bag with great options for an organization freak like me. The 2011 model has improved on those of the past but is missing one thing that made this pack unusable for me.

Despite the specs saying this pack will fit up to a 21 inch torso (which I am) it comes no where close to that. As a previous poster mentioned it is not adjustable for torso fit. With a full load I was still strapping the waist belt across my navel.

This is a great pack that I wish I could use. If it fits you, enjoy a quality pack at an affordable price.

Comments about Deuter Futura Pro 42 Pack:

Love this pack! I bought it a week before I left for a two week backpacking/medical mission trip to Nepal. The pack held up like a champ and was just crammed with stuff and tossed around quite a bit. When I got home and cleaned it off I found that it looked practically brand new! Couldn't ask for more from a pack, really great.

One thing that I needed from the pack was for it to work as carry on luggage for the plane. This pack successfully made it all across the globe in a few different airlines and fit just fine on every single one of them.

If you're a traveler and backpacker and like to travel light, this pack is for you! It's the perfect size.