User Review: Deuter Futura Pro 42

Summary

Comfortable day pack with good balance, a built in rain cover and a great vented back panel

This pack is IT! I bought it more than two years ago from REI in San Francisco. I am a plus size woman, 5'8" tall. I needed a pack that fit the bill for my upcoming Everest Base Camp Trek. I was fitted by the employee at REI who was an experienced back packer so I was thankful for his help. This is not the woman's version but it fits fantastically for my torso and hips and ....well....EVERYTHING!

The hip belt is very comfortable with foam extending about to the actual point of my hip bones. As a larger girl, I do have more out in front and it worried me that it might not be comfortable, but I soon learned that the padding was right where it needed to be. I love the adjustable straps and can pull in the pack close to me when the load is lighter and that helps prevent shifting and bouncing. I can loosen the same straps for additional venting on hot hikes....a real plus here in the Mojave desert around Las Vegas.

The volume is good for putting the essentials for the day. I have rain gear, camera, climbing harness and shoes, helmet, first aid kit and can strap my climbing rope over the top.

You can see here the pack's rise is great for day hiking and not having an obstructed view, Laying the rope over the top does not overload the pack and sits there well.

I like the side pockets to hold bars in and smaller items. I also like the top pocket to hold blister kit and other first aid items that I might want to grab quickly.

As you see, poles are right at my side and there is a strap to pull tight around them (same one that pulls the pack in to your back when toting smaller loads).

When I have this pack full I feel it is pretty stable. So long as I don't put my heavy camera on the very top, the balance is so good that it is just THERE and does not feel top heavy, even on quick scrambles.

The claps are as durable as any with the hard plastic. I have not treated this thing gingerly. It made the trip all the way up to Mount Everest Base Camp and back. It endured two cross pacific plane flights. It has been all over the Red Rock canyon on hikes and climbs. 

My only complaint is that there are no pockets on the hip belts and the velcro attachment that holds the bladder up in the pocket is not a great design...the bladder can slip off if you move around a lot. Just does not seem to be designed to be compatible with the top of a Camelbak bladder.

I love this pack. I will use it until it dies on me. If I need a bigger pack, I will look at Deuter first. That is how perfect this pack has been for me.