Review: Deuter Futura Pro 36 - A versatile entry-level pack for travel and mountain climbing

Yasushi Hisatomi

10 years ago

table of contents

A durable, comfortable, and long-selling product from the pioneer of rear ventilation
Detailed Review

A durable, comfortable, and long-selling product from the pioneer of rear ventilation

You see them all the time in Europe, the Americas, and even here in Japan. That's my impression of Deuter, but there's a reason they're so beloved as trekking backpacks around the world. As a pack manufacturer with over 100 years of history, and more than anything, as a long-established German manufacturer that has been perfecting the "back ventilation" system in backpacks for decades, the Futura series is a long-selling product that embodies their philosophy. Let's get started with the review

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Detailed Review

Item name (price)

Deuter Futura Pro 36 (Reference price: 18,360 yen)

front

Back

Main specifications and evaluation

Click here for a side-by-side comparison of 30L medium-sized backpacks

item	Specifications and reviews
material	Deuter-Super-Polytex / Deuter Super-Polytex 600 Macro Lite 210 / Macro Lite 210
color	emerald-kiwi black-granite midnight-coolblue
Size/Back Length	No official notation
capacity	36 (+4 sp)L
weight	1705g
Variations	Men's: 36L/42L Women's: 34L/40L
access	Top access, front (lower) 2-chamber switchable
Hydration	◯
Rain cover	Standard equipment
pocket	Zippered pockets on both sides, netted pockets on both sides, pocket behind the canopy , hip belt pocket
Comfort	★★★★★
stability	★★★
Storage capacity	★★★
Ease of use	★★★
Versatility	★★★★
design	★★★
price	★★★★
Overall score	★★★★

This is amazing!

Comfortable and stable back system

While it's now becoming commonplace among other manufacturers, Deuter was the first to introduce the back ventilation system, which maximizes breathability by creating space between your back and the backpack, keeping you comfortable even when you sweat. The latest Deuter Aircomfort Flexlite Pro System features a lightweight, flexible, and sturdy frame and a wide back mesh for a comfortable fit and breathability

Furthermore, the hip belt features side compression straps and a hip belt and padding that rotates to accommodate the movement of the upper body, allowing the pack to maintain a stable fit and load even when carrying a heavy load. This is a feature not found in the company's Futura series, and in this respect and other factors, the Pro is more suitable for mountaineering and backpacking.

durability

Unlike many backpacks, the Futura series uses a 210D (denier) outer layer with a synthetic lining, and the stitching is double-stitched for extra durability (although this does mean it's heavier)

Pocket attachments are perfect

Aside from the small size of the hip belt pocket, all the pockets and attachments are large enough and easy to use. The side zippered pockets can store small items, and the stretchy side pockets make it easy to take out and put in bottles. There are attachments for trekking poles and axes, and there are loops on the top of the canopy for attaching mats, making this a versatile backpack suitable for general trekking and travel

Reasonable

Considering that a dedicated rain cover is included as standard, the price is very reasonable

This is not so good

Storage capacity

This is something that's often mentioned in other online reviews, but I feel like the pack's construction means that the packing space is less than other backpacks due to the gap created by the rear ventilation frame, and it doesn't perform as well as its stated 36L capacity would suggest. I tried filling this pack to capacity in a MAMMUT Heron Crest 30+10, and was able to pack about the same amount

However, this is a feature that often applies to other backpacks with mesh backs, so it's not a disadvantage unique to this pack. In that sense, even though the capacity is not as large as the numbers suggest, it's not a problem unless you plan on camping

No variation in back length

This model does not come in different sizes, and there is no official range of back lengths, even if you refer to a catalog, so it's important to note that you won't be able to tell if it fits you unless you try it on in the store

In this sense, you the Futura Vario series, which has the same mesh back structure and allows you to adjust the back length, so you can freely adjust the height (although there are fewer variations in capacity).

weight

It's obviously more solidly built than other packs, so it's understandable that this is a trade-off, but the pack itself is relatively heavy. Considering that the average weight for a 30L pack is 1.4kg, it's worth considering whether the 1.7kg weight is worth ignoring

Summary: What activities is it recommended for?

I've mentioned a number of drawbacks, but conversely, if you find the size just right when you actually try it on, and you're planning on doing day trips or overnight stays in huts, this backpack is ideal, especially for beginner hikers and trekkers. The reason is, first and foremost, its perfection, with just the right amount of functionality to make dangerous and challenging mountain climbing more comfortable and safe, and its quality of construction, cultivated over many years. This is the perfection in terms of "ease of use for mountain climbing" that only a long-established European backpack manufacturer, which has steep mountains just like Japan, can provide, and it is slightly different from the packs of American pack manufacturers, which pursue comfort and safety when walking for long periods of time with a heavy load, can offer

Deuter also offers a lineup of other models for various purposes and levels, including models that can handle heavier loads and models for more active mountaineering, and the Futura series is an excellent entry-level pack for mountaineering. Of course, its simple construction will also make it suitable for backpacking trips