Deuter Futura 28 Backpack: Black/Titan

This backpack is spectacular. I bought this to take backpacking through Central America, but I really wish I had one of these to use in school!

The greatest feature of this pack is the compact lightweight spring-steel suspension it uses to keep the bulk of the pack off your back. The only thing touching your back is a thin mesh that lets air circulate and keeps you from sweating and getting an embarrassing sweat stain. It also rests on your hips which makes it much more comfortable to carry around than a typical backpack.

The main compartment of the pack can be accessed from the top or the bottom zipper you can see in the picture. This comes in super handy if you have something in the bottom but don't want to pull everything out of it. The inside of the main compartment can be split in two by a zipper which turns the bottom zipper into its own area. This is especially nice if you have some wet clothes but don't want to ruin the rest of the stuff in your pack.

It also an area to put something like a CamelBak but it could be used for additional storage as well. Combine this with the main compartment, the ability to split off the main compartment to make the bottom zipper access separate, elastic side compartments and another zipper compartment on the top of the bag and you have everything you need.

To top off all the cool things this pack does, the bottom has a built in rain fly that you can quickly pull out to make your pack waterproof if you get hit with a heavy downpour!

The only downfall to this pack is it's size, it only holds 1700 cubic inches which isn't very much, a typical school backpack is about 2300 cubic inches. However if you think this could be an issue, don't worry! Deuter offers many other high quality packs in various sizes.

I learned about this backpack through check it out for other cool stuff.

This is a solid pack. Nothing that made me go 'wow,' but it's flexible and good for either international travel or as a daypack.

The major selling point is that it has a metal frame that curves away from you, with a thin mesh web where a normal pack would press against your back. There are three points of contact where your back touches the bag, two on your hips and one across your shoulders. This is great for someone who sweats a lot (me), I was able to wear it on a recent hike where my back would have been soaking wet, and it was very comfortable.

The design is nice, there's an elastic pouch inside for water bladders, a large main pack, and then a lower pack where I stored clothing. The lower pack is configurable and can be joined to the main pack. There are also two bottle holders and then an easy-to-reach small pouch at the top that could fit a small camera, papers, etc. There are compression straps on the side that are long enough to reach around a rolled-up jacket, so if you end up taking off your coat you can strap it outside the pack.

Also nice is having the frame in a daypack for support. Previous daypacks I've used had no frame and were consequently difficult to pack.

In Germany I saw a lot of people with Deuter packs, so I think that says something about the construction quality.

The only downside is that the pack isn't too stylish. Because it's held off your back by the frame, it looks a little bulkier than if it lay right against you. Still, I never felt self-conscious, it's just that the bag doesn't win any points for looks.

Overall, highly recommended.

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I've carried a pack almost every working day on my daily commute to work for the past 20 years. I've gone through many packs but none have been as comfortable in the summer as a Deuter Futura 28. The 2008 has been improved with an internal mesh pocket and a more easily accessible outer pocket. Its not light and fast but it is sturdy and comfortable. The real comfort comes from the internal frame air comfort mesh which keeps the pack off the carriers back. The stowable rainfly pocket is also nice to carry a few extra small items. I use it for emergency glove liners, an extra tube and a small wrench tool. The downside is the pack looks like it should carry more than it does. Also, it seems designed for a slightly longer torso so even though its relatively small, the chest strap rides high if you're around 5'8" or shorter. A shovel pocket, more gear loops, and an up-and-down adjustable chest strap would improve this specific pack. I look forward to trying their other products.

Additionally, my experience with Deuter's customer service has been all positive. After several years of quality use, the zipper blew out on the main compartment of my first Futura 28. Through REI, Deuter replaced the pack and only asked that I pay shipping.

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The cool-back design rocks, the built in rain cover, the two large water bottle pockets and the dividable main space are all excellent. The only thing that they really blew is the waist belt it's just a thin strip, so it really sucks for comfort. Every other element is very impressive. I just took this as my only pack for a three-week trip overseas, carrying my 13" laptop along the way. If they'd fix the belt, I'd easily give it a 5, but the way it is, I'm considering selling it... Damn.

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I like the layout of the pockets and straps. Every one meets a need I have in a bag.

5 stars would have been awarder if it wasn't for the hip-wings that I find chafe a bit. Maybe I have love handles? It took a while to find the right position for the bag to sit on my back; once I did it feels fantastic. But if the hip-wing material wasn't SO ROUGH it would have earned 5 stars.