Early in the summer of 2010 I started carrying a daypack everywhere I went. The necessity really came with a significant increase in my use of a motorcycle on a daily basis.
While riding without saddlebags everything must be carried in a backpack of some sort. The problem was that I didn’t really have an appropriate size pack for my daily adventures, whether it was simply commuting or heading out for some day fishing.
The closest things that I had access to were my 70L weekend pack, a 40L travel pack that someone left in my basement, and a borrowed 8 L daypack that I held on to for far too long. And so the research began.
I pretty much had my heart set on the Arcteryx Axios 25L or 35L on my way to my local MEC, but on arrival a new competitor, that I had never heard of, entered and won the contest for my permanent daypack. The Deuter Futura 28 is perfect. I have tried to think of ways to improve on this pack and always come up short.
The size is adjustable, with 28L being the recommended internal maximum. That gives me enough room to fit a tent, a compressed sleeping bag and change of clothes, and all of my EDC items, which I will cover in a future post.
The bag comes fitted with multiple compression straps to shrink overall size if you are not using any of that space. The top straps even have clips to give full access to the main compartment of the pack.
One of the best features is a set of metal stays and a tough mesh that bow in towards the pack and keeps the weight from resting on the wearers back. This ingenious feature allows air to flow freely below the pack and virtually eliminates sweating due to wearing a daypack. Of course the straps are fully adjustable and allow a user to customize the fit and feel to any body type.
The bag has a pocket and pass through, allowing you to add in an aftermarket hydration system. This is a great feature if you plan on taking this bag on a longer ride or day in the sun.
The inside of the bag is comprised of two compartments that can be opened if you want to use the entire bag with top and lower access. I keep the compartments separate for my day to day travels but, if I am packing a tent, I can easily accommodate poles on the inside.
The bag has both an interior and exterior pocket for quick access to small items or valuables. On the exterior are two additional pockets for either extending the pack size by allowing for external logistics or for quick access items such as trail mix or a beverage.
For the hiker, the bag has two adjustable loops. The first is designed to fit a camp hatchet or ice axe, while the other is perfect for two collapsable hiking poles. There are even lower loops for each.
There is a relatively unnecessary waist strap as well. I guess it would be useful if you were hiking with a heavy load for a long time, but the only times that I have used it are when I need to be sure of my balance, such as light rock climbing or riding on a highway.
All in all, this is the best pack that I have ever owned. I’ve actually thought about buying a second one right now, just in case they ever stop making it!
N
