Deuter Futura 22 SL Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Great feature set, open mesh back provides a lot of ventilation
Cons: Heavy, small hip belt, no hip belt pockets, one size only
Manufacturer: Deuter
Our Verdict
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Deuter Futura 22 SL | |||||
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| Price | $90.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $119.95 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $98.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Great feature set, open mesh back provides a lot of ventilation | Comes with hydration bladder, very comfortable hip belt, good capacity, solidly constructed | Great ventilation, backpack-like comfort, useful pockets and attachments, well built, intuitive use | Adjustable torso length, very durable, great features and pockets | Good for on-the-go, secure fit, fits more than expected, many shoulder strap pockets |
| Cons | Heavy, small hip belt, no hip belt pockets, one size only | U-shaped top opening is smaller, some pockets are less convenient | One size only, heavy, lame hip belt webbing system | Runs a bit small, front stow pocket a bit small | Opens unconventionally, meant for more specific use, not rainproof |
| Bottom Line | A versatile option if you don't carry a lot of weight in your pack or want a supportive hip belt | A super comfortable pack with a unique waist belt system and included hydration bladder for the serious day hiker | All the comfort and security of a full backpack in a bite-sized daypack | A versatile, durable, and comfortable pack that works just as well on the trail as in town | A lightweight, securely fitting pack, cleverly designed for use on the go |
| Rating Categories | Deuter Futura 22 SL | CamelBak Sequoia 24 | Gregory Juno 24L | Osprey Tempest 20 | Chimera 18 |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Deuter Futura 22 SL | CamelBak Sequoia 24 | Gregory Juno 24L | Osprey Tempest 20 | Chimera 18 |
| Weight (oz) | 41 oz | 36 oz | 31 oz | 31 oz | 17 oz |
| Volume/Capacity (liters) | 22L | 24L | 24L | 20L | 18L |
| Back Construction | Aircomfort Sensic Back System | AirSupport(TM) backpanel; mesh covered foam panels with air flow channels | VaporSpan ventilated mesh | AirScape backpanel; large spaced horizontal padding bars covered by large-holed mesh | FlashDry backpanel; lightly padded and covered in fine mesh |
| Hydration | Internal hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve and 3L Crux reservoir included | Internal hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve |
| Hipbelt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, webbing |
| Compartments | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Rain Cover | Yes | No | No, but DWR finish | No | No |
| Additional pockets | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
| Outside Carry Options | Trekking pole attachment, side pockets | Trekking pole and ice axe attachments, side pocket, expandable overflow pocket, hip belt pockets (one zip, two stretch), daisy chain, hydration hose clip | Lare exterior stretch pocket, 2 stretch side pockets, 2 zippered hip belt pockets, 1 zippered pocket, hiking pole storage, ice axe loop | Lidlock helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, large stretch front pocket, ice tool loop with bungee tie-off, side pockets, hip belt pockets, sunglasses shoulder stow, bike light loop | Trekking pole and ice axe attachment, side pockets, expandable front stuff pocket, four small pockets on shoulder straps, loops on shoulder straps |
| Whistle | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Key Clip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Materials | 600D polyester, 210D nylon, PU coating | 420D oxford nylon | 210D Honeycomb Cryptorip nylon, 420D reinforced bottom | 70D x 100D nylon body, accent and bottom 420HD nylon packcloth | 70D ripstop nylon, closed-cell foam, elastic pockets |
| Notable Features | Ice axe loop, trekking pole holders | Hydration bladder included, hydration pocket has blue zipper pull, removable metal stiffening rod in center of back. multiple pockets in both hip belts, several internal stretch pockets, U-shaped top zipper | Sunglasses stow loops, hydration hose attachment, trekking pole attachment | Helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, sunglasses quick-stow, bike light loop, shoulder strap pocket, stowable ice axe loops | Dyno Cinch System connects shoulder straps and waist webbing as one system, cinch cord for top and sides of pack all one system, main and small zippered compartments are opened via side zips for one-shoulder access |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Deuter Futura 22 SL uses 600-Denier polyester and 210-Denier nylon with a PU coating for added water resistance. This pack has a 17-inch torso length that is not adjustable.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Our testers think the Futura 22 is comfortable for the most part, and the open back allows for great airflow. You might still get a sweaty back when hiking, but it doesn't accumulate as much thanks to the air circulation. The well-padded shoulder straps properly spaced and contoured, are all things we appreciate. There is some nice padding around the lumbar area, but that ends before your hip bones. The one-inch webbing then extends across your stomach, making this one slightly less comfortable than others with a full hip belt, particularly with a heavier load and over longer distances. This hip belt does still work at transferring the weight off your shoulders, but you'll have to crank it tight, at which point the webbing starts to dig in uncomfortably.
Versatility
This pack has some of our favorite features that make it versatile for just about every new adventure. The included rain cover is always a bonus, and it stays tucked away in a little pouch so you won't notice it, or forget it. We liked the side water bottle holders, which do a great job of holding our water bottle even when taking this pack on and off. The outer mesh stuff pocket is a great option for quickly stashing your layers as you take them off throughout the day, and there are two interior compartments and lots of little pockets for organizing your gear. The only thing missing is some hip belt pockets!
Weight
Weighing in at 41 ounces (2.6 pounds), the Futura is one of the heaviest packs in our review. That comes from having a substantial frame and the thicker 600D polyester used in the bottom. If you need or want a more robust pack like one, you'll have to deal with the extra ounces that come with those features. However, there are some options that are nearly as tough but have larger capacities, tipping the scales at about the same weight or even less than this one.
Ease of Use
Overall we think the Futura has some good adjustability options on the pack, but it only comes in one size, which limits the range of users who can wear it comfortably. The 17-inch back length was a little short on our 5 foot, 6-inch tester, so it seems like Deuter made this one with shorter people in mind.
Durability
We appreciated the super thick 600-Denier polyester on the bottom. It should help this high-wear area last longer than the competition.
Value
The Futura 22 retails on the upper end of average for packs we tested, which seems reasonable given the features and quality of construction.
Conclusion
We've tested other Deuter packs in the past, and this one is our current favorite. The Futura 22 is slightly more comfortable, and the features are better and more useful. However, it is a little on the heavy side, and we prefer a full hip belt even on our daypacks. Maybe you don't? If so, this might be the perfect option for you.
— Cam McKenzie Ring and Maggie Brandenburg