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A good hiking backpack really proves itself when you barely notice it is there. When the load sits comfortably, your back stays well ventilated and everything you need is within easy reach. With exactly that in mind, the Deuter Futura Pro 32 was tested on several hikes in August, including a long day tour of around eight hours.
In this article, you will find out how the Deuter Futura Pro 32 performed in practice and who this hiking backpack is best suited for.
Key features at a glance
- Individually adjustable back length with five settings
- Good load distribution across shoulders and hips
- Airy mesh back system for comfortable ventilation in warm weather
- Plenty of practical pockets for well-organised packing
- Matching rain cover included
- Loops for attaching hiking poles
- Compatible with a hydration system
- Compression straps, chest strap and hip belt for a stable fit
- High-quality fabric and very good workmanship
How we tested the Deuter Futura Pro backpack
The hiking backpack was tested by Julien Moritz, Online Marketing Manager for Content at Sport Conrad. Thanks to numerous long day hikes, he brings plenty of experience when it comes to hiking in the mountains. The test conditions ranged from easy hiking trails to very steep, technical terrain. The weather was consistently warm, sunny and dry, so the integrated rain cover was not used during the test.
Test result for the Deuter Futura Pro
In the following test result, we take a closer look at how the Deuter Futura Pro 32 performed in practice. We cover the first impression, fit, carrying comfort, handling, as well as the strengths and weaknesses that became apparent during the test hikes.
Rating
- Comfort: 10 von 10
- Workmanship: 10 von 10
- Functionality: 9 von 10
- Features: 8 von 10
- Value for money: 8 von 10
- Overall: 9 von 10
First impression
Visually, this hiking backpack has the typical Deuter design language. When fully packed, it has a slightly rounded shape, but still looks well balanced and makes a high-quality impression with its attractive shade of blue. The fabric and workmanship immediately impressed our tester. A rain cover is also included.
The backpack is designed for longer day hikes and short multi-day tours. The main focus is on carrying comfort and an individually adjustable fit. Thanks to the VariClick system, the back length can be adjusted in five stages to match your body size.
Fit and handling
The initial back length adjustment is a little stiff. Since you usually only set it once to match your body, this is hardly an issue in everyday use. At Julien’s height of 180 cm, the third of the five settings fitted very well. This leaves room for adjustment both up and down, making the backpack suitable for both smaller and taller users.
Packing and putting on the backpack is straightforward. Open all the straps, load the backpack, tighten everything and then use the load adjustment straps to distribute the weight properly between shoulders and hips. Once adjusted correctly, the load sits comfortably on the hips, while the mesh still sits close enough to the back.
There were no pressure points during the test. The ventilation was especially positive. The soft, airy mesh back and shoulder straps with mesh covering help reduce sweating. Especially in warm weather and on longer climbs, this is a clear comfort benefit.
Storage space and organisation
The Futura Pro 32 offers plenty of practical pockets that make it easy to store gear neatly and keep everything well organised. It also comes with well-thought-out details such as pole attachment loops, space for a hydration system, compression straps, as well as a chest strap and hip belt.
However, the main compartment can only be accessed from the top or via the bottom compartment. Items that need to be close at hand should therefore be stored in the additional pockets. A longer zip for more direct access to the main compartment would be a practical addition, but in the end this comes down to personal preference.
For classic day hikes with a little more gear, the 32-litre volume is a very good fit. For longer multi-day tours, we would find the backpack a little too small. In that case, we would recommend the larger versions with 36 or 40 litres.
Comfort on the trail
The greatest strength of the Deuter Futura Pro 32 is clearly its carrying comfort. The main load is transferred very effectively to the padded hip fins. As a result, the backpack does not feel heavy, even when loaded. This makes a noticeable difference, especially on longer tours. The backpack also remained comfortable to carry in steeper and more technical terrain. The combination of stable load distribution, a ventilated back system and well-fitting shoulder straps creates a very comfortable overall feel. For regular hikes and longer day tours, this is a real plus.
For everyday use or short hikes, however, the Futura Pro 32 is rather on the large side. It really plays to its strengths when you are carrying enough gear for a longer tour.
Cleaning and care
After a longer tour, Julien cleaned the backpack by hand. This worked well. The material also dried very quickly.
Strengths and weaknesses at a glance
✔️ Strengths
- Very high carrying comfort
- Good load distribution onto the hips
- Airy mesh back with comfortable ventilation
- Plenty of practical pockets and useful features
- High-quality fabric and very good workmanship
- Individually adjustable back length
- Rain cover already included
❌ Weaknesses
- Back length adjustment is a little stiff
- Main compartment only accessible from the top or via the bottom compartment
- No helmet net included
- Rather too small for longer multi-day tours
Test review conclusion
The Deuter Futura Pro 32 impressed us most of all with its very high level of carrying comfort. The combination of a well-ventilated mesh back, comfortable shoulder straps and strong load distribution via the hip fins makes it a reliable companion for longer days on the trail. Minor limitations include the missing helmet net, the slightly stiff back length adjustment and the access to the main compartment. However, these are details that may or may not matter depending on how you use the backpack.
Our recommendation is clear: the Deuter Futura Pro 32 is especially worthwhile for anyone who hikes regularly and mainly plans longer day tours or shorter trips with a little more gear. For exactly this type of use, the 32-litre volume is a very good fit. If you spend a lot of time in the mountains, you will clearly notice the carrying comfort and benefit from the well-thought-out organisation every time you reach for your gear on the go.
Deuter Futura Pro in different sizes: