deuter packs

“I've been searching for the perfect large daypack for some time now. I like to take and extra pair of boots, spare socks, water, layers, food, ect on long hikes (Ok, I just like to carry a lot of stuff, is that a crime!) and the camelbaks were not quite large enough. I got a mountainsmith assault II and the hip belt is so flimsey it hardly serves a purpose. I then ordered a gregory g-pack (or is it the z pack, I can't remember right now) off ebay at a good price. My shasta is a small so I figured a small would fit. Well I was wrong, the shoulder straps hardly go around my my shoulders and it's just plain too small. Makes me wonder if my shasta really fits me properly, I may have had some straps swapped out. But I digress.

I saw an osprey atmos 50 at a local shop but only in one size, medium. I really liked that mesh back but wanted to try on different sizes. This past month we went to the mountains and visited diamondbrand. They had the medium gregory which fit great! They also had a pack called a deuter futura 42 which is what I wound up getting. I used it on a couple of my long dayhikes and really like it. I don't hear much about them on the web so I thought I would put in my 2 cents.

It has more pockets than the gregory and the lid fits better. The mesh back is really comfy. There is a slight swaying caused my this space which is noticable if you do not balance the pack right but not really a big deal to me. It held lots of water plus the clothes that me and a friend peeled off as the day wore on. It even has a sleeping bag compartment although I'm not sure how useful it would be. it had hiking stick loops that were kind of nice though and the hip belt seemed OK, it's designed a little different than the gregory hipbelts, the pad doesnt' place the wt on the small of your back.

It only comes in one size, I don't think it would fit a very large person. It has enough straps and stuff that you could lash down your pad and tent if you wanted to go on a real hike but I don't think it would be very comfy like that.

I'm surprized it's not a more popular pack, it is less expensive than the gregory and osprey and the warrenty is better. I like mine.”

“margo, I recently got a Deuter speedlite 30 and love it. Though I havent hikned with it yet, but will this weekend. My initial response is high quality, attention to detail and very functional.”

“Are these the German packs? Doesn't Peka have one? A rubberized waterproof one?”

“nigal, they are german. Not sure about pekkas pack though, its been a while.”

“I have the futura 42 and I love it!

Why don't you think the sleeping bag compartment is useful? I think it's great. I stuff my sleeping bag, booties, and pillow in there.”

“It just seems a little small for a full sized sleeping bag to me, it was useful for other things when I used it. Remember, I got it for dayhiking, I have to drive a long way to do much real hiking so when I get that chance I take everything I think I will need with me, we may go to one place that morning and a different one later on. I really need to learn not to carry so much stuff.

I really need to move.”

“If your sleeping bag won't fit in that compartment then you sleeping bag is too big! There's plenty of room in there for mine.”

“I finally got a chance to use my Deuter Speedlite 30. At just under 2000cui this pack turns out to be a great wknd pack, plenty of room in the main bag for big stuff and lots of extra outside pockets for easy access, 2 on the hipbelt, 2 side mesh pockets, a large mesh and nylon pocket on the center of the pack, toplid(this pocket has a "watertight" zipper and under the toplid. Built in platy hose holder and a unique hoop style frame made of plastic. Minimal padding on the shoulder straps and none on the hipbelt (though my pack was light enough not to need it). 3 compression straps on each side. I stuffed this pack as full as I could get it and it sat well and didnt feel like a ball strapped on my back. Great quality and good price. Two thumbs up.”