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描述 當(dāng)我收到包,，打開壓縮的包裝和蓋皮帶，肩帶和腰帶被輕松折疊整齊,，包約20高x 14寬（51厘米×35厘米）。該包裝袋本身的深度依賴于側(cè)壓縮帶調(diào)整,，牢記包提出了一個(gè)“D”形狀時(shí),，從上面看。我打開包裝,，松開所有的肩帶和扣,，并四處走動(dòng)。該包的描述如下,。
用于包裝所有的材料都是黑色的,，除非另有說明。所有帶（帶）中使用的包是1英寸（25毫米）寬,，除非另有說明,。前，后,，左,，右都表明盡管包著，即是在前面肩帶,。
內(nèi)部,，頂部底部：附蓋下是一種白色面板約8寬x 2½高（20厘米×7厘米）與應(yīng)急救援指令印刷在英語和德語（見照片）。面板是塑料涂層防水,。下面的緊急指示是一個(gè)小的單向拉鏈允許訪問的蓋子本身里面,，作為一個(gè)口袋里，對(duì)外面的蓋子從一個(gè)單獨(dú)的。下方的蓋子是包的衣領(lǐng),。在領(lǐng)子的前面是drawcord和cordlock開口用于關(guān)閉上方的包裝,。在主室的前側(cè)縫尼龍袋有彈性頂邊，占地約的車廂底部的一半,，大概是由于水化系統(tǒng),。
 從左側(cè)開始，和移動(dòng)上下：有兩個(gè)橫向壓縮帶,。下帶穿過附近的一個(gè)灰色的網(wǎng)狀口袋,，在側(cè)面板的全寬度的頂部，約8（20厘米）高,?？诖娜切蔚牡姿坪跏怯上嗤目椢镒鳛榘旧恚晚敳坑幸粋€(gè)帶彈性,。 右,，頂部底部：右邊是左邊的鏡像，除了在面板的頂部前水化體系的出口（見圖右）,。我有插筆來說明軟管出口點(diǎn),。   在后面，頂部底部：蓋的兩側(cè),，以及一條下的背面面板各邊跨下口袋頂部是紅色的,，稱為“網(wǎng)站上的火和吊牌。附近的蓋與包體是一種單向拉鏈允許訪問的蓋子本身內(nèi)部,，使用作為一個(gè)口袋,。在頂部的包蓋，有四個(gè)長方形的塑料環(huán)（有時(shí)稱為looplocs）,，約1（25毫米）寬,，大概是捆扎物品到上方的包裝。蓋子的底部兩側(cè)邊緣有彈性的人,。上蓋的背面與多特徽標(biāo)和名稱,，刺繡，隨著“aircomfort和包的名稱,。 繼續(xù)沿著背蓋是由兩個(gè)邊釋放扣封閉,，每個(gè)都有多特的標(biāo)志。皮帶上扣包體縫合在創(chuàng)建三個(gè)菊花形拉鏈的每個(gè)帶他們繼續(xù)沿著該包的臉,。通過一個(gè)在左皮帶環(huán)通過另一個(gè)帶,，其中包括一個(gè)鉤環(huán)部分創(chuàng)造大約3的可調(diào)環(huán)（7厘米）的時(shí)候，平,。由于登山杖回路直接掉在這個(gè)循環(huán),，它帶徒步,、登山桿包。  紅帶,，約¾下來的包,，彈性包面內(nèi)部，看到的包下部雙向拉鏈蓋,，這拉鏈有黑色緞帶的紅色縫線通過拉鏈標(biāo)簽,。打開拉鏈，還有另一種雙向拉鏈內(nèi)連接車廂的隔板后面和側(cè)面（縫在前面）分開的兩個(gè)主要艙室,。這拉鏈有黃絲帶通過拉鏈標(biāo)簽,。   在這下面的部分，在外面,，是一個(gè)小的織物標(biāo)簽的話“雨蓋在上面繡上,。下面是三室織帶環(huán)：兩個(gè)登山杖環(huán)在左，每3 / 8（10毫米）寬,，約2（5厘米）長,，和一個(gè)冰斧環(huán)約5（12厘米）長在右邊。包的底部與前面的包是一個(gè)皮瓣覆蓋一個(gè)單向拉鏈,。這拉鏈有藍(lán)帶通過拉鏈選項(xiàng)卡,。打開拉鏈訪問一個(gè)小口袋里含有藍(lán)色尼龍雨罩，這是附著在口袋里的一個(gè)小皮帶扣（見照片）,。該raincover,，具有所有邊緣和多特的背面印上的彈性，是大到足以覆蓋包和口袋里的東西,，雖然它不綁上的吻合包。  在前面,，頂部底部：大環(huán)（攜帶足夠大了我手中的肉）護(hù)墊織帶是位于頂部,。在進(jìn)行環(huán)路兩側(cè)帶連接的穩(wěn)定劑，在肩帶連接點(diǎn),。肩帶,，隨著之間的帶墊，內(nèi)襯坯布要求meshtex多特,。這是一個(gè)軟,，透氣的織物，對(duì)我來說就像一個(gè)漂亮的拉絨棉,。下面的帶附著點(diǎn)是多特aircomfort懸掛系統(tǒng),。該系統(tǒng)的最明顯的部分是灰色的塑料網(wǎng)狀面板，保持繃緊,，遠(yuǎn)離包裝袋采用彈簧鋼是附在包裝袋,?？吹竭@個(gè)系統(tǒng)圖紙和其他細(xì)節(jié)的多特網(wǎng)站。  繼續(xù)沿著肩帶,，從穩(wěn)定帶附件的帶軟墊的底部,，縫長帶子。這帶子固定（縫橫向）在四個(gè)地方,，沿肩帶有三個(gè)環(huán),。附著在中間環(huán)的外邊緣（右?guī)е唬┦且粋€(gè)小的彈性環(huán)通，通過水化管,。附底環(huán)是一個(gè)滑塊連接胸骨帶的肩帶和允許垂直調(diào)整的環(huán)路長度,。胸骨表帶有一段彈性縫它創(chuàng)建一個(gè)膨脹節(jié)約2½在（5-6厘米）長。臀部的帶軟墊部分內(nèi)襯meshtex織物是足夠長的時(shí)間來我的臀部,。皮帶本身,，在1½（4厘米）寬，是縫制在墊向前端和關(guān)閉與邊釋放扣,。剩下的部分（母扣）是使用一個(gè)Triglide調(diào)整,，而右部（公扣）調(diào)整使用的扣梯子鎖部分，有 一個(gè) 整齊的小塑料卡調(diào)整松緊帶,。第一印象 我注意到,，沒有線頭，所有接縫出現(xiàn)平直,，所有的拉鏈和搭扣的順利進(jìn)行,。總之,，它看起來像一個(gè)好的包,。包似乎比一般的便宜的背包窄一點(diǎn)（學(xué)校書包），但高,。我松開了,，所有的帶子，然后試了試,。我的第一步是把腰帶適當(dāng)調(diào)整,。我發(fā)現(xiàn)調(diào)整可用的（我的腰圍的人）會(huì)離開扣點(diǎn)左側(cè)的中心。這只是一個(gè)小問題,，表明我（有點(diǎn)）附近的帶尺寸的外部界限,。它，然而,，意味著我不可能不小心松開扣在我的旅行短褲在發(fā)布包,。然后我收緊肩帶連接胸骨表帶。我有一個(gè)很長的ISH的軀干,，胸骨帶穿過我的胸部略低于我的鎖骨,。我能夠調(diào)整與使用滑塊附著在胸骨帶的位置,，但不顯著較低的比它已經(jīng)是。再次,，這不一定是個(gè)問題,，因?yàn)樗唤佑|我的脖子或喉嚨。  最后,，與袋塞上一個(gè)睡袋形狀和重量,，我整理了穩(wěn)定帶。我從未有過負(fù)荷的帶子上的包之前,，所以我不知道什么期望,。帶子，它是灰色的,，附加到肩帶在后面的我的肩膀頂中心點(diǎn)在大約10-15度角向下轉(zhuǎn)到包,。這些職位將在一個(gè)不同的人有不同的軀干長度。肩帶似乎穩(wěn)定負(fù)載點(diǎn),，但我不知道如何在第一個(gè)顯著,，但我已經(jīng)刷爆的包裝，在約35磅（16公斤）一次或兩次,。我發(fā)現(xiàn)包是明顯的體重（驚喜?。€(wěn)定,。該aircomfort懸浮并負(fù)載轉(zhuǎn)移到臀部帶了很好的工作,。我不指望有幾乎經(jīng)常這么多的重量，但總是有這種可能性–尤其在多天的徒步旅行的第一天,。我用包有很高的在我的肩前或在頂部他們的大部分功能帶,。這是一些與此包的情況，但帶比其他包我用了更長的時(shí)間,，留下一些循環(huán)使用,。我已經(jīng)把我的手機(jī)（應(yīng)急）到一個(gè)帶，使用菊花鏈的環(huán),，和一個(gè)14通道的對(duì)講機(jī)拇指環(huán)（至少一天徒步）。我也很高興的發(fā)現(xiàn)仍有帶子的接觸我的肋骨部分填充,。我插入了一升（回收的蘇打瓶到每個(gè)）側(cè)面的口袋里找到的是一個(gè)不錯(cuò)的選擇,，一些多余的地方。較低的壓縮帶結(jié)合口袋的上衣,，為內(nèi)容提供額外的安全,。我發(fā)現(xiàn)瓶子難以到達(dá)的包，但在易滑和與包了,。我都用了2升（早期）和三（最近）水囊與此包,，所以我主要使用口袋的燃料瓶和衛(wèi)生用品（抹子,，消毒劑，等）保持任何污染從我的食物和衣服,。幾乎每一次我拿起包的前6個(gè)月我發(fā)現(xiàn)了一些我以前沒有見過的,。噸的樂趣，只是為了看看想想多特可能藏在那里找到我,。有帶/帶剛上的拉鏈區(qū)分其使用三種不同的顏色,，大聲哭出來。只有一件事我真的錯(cuò)過了第一次有更多的外部口袋,，濕的東西等,，雖然我的負(fù)荷，減少了在過去的4年里,，這已經(jīng)成為我的––非問題,。 測試 我發(fā)現(xiàn)，即使我有最重的負(fù)荷進(jìn)行比較好的平衡,。我做的,，然而，確定有一個(gè)舒適的極限的未來,。與最大負(fù)載–我估計(jì)大約35磅（16公斤）–我意識(shí)到了底懸浮的附件,，在保持與彎曲鋼筋約1高x 8寬（2.5厘米×20厘米）。酒吧的結(jié)束了自己的存在,，在我的臀大肌前稱,，這–誠然–比大多數(shù)有點(diǎn)大。我經(jīng)歷了從接觸無痛苦,，和最小的不適–感謝Futura的填充–但我相信有這么大的壓力會(huì)使我比我愿意忍受更長的旅行更加不舒服,。考慮到重,，在這種情況下,，大多數(shù)是集團(tuán)食品的一種類型，我不會(huì)說任何延長的時(shí)間,，我不希望碰到一個(gè)3-season設(shè)置這個(gè)問題,。雨蓋不超過最大負(fù)荷，由于項(xiàng)目捆綁在外面但如果只有小,，適合項(xiàng)目連接,。這適合，或缺乏,，成為一個(gè)問題在早期的時(shí)候我有一個(gè)短的機(jī)會(huì)（1小時(shí)左右）在一場透雨–比圣經(jīng)比例不加息,，但意義非凡。我總算找到了一個(gè)塑料袋足夠大以保護(hù)我的Therm-a-Rest和睡袋（其一袋東西,，這應(yīng)該是防水的,，但無論如何）決定,，一切都是完好無損的水，這將是一個(gè)完美的測試包的耐水性,。在這小小的旅行后,，我解開Futura發(fā)現(xiàn)以下與水相關(guān)的問題：
 在右邊,，你可以看到負(fù)載放在（大床）床前，加息的夜晚,。我兒子的物品是左邊的照片可見,。向下移動(dòng)床的中心是社區(qū)齒輪：廚師集與水和燃料瓶；匹配,；手消毒劑,；塑料刀；羅盤,；尼龍繩袋拉鏈袋,；股權(quán)；衛(wèi)生裝備,；急救,，防曬霜和棉簽（我的兒子把這最后的三）。我的齒輪,，從上到下,，從左到右：風(fēng)褲子上；羊毛,；絎縫襯,；四軟飲料瓶,；羊毛手套；針織帽雨衣,；觀看,；瑞士軍刀；2-AA maglite,；有限eyz帶maglite；2雙襪子,；風(fēng)夾克,；3包方便面和餅干的營養(yǎng)；6谷物棒,；6個(gè)餡餅,；玻璃隕石迷航鋰；筆,；手機(jī),；TARP TARP夾。我穿著內(nèi)褲襪子：,；,；尼龍短褲；通風(fēng)帽,；排汗T恤,；14.99美元的靴子與21美元的足弓支撐鞋墊。對(duì)漿紗的幾點(diǎn)注意事項(xiàng)：我有一個(gè)相當(dāng)長的軀干,，在20½- 21（52-53厘米）,。以髖帶妥善放置和調(diào)整，該穩(wěn)定帶滴從我的肩膀上的包約15°- 30°角,。這張照片可以發(fā)現(xiàn)以上,。帶這些一般，在我的經(jīng)驗(yàn)中,，試圖去從肩膀到包在超過45°角,，通常稱為負(fù)載的帶子。我發(fā)現(xiàn)帶能穩(wěn)定負(fù)載,，即使在他們與包角,。同時(shí)，有較長的軀干,，肩帶的填充部分的來臨并不遠(yuǎn)了我的胸口,，它可能在一個(gè)較短的人，和胸骨帶需要在其最低的位置是最有效的,。我發(fā)現(xiàn)這些問題沒有問題,，并且很高興知道帶子的下部有足夠的足夠長的時(shí)間,，還提供了一個(gè)非常舒適的適應(yīng)，以及一個(gè)穩(wěn)定的旅程   在左邊,，你可以看到在其正常位置的胸骨帶（我）,，直到它將調(diào)整。帶子的填充部分端只在“軍”,。我從來沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)這是一個(gè)問題,。在右邊，滿載包,。請(qǐng)注意,，頂部的蓋子來約我脖子的基地，和油布僅略高于,。同時(shí)注意肩帶連接到包在我的肩膀上一個(gè)好的距離,。我沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)這是一個(gè)問題。上面的列表顯示約5.9夸脫的水容量（5.6升）,，這相當(dāng)于大約12.3磅（5.6公斤）,。即使有多的水（加上一個(gè)額外的2瓶水從我兒子的第一個(gè)幾英里后），在頂部的一切包裝的主要部分主要進(jìn)行,，我不會(huì)感到任何不適從包,。事實(shí)上，我甚至很少想到包,，除了在檢索項(xiàng),。我用富利為我和菲爾蒙特球探農(nóng)場航班隨身行李里，海拔6500－12441”（1981米至3792米）,，并高興地發(fā)現(xiàn),，以及它如何適應(yīng)行李架。包裝作為我的日常的書（和水）載體在菲爾蒙特,，以及一些旅行以來,，我估計(jì)有超過200英里（320公里）現(xiàn)在。我只是抓住多特任何旅行我會(huì)成為第二天性,。 在未來 我會(huì)繼續(xù)使用多特,，只要我的總負(fù)載小于大約30磅（13.6-15.9公斤）。當(dāng)我發(fā)現(xiàn)自己與一個(gè)體積較大的包一個(gè)潛在的需要,，我選擇購買一個(gè)較大的富利模型（與aircomfort懸掛）,，放棄我的嘗試和真正的愛麗絲包。事實(shí)上,，我和我的兒子會(huì)帶著多特包出游,。things我喜歡
在這4年來,，我有這個(gè)包,，多特取得了一些小的變化–側(cè)波紋管的口袋，前面的拉鏈口袋,，一個(gè)小的腰帶口袋,，和更新的配色方案。這些變化增加了幾盎司,，但這不應(yīng)該使一個(gè)顯著的差異除非暫停已徹底改變,，我不相信它,。我愛我的未來32–和它的大哥哥，富利50 + 10–足夠多,，我的愛麗絲包是我在部隊(duì)的那些日子 一個(gè)紀(jì)念品,，我可以給那些需要一個(gè)旅行包的人。未來的日子,，我希望能繼續(xù)使用這個(gè)包,。 謝謝你的時(shí)間。 Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy description When I received the pack the compression and lid straps were cinched all the way down, while the shoulder straps and hip belt were relaxed and folded neatly into the suspension system. In this state, the pack is approximately 20 in high x 14 in wide (51 cm x 35 cm). Depth of the pack bag itself is dependent on the adjustment of the side compression straps, keeping in mind that the bag presents a ‘D’ shape when viewed from above. I opened the pack up, loosened all straps and buckles, and did a walk-around. The description of the pack is below. |
| All materials used in the pack are black, unless otherwise noted. All straps (webbing) used in the pack are 1 in (25 mm) wide, unless otherwise noted. Front, back, left, and right are all indicated as though the pack is worn, i.e. the shoulder straps are on the front. |
| Inside, top to bottom: Attached under the lid is a white panel approximately 8 in wide x 2½ in high (20 cm x 7 cm) with emergency rescue instructions printed in English and German (see photo below). The panel appears to be plastic coated for waterproofing. Below the emergency instructions is a small 1-way zipper that permits access to the inside of the lid itself, for use as a pocket, separate from one on the outside of the lid. Just below the lid is the collar of the pack. At the front of the collar is an opening for the drawcord and cordlock used to close the top of the pack. On the front side of the main compartment is sewn a nylon pocket with an elastic top edge, covering roughly the bottom half of the compartment, presumably for the hydration system. |
| Starting on the left, and moving top to bottom: There are two horizontal compression straps. The lower strap crosses near the top of a grey mesh pocket that is the full width of the side panel, and approximately 8 in (20 cm) high. The gusseted bottom of the pocket appears to be made from the same fabric as the pack itself, and the top has a strip of elastic. Right side, top to bottom: The right side is a mirror image of the left, except for the exit port for the hydration system at the top front of the panel (see photo at right). I have inserted a pen to illustrate the hose exit point. |
| On to the back, top to bottom: The sides of the lid, as well as a strip down each edge of the back panel and across the top of the lower pocket are red, called ‘Fire’ on the web site and hang tag. Near wher the lid meets the pack body is a 1-way zipper that permits access to the inside of the lid itself, for use as a pocket. On top of the pack lid, there are four rectangular plastic loops (sometimes called looplocs), approximately 1 in (25 mm) wide, presumably for strapping items onto the top of the pack. The bottom edges of both sides of the lid have elastic in them. On the back face of the lid is embroidery with the Deuter logo and name, along with ‘aircomfort’ and the name of the pack. Continuing down the back: The lid is held closed by two side-release buckles, each with the Deuter logo. The straps that attach the buckles to the pack body are stitched across to create three daisy chain loops on each strap as they continue down the face of the pack. Through one of the loops on the left strap is passed another strap, which incorporates a hook-and-loop section to create an adjustable loop approximately 3 in (7 cm) when flat. Since the hiking pole loops fall directly below this loop, it works to strap hiking/trekking poles to the pack. |
| The red strip, about ¾ down the back of the pack and incorporating elastic inside the fabric, covers a 2-way zipper for accessing the lower compartment of the main bag. This zipper has black ribbon with red stitching through the zipper tabs. Upon opening this zipper, there is another 2-way zipper inside that connects the back and sides of the compartment separator (sewn at the front) that separates the two main compartments. This zipper has yellow ribbon through the zipper tabs. Opening this zipper makes the bag one large compartment from top to bottom. |
| At the base of this lower compartment, on the outside, is a small fabric tag with the words ‘RAIN COVER’ embroidered on it. Below the compartment are three webbing loops: two hiking pole loops on the left, each 3/8 in (10 mm) wide and approximately 2 in (5 cm) long, and one ice axe loop approximately 5 in (12 cm) long on the right. wher the bottom of the pack meets the front of the pack is a flap covering a 1-way zipper. This zipper has blue ribbon through the zipper tab. Opening this zipper accesses a small pocket containing a blue nylon rain cover, which is attached inside the pocket with a small strap and buckle (see photo below). The raincover, which has elastic all around the edge and ‘deuter’ printed on the back, is large enough to cover the pack and its pockets, though it does not fit well with something lashed on top of the pack. |
| On the front, top to bottom: A large carry loop (plenty large enough for my meaty hands) of unpadded webbing is located at the top. On either side of the carry loop are the stabilizer strap connections, and below that the shoulder strap attachment points. The shoulder straps, along with the pads between the straps, are lined with a grey fabric Deuter calls MeshTex. This is a soft, ventilated fabric that feels to me like a nice brushed cotton. Below the strap attachment point is the Deuter Aircomfort suspension system. The most visible component of the system is the grey plastic-like mesh panel that is kept taut and away from the pack bag by spring steel stays attached to the pack bag. See the Deuter web site for drawings and other details of this system. |
| Continuing down the shoulder strap, from the stabilizer strap attachment to the bottom of the padded section of the strap, is sewn a length of webbing. This webbing is anchored (sewn laterally) in four places, creating three loops along the length of the shoulder strap. Attached to the outer edge of the middle loop (right strap only) is a small elastic loop through which to pass hydration tubes. Attached to the bottom loop is a slider connecting the sternum strap to the shoulder strap and allowing vertical adjustment over the length of the loop. The sternum strap has a section of elastic sewn to it to create an expansion section approximately 2-2½ in (5-6 cm) long. |
| The padded portions of the hip belt are lined with MeshTex fabric and are long enough to just go over my hip bones. The belt itself, 1½ in (4 cm) wide, is sewn to the pads toward the forward ends and closes with a side release buckle. The left portion (female buckle) is adjusted using a triglide, while the right portion (male buckle) adjusts using the ladder-lock portion of the buckle, with the loose end of the strap held neatly by a small plastic clip. |
| First Impressions I noticed no loose threads, all seams appeared straight and even, all zippers and buckles worked smoothly. All in all, it looks like a well-made pack. The pack appears a little narrower than the average cheap daypack (school book bag), but taller. I loosened up all of the straps, and tried it on. |
| My first step was to get the hip belt properly adjusted. I found the adjustment available (for someone of my girth) would always leave the buckle somewhat left of center. This is just a minor issue, indicating that I am (somewhat) near the outer limits for the belt size. It does, however, mean that I am less likely to accidentally unclip the buckle on my hiking shorts when releasing the pack. |
| I then tightened the shoulder straps and connected the sternum strap. As I have a long-ish torso, the sternum strap crossed my chest just slightly below my collarbone. I was able to adjust the location of the sternum strap using the sliders with which they are attached, but not significantly lower than it already was. Again, this is not necessarily a problem, as it did not contact my neck or throat. |
| Finally, with the bag stuffed with a sleeping bag for shape and some weight, I snugged up the stabilizer straps. I had never had load lifter straps on a pack before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The straps, which are grey, attach to the shoulder straps at a point behind the top center of my shoulders and go downward to the pack at about a 10-15 degree angle. These positions would differ on a person with a different torso length. The straps did seem to stabilize the load somewhat, but I couldn’t tell how significantly at first, but I have maxed the pack out at about 35 lb (16 kg) once or twice. I found the bag to be noticeably heavier (surprise!), but stable. The Aircomfort suspension did a pretty good job of transferring the load to the hip belt. I don’t expect to have nearly that much weight in it too often, but there is always that possibility – especially on the first day of a multi-day hike. |
| I am used to pack straps having the majority of their features either very high in front of my shoulders or on top of them. This was somewhat the case with this pack, but the straps are longer than other packs I have used, leaving some loops available for use. I have attaching my cell phone (for emergencies only) to one of the straps, making use of the daisy chain loops, and a 14-channel walkie-talkie to the thumb loops (at least for day hikes). I was also pleased to find that there was still padding on the portions of the straps that contacted my ribs. |
| I inserted a 1-liter (recycled soda) bottle into each side pocket and found them to be a good fit, with some room to spare. The lower compression straps align with the tops of the pockets, providing additional security for the contents. I found the bottles difficult to reach with the pack on, but easy to slip in and out with the pack off. I have used both 2-liter (early days) and 3-liter (more recently) hydration bladders with this pack, so I primarily use the pockets for fuel bottles and hygiene items (trowel, sanitizer, etc.) to keep any contamination from my food and clothes. |
| Almost every time I picked up this pack for the first 6 months I found something I hadn’t seen before. Tons of fun just to look at and think what Deuter may have hidden in there for me to find. There are three different colors of ribbon/webbing just on the zipper pulls to distinguish their uses, for crying out loud. The only thing I really missed at first was having more outside pockets, for wet things, etc., though as my load has reduced over the past 4 years, this has become – for me – a non-issue. |
| Testing I found even the heaviest load I have carried to be relatively well balanced. I did, however, determine that there is a comfort limit to the Futura. With the maximum load – I estimate around 35 lb (16 kg) – I became aware of the bottom suspension attachment, wher the stays are joined to a curved steel bar approximately 1 in high x 8 in wide (2.5 cm x 20 cm). The ends of the bar made their presence known at the top of my gluteus maximus, which – admittedly – are a tad more maximus than most. I experienced no pain from this contact, and minimal discomfort – thanks to the Futura’s padding – but I believe a longer hike with that much pressure would have left me more uncomfortable than I would be willing to put up with. Considering that the majority of the weight carried in this situation was group food of a type I am not likely to hike with for any extended period of time, I don’t expect to come up against this problem in a 3-season setting. |
The rain cover would not fit over the largest load, due to items lashed on the outside, but would fit if only small items were attached. This fit, or lack thereof, became an issue early on when I had the opportunity for a short (1 hour or so) hike in a soaking rain – somewhat less than biblical proportions, but significant nonetheless. I managed to locate a plastic bag large enough to protect my Therm-a-Rest and sleeping bag (in its stuff sack, which should be waterproof anyway), but decided that everything else would be undamaged by water and this would be a perfect test of the pack’s waterproofness. Upon completion of this little jaunt, I unpacked the Futura and found the following water related issues:
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| I tend to generate a lot of heat when moving, due both to large muscle mass and plenty of – ahem – ‘natural insulation’, so I am especially impressed by the capability of the Deuter Aircomfort system to keep my back cool and dry, especially as it compares to the day pack I was using previously. |
| The “Deuter-Super-Polytex” fabric used in the Futura 32 is listed as a PU coated 600-denier polyester weave, which is supposed to be rip and abrasion proof. While I have not abused the pack to fully test these claims – nor will I – I did not baby it, either. After 4 years now, there has been no noticeable wear – only some dirt which has more or less brushed off. |
| The defining characteristic of the Future, to me, is the Aircomfort suspension. This suspension system uses a panel of plastic mesh that is kept taut by the internal spring steel stays and rides against the wearer’s back, keeping the pack away from the body and permitting airflow and evaporative cooling. It has been my experience that the Aircomfort system works as advertised. |
The Futura was with me in late July, 2003, on my first “long-distance” hike in some time: an attempt to hike the 13-mile (20.8 km) Barr Trail up Pikes Peak – elevation 14,110’ (4,301 m) – and back in one day. While my son and I didn’t manage to hike to the summit, we did have a nice lunch at 10,200’ (3,109 m) before the hike back down. Side note: if you are unaccustomed to altitude, believe the guides when they say to plan for two days on Pikes Peak – we only managed 1 mph (1.6 kph) on the way up. Here is my gear list from that hike (photo below):
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| Note on the military issue items listed above: Like the Gore-Tex, it’s not the lightest stuff around, but I’ve already got it. |
| While this list may seem like overkill on a few items, we tried to be prepared for staying on the mountain overnight if necessary, and carried no water treatment on this trip. I found this load, as large as it was, to be comfortable and well-balanced, even with a few of the items packed on the outside: I carried my rain suit and the trowel in one side pocket; my fuel and water-measuring bottles in the other; my compass clipped on an upper compression strap; my gloves and insulated mug clipped on the daisy chains; and the tarp, stakes and lines strapped on top. Everything else, including all community gear except the first aid and sunscreen (which my son carried), fit neatly, if snugly, inside the pack. |
| At right, you can see the load laid out on the (king-size) bed, the night before the hike. My son's items are visible on the left of the photo. Moving down the center of the bed is the community gear: cook set with water and fuel bottles; matches; hand sanitizer; plastic knife; compass; zipper bag of nylon cords; stake bag; hygiene kit; first aid, sunscreen and Q-tips (my son carried these last three). My gear, top-to-bottom, left-to-right: wind pants; fleece top; quilted liner; four soft drink bottles; fleece gloves; knit watch cap; rain suit; Swiss Army knife; 2-AA Maglite; Nite-Eyz band for Maglite; 2 pair socks; wind jacket; 3 packs Ramen noodles and crackers; 6 Nutri-Grain bars; 6 Pop-Tarts; Tektite Trek Lithium; pen; cell phone; tarp clips; tarp. I wore: briefs; socks; nylon shorts; vented hat; wicking tee; $14.99 boots with $21.00 arch support insoles. |
| A few notes on sizing: I have a fairly long torso, at 20½-21 in (52-53 cm). With the hip belt properly placed and adjusted, the stabilizer straps dro from the tops of my shoulders to the pack at about a 15°-30° angle. A photo of this may be found above. Straps like these generally, in my experience, are intended to go up from the shoulders to the pack at upwards of a 45° angle, and are usually referred to as load-lifter straps. I found the straps able to stabilize the load well, even at the angle they made with the pack. Also, with a longer torso, the padded portion of the shoulder straps did not come as far down my chest as it might on a shorter wearer, and the sternum strap needed to be at its lowest position to be most effective. I found no problem with either of these issues, and was pleased to realize that the lower portions of the straps were sufficiently long enough to still provide a very comfortable fit, as well as a stable ride. |
| At left, you can see the sternum strap in its normal location (on me), as far down as it will adjust. The padded portions of the straps end just at the top of the word "ARMY". I never found this to be a problem. At right, the fully loaded pack. Note that the top of the lid comes up to about the base of my neck, and the tarps only slightly higher than that. Also note that the shoulder straps attach to the pack a good distance below the tops of my shoulders. I never found this to be a problem. |
| The list above indicates a water capacity of approximately 5.9 quarts (5.6 liters), which works out to around 12.3 lb (5.6 kg). Even with this much water (plus an additional 2 water bottles taken from my son after the first few miles), mostly carried in the main part of the pack on top of everything else, I never felt any discomfort from the pack. As a matter of fact, I rarely even thought about the pack, except when retrieving items from it. |
| I used the Futura as my carry-on bag for my flights to and from Philmont Scout Ranch, elevation 6,500’ - 12,441' (1,981 m - 3,792 m), and was pleased to find how well it fit into the overhead compartment. The pack was used as my daily book (and water) carrier while at Philmont, as well as a number of trips since, and I estimate it has over 200 mi (320 km) on it now. It has become second nature for me to just grab the Deuter for any traveling I may do. |
| I will continue using the Deuter in the future, as long as my total load stays below about 30-35 lb (13.6-15.9 kg). When I found myself with a potential need for a larger volume pack, I chose to purchase one of the larger Futura models (with the Aircomfort suspension), forsaking my tried-and-true ALICE pack (previously reviewed at BGT). Given the fact that I will not loan out the Futura, even to my son – hey, we go on 95% of our trips together – he has gotten a Futura 32 for himself. |
THINGS I LKE
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| SUMMARY In the 4+ years I have had this pack, Deuter has made some minor changes – side bellows pockets, a front zippered pocket, a small hip belt pocket, and updates to the color scheme. These changes have added a few ounces, but this shouldn’t make a significant difference unless the suspension has been radically altered, which I do not believe it has. I love my Futura 32 – and its big brother, the Futura Vario 50+10 – enough that my ALICE pack is now just a souvenir from my days in the Army that I can loan out to people who need a pack for a trip. I expect to be using this pack for many years to come. |
| Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy |
