Futura 29 EL

The Deuter Futura 29 EL is the ventilated Futura day pack built long in the back for tall walkers. The mesh panel holds the load away from your spine for airflow, and the harness is cut so the hip fins actually reach your hips when you are well over 185 cm.

Who it's for

Tall day hikers who carry a full kit. If standard packs leave the hip belt riding around your waist, the EL fit puts it back where it belongs. It is made for the big days: Mount Bartle Frere in the tropics or the summer climb up Mount Feathertop. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking, with a recommended load of 4-8 kg.

Capacity, and what actually fits

29 litres in a 60 x 28 x 20 cm body takes 3 L of water in the bladder sleeve, a rain shell and fleece, lunch, a first aid kit and a camera, with a zipped top pocket for keys and snacks. Two stretch side pockets carry bottles, and the mesh front pocket swallows a wet jacket. Side compression straps pull it in on lighter days.

How it carries

The Aircomfort back tensions a soft mesh panel across a flexi spring steel frame, leaving a gap so air moves across your back, and the mesh extends low into the lumbar area for a snug, wrapping fit. Pivoting ActiveFit shoulder straps swing with your stride, and breathable, padded hip fins with Pull-Forward adjustment move the weight onto your hips. Hip fins and shoulder straps share one continuous piece of padding, so nothing rubs where they meet.

Fitting it

EL is Deuter's Extra Long fit. The Futura 29 EL suits back lengths of 48-62 cm, which Deuter match to walkers 185-205 cm tall. If that is 48 cm or more and standard packs feel short, this is the size for you. Tighten the hip fins first, then the shoulder straps, then the stabilisers.

Access and organisation

The main compartment loads from the top under a zipped lid pocket. Inside there is a wet compartment; outside, the mesh front pocket, two stretch side pockets and two hip fin pockets keep a phone, snacks and sunscreen within reach while you walk. A key clip, glasses stow, ice axe and pole attachment and a grab handle round it out.

• Top-loading main compartment with zipped top pocket
• Mesh front pocket, two stretch side pockets, two hip fin pockets
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Rain cover included
• Ice axe and pole attachment; glasses stow; key clip

Weight

1350 g. The steel frame and suspended back add a little over a frameless day pack, and they are what keep 4-8 kg steady and your shirt drier on a long climb in the heat.

Looking after it

The body is 210D recycled polyamide X-Grid with a DWR made without intentionally added PFAS, and the pack is bluepass and Green Button certified. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.