Futura Air Trek 60+10

The Deuter Futura Air Trek 60+10 is a multi-day pack for walkers who would rather sweat less and organise more. A ventilated mesh back keeps the load off you on hot climbs, and a front zip means the tent fly and the dinner bag never end up at opposite ends of the pack.

Who it's for

Multi-day walkers and long-distance trekkers: the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island, the Larapinta in the shoulder season, or the Cape to Cape where the days are warm and long. Deuter rate it five out of five for trekking and three for travel, and the recommended 8-15 kg load is a full overnight-to-week kit with tent, stove and food.

Capacity, and what actually fits

60 litres takes a two-person tent, sleeping bag and mat, a stove and pot, clothes and several days of food, and raising the lid adds 10 litres on the first days out. A zip-out divider gives you a separate lower compartment for the sleeping bag, and an elasticated inner compartment holds a 3 L bladder or wet clothes. The pack measures 76 x 34 x 26 cm.

How it carries

The Aircomfort back stretches mesh across a round-profile spring steel frame, so the pack body arcs away from your spine and air moves through. VariFlex hip fins of bilaminate foam with PE reinforcement pivot as you walk and drive the weight onto your hips, with pull-forward adjustment for a firm hold. Stabiliser straps and a 2-way sternum strap keep the load close on rough ground.

Fitting it

VariSlide back length adjustment covers 42-62 cm, which Deuter match to walkers around 170-205 cm tall. Put 10 kg in it, buckle the hip fins over your hip bones, then slide the harness up or down until the shoulder straps wrap your shoulders with no gap. Take five minutes over this at home; on a long trek it is what keeps your shoulders happy.

Access and organisation

Load from the top under the lid, or open the front zip to reach the middle of the pack without unpacking. The lid pocket holds the map and head torch, two zipped hip fin pockets keep snacks and sunscreen in reach, stretch side pockets take bottles, and a front stuff pocket swallows a wet rain jacket. Inside, a valuables pocket keeps your wallet and keys secure on the key clip.

• Top loading plus front zip access; zip-out divider for a bottom compartment
• Height-adjustable lid with pocket, adding 10 L
• Two zipped hip fin pockets, stretch side pockets, front stuff pocket
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Ice axe attachment; helmet holder loops (holder sold separately)
• Removable rain cover included

Weight

2150 g empty. That is the cost of a fully adjustable back, a ventilated steel-framed harness and front access, and it is what makes a 15 kg load comfortable for a week. Walkers who have pared their kit right down can save weight with the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5; the Futura Air Trek is for those who want the airflow and the organisation.

Looking after it

The body combines 210D recycled polyamide with hard-wearing 600D polyester, finished with a DWR made without intentionally added PFAS. Deuter back it with a 2-year warranty.