Futura Pro 38 SL

The Deuter Futura Pro 38 SL is a ventilated women's pack that adjusts to your back, sized for the walks where a daypack is not enough: a night out, or a long day carrying a full kit. SL means a shorter back and a harness shaped for the female body.

Who it's for

Women walking big days and short multi-day trips: two nights on the Thorsborne Trail, the Grampians Peaks Trail in sections, or a long Lamington day with a stove and a spare layer. Deuter rate it five out of five for hiking and three for trekking. The recommended 6-10 kg suits an overnight kit packed sensibly.

Capacity, and what actually fits

38 litres takes a sleeping bag in the separate bottom compartment, a light tent or hammock, a stove and food for a night or two, a 3 L bladder and warm clothes. Unzip the divider for one big compartment. The pack measures 64 x 32 x 24 cm.

How it carries

A flexi spring steel frame holds the mesh back off you so air circulates, and the shoulder straps anchor straight into the frame for a direct load transfer. Soft mesh runs the length of the back and wraps around smaller frames. Padded hip fins with Pull-Forward adjustment carry the weight, and one continuous piece of padding links hip fins and shoulder straps to remove pressure points. The stabiliser straps have two positions to suit different heights, and the sternum buckle works one-handed.

Fitting it

The VariClick system adjusts the back length from the centre of the pack in five steps, S to L, covering 36 to 50 cm. Each setting locks with an audible click, so you know it is set. Deuter match the pack to women about 158-178 cm tall.

Access and organisation

The main compartment loads from the top under a drawcord and lid, with lid pockets inside and out. A large stretch side pocket opens from two directions, so you can pull out a bottle while walking. Quick-release pole holders on the shoulder straps stow trekking poles in seconds for a scramble. Two hip fin pockets, a large stretch front pocket and a wet compartment inside complete it.

• Top-loader with drawcord and lid; separate bottom compartment with zip-out divider
• Lid compartments outside and inside
• Dual-access stretch side pocket, stretch mesh front pocket, two hip fin pockets
• Quick-release pole attachment on the shoulder straps; ice axe and pole attachment
• Hydration compatible, up to 3 L
• Rain cover included

Weight

1550 g empty, for a 38 litre pack with an adjustable framed back. We stock it because adjustable, ventilated women's packs at this size are hard to find.

Looking after it

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