This backpack was on my list of possible purchase when I saw the 1-star review. I was alarmed until I read the details. The reviewer basically rated it so low because of the 'bucket pocket' whose function he did not fully understand.
My son lend me his Gregory Z22 and I liked its quality and functionality. However, it was a bit small for my intended use. I was looking for something well-made with a capacity of 28-35 liters, a hydration compartment, mesh back, light weight, interior frame, built-in rain flyers. The Z30 Medium (I have a 19-inch torso the pack also comes in "Large" for longer torsos) meets all my requirements. However, just to be sure I went to REI and tried out all the other brands that were carried there, including Osprey and Deuter. I liked them all but ended up buying the Gregory. (To be fair, I probably would have been happy with one of the others too.)
The Z30 has very nice hip belt and shoulder pads, each with various ways for fine adjustments to fit your body shape. Make sure you have your torso measured for correct sizing. I sweat easily so the mesh back, which keeps the pack away from your back, is critical for me. (I have had other packs with other systems of ventilation but they did not work for me.) The provided rain fly is a nice feature since it will inevitably rain if you are out in the elements. I could have bought an after market rain fly but then it would cost $15-30 more, is not custom fitted, and does not have its own zippered storage pocket! The mesh pockets on the hip belt are handy they are small but large enough to hold my (international) GMS phone and charger.
I have tested my pack on several day hikes and appreciate the large opening at the top, the many zippered pockets to organize smaller items. I particularly like the bucket pocket it was large enough for my light rain jacket and a couple of fruit. I am a minimalist and tend not to carry much. However, the extra volume (my standard) is nice in case I decide to pack more bulky items some day(my son's advice!) With smaller load, the compression straps perform their jobs well in keeping things from moving around. Oh yes, others may not like the gray color but I think it's good since brighter and lighter colors will show dirt more easily.
From what I have seen of this pack (the stitches, zippers, materials...) I think it will last me a long time. I definitely would recommend this pack to anyone who are looking for a bag in this size range.
BTW, this is my firs review of anything online. Also, I'm not in any way associated with Gregory, REI or Amazon.com! The 1-star review was so unfair that prompted me to write.
I too was surprised by the 1 star review. I looked at the reviews on other sites such as REI and it was reviewed at 4.5 out of 5. I will use this pack for hiking in Patagonia in the Fall. I like the gray colour, the included rain cover is a big plus as they cost around $20's to $30's. There is enough room and compartments for my stuff and the I like the transfer suspension which keeps your back cool. Also, there are compartments on the hip belt for your phone, small camera etc, as well as dual ports for a hydration resevoir.
I just back from a trip to Patagonia (October 2012) where I used this pack for the W trek, which was 3 1/2 days, and over 30 miles where I carried about 6.5 kg in my pack. My pack was useful and comfortable.
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I have found that backpacks fall into a particular category of preference. This meaning that one person may love it while another simply despises it. These biases happen because of why a person wants the bag and the manner in which they use the equipment.
I had a decades old Jandd mountaineering day pack that is just a hair too small for a serious one night outing and had no hydration options. I have been procrastinating in replacing it because it is in excellent shape, light and bombproof. But my last snow shoe hike convinced me I could not hold out any longer. If I had to guess, I would think the Jandd pack is roughly 1000-1200 cubic inches (maybe a tad bigger). This gives me enough room to pack a full set of dry clothes/thermals (compressed), food for an unexpected night's stay, first aid pouch, a selection of small survival tools/items, and my most compressible sleeping bag (all within Jandd's single compartment pack with a small top bag that acts as the cover to the main compartment's draw string opening) . I had to lash my hydration pack to the side of the day pack and went tent/bivy-less.
The Gregory pack is sized to be stuck between day pack and overnighter (or two day?). This fits my use of this bag perfectly. In the summer-time when doing easy/local/laid-back day hikes, I can take my Camelback Rogue which had just enough room for lunch, first aid, an outdoor multi-tool, and water (of course). If the summer day hike takes me beyond an easy walk back into civilization, then the Jandd seems to still work pretty good as the draw string, main compartment enclosure, accepts the Camelback bladder, and all the items I need for a summer's night out. Once you add the inclement weather of the NW (winter and some fall and spring), you need just a little bit more in terms of pack size and features as it is wise to be a bit more prepared.
The Z-30 medium is a great combination of pockets and compartments. This pack offers one main compartment with two smaller found on the top and front. The main compartment has a smaller webbed zippered pocket as well as the sleeve for the water bladder. The rain-fly has its own compartment found below the small compartment in the front and has a drain port for wet storage (a fantastic feature for the NW). I appreciate the single large compartment design as it cuts down on weight and gives me better packing options when I have unusually sized loads. The top/back of the main compartment also features two single straps with clips at the end and a sewn loop in between them. The loop is located nicely over the bladder enclosure and offers a perfect attachment for my 70oz Camelback bladder and the two clipped straps work nicely as grab locators for clothing/accessories (that are hanging the length of the pack), and organizational pouches. The clips make it possible to keep certain items obtainable without having to dig to the bottom of the main compartment. The gusseted bucket pocket is a great feature to stuff wet (as it has a drain port too!) items or shed layers quickly without having to reinvent your packing strategy. This pocket also opens wide enough to accept foot wear and more. The gussets do not continue to the bottom of the pocket leaving enough room (an inch perhaps) to allow long items with a handle or shaft to continue through the pocket for better storage placement. For example the handle of a small shovel could slide through this opening allowing for better storage/carry placement. The pack also has two very well designed lashing mechanisms that are designed to hold anything from hiking poles, tripods, and ice axes. With the bucket pocket and the two lashing features, I may have every item secured for a short climb, during the hike, where all of my extremities are required. The two webbed pockets found at the base of the pack are pleated and the elastic is quite thick and seems durable. Longer items stuck in either of these pockets can be further secured to the pack with the compression straps that are designed for the compression of the main load. Long items can be secured with both compression straps found on the side of the pack where shorter items, just breaching the pocket's brim, can be secured with just the lower compression strap. If you want the contents of these pockets to be an easy grab during the hike, the compression straps can easily miss a thermos or water bottle. This pack is full of options like the few I have mentioned. Gregory has done an excellent job incorporating storage options for the many different scenarios I will put it through. The only criticism on the storage features is aimed at the pockets found on the waist strap. They are too small for a number of things I've wanted to put in there. This is not by any means a deal-breaker nor did it drop the star-rating of this product.
The material is a great combination of durability and lightweight. The suspension and waist strap are high quality and have the same thoughtful engineering as the storage features. The lumbar pad at the base of the pack is a prominent feature should not be overlooked. If your back likes lumbar support while sitting, it may very well like this pack as much you do. I would not hesitate to also use this back for weekend traveling where hiking may be found. The bag should be of the size to qualify for carry-on during air travel.
I've noticed a couple of negative reviews online and can't help but think they are somewhat misplaced. What these negative reviews should be focusing on really should be how the design did not fit their purposes. If you bought a pick-up truck but you were a parent of 12 children, don't rant and carry on about how the manufacturer's design did not allot for all your little passengers. This is not a proper reflection on the design, production quality, or usefulness of that truck. That pick-up may very well be a terrific product, you just needed to buy a 14-passenger van. But, as it pertains to back packs, this means you will not only have to be in tune with what you really want out of a back pack, but you also have to do a bit searching and investigating in order to be in the correct style of pack and that takes some time.
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I live in Colorado and do a lot of hiking and climbing and bought this pack for day hiking, generally up fourteeners. I found this pack to be extremely comfortable and light but it is very small. Basically the essentials for a 13-mile fourteener climb comfortably filled the pack. While the zippered main compartment is very convenient, the fact that it is zippered means that it is not as "stuffable" as a pack with a draw string enclosure. This is made up for somewhat by the large, gusseted pocket on the front of the pack that I was able to stuff both my rain jacket and hoody into for easy access throughout the day. The smaller pocket on the top of the pack is a good size for things like cameras, snacks and the like. The pack's suspension system, like most Gregorys, is close to the industry best and very comfortable. The waist belt carries the load very well and that, combined with the fact that the pack is small and light, means that there is little to no shoulder strain and all the straps are very well padded. The rain cover is very nice and easy to put on. Overall this is fantastic pack for a limited use, that is light weight day hiking. If your looking for a day pack that you can stuff a little more into or possibly use for a short backpacking trip, you might want to look elsewhere.
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This pack was used for a 20 mile day hike trip it held 8 quarts of water and other various items easily. The pack is comfortable and light weight. We havent yet took on an over-night hike yet but will in the spring.
Excellent material and color. It was just what I was looking for. I'll try and if I like to buy this brand again because the designs are lovely
