Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I have the 2007 model of the Gregory Deva 60 and find the new one to be a few ounces heavier in weight, without really adding anything to the capacity of the pack. They also removed the ability of the top lid becoming a fanny pack, as well as the extra buckle that went along with it, and the terrific stash spot that went along with it under the top lid! Real bummer indeed!
Over all I really LOVE my Gregory Deva, and wish they would bring back that feature, as it made for a wonderful spare hip belt buckle if one broke in the field.
I have hiked with my Deva all over the Washington Cascades now, and up and around Mt Rainier, and find I love the Gregory suspension, and the way it moves with me. One can tighten it down when necessary, to restrict movement, and loosen it back up again, when you want to. Great invention!!
The hip belt and shoulder harness padding are perfect for handling a heavier load, although for most weekend loads, it's definitely overkill. The new hipbelt pockets could be handy, if they were a bit larger, perhaps.
I find it can handle, with judicious packing, everything necessary for a week's worth of supplies for a thru-hike on the PCT, or the AT, or any trail, in 3 season backpacking. Yes, it's a bit heavy for a thru hike pack, but for those of us with bad backs, this pack may be an option. I find I'm comfortable in it even after a long day's hiking, even on Mt Rainier. I have carried loads in it up to about 30-35 lbs, including consumables, and find it handles very nicely. However, the inside H2O sleeve does not handle 3L Camelbaks very well- they are a bit large for this particlar sleeve, but DO work in a pinch.
I can cram all manner of gear into this pack though for a week's hiking, including my sub zero down bag, clothing etc...and only put my sleeping mat on the outside, with plenty of room for more gear outside, if I choose. I usually have room to spare. The 2007 version of the Deva has an expansion collar in it, which has never come into play for me. The expansion collar means it has a double enclosure before the top lid closes it off against the elements. The whole thing "buttons up" nicely indeed, a definite improvement over many others I have seen on the market. One of the reasons I chose it, was because of how well it all fit together.
A bear cannister CAN be fitted on the outside of this pack, in between the upper lid and the main body of the pack, or on the bottom, below the main body of the pack. Both places seem to work equally well. I own a clear style bear cannister, 7 day capacity.
I found this pack to be very versatile, for weekend hikes, week long hikes (packed well), and can be used for a thru hike as well, although a bit heavy.
It packs well, carries well and one can set it down nearly anywhere without worry, with the heavy duty waterproof bottom. I have used mine an entire season now, and mine shows nary a scratch. It is most definitely a pack mule, and will carry whatever you want to stick into it, or tie onto it.
Definitely have plans to by at least one more Gregory pack- probably the Jade 50, and perhaps a larger 80-90L pack for longer trips in the future. Thanks Gregory for making such fantastic gear!

PROS- Made well,durable materials, should last
for years!
Heavy duty water proof bottom- can set down
anywhere.
Versatile- can be used for a multitude of
uses.
Organization is easy with this pack.
Handles heavier loads with ease.
Moves with the hiker, not against them.
(a rather new concept in pack belts)
Great pack for someone with back problems.

CONS- Heavy weight for today's ultralight hikers.
Wouldn't be most hiker's first choice for a
thru-hiker's pack.
Rather pricey for beginner hikers.
Must pack well to use for more than a week
end jaunt.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

This is the best bag I have ever owned and purchased. When I first started getting into what i call "The Nature" I didnt even know what backpacking meant. I have extremely weak shoudlers and instant neck pain if even the slightest pressure is applied. After trying out about 4 backpacks, I came across this one, and at first I saw the price and went out of the roof, but it was the extra padding that got me to try it on. I walked around the store with just 35 pounds and I forgot I had the bag on and started to shop. Seriously! Its super durable, water proof, zipper is awesome and I highly recommend it to any girl with a small torso and hates to feel pain on her shoulders.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I went on a 2 week trek this summer, and this backpack was amazing! it hugged every curve on my back and shoulders, and it made the trip effortless. I have neck problems, and the pack didn't set any pain off throughout the entire trip! Highly recomended.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I used this pack for a two week backpacking trip across Europe and it was completely wonderful. My favorite thing about the pack is the hip straps. They are thickly padded and move with you when you walk. Also, Gregory did a good job creating this pack for women's proportions. I'm 5'4" and I always used my boyfriend's packs (he's 6') on mountain and desert trips. I thought that it didn't matter what kind of pack you had, they would always just kind of feel heavy and uncomfortable. However, this pack balances the weight really well and the heavily padded straps make it no big deal to carry for 4 or 5 hours a day. The only thing I don't like about it is that the zipper to the sleeping bag compartment is curved, so it sticks, which is annoying, but that's the only downside I've found so far. Another things I like is that you can take the top off and use it as a day pack, which I think will be really useful on 2 or 3 day trips. I have yet to try it in the mountains or the desert, but I'm confident it will be a similar experience.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I love the Gregory Deva. For years I had the Gregory Z, a nice pack, but the airlines ripped it up pretty badly after a trip to Hawaii. I tried on all the backpacks my local REI had and the Deva fit like a glove.

The padded back support is comfortable and keeps the air circulation flowing. The backpack is easily adjustable, well built, and sturdy.

The hip belt and shoulder straps are well padded. With my Gregory Z my hips and shoulders got sore, bruised, and sometimes rubbed raw by the skinny padding. With the Deva I never have an issue the straps stay put and my shoulders feel great! I never knew backpacking could be so comfortable.

The Deva holds a ton of stuff and keeps everything organised. The Gregory Z had very few pockets and finding small items could be interesting. With the Deva I can quickly locate whatever I need in my pack, and the water bottle holder is an easy place to store my bear spray.

While the Deva is heavy, almost 3lbs heavier then the Gregory Z, because of the padding and support the pack feels lighter on my back. I have cut off or removed the straps I don't use to reduce the weight a bit more, but overall this is a great pack I can easily do a 2-5 nights without a problem. And I get out more with the Deva because backpacking doesn't hurt!

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I used the Diva on an extensive 3 month trip in Europe, 2 months of which I was exclusively camping and 1 month of pure hiking/ camping. The Diva did not make me happy :(

First of all, the top pocket (usually used for storing books, passport, etc) has an opening that a normal size paperback book cannot squeeze into. It's impossible to fish for anything in this compartment, and for me it's one of the most important pockets since I usually store my journal, small camera, etc in here.

Second, I couldn't reach the water bottle sling with my backpack on. I finally just fashioned a strap out of duct tape so I could access water without help or taking off my bag.

The bag did not evenly rest on my back/ shoulders. It would always lean to the right. At first I thought it was my pack job, but after many attempts of re-stuffing the bag I just strapped by tent to the left side in order to rectify the lean.

Finally, the chest strap slipped off the track and could not be re-attached. I had to tie it around my shoulder strap and eventually it was lost, so I went a week of hiking all day without this crucial strap.

I would only recommend this bag for weekend trips and easier hiking- it isn't dependable for long hiking adventures.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I really like this pack. I used it on a trip to Europe, and it was the only thing I brought with me. I had to get a rain cover for it there, which also helped with people not stealing things.. I've also used it wilderness backpacking, and I like it for that too. I like the front load, though my winter sleeping bag doesn't fit in it, I can get to think that I want quicker than if I had to open the bag and get to the bottom.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I chose this back for the Wonderful way it fit my back. That padding and shape in the lower back is just superb. It also holds a ton...you can go well over a week without resupply, eating well, using the Deva 60. Lots of pockets, great organization potential. Highly adjustable depending on your load. However, it is HEAVY. Three weeks on the AT, and I think I had the heaviest bare pack out there, no lie, large males included. I love the pack, but the weight it ridiculous, and I'm going for a lighter one.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I have the 2007 version of this pack, and it has stood the test of time. Its easy to pack, well made and can hold all of my things. I love everything about it. You can also size it to your body's dimensions; I got a short bag, but with a medium waistband. The store had NO problem changing out the components.

My only con: I went through two other bags before I got one that could actually go on a hiking trip. The first bag arrived missing a grammot on the waist band attachment on the bag. The second had a zipper that couldnt open, regardless of how much 'encouragement' I gave it. The store was very flexible, but it still took 2 months of trials, returns and waiting for a replacement. In the end, I'm thankful I went through it though as I love the bag.

Comments about Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Women's:

I never took this bag on a backpacking trip. I had women's small size. I ended up returning it. I did take this bag out on a 6 mile trail day hike to test the fit.

Good things:
Lots of cool bells and whistles, pockets, etc
Wonderful fit

Bad things:
Sleeping bag compartment is way to small
Zippers on this compartment are difficult
Not enough room for me

I have a dog so I have some extra gear then most might have. I would say the main reason I returned it is because of the sleeping bag compartment. I struggled to the point of frustration after packing and re-packing in the house. It was so bad I just couldn't see myself doing this out on the trail at camp.

The best thing about this bag is the fit and I think I would just like to upgrade to the Deva 70. My old outdated pack is a 70 and realized I really need it. I would upgrade because the fit was so good. I am 5'2. Also love all the various pockets on the outside. If you have treking poles, also has special hitches for those.