How to Choose a Backpack

This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Winner of Backpacker magazine's 2015 Editors' Choice Gold Award, this multiday pack with customizable suspension excels equally at long winter weekends and extended trips with a minimalist gear list.
Shop newer versionImported.
View the Gregory Deva Product LineView all Gregory Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Fits Waist/Hips | 26-46+ inches |
Material(s) | Nylon/polyester/EVA/open-cell foam |
Frame Material | 7075 aluminum/HDPE |
Number of Stays | 1 peripheral hoop/1 cross stay |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Pack Access | Top/panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 8 + main compartment |
Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes |
Raincover Included | Yes |
Removable Daypack | Yes |
Gender | Women's |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I went into REI today prepared to buy an Osprey Ariel pack. Unfortunately the fit was not right for my body type. The sales staff at REI was awesome and so patient working with me for over an hour to find the right pack I tried on 4 different packs. They filled each with 20 lbs. of weight and I walked around the store, going up and down stairs to test them out. The Gregory Deva was not even on my radar, but ended up being my favorite. The fit was perfect, the shoulder straps and hip belt didn't dig or bind like some of the others, plus I love all the features it has. Can't wait to try it out on my next trip!
I bought this right before a trip to the Adirondacks and it was so worth it. It fit me really well and held all of my gear in place while hiking. I had 2 nights car camping and 2 nights of backpacking gear in it and it all fit great. It was really easy to strap other things to the outside and the pockets on top were easy for me to access without taking the pack off so they were great storage for snacks and a map. As others said, the waterproof cell phone pocket on the hipbelt does not fit a smartphone but I have a waterproof case so it wasn't a big deal and the pocket was good for some small fire starters.
when looking for a backpack, i wanted one that would provide a good amount of room, fit my small frame, and allow me to hike in tank tops (i just don't like T-shirts!). The Deva is really comfortable. I didn't experience any chafing on my nearly bare shoulders, even with a lot of weight! I'm 5'3" and 115 lbs and i got the XS. It fits really well and i like how adjustable everything is. I overpacked for a short trip and it held the weight comfortably. I like that it comes with a small day pack (which holds the water bladder) and also a rain shield. Awesome product! worth every penny!
I used this pack for 3 weeks in South America and it was plenty big enough for all my layers and even some space to bring souvenirs back. I just used the pack for a one night backpack and was super impressed. It fit comfortably, adjusted nicely, and I really love all the pockets and the water bottle holders. Had we been doing more than a night, I definitely would have had room for extra food and gear. The included day pack is maybe one of my favorite features; I use it almost every day! I can't say enough good things about the deva 60.
This pack checks all my boxes! It's comfortable, but not overly padded/too heavy. I doesn't give me shoulder bruises like my other pack did, but does a great job of putting the weight on my hips. *I'm 5'9" with a pretty long torso, and the M fits me perfectly. I'm not exactly a minimalist, but I can fit plenty of gear for a multi-day trip in this pack! I really like the external access to the separated sleeping bag pouch. I love the front pocket and access. I like that the lid is removable, but I also love that the bladder pouch doubles as an ultralight daypack for days when you're not moving camp. My only complaint is that the hip pockets don't fit my phone or inReach.
I purchased this pack in the early 2015 and have used it on a number of trips, the last covering 193 miles along the PCT in Oregon. The pack is very comfortable and has the potential to carry a lot. At one point I carried nearly 50lbs, because of carrying enough water for a dry camp and taking on some weight from a hurting friend's pack. Before my 193 miles on the PCT I took off the top panel, the one that separates the sleeping bag area, and the bottom straps to save some weight, which saved nearly 8 ounces. The ONLY downside to this pack is it's weight, at more than 4.5lbs. It's an investment buying a pack and although I spent months researching packs I wish I could have tried one that was a couple of pounds lighter for long treks. Regardless, Deva 60 is very comfortable, durable and carried weight well. I gave it four stars only because of it's weight.
This is an excellently engineered piece of equipment. I am very pleased with it. It has all the pocketing, weight balance and padding that I would hope for in a pack. I'm a moderately avid hiker & it meets all of my needs. It carries well and has been really well thought out which you will discover the more and more you use it. I keep finding better qualities about it as it gets use. Very well thought out piece of equipment.
The New Baltoro 65 and Deva 60 kept all of the great things about the last model (lots of pockets, awesome - even improved - AFS suspension system) while overcoming its weaknesses (weight). We almost bought the last generation to replace our packs when we saw an article saying that they were completely redesigning these for 2015. So we held out for the new ones. Headline message: Maybe the best overall pack in its class but there are a couple annoying things (see bottom). Here is our rundown: Weight - the big news for Gregory, they have dropped the weight by 13oz for Deva (M) and 13oz for the Baltoro (L). With the weight loss, Gregory is now in line with the best-in-class Arc’teryx Altra 65 while coming in a $150 cheaper! (the new Baltoro is 2 oz heavier and the Deva is 1 oz heavier than the comparable Arc’teryx). In short, Gregory is no longer the “comfortable but heavy” alternative. Suspension System - the new Baltoro looks to us to be every bit as customizable as the old system and then some. It has an additional lumbar support which I find helpful, and the main support is a more breathable mesh. The hip belt is extremely comfortable and not over-padded, and the cantilever allows independent hip movement. Overall very good fit and very comfortable though it will have to wait for a full hike before we can tell for sure. Access - the pack has very good access from the top and from the bottom and retains the optional divider between the main compartment and the sleeping bag/tent compartment. It has plenty of side pockets and attachment points. New features - it comes equipped with a rain cover and a waterproof electronics pocket on the hip belt (my one big complaint), both very welcome. It also has a removable daypack they call the Sidekick which doubles as a reservoir sleeve. We were a bit skeptical of this design but on seeing it in person we think it might be very useful (we will certainly be using the 2L reservoir sleeve). Complaints: Minor complaints so far (recognizing we have NOT field tested it yet!) The lower-end Stout model is "solar ready" with daisy chain lash points for a solar panel. I cannot for the life of me understand why this was left off the Baltoro/Deva. We would love to have it here. The waterproof pouch is TOO SMALL! I can just barely squeeze into the zipper my iPhone 6 with its case. If you have a 6-plus or a larger android phone or use one of those larger cases (e.g. a Otterbox), forget it. It is as though this pouch was made with the last generation of smart-phones in mind (which it probably was). Seriously, an extra 1” would have made all the difference. But, at least for me, it is “barely big enough” There is NO WAY I will be able to use the phone for a quick photo on the trail which limits its usefulness. Will post an update when we have done some field testing, but overall (except for the pouch) it is an fantastic upgrade.
REI employee: "Your torso is just barely 14". You might want to try children's packs." No. No, I do not. My hips and chest preclude that from ever happening. I needed extreme lumbar support, room for my chest and hips, and a very short pack. It was a tall order, but she found me a solution: The Deva. Where else can you get an XS torso, M hip belt, and M shoulder harness? What other pack has so much comfort and padding you feel like you could do a jig? (Please do not actually do a jig; you'll probably hurt yourself.) This thing is freaking great. There's even an extra pad in case your butt precludes your pack from reaching your lumbar region properly. (Hi.) Yes, it weighs more than most packs. However, between the extra padding and suspension, I feel like I can carry more. It's customized to fit my shape, has a ton of padding, and is designed to move with me. Let me tell you how nice it is to lean and have my pack lean with me, not counterbalance and pull me over. It's ridiculously expensive and ridiculously worth it.
everytime i stray and get curious about another pack because of some rave review i read, i always end up coming back to the deva. size small fits my 16.5" torso and since a pack is such a personal choice and each individual's body type varies, for reference (and continue reading so i don't waste your time, lol) with my measurements- 37.5" bust, 31.5" waist, 40" hips. cause i can rave on and on how awesome this pack is, lol. the wishbone suspension system really conforms to my broad shoulders and curvy hips and distributes the weight so comfortably with my ~30 lb load. it sufficiently accommodates so much and glad the 60l helps me to only pack what's necessary. what i pack (from top to bottom): 20 degree sleeping bah in compression sack/ eagle creek medium specter packing cube for clothes/ bv450 bear vault laid horizontally, cushioned with klymit sleeping pad on one side and inflatable pillow on the other/ marmot catalyst 2p tent in 16 l compression sack, cushioned with teva sandals in front and a towel in the back. the brain has 2 pockets-- one holds first aid kit and lifestraw and the other pocket holds accessories i need immediately (headlamp, compass, etc). all other little toiletries are in bear canister. side stretch pockets hold tent poles and stakes and trowel and the side angled water bottle holder on the other is my most favorite feature. i stash my rain jacket and gloves/bandana/beanie in the front zip. plus the thoughtfulness of an included rain cover and detachable daypack! sorry for the tedious details but i hope things like this are able to help fellow beginning backpackers like myself get an idea of how much of a workhorse a pack can potentially be! plus when i tested it out on a 5 mile loop hike with a steady incline, the deva A3 system moves with you and didn't leave my shoulders hurting like other packs have with their stiff straps. i just really (like really really, lol) love this pack and glad that it's the chosen one to help me enjoy my outdoor adventures even more so!