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Big enough for sunup-to-sundown treks and overnights, the women's Gregory Jade 43 pack is light and agile thanks to the FreeFloat dynamic suspension—letting your back breathe, summer or winter.
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View the Gregory Jade Product LineView all Gregory Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | XS/S: 41 liters S/M: 43 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | XS/S: 2,502 cubic inches S/M: 2,624 cubic inches |
Weight | XS/S: 3 lbs. 6.4 oz. S/M: 3 lbs. 6.4 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | XS/S: 14-17 inches S/M: 15-19 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | XS/S: 24-46 inches S/M: 25-48 inches |
Material(s) | Nylon/closed-cell foam |
Frame Material | 4 mm alloy steel and fiberglass anti-barreling stay and HDPE |
Number of Stays | 1 perimeter wire |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Suspended Mesh Back Panel | Yes |
Pack Access | Top/panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 6 + main compartment |
Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes |
Raincover Included | No |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Dimensions | XS/S: 24 x 12.5 x 11.5 inches S/M: 25 x 12.5 x 11.5 inches |
Gender | Women's |
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I recently completed the first half of the Camino Frances, which is about 250 miles or so, carrying the Gregory Jade 43 XS/S. I LOVE this pack. I was able to carry everything I needed in comfort. I tried a 38 liter but preferred having a little more room in the 43. The FreeFloat suspension is a game changer. Even during the August heat wave in Spain I had plenty of air circulation on my back and never felt weighted down. The build quality is fantastic. The straps, buckles & zippers feel solid. The fabric is tough and I loved the Midnight Navy color. I did get the pack fitted at REI and recommend that to anyone considering the investment. The Jade has just the right amount of pockets and room for the water bladder. When you are on an extended trip living out of your backpack you really appreciate all of the features. I recommend purchasing the Gregory rain cover with Tropical Forest pattern. Worked great in the few storms I encountered in the Pyrennes Mountains and I loved it so much I was hoping for more rain. This is the best pack I've owned and I can't wait to get back on the trail with it.
I liked this backpack and it performed well—until the sternum strap snapped off after just 1.4 years, conveniently outside of REI’s warranty window. The pack claims a life long warranty. To Gregory’s credit, they sent me a free replacement strap along with a PDF guide and a YouTube tutorial. Unfortunately, installing it was very difficult, despite their assurances it would be easy. Despite following all instructions carefully and even getting creative (using needle-nose pliers, softening the plastic in boiling water, trying to wedge it open with a screwdriver), I couldn’t get it attached. Eventually, I went to a hardware store for help. Two different employees—both experienced and resourceful—spent at least 30 minutes trying every tool and technique imaginable: pliers, wrenches, vice grips, compression tricks. It was a struggle for them, too. One of them finally got it on, and I insisted on paying him $40 for his time. This shouldn’t be that hard. Replacing a basic strap shouldn’t require specialized tools or third-party help. It was frustrating, time-consuming, and frankly disappointing. Gregory really needs to rethink this strap design—or at least provide a practical, user-friendly installation method for customers who expect "simple fixes" to be... simple. A shame a 5 cent item caused so much trouble.
I purchased this backpack in July of 2023. During the first use, the sternum strap broke while adjusting. It wasn't too much of a hardship since we weren't hiking. REI gave me a new backpack. I did the Portuguese Camino with it in February 2024, and it was great... comfortable and functional. Yesterday on another trip, the sternum strap snapped again while adjusting, and i was being careful with it! I am walking the Camino Frances in February, and am super worried it will break in the middle of it. It's an expensive pack, and I can't buy a new pack. Hopefully, Gregory will replace the broken strap and give me a couple backups since it's such a BAD design.
I purchased this pack in 2024 and have used it on many different hikes since then (mostly FL trail and GSMNP). I struggled to find a pack that fit comfortably for someone with a shorter torso but this one has been perfect! For reference, I'm 5'4" and 140lbs. The pack breathes great, especially on those warmer FL hikes and I found it was just the right size to carry what I needed for at least 3 days worth of supplies. Others have mentioned the chest strap broke but I haven't had any issues and the pack seems to be tough and durable. My only downside is I wish the brain was removable but that's personal preference. Highly recommend!
The first time I wore this, the chest strap clamp broke. So far, I don't find it particularly intuitive. Confusing to find & use the straps that tighten the top part so that it doesn't hang out from my upper back. There were many straps hanging, & it took a while to figure out which is for what. The chest strap probably broke because I was using it thinking it was for tightening the upper back. At any rate, I pulled the upper back straps as far as they would go, and the top still hung away from the back. Around 14 years ago, I had a Gregory backpack that was awesome. It felt like it was part of you. This one is a bit lumpy, and didn't ride along that smoothly..
The sternum strap failure you described is covered under our warranty. Our team may be able to help you adjust the pack for greater comfort. Please contact our customer service team when you get the chance.
I bought this to fit carryon standards for a 5 week international backpacking trip. Overall, it worked fine but I was really disappointed by the fabric toughness. I had the pack loaded under a bus in Chile. It was a 3 hour ride. When I unloaded the bag there were tears in the bottom fabric from something. This was week 2 of my 5 week trip so I spent the rest of the time babying this thing to keep it from ripping more. It just didn't rise to the rugged standard I expected.
I bought this pack for the NaPali Coast, but my trip got cancelled for a hurricane. I'll have to reschedule. I was debating getting the next size up, but I'm glad I got the 43. It's a perfect "in-between" size that I can cinch it down for day hikes with the dogs without feeling too overloaded, which is most of the hikes that I do. I only go overnight a few times a year. I can already tell that it is 1000% more comfortable than the frameless knockoff that I've been using up until now. The hip pockets are big enough for my phone, which... NEVER happens. The hip belt keeps the weight distributed perfectly that I barely feel the weight at all, even before I use the chest strap. I might be feeling the biggest difference because this is probably the first backpack that was ever the actual right size for my torso, since it is an adjustable size. Turns out that even though I measured, it seems that I needed to extend it to the largest size possible. I love that I can access the middle and bottom of the pack without digging to through the top. There are two different side straps. One of them clips nicely around my foam pad while the other functions more to cinch the bag tighter when the bag isn't completely full. I wish I could make 5 improvements. 1) The side pockets could be improved by adding a shock cord or somehow making them tighter. I had a smart water bottle in a side pocket, which fell out and rolled down a cliff when I bent over to pick up dog doodoo, which I need to do about every 30 minutes w these two dogs, I swear. 2) I wish the top brain could be adjustable and be lifted up so I could store my tent (or one day a bear vault) underneath it. There's a strap above the main compartment that is made almost unusable due to the brain being fixed in place. 3) I wish there were bottom straps for me to put my foam pad. Again, I mostly use it for day hikes, but it would be more convenient for the foam pad to attach to the bottom instead of the sides. 4) It's not just this pack, but I swear it's EVERY pack. I know it's for waterproof-ness, but I really wish that I could access the top brain section from the front of the pack. Most of the time when I'm trying to get in there, the pack is on the ground in front of me, or hanging from a tree. It's just such a pain to have to jostle it around to get to the zipper in the back. 5) This was the main reason that I considered the next size up, but I really wanted to have that bottom compartment for my sleeping bag. I know that most of these features are on a bigger bag, but I'm at my stage of gear that I know if I am GIVEN more space, I will USE more space, and I can't carry that weight. This is the perfect size to keep my gear tight when I go on longer trips.
I bought this last year for an overnight hike. It was comfortable throughout the climb and held everything I needed for the overnight. I’ve since taken it on overnight flights as a carryon. I can’t wait to use it on my next overnight hike in the spring.
The backpack is comfortable to wear, but unfortunately, the chest strap broke on the first day of the trip. Disappointed with the durability.
We're sorry to hear about the sternum strap on your pack. This is likely a warranty issue. Please reach out to our customer service team for assistance with your pack.
Love it! I can hike for hours with weight and not feel it in my lower back or shoulders.