Gregory  Z65 Pack

I've always been a big fan of Gregory packs so when I went to slim up my pack I was driven to the Z65. On a 5 day hike starting out with 32 lbs I had difficulty getting it to fit well. It refused to sit on my hips and would drive into my shoulders. The shoulder straps seem to be a bit narrow and the lumbar pad either didn't curve into my back enough or the lumbar pad was just too slick. Once the weight began to drop it became an enjoyable pack. I'd say that right around 23 lbs the comfort begins to drop off noticeably. I do enjoy the pack but it will likely be used only for lighter weekend trips.

After traveling the globe for a year out of a carry-on, the time arrived for something big enough for a (ultralight) tent and sleeping bag. My second year was a dream thanks to this pack. Not only was everything I needed on board, my not-so-athletic body often forgot when I wore this thing. Really, that's how comfortable it is for me. And it does not need to be airline-checked ... overhead compartments are no problem. With this pack, long-term global travel feels free and easy.

i have used this pack on a couple overnight camping/hiking trips and a travel/camp trip to costa rica. i think the quality and weight is nice and has thus far held up well. the pack straps down well to secure your weight close to your back. i have found it very comfy up to 22 lbs for extended hiking but i found the shoulder straps are a bit narrow for extended treks with heavier loads and make my shoulders sore. i found the waist belt to be very comfy under all loads carried. i am 6'- 180 and the medium fit me well.

This was my first new backpack since the REI Senior Cruiser produced circa 1970. I am not making this up. I bought this in a hurry and on sale at the flagship store with some help from the staff who were clearly younger than my old pack. All in all I am happy with the pack. I have to figure out another way to carry my synthetic sleeping bag as it takes up too much of the space inside. With the caveat that I am coming from a frame pack background, I was astonished how well the pack seemed to become part of me, and moved when I moved. I could have ascended all day wearing this pack.

While working with the Park Service, I used this pack everyday for four months. Mostly it was used as a day-pack for carrying lots of equipment and tools. It was also used for many 2 to 3 night trips. It held up to some serious abuse. This pack may not seems tough because it is so light, but it is. It was also very comfortable. No shoulder or hip pains. It also had great air flow across my back.

I'm a 130lb guy that has one of the smallest waist lines of any man I've met. I bought this pack, it's the first one I've owned, after a month long search for the perfect fit. I was convinced that I was going to have to buy a woman's pack for a proper fit until I found this one. I wore it on the AT for a 33 mile trek without any break-in time and a starting weight of 46lbs, this pack held up great. I have now used the pack on several multi-day trips, with a more practical weight, and I can hardly even tell its on my back.

I have found Gregory packs to be the most comfortable in class and the z65 follows suit for lightweight packs. Unfortunately, Gregory is usually the heaviest of comprable pack style and once again the z65 is probably a good pound plus heavier than most other lightweight packs. This pack was designed with an emphasis on durability and of course comfort, and it delivers in both areas. I think this pack may be a little over-engineered, and they could probably use lighter, less bullet proof fabrics to save weight. The things that are great are the large adjustable hip belt, the ample shoulder straps, and air flow suspension which only makes contact with your lumbar and shoulders. I also find the horseshoe zipper makes it easier to pack horizontally and therefore more evenly balanced. I have tried the arcteryx axios 50, Granite gear Vapor trail, boreas lost coast 60 and rei flash 60, but the Gregory was my pick for superior long term comfort.

I used this backpack for the first time hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim and back. Four days of gear and three days of acutal hiking with this backpack hugging my back and I hardly new it was there. I had it completely filled weighing in at 35+- pounds. It helps to watch the REI video on "How to Pack your backpack" to get the most comfortable fit. The storage access is well designed, the only drawback is the pack lacks places to add lashing strapes, so if you have items to attach to the outside of your pack, there are minimal places to do so.

I bought this pack to replace a Gregory Reality pack. I enjoyed the Reality for years, but was looking to shave some weight. The Z65 more than lived up to the comfort i was expecting and is large enough for the 3 to 6 day trips i typically take. I was skeptical about the thinner shoulder straps and waist belt, but they turned out to be very comfortable with the weight loads i use. The maximum weight i've used with this pack is 40 lbs, and that felt as if it was pushing the limit of comfort. To be fair, this is close to the stated weight limit for his pack. So i'd say that if you carry more weight then look at a higher capacity pack. Otherwise, i've enjoyed how it has preformed over the last year and it has held up very well although it may appear it can't handle the abuse.

I bought the Z65 hoping that it was my end all pack for 3 day hikes into the wilderness. Its not bad, just not great. Here is what is good: It is lightweight, has great pockets on the hip belt, Air flow was excellent and workmanship looks well made and fairly mild rain resistant. The improvements needed: Impossible to pull out a 1 Liter bottle while wearing the pack,which is a pain since I don't trust putting in a water pack inside the bag (possibly leaking all over). No seperate sleeping bag compartment (which puts at risk your sleeping bag to rips, leaks, or goo all over your bag). Also no hooks on top of the bag for bear vault(actually very few hooks on this bag for attachments). On the suspension: it can't really handle 40lbs plus without neck pain on uphills and knee pain on downhills (I assume because of the arc placing pressure points). 40lbs with water is typical for 3 days unless you bought super light gear or eat off the land. Pouch on outside with zipper (on top of zipper opening) is tight when bag is packed, making it less usefull - I barely fit a jacket in it. It wasn't sizing, I had it sized in the store and tried it in the field with pros. It just didn't work for me. Finally, it didn't have a removable hip pack for day adventures - all fixed. I guess that is how they saved weight. Overall, I returned it. After a 20 mile hike, my knees were injured and I was done hiking for the summer :(- hint bag weight isn't everything if suspension puts it on your knees and upper back (BTW, suspension should not pound your upper back... hiking poles may help but don't solve the design issues. Baltoro uses different suspension, but I'm looking at other company offerings...I think Greggory lost me.