Gregory  Z30 Pack

I carried the Gregory Z30 and wife Jade 28. they were fitted perfect by the REI staff. Great packs, easy to get on and off. We would walk into them as they were easy to set up weight and bulk so the pack would set upright on a table or stone wall. We lived in these things for 30 days walking the Camino de Santiago. ONLY 1 issue was the cloth zipper pullers, after 4 of them broke, I replaced with Key Ring pullers.

The Z30 from Gregory is a great all-around pack. The quality of the construction is excellent, the padding is comfortable, and the CrossFlo suspension is a life saver on hot summer days. It's large enough for an overnight backpacking trip (or even multi-day trips if you're a light packer), and also small enough for a day pack thanks to the compression straps on the sides. I've used the pack on several trips in warm and cool weather now, and the pack has carried everything that I needed. I'm very satisfied with the Z30. It is definitely heavier than similar sized packs from other companies, but once you've carried it all day in the heat, I think you'll agree that the suspension, padding, and high-quality materials are worth every ounce!

I own several Gregory packs and even though the company has changed hands in the past few years, I believe they have kept their original quality. The material seems durable yet very light weight. I wouldn't throw it down on the ground or over rocks carelessly but it doesn't seem delicate either. Excellent storage options without being overwhelmed with pockets and excess material. I especially love the huge opening into the main compartment! My only complaint is that the curved back, though a plus in hot weather, gives the pack a long and slim profile which can make for some creative packing. Overall a great pack and the perfect size for day trips.

I bought this bag hoping to use it as a day pack or fast overnight bag. It's definitely very supportive and very adjustable. I used it to haul some climbing gear a couple miles and the load felt great. However, my issue with it is that bag is overly curved. This means that if whatever you're trying to pack in your does not contour to the curve in the bag, you'll have odd protrusions poking at the sides. Shells, rainflys, and a bivy will go in fine, but tent poles, stoves, and a cook set are a pain to deal with. Unfortunately, I'll be sending this one back to try out something that is a little less curved.

Do several day hikes per month with 250-member hiking club (in-state and out-of-state) so get a chance to see lots of gear. I'm replacing my Osprey Talon 22 (which I've loved for years but is wearing out). This pack had every element I was looking for (outer pocket for stuffing jacket; sturdy zippers; trekking poles straps on both sides; decent volume). LIke the Osprey, it has good ventilation for back (important here in AZ) and is uber comfortable (like the Osprey). The materials quality is unsurpassed (just as with my Gregory Baltoro 65). I expect to have this for many years.

This pack will be great for day hiking, with plenty of space to carry both rain gear and lunch. It would also be a nice fast and light overnight pack if the weather is supposed to be nice and you didn't need to carry much. I have used this pack for the past week working in the field carrying my work materials and some emergency supplies. It performed flawlessly compared the daypack I tried before this one. The previous packs hip belt would not stay on my hips, which defeated the purpose of the hip belt, but the Z30 felt stable and secure the whole time. The Z30's compartments are also well placed and make it easy to organize and stay organized. Overall, a very well designed daypack that I am happy to have purchased.

I needed a pack that I could use in all different types of situations. I have used this pack for day hikes, canoe trips, off road biking, or even just simple over nights at a hotel. One thing that gets put into this pack more than any other object is my DSLR camera. The large opening for the main storage pocket is great for accessing my camera or any other bulky items. I am even able to access things that are under the camera without exploding my pack. I like to strap my smaller (lighter weight) tri-pod to the outside of the pack and it works great. This pack is very comfortable and a good amount of pressure is applied to the lumbar when the pack is weighted down. I have never had a problem with any zippers getting snagged, and there are many pockets all ranging in size to keep things well organized. Having the rain cover is a big plus as I have had this pack out in a couple of downpours and my camera has stayed completely dry. This pack is great and has plenty of storage capacity. I use it all the time.

Recently hiked Cactus to Clouds on a very warm day and the ventilation system on this pack is outstanding. It's light weight and not once did I feel any discomfort while carrying 8 liters of water. Gregory really has a winner with this pack. I have used more than 2 dozen different backpack's in the 40+ years I have been hiking and I can say with complete confidence this one is over all the best I've ever used.

I bought this pack for dual use. 1 - Day hikes 2 - Inner-city errands For the above 2 items it functions FANTASTIC. There is ample room to grab a few goods from the local store and bring them home without lugging bags. Likewise it's small enough to throw a few items in it and head to the park. Day hikes are also perfect where little to no gear is required. It adjusts great on my long torso (6'2") and the mesh back works wonders in the heat. Where it falls short in my opinion is the overall size. When you slide in a hydration pack, you lose a TON of space. The bag just doesn't open up enough front-to-back to accommodate much of anything rigid along with the hydration pack. Additionally the swag-bags on the waist belt are very small and are tough to accommodate an iphone. In all, it's perfect for someone who wants a daypack but if you are overnighting, or need any additional room for rigid items (books, cartons, food cans, etc) you may want to consider a bigger option.

Overall a great pack. I needed a larger pack for day hikes. I'm an avid photographer and tend to over pack. This pack fits everything I need for a long day out including my photography gear. The medium pack is right at the verge of being a bit large for me, I'm 5'6" and 135lbs. Typically with my gear and water I'm carrying about 25lbs to 30lbs, no problem. The pack handles the weight nicely and distributes it properly to the hips. Tons of attachment points, nice pull tabs on the zippers, good size stuff pouch, and a couple of smaller pouches. I gave 4 stars due to the sizing and the fact that I have only had the pack for a couple months so I can't speak on longevity. It definitely seems to be made very well. We'll see if it stands the test of time!