Gregory  Z65 Pack

I have been backpacking for 40+ years and am a "died-in-the-wool" gear head. When I set out for a new pack I was determined to get an Osprey Atmos 65. I was compelled by the salesperson to try on the Gregory Z65 (which was not nearly as sexy as the Osprey). After 3 years of using it and another knee surgery I tried the REI Flash 62 because it was much lighter. After a 3 day trip in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area, Colorado, I returned it. My Gregory Z65 may be a bit heavier but it rides like a Mercedes Benz. Since we are all built and walk differently it is inconceivable for me to say that this one pack is by far better than all the rest. What I can tell you is that this pack rides in my lower back (and on my hips) better than anything else I have tried. If you prefer, as I do, to carry more of the pack's weight on your hips instead of your shoulders and you have really erect posture then this may be the pack for you. This pack has been with me on the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, in the Medicine Bow/Snowy Range to name a few...it has held up like a champ. The only thing is the rubberized coating on the very bottom of the bag has begun to deteriorate and it is a little heavier a pack then I would like. BUT, the comfort outshines its minor flaws.

So, I splurged a bit and upgraded my backpacking gear. I'm tired or 40# packs and sometimes even more. They're awkward and the last time I brought out my on my last excursion, I actually injured myself. So, the first thing I wanted was a lighter design pack. If you're into features like pockets and organizers, then this may not be for you. But, but for the lightweight backpacker, this (in my humble opinion) is the way to go. I've been training for my White Mountain excursion by climbing the rugged hills of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in the Holyoke Range. I packed it to about 30# (90% of what I would be taking with me at any given time) and was impressed with the more centered feel it had on my back, and was actually very easy to maneuver. I had a lot of balance with this pack on, and I didn't even need my trekking poles! I think I read somewhere in these reveiws that this pack is like the Mercedes Benz of backpacks. I can attest that this is the case. My body doesn't feel mangled after my 4 mile hike in the hills. But, 30# is 30# and you will feel soar after a lengthy hike. As far and comfort is concerned -- this is a great pack to invest in! If you want more organization with pockets and other holders, this may not be for you, but if you can drop the $$ on the great, then this IS worth it. This will be on many adventures from here on out.

I have had this pack for a few years, and I love that it will carry everything that I need for 5 or days out, and settles onto my back like a glove. Some people may find there is not enough paddling at the hips, but the cutting of weight in this area totally works for me. If I have not been backpacking in awhile, I might drape a light shirt around my waist to give my hips a little padding. I find the shoulder straps comfortable, and the pack is super easy to pack. I like that the main compartment is just one big bag and not subdivided. If you really need to haul a big load, the bag extends up to carry a big load. I get plenty of ventilation on my back, and the pack cinches super tight when loaded lightly and will even fit on the airline as a carry-on. That is a plus to me. The top pocket is roomy.

I took a couple short trips (3-4 days, ~10 miles/day, carrying ~25 lb) and this pack was okay--not the most comfortable, but figured it might take a little while to get the adjustments just right. But on a more recent trip (again, ~10 miles/day carrying 25-30 lb) the cinch strap near the hip ripped off while cinching it down (i.e., the strap that allows you to pull the pack snug to your hip). This made for a less-than-pleasant 16 mile hike off the mountain. Maybe the pack I got was a lemon, but a broken strap, especially one that affects the pack's weight distribution on your hips, is not something you want to be dealing with on the trail. I will be returning the pack for something different (likely not a Gregory...)

I went to REI shopping for a lightweight trekking pack that would qualify to carry on airplanes (22" max length). Most of the lightweight packs like this, including Osprey, are 24-27" if you measure the rigid part of the frame. Many airlines now will not allow them to be carried on. This particular pack is just 22" on the rigid frame (or perhaps 22.5", but it will flex some) and can be carried on even if they check. A friend who treks a lot hut to hut recommended getting 65 L. capacity, as sometimes it is useful. I bought this pack with that in mind, and took it hiking in New Zealand South Island, and it was perfect for the job. When I limited it to 7 kg. to meet JetStar carryon rules, it strapped down compactly, and they accepted it easily. When I was out car tripping with a bit more gear, it was big enough to accomodate it. The rain fly works well, the hip harness is comfortable. Not really what you'd want if you're carrying more gear such as a sleeping bag, tent and cooking equipment, but perfect for trekking hut to hut light with some expandability.

I purchased this for a daily travel pouch up to a 5 day lightweight wilderness pack because of its easy access and large outer storage area which seems un-stretched no how much you stuff in the main pouch. These features are great however, I found myself making modifications to other areas immediately; The side load tightening straps do not compress the load very well, and they render the elastic side pouches almost unusable and in accessible, so I cut holes and re-fed the straps thru the pockets to free them up. The draw angle of these does not really allow for shortening the cargo depth very well for light trips or keeping a partial load on the top side of the pack for better weight distribution. There is only one outside attachment strap system at the outside bottom back as if for a sleeping pad, so I added some loops for carabineers to attach my cup and safety tool and other misc. items on the outside for very quick access and clanked effect to warn bears that I'm coming. I also replaced the chest strap with a whistle clip because these are a fantastic safety device and always where you need it to be. The shoulder and waist belt system is not adjustable at all for a frame size like mine and I'm right between the small and medium sizes, small is to short to the waist but hugs my shoulders and the medium fits my torso but the shoulder straps are not able to be adjusted for a good fit so the pack comfort and load distribution is sloppy and can quickly cause fatigue. But the chest strap system adjust very well. The cover pouch is completely removable for dual duty and day hikes but there is no waist belt so I needed to ad on of those as well. The raincoat seems necessary if you are going to out for extended days in pouring rain or if you are storing your gear outdoors at night. The zippers are well designed and seem to be good against water penetration so far. This is a nice lightweight pack with plenty of potential that has a place in the market for occasional hiking and short trips. If you choose this pack for yourself and you have the right torso for one of the available sizes, you will find it quite versatile just as is. I'm kind of picky, but the packs potential is there if you want to go for it.

Broke my REI flash and needed an ultralight replacement. Bought the Gregory pack for aesthetic reasons, but kept it because it is much sturdier and more comfortable than my old flash. Dont mind the extra weight, its very sturdy. At 6'2" 180lbs, I am probably maxing out the size large. Still fits snuggly. Left it out in a snowstorm and it performed fine afterwards.

Great so far for a backpacking trip in Asia. I plan to use it for outdoor adventure backpacking trips too.

I used this hiking the Camino. Although a little large for the Camino, it was perfect for items I needed to get me from the U.S. to Spain and the trek across Spain. Comfortable and lightweight.

My girlfriend and I both got this pack( girlfriend got it in the women's J63 I believe ) and had to return them after about 3 over night 10 miles round trips. we carried roughly about 35 pounds each that's water, food, clothing and personal items. ( We live in Vegas, so we have to carry all our water with us roughly 3-4 liters) " First the shoulder straps." For Z65, the straps keep pulling towards the out side of my shoulders even when I use the sternum strap it became uncomfortable. The women's J63 would dig into my girlfriends shoulders causing them to go raw. "Second, the backing." The z65 does not keep the ventilation backing, it collapse to a FLAT backing, no air movement for mine, the j63 would expand the space with GREAT ventilation! "Finally the lumbar the reason we loved Gregory." The two metal robs that make the frame puts tension onto the lumbar the expand the mesh backing outward for ventilation, but even though the mesh backing would collapse it would still transfer the weight onto the rods causing them to DIG into my lumbar. Although there's padding in the lumber the rods would poke into the padding enough to feel them dig into your back! This pack is SO SO uncomfortable! We both had to return them and got Osprey. I got the Exos 58 and can carry the 35-38 Lbs with no issue what so ever unlike to the Z65. My girlfriend got the Aura and Loves it. I would pass on this one, this IMO does not meet Gregory's expectations.