The Gregory Contour 60 is given its first test on the hills with TRAIL magazine.

...........with a wealth of innovative features, does the Contour 60 set new standards........?

RATINGS

Features .... 5/5

Design .... 4/5

Comfort .... 5/5

Performance .... 4/5

Value .... 4/5

OVERALL .... 4/5

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EXCITING NEW GREGORY PACKS
GREGORY AUTUMN / WINTER 2013
The staff at head office always get excited at this time of year with the arrival of new Autumn / Winter samples and this year Gregory did not disappoint.
In the Alpine range to run along side the Alpinisto, the new Targhee series offers a selection of packs that not only look good but perform to the highest specification. With endless gear carrying options for skis, helmet , axes and snowboards with focus on safety and access to that dedicated avalanche safety gear. All in 2 fantastic colours. For the commuters amongst us the new Sketch packs and Graph messenger bags are ready to take on the office commute, gym workout, summer concert or a quick hike after work. This series is perfect for an active lifestyle. Whether you are on a bike, train, bus, car, or an on foot commuter these utility packs have the perfect model to fit your style and gear. Padded sleeves and compartments to fit a laptop and tablet, pocketing and interior organisation all with an intuitive design to keep your gear protected and accessible.
Make sure you get to see these fantastic new styles.

Contact your Rep today.

A really comfortable pack with plenty of space for extra kit on winter day walks. It has flexible, padded hip fins and shoulder straps; and the load is distributed easily across the hips.The suspended mesh back system has padded lumbar support making load carrying comfortable and sweat-free. The main compartment is cavernous, with a zipped panel on the front so you can rummage inside without unloading the lid. There's a really useful expansion pocket on the front, pockets on each hip fin, and mesh pockets on each side. There's also an internal pouch for a hydration system.

IN A NUTSHELL: A well-featured walking pack that makes load carrying easy. 10/10

Source: COUNTRY WALKING Magazine December 2012

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BEST in TEST 5/5

A well designed, lightweight pack that makes load-carrying easy

A really comfortable pack with plenty of space for extra kit. It’s got lightweight, flexible and padded hip fins and shoulder straps, and the load is distributed easily across the hips. It’s also got a suspended mesh back system with padded lumbar support so that load-carrying is comfortable and sweat-free. The main compartment is really big, with a zipped panel on the front so you can rummage inside without undoing the lid. There’s also a really useful expansion pocket on the front, and mesh pockets on each hip fin. Comes with a rain cover, but it isn’t connected to the pack – I nearly lost mine in the wind! There’s a pocket for your hydration system, and two large pockets on the lid.

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Gregory Miwok 18, a lightweight pack with abundant versatility!

From off the shelf, this pack is impressive. Loading it with gear from my old hydration pack before heading out on the trail, it still had loads of room to spare, without looking in any way big & unwieldy on my back. Access to the hydration pouch is a full length zip down the left side of the back of the pack, giving direct access for inserting & removing your hydration bladder – genius!  

I didn’t even need to use the myriad of stretch mesh pockets this pack includes or the zipped extension to the centre front pocket to allow you to carry your helmet when not riding. Inside, you have 2 medium sized mesh organizing pockets with key loop, always useful! in the front zipped pocket with dual zip access. In the main dual zipped compartment, there is cavernous storage space and a zipped mesh pocket for all those small essentials that you always loose. Furthermore, on the pack top there is direct, zipped access to a large fleece lined mp3/phone pocket (but no port?).

There’s also all the normal things you’d expect to see on a pack of this quality; haul loop, high vis hits back and front, hydration port on either shoulder strap, adjustable chest strap, high wicking mesh on all contact areas, mesh side bottle pockets etc, etc. Not sure of the purpose of the Velcro, elastic cord combo on the left shoulder strap – using it to guide my hydration hose through at the moment?!

Whilst out biking, the straps & unique BioSync ATS compression mechanismkeep the pack close to your back. In fact, without any formed structure in the back system (keeping it lightweight), this pack seriously hugs your back! The Miwok moves with you, ensuring if any sudden movements, it doesn’t knock you off balance.  Loved the off centre waist buckle, so it doesn’t sit over your shorts buckle & it reduces the number of webbing straps you have wafting around! The integral zipped waist compartments on both! waist fins, allow easy access to snacks on the move too.

Overall, very impressed with not only the look and feel of the pack (fabrics feel ‘silk’ like, cool to the touch!), but more impressed by its feather weight and yet abundant versatility.Enjoy your ride! 

Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.The larger 22l Miwok is available from our retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports. Click here to find out more about the broader Gregory pack range our recommended pack brand partner.  Posted by gr8trails at 13:56 Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Google Buzz Labels: BioSync ATS, Ellis Brigham, Gregory, hydration pack, mountain bike pack,mountain biking, walking

Click Here to find out more about Gr8trails

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Rucksacks for women

You don’t need to be a genius to notice that women are shaped differently from men and the one piece of equipment, apart from clothing, where that difference really matters is the rucksack. Rucksacks generally have come a long way from the ‘one size fits all’ notion of a few decades ago. One of the outdoors manufacturers that has put several decades of research and development into gaining a better fit, and therefore more comfortable load-carrying ability, is Gregory. This California-based company has made rucksack fitting its central mission, so it’s a good starting point if you are on the hunt for a rucksack that really suits your body shape.

The sack we tried out was a Gregory Jade 34. It is designed as a medium capacity sack capable of carrying reasonably heavy loads, so suitable for a long day out in the hills for which extra equipment is required or even for an overnight ‘wild camp’.  In terms of the ‘carrying system’ the pack uses what the company calls its Jetstream DTS Suspension system (there's a man's name if ever there was one). This has a lightweight curved steel bar held in tension in a harness; as you put more weight into the sack the bar and harness help to transfer the load more effectively to your hips. The shape also holds the sack away from your back, so on hot sticky days you get plenty of airflow to keep you cool and dry. Care for ventilation extends to the harness and waistbelt which have moisture wicking mesh and perforated foams, making the whole sack very comfortable whatever the weather. 

The system is certainly very clever and there are plenty of adjustments that can be made to the shoulder straps and harness to make the fit absolutely right. Being a woman of around 5ft 6ins I had no trouble adapting the pack and using it to carry quite heavy loads, for instance on a long weekend to the Isle of Man. You might need to look at other, longer length, packs if you are very tall. However while the curved steel bar does hold the pack well away from your back it also intrudes into the main compartment of the rucksack, making it seem smaller than comparable packs with simple foam back systems. You can’t have everything, of course, and to some extent it’s an optical illusion as there’s no doubt that the sack really does hold 34 litres of stuff. It’s just slightly more difficult to pack long straight things, like a lightweight tent or sleeping mat. 

On the other hand, the main compartment does have a zip opening on the front of the pack which runs almost the length of the pack in an arc, so accessing something you have stored at the bottom is very much easier. This wouldn’t work if you used a single waterproof sack liner, of course, but I use sets of coloured drybags to organise my stuff so the zip works well. When the heavens open there’s a rain cover that can be slipped over the sack to help the sack itself stay dry inside.

Rucksacks these days do tend to come festooned with small compartments, loops and other dangly bits and this one is no exception. Some of these things are useful. There are, for instance, small zipped mesh pockets in the waist strap in which you can safely store car keys or, at a stretch, a compass. Two mesh pockets on either side of the pack are large enough for gloves, hat or a small drinks bottle. A larger open pocket on the back is excellent for stuffing a lightweight waterproof. There’s also a small loop at the base of the sack where the traditional ice-axe loop would be, but this one seems fairly pointless as there’s no strap at the top to hold the axe or walking pole and anyway it’s not big enough. In terms of carrying an ice-axe you would be better off putting it inside or running it through the compression straps, a better way of carrying one on any sack.

Overall this is a rucksack of demonstrable quality. It is well made and well thought out. Not everyone will go for the pale blue shade that our test sack came in (is this supposed to be a women’s colour?), but there’s a full-blooded red option if you want something bolder and less inclined to show the dirt. You will pay for this level of quality and the ability to customise a rucksack to your shape. The Gregory Jade 34 has a suggested retail price of £95; you can probably get it for less if you shop around.

Chris Stewart

  Click to View

Well-featured with airy back system that has a narrow cut to help air move. Compression is good with four straps pulling the load up on to your back. They also help reduce the volume and profile of the pack considerably for lighter days too. Shoulder straps are well-shaped to fit shoulder contours.

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The first thing I noticed about the Z35 was its size for a 35 litre pack; it swallowed the contents of my normal Mountain Rescue pack which is 45 litres with room to spare!

Being tall, 6’4” I have always found it difficult getting a pack that fits properly and is comfortable. The version of the Z35 I tested was the large, which after several long days in the hills carrying the Z35 fully loaded, I was vastly impressed. The ‘Jetstream’ suspension system worked exceptionally well. The zipped pocket in the main body of the pack is a great feature and allows easy access to items that you need to get too quickly. The expandable ‘bucket’ pockets on the side of the pack I found great for holding bottles of water, walking poles and even wet rain gear. The waist belt pockets are a perfect size for my GPS and for some nibbles while on the move.

Overall this is an outstanding pack for long days & winter use.

Fearghal Bracken Deputy Team Leader

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Whilst up in the peak district recently, I was lucky enough to try out the Gregory Z25 rucksack for my wanders. We’ve not stocked this before, and I wanted to see how Gregory’s lightweight daypack performed, having previously used the Z65 on a wildcamp before in the Brecons, and been quietly impressed by it’s weight distribution and comfort.

Click HERE to read full review

Review by Gareth on the Togblog

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Bramwell International, UK and Ireland distributor for Gregory Packs, were pleased to collect a Tens Award from OCC Outdoor magazine for BEST DISPLAY advertisement.

The judges looked for entries which conveyed the usp's of the accessory, but not necessarily by enumerating captured the essence and magic of outdoor pursuits whilst delivering a strong product message. They were also asked to take into account the use of typefaces and the structure and content of supporting body copy with the aim of answering the question of how well each advertisement did in stimulating desire for the product.

OCC Outdoor's comment: Backpacks are not visually appealing and even close up they all look the same. They are often good or bad by default, meaning that buyers pay so little attention, that they don't find out whether their choice works for them until it is all too late. All in all not an easy item to promote. This ad for Gregory is brim full of confidence; it does not feel the need to spend time explaining the bells and whistles, it just says to the reader "Look at this". Executing in half page format and appearing on a right hand outside edge that you don't have to spend money on a page to reap the corresponding benefit.

Check out Colette McInerney's video review of her Gregory Inyo pack

Click HERE to view video

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"BEST IN TEST" from Trail's latest test.

If you can splash the cash this 2.66kg, multi-pocketed sack gives you an extremely comfy carry with an independently rotating hipbelt that moves with you to lug heavy loads easily on multi-day trips. The women's version is the Deva 70

GREGORY DIPSEA

"BEST IN TEST"

Designed specifically for women, this 6L sack fits smaller-framed female runners especially well and has all the right features, including mesh stash pocket, bungee cord and two waist belt pockets. It's good value and is relatively light (434g)

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By Jon @ Outdoorsmagic.com

Features

25-litre daypack with JetStream DTS suspension, Autofit harness system, hydration sleeve and port, expandable front bucket pocket, side and bottom compression straps, quick access waist belt pockets, side mesh pockets with compression pass-through, dual axe / tool attachment points. Internal stash pocket, front zip panel opening, small gubbins pocket. Also available as women's specific Jade 25

What's It For?

The new for summer 2008, Z25 is, says Gregory, intended to be the ideal size for 'multisport' activities and 'to be the pack you grab 90 percent of the time on the way out the door'. In other words, an all-round day pack that you can use year round for walking, scrambling, maybe even a bit of mountain biking with the trampolene-style Jet Stream suspension intended to keep things cool when it's hot outside.

The Techy Bits

One of the things we like about Gregory is attention to detail - there are loads of neat little touches on the Z25 that you appreciate in use, but the fundamentals of the sac are down to the back system and suspension.

Like the Z30 that impressed us when we tested it, the Z25 uses Gregry's Autofit harness system, basically a neat and simple top shoulder strap mounting system that rotates to conform to your neck and shoulder contours., so the harness mirrors the slope of your shoulders and the width of your neck eliminating rubbing and hot spots. The nice thing about it, is that you don't have to adjust anything, it's all to do with how the straps attach to the pack. The other key to the Z25 is Gregory's Jetstream DTS suspension which uses two rods to transfer loads into the hip-belt, a trampolene-style mesh sheet to vent your back and the DTS harness yoke which, Gregory says, increases the stiffness of the frame as the pack load increases to give maximum comfort.

How It Performs

We've been using the Z25 for several months now and its quietly wormed its way into our affections. For starters, with modern, lightweight kit and clothing, 25 litres is quite adequate for most days out, but should you need it, the big back stash pocket gives extra capacity plus handles soaked waterproofs nicely. Underload it though and side compression straps keep everything neat and tucked in and - a nice touch - as with big brother Z30, the lower strap can be positioned under the side stash pocket so it remains useable. Plus fast release buckles allow easy stowage under the straps if needed. We also liked the two mesh belt pockets, which are ideal for carrying snacks and small, often used items like, say, a compact GPS unit. One thing traditional pack users may miss is a lid pocket, though Gregory provides a small, zipped hanging pocket that'll take a wallet and phone instead. The pay-off though, is easy access to the innards via a big zipped front panel opening making packing and decanting of pack contents pleasingly straightforward. All of which would count for nothing if the Z25 didn't carry well, but the good news is that it does, very well indeed. It's mostly an unobstrusive experience, which is how we like it and was quite happy with loads of up to around 12 kg. The shoulder straps are well shaped and sit neatly while the back system does a good job of transferring weight down into the wide hip belt and spreading it across the back generally. It also sits low enough to use on a mountain bike without fouling the rear of your helmet on descents and seems generally well made and put together.

Verdict

Another well thought through and very effective day pack from Gregory. The back system carries well and gives some ventilation without sitting far enough away from your back to lever the pack outwards and the detailing works well - you can reach stash pockets, stow poles easily etc

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This pack from our 2009 Gear Guide won't buckle under even the heaviest loads. by: Kelly Bastone from Backpacker Magazine

Load Monster Sybarites, rejoice:

If you like to pack serious poundage–a bottle of bubbly on the summit, anyone?–get the Z35 (or Jade 35, the women's version). "Even if you're carrying bricks, it'd be hard to overload this workhorse," reported a tester who toted it through Arizona's McDowell Mountains. The suspension uses two tubular steel stays that flex like tent poles and reinforce a tensioned nylon framesheet; its curved shape supports 30 pounds and effectively distributes the weight to your hips. The well-padded hipbelt proved sufficiently cushioned under maxed-out loads, and it never sagged. "While hopping boulders during a steep descent, I noticed no slippage thanks to the sticky lumbar pad," reported one hiker. The trampoline-style mesh backpanel allows superior ventilation. The top-loader has excellent organizational features: A zippered pouch stashes flat items like gloves or a journal; a U-shaped zipper provides access to the main compartment; two small hipbelt pockets hold snacks (cameras don't fit); two shock-cord attachments hold trekking poles; and webbing loops on the bottom make it easy to lash on a sleeping pad. But the Z35 isn't light, and capacity is cut when you load the pack with a full hydration bladder.

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Reviewed by Pete Chadwick from UK Climbing.com - Sep 2009

I've been impressed with its comfort and it's durability. It has a number of features worth mentioning; firstly the DTS (Dynamic Transfer Suspension) refers to the system that stops the pack from compressing and transferring all the weight to the waist belt when you've stuffed it full of ropes, gear, harness and boots. It is designed to distribute weight between the belt and shoulder straps. Secondly the Jetstream part of the name means that the pack has been designed to prevent the inevitable sweat that comes from working hard from gathering too much around ones back

Did it work?

It did what it says on the tin, transferring weight very comfortably between back and waist, the waist strap is very easily adjusted and along with all the other straps, zips and clasps it is all well designed and robust. It also kept me reasonably well ventilated despite wandering around a very hot Rodellar in search of a free route! Other features I like are; a front opening section to gain access to the lower half of the pack, side mesh pockets which are thankfully very tough as they get lots of use with water bottles constantly being taken out and pushed back in, ice axe loops, a separate area inside the main body ideal for a few clothes, large pocket in the lid with the essential key ring tie and finally, handy waist belt pockets that can be accessed when the sack is on your back just big enough for a small snack or mobile phone. One other thing I can't quite figure is that I seem to be able to get more in this 35 litre sack than I can in my old 40 litre sack. It happily swallowed up three pairs of rock boots, spare clothes, gear rack, harness, rope, lunch along with flask and water. As this is the only Gregory pack I've used I'm not sure whether this generous sizing is across their whole range or unique to the Z35 but I like it.

In conclusion, the Z35 is an excellent day sack that feels very comfortable, has some great features, is robust and has enough space for UK climbers.

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