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Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Deva 2006 > Kathleen Waters > Initial Report Initial Report: Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack Contents: Tester Biographical Information <back to top> Name: Kathleen Waters Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO. Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter. When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day each week. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere! Product Information (from website) <back to top> Manufacturer: Gregory Mountain Products
Color: Azure or Plum MSRP: $249.00 USD Warranty: If you think this product has any defects in materials and workmanship, then just send it to us post-paid and clean, with proof of purchase. If he product is defective, then we'll fix it or replace it with a new one and return it to you at our expense. This warranty does not cover damage due to unreasonable use or improper care (sorry, no free repairs if you have been using your pack as a feedbag for bears or cleaning it with white gas) LIMITED WARRANTY Description:
Product Information (from tester) Size: S Arrival Information <back to top> The Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack arrived via UPS. The pack was totally encased in a clear heavy plastic protective bag. The Deva appeared to have had all its assorted straps and belts pulled to its tightest positions for shipping purposes. A heavy cardboard "tube" was tucked into the back of the pack between the shoulder straps, I assume to protect the frame from bending. A colorful placard was attached to the left shoulder strap. First Impressions <back to top>
The Gregory Deva 60 is a nice medium dark royal blue with black accents. The black bottom of the pack is a heavy-duty waterproof material contrasting nicely with the blue nylon body. The Gregory logo is discreetly embroidered in white and gray on the lid and on two velcro-ed equipment loops. A snarl of compression straps hints at the versatility of the Deva's capacity. The Gregory Deva 60 has lots of storage options! There are exterior zip "pockets" everywhere - one on the front of the pack, two on the left side of the pack and one on the right side of the pack. There is a stretchy mesh open pocket on the left side with the two zip pockets and another stretchy angled bottle holder on the right side with the one zip pocket. The bottle holder nicely holds a 32 oz (.95 L) water bottle. Inside the Deva 60, at the top, a "pouch" can be formed via an internal draw-string, just about the right size for my rain gear. There is also a removable hydration pouch. The hydration port is tucked under a small flap on the right side of the pack and is plenty big enough to accommodate my insulated hydration tube. A semi-false "bottom" which covers the middle portion of the pack interior creates a partial separate compartment at the bottom of the pack. This "bottom" appears to allow long items such as sleeping pads to fit into the part while keeping smaller items from falling out of the pack when utilizing the bottom front zipper. This "bottom" is also semi-removable by unfastening two straps on one side which enables the "bottom" to be laid flat against the side of the pack.
Access to the interior of the Deva will not be a problem with three different ways to get at gear. There is a two-way dual zipper which zips from the center at the front bottom of the pack, another front two-way dual zipper which zips from the center about 3/4 way up the pack and lastly, a draw-string opening at the top of the pack. The draw-string top opening is covered by the quick-clip on/off top lid. This nylon corded draw-string is held closed by a push-barrel type closure. The front bottom zipper is covered by a flap. All other zippers are sealcoated and have nice heavy-duty rubber-like zipper pulls. The zippers are very stiff. The waistbelt and shoulder straps are very well-padded and are customized via multiple points of adjustment. Stabilizer straps can be pulled or loosen, the sternum strap can be slid up or down, the shoulder strap padding can be raised or lowered, etc. depending on the pack load Inside the Deva 60, I can see the sturdy top portion of the Response™ Suspension System where it connects to the Auto-Cant™ Harness System. It's going to be fun fitting the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack to my specifications. Lastly, the back of the Deva 60 Women's Pack is cover with a cushion-y support panel down the length of the pack until just about the waistbelt where it meets up with a thick ventilation pad. The waistbelt is secured to the back behind this pad. Test Plan <back to top> As a tester for the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack, it will be my main choice of backpack for all overnight trips for the whole testing period. So, it will be tested primarily in the winter/early spring in a range of weather and locations. Most of the testing will be 2-3 day trips in western and northern Michigan on lakeshore trails, ranging from sandy, open areas, to rocky, heavily treed terrain. It will be cool to downright cold and dry to wet from rain and snow. The backpack will most likely get damp, if not wet. Comfort and capacity are my primary concerns for a backpack and I will thoroughly test the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack for comfort as well as overall utility. I will be testing the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack for comfort in construction.
· How easy is it to adjust the straps to fit? · Do the 3D precurved straps adjust to fit me closely or just "close enough"? · Does the pack sit well on my shoulders? My lower back? · How well is weight distributed at 25 lb (11.34 kg)? 35 lb (15.88 kg)? 45 lb (20.41 kg)? · Does the Response™ Suspension System offer enough support for up to 45 lb (20.41 kg)? · Does the ventilated back panel keep me dry during strenuous hiking and/or heavy loads? I will be testing the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack for storage capacity and suitability.
· Is the storage compartment arrangement suitable for organizing? · How easy is it to use the outside compression straps for size adjustment? · How easy is it to stow a sleeping bag, tent, etc.? · Are the storage compartments adjustable? · Can all storage areas be easily reached? · Can all storage areas be accessed independently? · Is the removable fanny pack useful; i.e., is it big enough for day hikes? I will be testing the Gregory Deva 60 Women's Pack for durability and truth in advertising.
· Are all zippers easy to use with snagging? · Are all straps tightly woven and finished off to prevent unraveling? · Does extra pack weight up to the advertised 45 lbs. cause the fabric to bulge, stretch or tear? · Will the pack contents remain dry in inclement weather? · How long does it take for the pack to dry after getting wet in the rain? I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period. Kathy Waters Read more reviews of Gregory gear Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Deva 2006 > Kathleen Waters > Initial Report | ||||||||||||||||
