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Gregory Deva 60 Escape Series Overnight Pack
Long Term Report
10/4/04
Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
41 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lb (68 kg)
Background:
My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes to 2-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father, when I was about 6 years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Some of my outside activities while backpacking include: Geocaching, wild plant identification, fishing and camping. During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, go ice fishing and winter camp with friends and family. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to ‘lighten up’ and even have converted to using a hammock while camping.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Gregory
Product: Deva 60
Year of manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.gregorypacks.com
MSRP: $ 229.00 USD
Size: Medium
Listed weight: 5 lb 2 oz (2.32 kg)
Weight as measured: 5.1 lb (2.30 kg)
The Deva 60 is advertised by Gregory as a women's overnight pack that is designed to 'fit like a glove'. It offers multiple pockets and top, front and bottom access to keep gear organized.
Field Information:
Taken from my Field Report- ‘The Deva 60 pack has been on many hikes - day, overnight and weekend trips. I find that it is comfortable and easy to carry. There is no annoying shifting or sliding of the pack or straps.’
I find this information to still be accurate. The Deva 60 has proven to be very comfortable to carry. I have only needed to readjust the waste belt one time and that probably wasn’t really necessary. I was wearing a pair loose fitting shorts and didn’t like how the elastic waist band fit under the waist belt. I ended up getting rid of the shorts after that trip. The pack’s belt wasn’t a problem any other time.
I typically carry quite a bit of ‘stuff’ - including: first aid kit, tarp, hammock, sleeping bag, clothing, camera, headlamp, water, GPS, binoculars, wild plant field guide, food, mess kit, Brasslite stove, fuel and matches. At times I also carry extra footwear, bug dope, sunscreen, dog gear and a tent instead of my hammock.
Because this is considered a weekend pack, sometimes I needed to reassess what I packed - no need to take the kitchen sink! I sometimes lean towards the ‘better to have it and not need it’ train of thought, but I get carried away. This pack has forced me to reconsider what I need and what I ‘think’ I need. I am not ready to give up all comfort for weight reduction, but I am trying to put more thought into what I pack. I have used the Deva 60 for 5 day, warm weather trips, and can get by for 3 days on cool weather trips.
All zippers work smoothly and easily. The pockets are positioned for easy access. Being able to access items inside the pack through the top, bottom and front help to keep things organized, which I really like! I am able to reach into the side pockets with some maneuvering. I am very impressed with the ease with which this pack's straps and belts adjust, although as stated before, there hasn’t been much need for adjustment. One area that I was watching as the temperatures climbed, is the chimney ventilation system, finding out whether it really reduces perspiration and discomfort. I found that my back remained comfortable in all but the hottest, most humid weather. It really seemed to provide more airflow, which helped reduce perspiration. For most of the test period our weather remained cool and damp. I am happy with how well the water hydration system pocket works. I find that the water bladder fits well and remains at an angle that allows for good water flow. I have not found any areas of concern with the Deva 60 pack and am looking forward to using it throughout the summer.
The pack remains relatively new looking, with just a small ‘scuff’ mark on the back, where it rubbed against a tree. I have rinsed the pack off (inside and out) with a hose and hung it on my clothesline to dry out using it a few times. It dried very quickly and looked ‘refreshed’ afterwards.
One of my favorite aspects of the bag is the narrower outline of this pack. Although I am not ‘petite’ by any standard, I am not built very wide. I find that the pack fits well, and isn’t much wider than my back. I find this to be a real comfort feature - I can walk and let my arms swing naturally without them rubbing on the pack. I also find that I don’t ‘catch’ it on branches as I am walking as much as some other packs I’ve used.
Test Conditions:
The majority of my testing was done in northern New England, where day temperatures were from lows of 30 to 40 F ( -1 to 4 C), with night temperatures falling to the low 20s F ( approx. 6 C ) up to close to 100 F (38 C) at times. Most of my hiking was done below 3000 ft. (914 M), but the trips to Mt. Washington were at over 4000 ft (1219 M). There was a wide range of types of terrain on these hikes. Everything from well maintained trails to hiking through heavily wooded areas. At times, the trails follow the rivers' edges, which makes for some wet hiking also. Some trips involved backpacking into campsites and at other times we set up camp and hiked out from there.
It was great having the use of such a well made pack. It encouraged me to keep my pack weight reasonable and I never experienced any back strain or fatigue that I sometimes get after carrying my pack for any distance. I found the Deva 60 to be a well made, comfortable pack for short trips. I appreciate the opportunity to test this pack.
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