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Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Deva > Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd > Field Report
Packing So far, the Deva has only been packed with
gear for winter and cold weather conditions. My 0 degree F
(-18 C) down sleeping bag is a little too small when compressed to be the
only thing packed into the sleeping bag compartment, so I leave the flap
between the sleeping bag compartment and main compartment undone. I
can then slide in my stuffed sleeping bag and self-inflating sleeping pad
side-by-side. On top of these I can fit in some heavier gear such as
my shelter. The remainder of the main compartment holds a clothes
bag, any extra outerwear, and any other bulky items such as cook
gear. I then move on to the abundance of exterior
pockets and pack lid. Anything small and compact goes into these
pockets, as well as things to which I want to have easy access.
Snacks, GPS receiver, maps, sunscreen, medical kit, camera, etc, all go in
the exterior pockets. My top pocket usually holds lighter weight
items such as Ziplocs, toilet paper, and a garbage bag. When all is said and done, the Deva holds my gear in
a comfortable and well-organized state. I don't need to repack it a
hundred times to fit the gear in just right, and once it is packed it is
easy to find what I want because the smaller things are usually in their
own pockets. Similar problems occur if I try to strap on
my snow shovel. Fortunately this season I acquired a Snow Claw, and
this particular snow shovel is made of a flexible plastic with holes
punched out to allow it to be secured to a pack with webbing. The
picture below shows the Deva packed with a full winter load, including the
red Snow Claw secured in place using the webbing that holds the lid on the
pack. I would not have been able to carry my regular mountaineering
shovel with the Deva packed like this, and notice that no ice axe is
attached because the Ridge Rest is in the way. I have not had to carry snowshoes on the
pack yet - they've either been on my feet or left in the car in favor of
crampons - but I attempted to attach them to a fully loaded pack at the
trailhead last week. With the only daisy chain being on the front
flap of a pocket, and a pocket that was full of random pieces of lumpy
gear, I wasn't able to find a solution, even with the several pieces of
extra webbing I brought along. Fortunately we decided the snow
conditions didn't require snowshoes and I didn't have to solve that puzzle
on that particular day. Finally, having recently acquired new
backcountry skis I looked at the Deva and if it would be possible to
attach skis to the exterior of the pack. So far I haven't been able
to find a solution. With no pass-through pockets, so many exterior
lumpy pockets, and a nearly useless daisy chain, this is another
mystery that has not yet been solved. Comfort The Deva carries like a dream. This
pack is the heaviest I have owned in a while, yet I rarely notice the
weight of the pack itself. Of course I don't like hauling around the
weight of all of my winter gear on my back, but the Deva makes it more
comfortable than I have experienced with packs in the past. 30 to 35
lbs (13 to 16 kg) in the Deva doesn't feel like the same weight in these
other packs, both heavy and light. When I ordered the Deva I was very
careful to make sure I was sized correctly. With my 16.5 inch
(42 cm) torso I was certain that a small frame was the best choice
for me, but the belt was another matter altogether. My hipbone
measurement was 34 inches (86 cm), the borderline measurement between
Medium and Large. I sent the measurement and asked that Gregory
choose the right size for me, since I was unsure how to take into account
clothing. Gregory sent me a large belt, and it seemed to fit a
little big on the first trip, even in the snow with many layers on (as in
the picture above). Since this measurement was taken I have lost
some weight, and this morning I made the same measurement and found that I
have lost 3 inches (7.6 cm). This puts me at a 31 inch (79 cm)
hipbelt measurement, right in the middle of the Gregory medium
range. The large belt is now definitely too
large. However, it is also still quite usable and I haven't noticed
any discomfort from having a belt that is too big. The padding wraps
almost all the way around my waist and when I have the belt tightened the
pads nearly meet. During the long term testing phase I intend to
arrange for a belt size switch so I can evaluate the fit of the size I
actually measure for. The frame, however, fits like a glove.
Aside from the weight on my back I hardly notice a pack is there at
all. There are no uncomfortable weight distributions or pressure
points, and I think this stems from the fact that the frame is extremely
well designed, combined with the fact that I pack it and adjust it
carefully each time I put it on. Features As I said in my Initial Report, the Deva is
a full-featured pack. There are several pockets, clips, attachment
points, and access points. All zippers are YKK and waterproof.
I listed the following features in my Initial Report from top to bottom,
and now I have had a chance to experience and evaluate these
features. My Initial Report comments are first, and I've added my
field experience after each comment. The top lid Field use response: I like the top
zipper a lot. There is no blind digging around for anything when I
need it! I have had the lid out in the steady rain (while the
rest of the pack was keeping dry in the shelter) and there was no leaking
even after a few hours. It has been frustrating to have no ID
pocket, although there is a small keyloop. I have found a small
seperate pouch where I now keep my ID and a small amount of cash.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the lid is the fact that it
does not convert into a hipsack. I like the freedom of being able to
wander away from camp with some sunscreen, a Mojo bar, a camera, and a
bottle of water. My pockets aren't big enough for all of these
things, so if I plan dayhikes out of camp I need to carry some other pack
or hipsack to fill the need. It seems like a waste to me, when the
lid of the Deva is a perfectly appropriate size for a hipsack. The front pocket Initial Report comments: On the front
of the pack there is a large narrow pocket. A zipper runs all the
way around it (except for the bottom) so that an interior zipper is
exposed. This zipper allows access to the center of the interior of
the pack. I can't remember ever needing this kind of immediate
access as I usually store items I regularly need in outer pockets, but its
a neat feature nonetheless! Running up the front of this pocket is a
six loop daisy chain. Field use response: My thoughts about
the daisy chain were stated in the above packing section. When I am
not hauling an ice axe around this pocket is as useful as any other.
Since I pack the Deva carefully so that all items I would need are
accessible in outer pockets, I have never had to use the access zipper to
get into the main compartment. Actually, last week I was out in the
rain and in a hurry to set up camp. I dug into the pack and quickly
pulled out my shelter, only after emptying it of all the gear sitting on
top of it. I was in such a hurry to get a shelter up I forgot all
about this access zipper. The tarp was packed right next to it,
and I wouldn't have had to unpack everything on top of it to get it
out. Next time I'll know better! Side mesh pocket Initial Report comments: On one side
of the pack there is a stretch mesh pocket, typical on many packs.
This pocket easily fits all water bottles I have tried to put in it.
Above the external mesh pocket is another long narrow pocket. This
pocket goes all the way down to the bottom of the pack, and I can see
myself using it as a hydration pocket with a long, narrow Platypus I
own. Field use response: I find these two
pockets to be not as useful as I would like. The long narrow pocket
is slightly too narrow for my Platypus. When I have a lot of other
things in this pocket it bulges in such a way that it is difficult to get
anything to stay in the mesh pocket. A Nalgene water bottle is out
of the question. They pop out of the mesh pocket like a hot
potato. I've taken to sticking a couple of Mojo bars or other snacks
in the mesh pocket and otherwise leaving it alone. Side water bottle holster Initial Report comments: On the other side
of the pack is a feature I've never had in a pack before - the canted
water bottle holster. This is a pocket designed specifically for
water bottle access. I put a full 32 oz wide-mouthed Nalgene bottle
in the pocket and then put the pack on. With the pack on I could
easily access and replace the bottle. Wonderful! However, I
leaned over to pick up something off of the floor and out fell the
bottle. I guess I'll have to be careful when leaning over on the
trail to examine flowers or tie my shoes! There is a bungy
leash to hold the bottle in place, but I know I'll forget to attach
it. Above the canted water bottle holster is another narrow
pocket. This one is smaller and doesn't run behind the water bottle
holster like the pocket on the opposite side of the pack. Field use response: This side of the
pack is much more usable. The side pocket fits a good amount of gear
that is easy to get to, and there is no worry of the water bottle popping
out if the bungy leash is used. I wish that the other side with the
mesh pocket was the same as this side. I love the water bottle
holster - there is no straining to get a drink without removing my
pack. Materials I didn't make any comments about the
materials in my Initial Report, but I definitely have some comments
now. Overall, this pack is very durable. Having recently
started carrying lightweight gear I've gotten used to babying everything
in camp to make sure nothing is damaged. With the Deva, it doesn't
seem to matter. I've dragged it across dirt, rocks, ice, and snow
and it looks nearly new. There are some small scratches on the
rubbery bottom material, but the pack is in surprisingly great
shape. I am sure it will receive plenty more abuse over the long
term testing period, but so far it's done great. Conclusion and Long Term
Testing Overall, I am happy with
the Gregory Deva, as long as I don't have to carry a lot of snow gear like
my mountaineering axe, skis, or snowshoes. It is
comfortable to wear, carries a load quite well, seems very durable, and
has performed as expected or better. As I go into
the summer backpacking season I am concerned that this pack has too
much volume for me. Considering that my base summer gear volume can
fit in a 2000 cubic inch pack (depending on the combination of gear
chosen), this pack is definitely going to be overkill. Now that I
know how the pack does at carrying my heavier winter loads of
approximately 30 lbs, I will be looking at how well it compresses down and
carries when I have gear that weighs less and takes up
less space inside. Read more reviews of Gregory gear Read more gear reviews by Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Deva > Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd > Field Report | |||||||||||||||
The main problem I have with packing the Deva is strapping things
to the outside. In the winter there are frequently items I need to
strap to the exterior of the pack. For example, I will often use
trekking poles with skis or snowshoes, but carry an ice axe for steeper
terrain. I need to easily strap an ice axe to my pack, and be able
to switch it out with my trekking poles when needed. On the Deva,
the ice axe loop is located at the center bottom of the pack. The
ice axe can be attached here and secured using the single daisy chain and
webbing loop on the front pocket. These features are labelled on the
picture to the right. However, there are two problems I have
encountered with this design. If I use the front pocket to actually
store anything (which I always do), it bulges in such a way to make the
ice axe stick out unsafely into space, if I can secure it at
all. Secondly, if I use the two straps at the bottom to carry
my Ridge Rest, sit pad, or any other rolled item, it is in the way of the
ice axe. 
I didn't need it on this particular trip, so it wasn't a
concern.
Initial Report
comments: The top lid features an interesting zipper
design. Rather than a straight zipper, it is a curved zipper around
the top of the pack. Unzipping the entire thing exposes much more of
the interior space, making it easy to find things. Of course, this
also makes it easier for things to fall out! I was disappointed to
see that there is no small ID or key pocket on the inside of the lid,
although there is a small key loop.
A close
inspection reveals that seams are sewn evenly, the zippers move smoothly,
and the webbing is not frayed. However, the buckles are making life
very difficult for me. I have struggled with these buckles
since Day 1. They are difficult to snap and unsnap, there is no real
'click' to know if they are fully snapped into place, and I think they
have developed a taste for human flesh, as I can't seem to snap them
without them nipping at my fingers. Using them is extremely
difficult with regular use - with gloves it is out of the question.
I believe these are proprietary Gregory buckles, as I have been unable to
find any other buckles in my endless gear closet that mate with them due
to the angle of the plastic between the two pieces (seen in the picture to
the right).