BackpackGearTest.org Review - /reviews/Packs/Internal and External Framed Backpacks/Gregory Electra/Cheri Tyre-Roberts/Initial Report

Initial Report Gregory Electra Women's Backpack -Small

Name: Cheri Tyre-Roberts
Age: 42
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7" (1.7 m)
Weight: 137 lbs (62 kg)
Email address: tyrerob at earthlink dot net
Location: North Central Florida, USA

Date:
12/18/2003

Backpacking Background:

I have been backpacking for over 20 years. The majority of my
trips have been 3-6 day trips with "the big one" still looming in my
future. I backpack mostly in Florida, in extremely hot conditions
such as the Florida Trail in July, or the North Carolina mountains.

The terrain in Florida is varied, trail conditions are extremely
sandy, swampy, muddy, or completely wet. In North Carolina the
terrain is muddy and rocky with drastic elevation changes. I also
backpack with my dogs and young children ages 8 & 9. I pack light
but am not obsessed with it as I enjoy some of the "creature
comforts".

Product Information

Manufacturer: Year: 2004

Manufacturers Website: http://www.gregorypacks.com

Materials: 210d "Double Box" HT Nylon Body Fabric, Shelter-Rite bottom, 7001-T6 Stays, and a floating framesheet.

Listed Weight: 5 pounds, 15 ounces (2.7 kilograms)

Listed Volume: 4365 cubic inches (72 liters)

Weight as delivered: 6 pounds, 1 ounce ( 2.8 kilograms)

Weight measured with U.S. Postal Scale

Actual Measurements:

small waistbelt (smallest to largest adjustment) 23 to 59 inches ( 62 - 149 centimeters)

backpanel and lumbar pad 19.75 inches (50 centimeters) tall, 10.5 inches (27centimeters) wide

Listed pack size: 4365 cubic inches (72 liters)

Color: Formula Red

MSRP: $299 US

The Gregory Electra Women's Backpack was delivered in a large box. The bag itself was protected by a large plastic bag inside the shipping box. There was a hang tag attached to the pack with a piece of parachute cord. The hang tag was full of information about Gregory products, types of packs, fit components, materials that the pack is made from, how to custom fit the pack, how to properly pack, caring for the pack and warranty information. This hang tag is like a small "how to" backpack booklet that contains very good, basic information. I found the diagrams and pictures in this booklet very helpful in customizing the pack for a comfortable ride.

Product Features and Construction

The first thing I noticed was the quality of construction of the Gregory Electra. The backpack felt solid and well made with excellent attention to detail. When I put the Gregory Electra on I was impressed by the comfort, fit and balance that made it seem very light. The Electra is an internal frame extended backcountry type of pack with a load capacity of up to 65 pounds (29 kilograms). The Electra is designed to fit women. I found the following features very helpful in adjusting the pack to a custom fit; a narrow backpanel, Flo-Form II Women's Harness, Adjust-A-Cant waistbelt that functions to change the angle that the waistebelt rides making a custom fit for the "curve" of my hips.

The Electra is designed with a large center compartment that opens to the top with a partially separated sleeping bag compartment at the bottom. The sleeping bag compartment is covered by a very durable looking black material (Shelter-Rite) on the bottom and lower edges. These surfaces would come in contact with the ground when the pack is placed on the ground in the upright position. The sleeping bag compartment has an external pair of heavy duty zippers. The main compartment has a large hydration sleeve that fits next to the stays keeping the bladder weight close to the back. There is also a small port that looks large enough to fit any tube and valve.

Other than from the top, the body of this main compartment can also be accessed from the outside by a zippered opening located on each side of the bag. The top of the main compartment is closed with a drawstring sewn into the extended top of the bag liner. The main compartment is also closed with a drawstring sewn into the heavier "double box " HT Nylon Body Fabric. The top compartment also functions as a fanny pack and can be separated from the main pack. It has a double exterior zipper that opens in a U shape. Inside this top compartment is a small clip for attaching a key or other small item.

The outside of the Electra is a very attractive red with black pocket covers, zippers, straps and harness systems. The Gregory logo and Electra name are embroidered in white on the top compartment. There are two outside pockets with zippers on the back of the main compartment separated by a piece of fabric that has six "daisy chain" loops. These outside pockets are not big enough to fit a water bottle. On the right (while wearing)hand side of the Electra is a water bottle sleeve with an elastic "lock" cord to prevent the bottle from falling out. On the left is a mesh pocket that is large enough to carry a fuel bottle and poles.

The Gregory Electra has straps everywhere! There are two compression type straps that run under the sleeping bag compartment to carry a pad or tent on the outside of the pack if needed. The sides of the pack are laced with compression straps to help secure the load closer to the body. All of the zippers appear very well made and are threaded with cord and a rubber "thumb grip" to allow easy access in challenging weather.

Completeness

The Gregory Electra Women's Backpack arrived ready to use. The backpack was intact with all stitching, zippers, and draw cords intact and operational.

Set up

I used the directions on the hang tag to fit the Electra and very quickly had a very comfortable custom fit. The total fit time was about 15 minutes which included reading the directions and looking at the diagrams as I adjusted. I adjusted the shoulder harness and waistbelt.

Test Strategy

Over the next six months I plan to test the Gregory Electra under a variety of conditions. Its first test will be in a few weeks on a backpack trip on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest. This will be a great "shakedown" hike to test the bag in preparation for the next section hike on the Appalachian Trail this spring and summer. The generally load that I will carry will be 32-35 pounds. I will have to figure out a way to pack and fit the compartments of the Electra. I usually carry two water bottles in the back pocket of my backpack and one in the sleeve made for a water bottle. I have never backpacked with a hydration bladder, so this will be a fun experiment. Throughout the test period I will evaluate the Electra for durability, comfort, balance, ventilation, and load carrying capacity.

Outlook

I am thrilled at the opportunity to test the Gregory Electra Women's Backpack. This is the first backpack that I have tried that is designed to fit women. The easy, quick, customized fit is already a huge plus.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Electra > Cheri Tyre-Roberts > Initial Report

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Electra > Cheri Tyre-Roberts > Initial Report