Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Tega > Karin Claus > Field Report

Field Report: Gregory Mountain Products Tega ™ Backpack
Name: Karin Claus
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 6” (167 cm)
Weight: 120 lb (54 kg) 
Email Address: KarinClaus@yahoo.com
Region: Evergreen, CO USA
Date: January 30, 2005

Backpacking Background: 
I live and play in the Colorado Rockies.  I through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in ’02 and the Pacific Crest Trail in '04.  In general I have a minimalist, light-weight through-hiker mentality and do not like to carry equipment that is not essential and light.  I'd rather suffer some discomfort than to carry extra weight in my pack.  I have used hammocks, tents, tarps, and slept shelter-less under the stars.  I love long weekend loop hikes.  I go backpacking because I enjoy walking; camping is just something I do because I am caught outside overnight.

Product Description:

The Gregory Tega™ is an internal frame, top loading pack designed for women.  The booklet that came with the pack says that there are three things that were done on this pack specifically for women.  

It was designed by women with light and fast femme fatales in mind.  The female specific design is reflected in the harness shape, waistbelt and narrow backpanel.

-Female Specific Harness: Curved women's harness provides a custom fit
-Female Specific Gullwing™ Plus Waistbelt: Light, comfortable, and supportive
-Narrow Backpanel: 1" narrower to provide superior female fit


The pack has a loop and a strap for holding an ice axe.  The pack has two side lower mesh pockets, two upper side fabric pockets, and one large mesh pocket across the back.

Field Report:
I have taken the Gregory Tega out for four trips.  All were within close driving distance of my house in Colorado.  On three of the four trips I have taken snowshoes along.  Two of the trips were in Arapaho National Forest, one on the Colorado Trail and the fourth trip was in White Ranch, a Jefferson County Open Space park.

I took the Gregory Tega out for a New Year's trip.  I packed my -20 F (-28 C) bag along with my normal camping supplies.  I was amazed, everything fit in the backpack.  I did take the removable top along, because my  winter bag is quite big, and takes up a lot of the space in the pack.  With my winter gear, for a solo trip, the pack weighed about 28 pounds (13 kilos).  I was able to strap my snowshoes to the outside of the pack

On the Colorado Trail trip, the water bottle fell out of the water bottle pocket 3 times.  The water bottle pocket has a bungee to hold the water bottle in.  I seem to fumble around trying to get this bungee on, and getting it back off.  This happened with my wide mouthed Nalgene bottle,  I had much better luck using a bike-style bottle in the water bottle pocket.  I find this to be very annoying.  I am concerned about the bottle falling off in inopportune places.  I would like to see the manufacturer change this pocket to an upright pocket with an elastic top, and no bungee. 

Zippered side pockets:
With the pack stuffed full with my winter gear, it is very hard for me to fit anything useful in the zippered side pockets.  I really have to fight with the pack to get things in and out of these pockets.  In one of the pockets I have stuffed my winter gloves, a lighter and spare batteries.  The other side pocket I have left empty.  I would also like to see the manufacturer change these pockets to mesh pockets with an elastic top.

Large Mesh Pocket:
I have been enjoying the large mesh pocket.  It's easy for me to get things into it, and to get things out of it, and nothing has fallen out of this pocket accidentally.  I keep miscellaneous things in this pocket - toilet paper, trowel, cooking alcohol, snacks, toothpaste/brush/band aids.

Top Compression Straps:
These straps don't seem quite long enough.  With the pack fully stuffed, I can barely get this clipped closed.  I like to place my "squishable" items in the very top of my pack (crackers, sandwiches, fresh vegetables).  The first time I went to clip on this strap I realized that I had just squished my lunch. The other end of this strap straps to the top of the mesh pocket.  

I have been strapping my snowshoes to the pack using the straps for the removable top.  If I don't carry the top pocket, then the only other option I see for carrying snowshoes is using the single compression strap.  Using the two straps for the removable top works well.  Luckily, when I am carrying snowshoes, I will probably need the extra room that the top pocket provides, so this isn't a problem for me.  I have not tried carrying the snowshoes with the single strap option.

I took a trip without my winter bag, and therefore the pack wasn't jam packed.  I didn't take either my snowshoes or the top of the pack.  

There is a strap down the back of the pack.  This strap can be threaded through a buckle on the removable top pocket.  This strap, even when threaded through the removable top pocket, reaches the ground.  I find this strap to be unnecessary.  I also don't understand why it is so long.  I would like to see the manufacturer remove this strap.  

Side Compression Straps: 
There are two side compression straps, one on either side of the pack.  Even with these loosened up, it is still hard to get things in and out of the pockets underneath the straps.  I would like to see the manufacturer shorten the pockets slightly, and place the compression straps below the pocket.  This way you wouldn't squish things in the pockets, and wouldn't have to loosen the compression straps to get things in and out of the pockets.

Comfort of the Pack:
The pack is very comfortable to me.  It seems stable.  It rides well.  It is quiet, it doesn't squeak while walking.  It is easy to adjust the weight between my hips and my shoulders.  The load lifters don't seem to slip at all. The straps are easy to adjust, and the zippers operate smoothly.  

The longest daily mileage I have done with it so far is only 13 miles (21 km).  For the long term report I plan on taking it on a multi week high mileage backpacking trip.  I have had it out in 30 mile an hour (48 kph) winds.  It handled well for me in those conditions.

The pack stays upright when placed on the ground with the sleeping pad attached. 

Durability:
Generally, I am very gentle to packs (until I get really tired).  The pack still looks new.  The only real abuse I have given it, was strapping snowshoes to the pack.  The pack fabric has not been damaged by the snowshoes.

Removable Hydration Sleeve:
I removed the removable hydration sleeve, and have not been using it.

Removable Stay and Frame Sheet:
I have not removed the "removable" stay and frame sheet.  I tried to, and could not figure out how.  I emailed Gregory, and their product support does not recommend removing these.  I would prefer that the manufacturer does not market these as "removable".

Test Plan/Strategy for the Long Term Report:
- Is the pack comfortable to carry for long distances?
- Does my bear canister fit easily into the pack?
- Is it possible to remove the optional stays and frame sheet?
- Will my Platypus fit in the hydration sleeve?
- Will the water weight feel stable when placed in the hydration sleeve?
- Do the bottom compression straps securely hold my Z-Rest?
- Does the ventilated back panel keep my back dry when walking?
- Is the pack fabric durable?
- Is the pack waterproof or water resistant?  Will I need to line the pack with a trash compactor bag?
- Will I need to be careful about the way I load the pack to make it stable, or is the pack stable by design?
- Will the pack fit comfortably in my tarp, near my head?
- Are the seams sewn well and sturdy?
- Are the instructions for adjusting the pack easy to follow?


Summary:
I have enjoyed using this pack, and look forward to using it for the next four months..

Likes:  
It's comfortable to me.
It's easy to adjust.
It's the right size for me.
I like the way it looks.

Dislikes:  
I don't like the side compression straps, the water bottle holster, or the side pockets.  (Please see the body of the report, for the details.)


Thank you, Gregory and BackPackGearTest  for the opportunity to test this pack, and stay tuned for the long term report.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Tega > Karin Claus > Field Report