Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Tega > Stephanie Martin > Field Report

Field Report: Gregory Tega

For full product details, please read this report in conjunction with my Initial Report.

Contents

- Product Features in the Field

- Initial Impressions

- Continued Test Strategy

- Summary

Product Features in the Field:
Sadly, I have to report that I have not had the opportunity to take the Tega out on any official backpacking trips during this Field Test period due to scheduling and weather issues.  The Tega has primarily been loaded and worn on dayhikes that have varied in duration from a few hours to all day in length and trails varied from well established to none at all.  In an attempt to simulate my actual base pack weight, I usually carried about fifteen pounds (6.8 kg) of miscellaneous gear.

The Tega is a close cousin of the the Gregory Z and G packs, and has been made specifically to fit a women's form by incorporating a female specific harness shape and waistbelt in addition to trimming an inch (two and a half centimeters) off the width of the back panel to make it a bit narrower.  On donning the packed Tega, the narrower width of the back panel or pack was not readily apparent to me - however on closer evaluation, I realized that the Tega's shoulder straps actually landed squarely on the fronts of my shoulders rather than being close to the edges.  I think this is the first pack I've worn that I haven't felt obliged to immediately attach the sternum strap to try to pull the shoulder straps inward!

So far, I've found the Tega to be quite comfortable.  While the Aerotech fabric and chimney vent on the back panel haven't kept me totally dry, I haven't suffered excessive sweatiness along my back.  Regarding suspension, I found that the pack's weight is easily shifted from shoulder to hip and back again, and all straps are within easy reach for quick on-the-go adjustments.  Climbing and scrambling in canyons wasn't difficult at all with the Tega.  With the V-Pull Compression straps tightened down, the pack's weight didn't shift and stayed close as I climbed and scrambled my way around obstacles. The frame sheet and backpad padding ensured that nothing protruded from the pack into my back.  The hipbelt provided an appropriate level of padding, and I've found no evidence of bruising or chafing upon the end of my excursions with the Tega.  The sternum strap was easily adjusted, and provided a convenient location to hang a bandana and clip my water tube clip for easy access.

For gear storage, the Tega has more organizational options than I've become accustomed to having since making the shift to light weight gear.  The large undivided main storage compartment is big enough to swallow my normal backpacking gear assortment with room to spare.  The lid pocket is big enough for me to stuff a couple layers of clothing inside, saving me the trouble of having to stuff them in the main body of the pack as I shed them, and keeping them easily accessible in case I change my mind and want to don them again.  Unfortunately, while the lid is removable, it is not convertible into a hip pack - it would be nice to have that option for when I do short side trips off a main trail - I could ditch the bulk of my pack and just take a small hip pack with a snack, some water and my camera, but alas, this isn't an option unless I'm willing to carry the lid in my hand.  I'm of mixed feelings regarding the U-shaped zipper on the lid pocket - I find it a little bit difficult to maneuver the bottom curves of the U; however it does make for very large access into the lid pocket once the zipper is opened.  The low profile pockets on the sides of the pack have proven to be a convenient place for me to stash small items that I like to have ready access to such as lip balm, first aid kit, headlamp, spare batteries, and occasionally a GPS unit.  Unfortunately, full access into these side pockets can sometimes be hindered - especially when I have the V-Pull compression straps really snugged down. These pockets also feature U-Shaped zippers, and I also find them a little bit more troublesome to manipulate when compared to a straight zipper.  In addition, all the zips are of the water resistant variety, which also contribute to their rougher operation (I find these types of zipper more sticky and resistant to motion than standard zippers). And in case I had anything I needed to air out (like socks or a damp towel or bandana), I could either thread or clip them to the daisy-chain loops on the back of the pack, or I could stick them inside the rear mesh pocket.  My favorite pocket is mesh one on the side of the pack with a sloping top - I found myself storing my on-the-go snacks in this pocket because I could easily access them while hiking without having to stop to rustle around inside my pack for goodies to eat - after all, a hungry hiker is often not a happy hiker - so the easier access I have to my food and energy source, the happier I am.  I have to say my least favorite pocket on the pack is the water bottle holster.  In all fairness, it works fine - I've used it to carry a 1 quart (liter) narrow-mouth Nalgene bottle with no troubles at all - the bottle was easy to retrieve when I was thirsty, easy to put back in place and didn't seem to hinder the swing of my arm at all.  As long as I remembered to secure the bottle with the shock cord, it didn't jump out of its holster while I was scrambling around in canyons or bending down to inspect the wildflowers.  I personally would prefer no water bottle holster at all, and instead have two easy-access side pockets as I drink primarily from a water reservoir.  Speaking of which, I've had no trouble using my 96 ounce (3 liter) Camelbak reservoir inside the provided pocket inside the Tega.  If anything, the pocket has room for either a larger reservoir, or possibly two reservoirs.  My only complaints are that there is only one output port on the Tega and the port is a bit small, in my opinion, as it is a tight fit for my bite valve to pass through. 

So far, with quite a number of hiking days on the pack, it still looks good as new.  There are no abrasion marks on the pack, all the seams are still fine, and all the zippers continue to function smoothly.  At this time, I'm not prepared to make any comments on the weatherproofness of the Tega, as I've not had it out in any kind of inclement weather, so those observations will have to wait until the Long Term Report.

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Testing Strategy
During the remainder of the test period, I will be continue to test the Tega primarily in the desert southwest.  I will continue to evaluate the Tega's suspension, carrying comfort and durability over long days and difficult terrain.  While I prefer backpacking in nice weather, inclement weather does happen - during the long term test phase, I hope to evaluate the Tega's weather resistance. Finally, all those trail miles eventually affect gear - while I am not overly harsh on my gear, it sometimes gets a bit grubby and dirty.  I'll be evaluating how dirt and stain resistant the pack is, as well as checking to ensure that the zippers maintain smooth functionality during the course of my testing.
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My thanks to BackpackGearTest.org and Gregory for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Tega > Stephanie Martin > Field Report