Company Information:

Gregory
Company Web Site:  http://www.gregorypacks.com

Product Information:

Product:	Z Pack (Anti Gravity Series)
Size:	Large
Capacity:	3950 cu in/62 l
Advertised weight:	3 lbs 5 oz/1.5 kg
Actual weight:	3 lbs 9 oz/1.7 kg
Color:	Castor Gray
Year of mfg.:	2003
MSRP:	$169.00 US

Biograhical Information:


Initial Report:

Condition and Completeness:  The Z Pack officially arrived in a plain brown box on December 11, 2003.  Both the pack and the box were undamaged.  The pack had all of its straps, buckles and zippers and they all seemed to work well based upon a cursory inspection.  The pack had two attached tags.  One tag contained information about the Z Pack, instructions, and warranty information.  The other tag contained information about Dyneema fabric.  In the shipping box, I also found an invoice dated December 4, 2003 showing the pack was shipped by ground from Temecula, California.

Z Pack Description:  The Z Pack has the following features:

Suspension:	Sewn-in sport harness Gullwing Plus waistband FOAM-X hourglass frame sheet Chimney ventilated back panel Single hollow, removable ½" (1 cm) 7075-T6 stay
Access:	Top and side access
Exterior Pockets:	Pleated front "bucket pocket" with water resistant zipper Secondary front pocket with water resistant zipper Water resistant top pocket
Fabric:	140d Dyneema® body fabric 210d HT Nylon reinforcements
Stitching:	Center locking bar tack (a row of stitching that reinforces high stress areas)
Load Capacity:	25-35 lbs (11-16 kg)
Usage:	Ultralight weekend to week long travel
Interior Pockets:	One large enough for water bladder
Height:	Approximately 26" (66 cm)
Width:	Approximately 14" (36 cm)

The following photographs show some of the features of the Z Pack.


This photograph shows the chimney ventilated back panel, harness and lumbar pad.


This photograph shows the top pocket with water resistant zipper.


This is a photograph of the side entry horseshoe shaped water resistant zipper.

This is a photograph of the pleated front bucket pocket and secondary front pocket with water resistant zipper.  The pleated front pocket has mesh sides which are sewn into the body of the pack.  The rest of the pocket is made of what appears to be nylon fabric.  Four compression straps (one on each corner) allow this pocket to be cinched down.  The secondary front pocket is sewn on top of the bucket pocket such that the back side of this pocket is also the front side of the pleated bucket pocket.  A guidebook, maps or other similarly sized items fit nicely in the secondary pocket.

This photograph also shows the gray colored fabric of the main compartment.  The body of the Z pack is made of 140 Denier Dyneema® fabric with 210 Denier HT nylon fabric reinforcement on the bottom and other high abrasion areas on the pack.  Dyneema® is touted by Gregory as being "10 times stronger than steel."  According to Nippon Dyneema Corporation, Dyneema® is apparently used in making, among other things, bullet-proof armor.

Instructions:  In general, the instructions provided with the Z Pack and on the web site were easy to understand and follow.  Prior to ordering the Z Pack, I needed to determine the size of the pack I should get.  Following the instructions on the company web site, my wife measured my torso at 20" (51 cm) using a cloth measuring tape.  The local Gregory dealer, using the Gregory Fit-O-Matic, measured my torso at 18 ½" (47 cm).  However, the young man who did the measuring only took one measurement and failed to hook the waist belt up on the Fit-O-Matic.  As such, I was not confident that he obtained an accurate measurement.  According to Gregory, the pack frame size for a torso measurement of 18-19 ½" (45-49 cm) should be a medium.  The pack frame size for a torso measuring 20-21 ½" (50-54 cm) should be a large.  I ordered and received a size large.  The instructions that came with the pack included a "quick fit"  diagram which was very helpful to me in determining whether the size pack I received was the right size for me.  Care instructions were straightforward and simple:  "hand wash with mild detergent or soap solution ... rinse and air dry with all zippers open."  Gregory advises in the care instructions that it is "critical" that the pack be "thoroughly dry" and stored in a dry place.  The instructions also indicate that solvents may damage the fabric and its "waterproof coating."  Additionally, placing the pack in a dryer could damage the fabric as well.

At Home Use:  After unpacking and inspecting the Z Pack, I put the pack on and, following the "quick fit" instructions, I determined that the size large pack fit me perfectly.  I added a few pounds of weight and walked around the living room.  The one factor about the Z Pack I found amazing was how well it conformed to the contour of my back.  Words are probably insufficient to describe the fit of this pack but using the old adage "it fits like a glove" is very accurate.  Given its light weight and the back hugging fit, I can see why the Z Pack is one of Gregory's "Anti Gravity Series" packs.  I was able to make waist belt and shoulder harness adjustments easily with one hand.

Warranty:  The Z Pack is guaranteed to be free from defects in material and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the pack.  If the pack ever has a defect, the purchaser should return the pack with proof of purchase and Gregory will either repair or replace the pack and return it at Gregory's expense.  The warranty does not cover damage due to "unreasonable use."  So what does this legalese mean?  Gregory says, "Sorry, no free repairs if you have been using your pack as a feed bag for bears or cleaning with white gas!"  And I was hoping to test the bullet-proof nature of the Z Pack by using it as a bear bag!  Gregory clearly states that using solvents on the pack fabric or improper drying will void the warranty.  Gregory will also provide fee for service repairs on normal wear and tear, damage from improper care, and other non-warranty repairs.

General Impressions:  The Z Pack I received is exactly what I expected after reviewing the information available on the company web site.  It is sturdy, the fabric feels strong and it appears to be well made.  I really like the exterior pockets and the side access on Z Pack.  There are lots of straps to use for attaching things like sleeping pads or ice axes to the Z Pack.  The waist belt feels sturdy and the shoulder harness fits me well.  The suspension system is easily adjusted even when using just one hand.  At this point, without having had the Z Pack out on a hike of any significance, I like the way it conforms to my back and its light weight.  These two features make me believe the Z Pack would be great for off trail and other instances where balance is crucial.  On the other hand, the back hugging design also causes me to wonder just how well the chimney ventilated back panel will work.  I have not been a fan of the back panel design on most internal frame packs I have tried due to the lack of any ventilation for my back.  I am also somewhat surprised by the lack of water bottle access in the Z Pack.  There are no pockets designed specifically to carry a water bottle.  Unless I place a water bladder in the inside pocket, I will need to take off the pack or have assistance to get my water bottle out.

Testing Strategy:  During the field and long term testing periods, I will be focusing on the following:
 
(1)  harness and waist belt effectiveness, comfort, and ease of adjustment; 
(2) the effectiveness of the chimney ventilated back panel;
(3)  ease of using a water bladder in the inside pocket;
(4) whether I can safely pack in the Z all of the gear I usually need for a weekend backpack trip and whether I could get a week's worth of gear in the Z;
(5)  the ability of the Dyneema® material to withstand the normal snagging, scratching and tearing packs experience on the trail; (6)  whether cold weather will affect the zippers or the material; and
(7)  how water resistant the top pocket and zippers are. 

I have already had the Z Pack out on one short hike in a driving wet snow storm.  More details on the Z's performance in my next report.  In January, my family and I are snowshoeing into Harriman State Park and the Boy Scouts and I will be building snow shelters/camping in Island Park near the Buffalo River.  In February, the Scouts and I are going on an overnight ski trip to Kelly Canyon.  In March the Scouts and I will be camping in the desert near Idaho Falls.  I will be hiking or camping with the Scouts every month during the next six months.  My family and I will be doing a 2 day backpack trip in the Sawtooth Range or the Jedediah Smith Wilderness area this summer as well.  I am making plans to climb Mt. Borah (the highest peak in Idaho) in August or September and will most definitely want a lightweight backpack for that trip. Most of these outings will be in very mountainous terrain--5,500-8,500 foot (1,670-2,591 m) in elevation.  During these outings, the Z Pack will undoubtedly get drug across the snow, snagged on numerous branches and scratched by many rocks.  I will report on how well it handles contact with Mother Nature.  I had honestly planned to use the Z Pack as a bear bag to test the strength of the Dyneema® fabric but that was before I found out such a test just might void the warranty!