COMPANY INFORMATION:
Manufacturer: Gregory
Web Site:
http://www.gregorypacks.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Product
|
Z
Pack (Anti Gravity Series)
|
Size
|
Large
|
Capacity
|
3950 cu in/65 L
|
Advertised weight
|
3
lbs 5 oz/1.5 kg
|
Weight by postal scale
|
3
lbs 9 oz/1.7 kg
|
Color
|
Castor Gray
|
Year of manufacture
|
2003
|
MSRP
|
$169.00 US
|
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name: Michael Wheiler
Gender: Male
Age: 48
Height: 5'10" (1.8 m)
Weight: 175 lbs (80 kg)
Torso Length: 20" (51 cm)
Chest measurement: 40" (102 cm)
Hip measurement: 34" (87 cm)
E-mail address: jmwlaw at ida dot net
PRIOR REPORTS:
For detailed specifications, photographs and my initial impressions
concerning the Z Pack, please read my
Initial Report and
Field Report .
LONG TERM REPORT:
Z Pack Specifications Provided By
Gregory:
Suspension:
|
Sewn-in sport harness; Gullwing Plus waistband; FOAM-X hourglass frame
sheet; chimney ventilated back panel; single hollow, removable 1/2" (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 DyneemaŽ body fabric; 210d HT Nylon reinforcement.
|
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 a water bladder.
|
Height:
|
Approximately 26" (66 cm)(my measurement).
|
Width:
|
Approximately 14" (36 cm)(my measurement).
|
Long Term Testing:
I was able to use the Z Pack four times after posting my
Field Report . Three of the trips were short overnight outings (March,
April, and June) and the fourth was a day hike. The regular backpacking
season is really just starting here. I climbed Table Mountain (Jedediah
Smith Wilderness area) (10 mile/16 km round trip) yesterday and we were in
snow--sometimes knee deep--for the last quarter mile (0.4 km).
The first trip was in March to Black's Canyon. I carried the following
equipment in the Z Pack for approximately one mile (1.6 km):
Shelter:
|
Europa II
|
Sleeping gear:
|
Mountainsmith Wisp; a Therm-A-Rest
ProLite 4 self-inflating pad; a small, stuffable camp pillow
|
Clothes:
|
Extra wool blend socks
|
Lighting:
|
A Petzel Myo 3 headlamp; a Brunton
Lampray lantern
|
Cook gear:
|
MSR Pocket Rocket; an MSR Titan
(titanium pot); a titanium spork; an insulated mug
|
Fuel:
|
A canister of MSR fuel and a canister of
Brunton fuel
|
Food:
|
Previously prepared stew (needed warming
only); 2 bagels; one package of instant oatmeal; one serving instant
orange drink mix; 1 breakfast bar; 1 apple; 1 Snickers candy bar
|
Water:
|
Two liters (64 oz) of water in Nalgene
bottles
|
Miscellaneous:
|
A Brunton Helios lighter; a digital
camera; a waterproof container of matches; two instant hand warmers; a
Brunton Sherpa (atmospheric data center); 4 extra AA batteries
|
Total pack weight for this outing was 27 lbs (12 kg).
The second trip occurred in April and I again took a short hike of
approximately one mile (1.6 km) into Black's Canyon. With the exception of
some insignificant differences in food, I carried the same gear. Neither of
these trips really challenged the Z Pack. I was able to comfortably carry
what I needed for these trips. I am afraid that I must admit that the
accessibility to gear in the Z Pack has spoiled me. I am able to organize
my gear inside the Z so that it is easy to find and extract from the pack.
The third trip was a day hike of approximately 10 miles (16 km). I led a
small group up Table Mountain (10,600 ft/3,231 m elevation). I took the
following items:
Shelter:
|
None
|
Sleeping gear:
|
None
|
Clothes:
|
North Face packable rain jacket
|
Lighting:
|
MiniMag flashlight
|
Cook gear:
|
None
|
Fuel:
|
None
|
Food:
|
2 string cheese; 5 slices of hard
salami; handful of Triscut crackers; apple; handful of trail mix; two
granola bars; a handful of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers)
|
Water:
|
The 3 liter (3 qt/101 oz) bladder from
my Camelback
|
Miscellaneous:
|
A Brunton Helios lighter; a digital
camera; a waterproof container of matches; 4 extra AA batteries; an
Adventure Medical UltraLight .9 first aid kit (with a few extras); a
Katadyn Hiker water filter; two Motorola two-way radios; a Samsung
cellular phone
|
I forgot to weigh the pack for this outing but the total weight was
significantly below the pack's capacity. I was able to use the compression
straps to snug the bag down to the small load. The Z was balanced and easy
to carry even with this light load. We were hiking in snow (sometimes up to
knee deep) the last approximately 1/4 mile (0.4 km) of the hike. We did not
take snowshoes and, as a result, we were post holing through most of the
snow fields. Even under those circumstances, I was able to adjust the Z on
the move so as to keep it close to my back and maintain balance/stability.
Access to water was much easier on this trip using the bladder. The bladder
fit well in the inner pocket of the Z. As I anticipated, the bladder used
more room inside the bag but provided me with more water and easier access.
Additionally, as previously reported, access to my gear through the side
zipper into the main bag and the outer pockets is one of the great features
of the Z Pack.
Likes:
- Accessibility to gear in the Z Pack. This is one of the top features
of this internal frame pack.
- The suspension system is easily adjusted for varying terrain and
comfort needs while on the go. This feature increases the comfort rating
for the Z in my book.
- Durability. The Z still looks new despite some harsh weather use over
the past six months. I have discovered no areas of wear on any part of
the Z to date. I am impressed with the Dyneema body fabric though I must
admit I have not yet had the opportunity to test the "puncture resistant"
nature of this fabric (and hopefully I won't get that opportunity).
- The Z handles cold weather well.
- The option of using a water bladder gives added versatility to the Z.
- The exterior compression straps allow the user to carry loads varying
from small/light to larger/heavier loads without sacrificing
stability/balance.
Dislikes:
- No external pockets for water bottles.
Yet Unanswered Questions:
I am anxious to see if the bladder can be used with a full pack during one
of my three day treks this summer. Due the timing of this test series, I
have yet to adequately test the comfort of the Z Pack on a multi-day trip
with a full load. I am also interested in seeing how well the chimney
shaped back panels work at keeping my back cool during a longer warm weather
trek. I have one such trip coming up at the end of this month and plan to
provide an addendum to this report. I will be taking some young people on a
three-day, 26 mi (42 km) round trip from Beckler Ranger Station to Fish Lake
to Union Falls and back (mostly inside Yellowstone National Park).
I have really enjoyed using the Z Pack. While I like my other packs, both
external and internal, the Z offers such versatility that it seems to be the
pack I automatically grab for most all of my outdoor adventures. I wish to
thank Gregory and BGT for giving me the opportunity to test the Z and make
it my pack of choice.
Additional
Biographical Information:
Experience:
I have about 37 years of hiking, camping and backpacking experience; my
father was a professional Scouter and took us camping/backpacking as often
as possible. For the past seven years, I was a Scoutmaster and camped,
hiked or backpacked at least monthly--more frequently when possible (it
really helps to have cool stuff that I "have to test!"). I plan to
continue my monthly outings by camping with my family.
Current Area of Outdoor Use:
Most of my camping occurs in the South-eastern Idaho area but spills over
into western Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park) and western Montana. The
elevations of the areas I frequent generally range from 5,500 feet (1.6
km) to 8,500 feet (2.6 km) above sea level. The weather in South-eastern
Idaho is fairly typical of a high desert plain. Winters are usually cold
sometimes reaching -20° F (-29° C). Snow depths vary greatly but are
generally over 10-12 feet (3-4 m) in most of the areas where we camp and
snowshoe. Springs can be moderately wet and cold. Summers are typically
dry and warm (80 to upper 90° F (27-32° C) though this past summer we saw
temperatures over 100° F (38° C) with only occasional thunderstorms. Fall
weather is actually the best--crisp mornings, warm afternoons and cool
evenings with little moisture.
Backpacking Style:
Until a couple of years ago, I would have been classified as a
"traditional" backpacker. I am now in a transition stage with regard to my
backpacking style. Ever since joining BackpackGearTest I have been learning
about lightweight and ultra-lightweight backpacking styles. I also began to
learn about lightweight backpacking gear. As a result, I am really trying
to cut down on my total pack weight. I used to carry a pack weighing around
60 pounds (27 kg). I now carry a multi-day pack weighing around 40 pounds
(18 kg) or less. The Z Pack has been very helpful in my continuing quest
for a lighter total pack weight.
