Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Z-Pack > Thomas Vickers > Field Report

Gregory Z- Pack Backpack - Field Test Report

February 21, 2004

Thomas Vickers
36 years old
Male
5 feet 11 inches tall (1.8 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area

Background: 
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house.  I started hiking in my college years and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear period (internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more expensive gear.  Over the last 3 or 4 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be involved in being outdoors with your gear.  While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible

Manufacturer Details:
Website:www.gregorypacks.com
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Size: S, M, L

Volume:
Small: 3560 cubic inches (58 liters)
Medium: 3750 cubic inches (62 liters)
Large: 3950 cubic inches (65 liters)

Weight: 
Small: 2 lb 14 oz (1.3 kg)
Medium:  3 lb 2 oz (1.4 kg)
Large: 3 lb 5 oz (1.5 kg)

Colors: Castor Gray and Flame
Access: Top and Side

Details from Tester:
(all measurements are approximate)
Size: M

Volume:
Top Pocket/Lid:  540 cubic inches (8.85  l)
Main Pack Body: 3132 cubic inches (51 l)

Measurements: (Depth x Width x Height)
Top Pocket/Lid: 9 x 12 x 5 inches (23 x 30.5 x 13 cm)
Main Pack Body: 9 x 12 x 29 inches (23 x 30.5 x 74 cm)

Weight:
Pack (includes Top Pocket and Stay): 2 lb 12 oz (1.25 kg)
Top Pocket/Lid Weight:  5.4 oz (153 g)

Color: Castor Gray

Trip 1: Practice Hikes
Distance: 45 miles (72 km)
The first use I put the Gregory Z Pack to was training for the up coming spring hiking season. Due to deer season being in full swing here in my part of Texas, being in the woods can be a risky situation (actually this is what my wife believes, not I).  Therefore I spent 15 nights hiking in my neighborhood with a fully loaded Gregory Z Pack.  The conditions ranged from dry to misty, with temperatures ranging from 43 degrees F (6 degrees C) to 65 degrees F (18 degrees C).  The total distance covered was 45 miles (72 km) at 3 miles (5 km) per night over 15 nights of hiking.

These short night trips allowed me to used the Gregory Z Pack with a full load, while moving at a rather fast pace.  Due to the level streets I was able to do the 3 miles in about an hour.  Even when the temperatures were warmer (mid 60's F (18 C)) I did not sweat beyond what I felt was normal for an internal frame pack.   The Gregory Z Pack handled well over tee shirts, nylon jackets, and fleece jackets without any chafing or bruising on my soft edges. 

One thing that I have to stress is the comfort of this pack.  After getting it fully loaded, the shoulder straps just didn't look sturdy/big enough to handle the load. Once I got it on and adjusted, I found that the Gregory Z Pack was extremely comfortable.  I had to adjust the pack at least once during each 1 hour hike due to the fast pace of my hiking, but this was easy to do without having to slow my pace too much.  A simple tug on the hip belt, followed by adjusting the shoulder straps and maybe even a tug on the load lifter straps got things back into shape without removing the pack and undergoing a major repositioning.

Trip 2: Day Hike along the North Wilderness Loop of the Lonestar Trail
Distance: 7.87 miles (13 km)
Conditions: This hike took place on an overcast day along the Lonestar trail.  It took me about 5 1/2  hours, including several stops, a liesurely breakfast and  a very leisurely lunch.  The temperature ranged from approximately 50 degrees F to a high of about 60 degrees F (10  degrees C to 16 degrees C).   I started off wearing a long sleeve synthetic shirt, which I eventually traded for a Coolmax tee shirt after about an hour. 

My load was a bit heavier this time since I had packed a generous breakfast, generous snack, and generous lunch.  This was the first chance I had to wear the Gregory Z Pack for an extended time period with a full load.  Despite being heavy, the pack carried very well.  It wasn't uncomfortable and it felt just as good after a couple of hours on the trail as it did when I started.  Most of my load on this trip was unnecessary, but I wanted to get a feel for what the Gregory Z Pack was going to be like on an extended trip.

I did not notice that I was sweating more than usual and I feel that I actually sweated less than with my regular pack.  I attribute this to the low temperatures on this trip and the way that the back panel of the Gregory Z pack is constructed.  I am still waiting to get the Gregory Z Pack out in warmer temperatures for a longer hike.   

Trip 3: Two Day trip along the North Wilderness Area of the Lonestar Hiking Trail
Distance: Day 1 - 10.6 miles (17 km)   Day 2 - 9.13 miles (15 km)  Total: 19.73 miles (32 km)
Conditions: This trip took place in the Caney Creek Wilderness area of the Lonestar Trail.  It was a two day trip that included an overnight stay and allowed me to see what the Gregory Z Pack was going to be like on a real trip.  It is awfully easy to wear a pack to train with or even to take a day hike.  The real test of comfort is how well the pack feels the day after a full hike and sleeping on a sleeping pad.

Temperatures ranged from 39 degrees F (4 degrees C) to 64 degrees F (18 degrees C) and the precipitation ranged from a little mist to none at all.

By the end of the both days of this trip, my load was much lighter than when I started.  Four liters (135 oz) of water lasts most of the day in cool weather and if it doesn't, I don't usually take the time to pump more than a couple of liters when on the trail, so my load is much lighter after a couple of hours on the trail.  

The shoulder straps and hip belt were both comfortable on the second day.  No chafing or bruising was present and it was not a labor to get the pack loaded and back in place for hiking. I had fully expected the narrow shoulder straps to wreak havoc on my shoulders, but this was not the case.  

Packing:
I have discovered several hints about packing the Gregory Z Pack. First there is the amazing top pocket/lid. With the double pull zipper I can stuff huge amounts of gear into it and still zip it closed with ease.

Secondly there is my sleeping pad. For the first three trips I used my full length Z Rest pad.  I folded it two sections across (wide) and seven sections deep on each of the two sides.  I then stuck the Z Rest into the pack first, fitting it against the back panel of the pack. Everything else went in in front of the Z Rest (pressing against the pack bag, not the back panel).

Last, but not least I returned to using stuff sacks.  I normally stuff my tent and sleeping bag into my pack without using stuff sacks or compression sacks.  This approach made it too difficult for me to fit items into the bucket pocket, so I made sure that the tent and sleeping bag both went into stuff or compression sacks to reduce their bulk.  This also allowed me to successfully carry my sleeping pad inside the main pack compartment.

Notes:
Another interesting item that I discovered was the construction of the internal hydration pocket on the Gregory Z Pack.  On most packs I have seen, the hydration pocket is a piece of fabric sewn into the pack with the back panel of the pack forming the back of the hydration pocket.  I have never been able to carry a drinking bladder in a pocket of this design and was excited when I discovered that Gregory has actually constructed an entire hydration pocket in the pack. 

Rather than skimp, Gregory has sewn together an entire pocket, separate from the pack.   The pocket was then sewn into the main compartment of the pack.  I haven't tried it yet, but I am hoping that this will allow a water bladder to be carried in the pocket without deforming the shape of the back panel and compromising the comfort of the pack.  My plan at this point is try and get my Z Rest pad between the pocket and back panel, then insert my hydration bladder. 

I have also been impressed by the holding capacity of the bucket pocket and rear zipper pocket. They both hold far more items than I expected and they have never seemed overloaded during any of my hikes.

There are two items that I dislike about the Gregory Z Pack.  I would love to see a hydration port so that I could thread my drinking tube out of the main pack compartment without worrying about cutting my water supply off when I cinch the pack top tightly.  

The other thing which I do not like is the lack of exterior attachment points.  If there was a daisy chain or some other attachment mechanism on the top of the pack, then I could carry my sleeping pad on the outside of the pack, rather than using the interior space. 

Overall, I really like the way this pack fits. It rides comfortably on my back no matter how heavy or light the load is.  I also like the way that I can cinch the pack down when it is not as full, mainly near the end of a trip. The pack has a narrow profile that I like a great deal.  Even fully loaded I don't feel like I am carrying a huge burdon on my back.  Instead I have a comfortable, well balanced, and well padded load that is easy to carry.

Further Testing:
At this point I am excited that winter is just about over and I can shift to my lighter summer gear.  Around here that means no rain gear, lighter summer weight sleeping bag, no jacket/fleece and no long underwear.  This will reduce my load and allow me even more room in the pack.  I will also be replacing my Z Rest sleeping pad with a self inflating pad which should take up less room in the pack. 

I am also going to experiment with ways to attach a sleeping pad to the exterior of the Gregory Z Pack.  I have already considered stowing it outside to the main pack body, but under the pack top, but I haven't tried this or any other method yet. 

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Gregory Z-Pack > Thomas Vickers > Field Report