Got the REI sale catalog the other day and skimmed the pack section out of curiosity. Noticed the Gregory Z30--only 28.5 liter listed capacity, but full suspension (looks like a trampoline system) and listed weight at 2# 10 oz.

My question is, what would someone carry in that volume that would require that much suspension (and at that weight penalty)? Water, maybe, or climbing gear (I'm not a climber, so this is just a guess)? Except the Z30 doesn't look much like a climbing pack, and I can't imagine there's a huge market for a daypack-sized water hauler.

This isn't trolling--I'm genuinely interested in what goes into mainstream (as well as lightweight) pack design, and who the intended user for a pack like this might be. Nor is it swipe at Gregory, as there's plenty of other packs at similar weight/volume I could have mentioned.

Any satisfied Z30 (or similar) users want to weigh in?

I just got my industry deal Gregory Z30 in the mail today to try it for this very specific reason: my desire to have almost no weight at all on my shoulders, breathable back panel, and to comfortably carry a full 5-7 days worth of gear & food plus 2 liters of water. I will be comparing this pack right next to my new 2012 Gossamer Gear Gorilla (Gorilla around 24 oz. (with sit pad) vs. 42 oz. for the Z30). Here is my reasoning behind comparing these two packs: (Also wondering if for the average backpacker -- an almost Doubled Price Tag of the Gorilla isn't an immediate and deciding factor for most) Was also considering including the new Mountain Hardwear Fluid 32 in this comparison, but as of yet haven't picked it up.

Gorilla: Very durable, light, comfy, gets pretty hot against my back in summer (all these style packs I've owned - MLD Burn, MLD Exodus, ULA Circuit, GG Mariposa, all don't breath with the pack sitting right against your back). At weights of around 20 lbs. I start to notice the weight on my shoulders and neck stiffness. Expensive but excellent company with pretty much the most comfortable shoulder straps on a smaller volume pack that I've ever tried. Excellent addition of hipbelt pockets. Very good pack compression.


Z30: (Have yet to field test - but these are my around the house first impressions) Very durable, very comfortable, noticeably more ventilation along the back panel., can put almost no weight on the shoulders at 20-25 lbs. via its very comfortable (albeit heavier suspension system). Rather inexpensive in comparison, better feel of the load transfer to the hipbelt. Almost useless hipbelt pockets.


NOTE: For a comparison I'll throw in my impressions of the MLD Burn (used for about 1,700 miles last year on my A.T thru-hike)

MLD Burn: (about 10 oz. if I remember correctly) A great pack overall. Didn't quite get the weight transfer off my shoulders (with is NOT the design of this pack, so it is not the packs fault). I found it to be magical for loads under 18 lbs. and with a base weight of around 8 lbs. Absolute BOMBER pack -- your children will be using it in 20 yrs. when you feel like upgrading.

Hi Seth,
Thanks for the response. Out of curiosity, what do you plan for BW/starting weight in the Z30?

Probably plan on a 6.75 lbs. base weight + 2 liters water + food (2-7 days if I can fit that many)

GEAR: Hexamid, Foster / Alky Stove, MYOG 2.5 Apex Quilt or a WM bag if colder, dri ducks, petzl tikka xp (night hiking), Exped UL 7 mat, etc.

The idea being that any of the smaller volume packs (framed or frameless) will handle very light and compact loads just fine, but what will handle being stuffed with mostly food and water and carried comfortably .....that is the differentiation I am trying to determine.

I have a Z30 I use for training. The torso length is just a little short to get the weight completely off my shoulders, and I find the load-lifter straps to thus be useless. The ULA packs or the GG Gorilla both do a better, more comfy job at 20+ pounds, primarily because the torso on those packs is long enough to enable me to take the weight off my shoulders.

So with the Z30, I throw encyclopedias in the bag to get 20 or 25 lbs, and do an hour or two up and down hills several times a week. I don't like to use my ULA or GG packs for that, and the slight discomfort of the Z30 just makes me appreciate the ULA and GG packs all the more!

Seth, I'd be interested to hear how the 5-7 day trip goes with the Z30.

Edited by grampa on 05/16/2012 16:37:51 MDT.

"Bomber" materials, lots of bells and whistles, and a breathable pack panel sell big.

The average customer wants something heavy - it gives them confidence it won't tear while they walk through their neighborhood park.

The average customer is delighted to hear about all those cool pockets, for storing keys, gloves, wallet, sunscreen, and the rest of the kitchen sink.

The average customer is convinced a "breathable" back panel will make them comfortable in 90º weather, and a frameless pack will leave their back, shoulders, and neck sore.

The Z30 is a big seller because marketers have put these [erroneous] thoughts into consumer's (i.e. people's) minds to sell more stuff and make more money. It's just like how 30L is the "perfect size" for a daypack.

My wife has a Jade pack, maybe the 30 liter, for long day hikes in the winter. The extra pack weight doesn't really matter at that point. I have an Osprey Kestrel 32 for day hikes when I want to carry camera gear, which is heavy and pointy.

Neither of these would make a good backpacking pack, given their capacity and (heavy) weight. Neither would a frameless 7-ounce ruck do a good job carrying camera gear and a tripod.