View Full Version : Gregory Z Pack
Crispi72
04-22-2006, 22:21
I was thinking of purchasing the gregory Z pack for 2-5 day trips. I usually carry about 15 pounds as my base weight. I was just wondering if anybody had any ideas if the pack would be big enough for week long trips. Also any reviews of the pack would be great.
MedicineMan
04-22-2006, 22:44
away as a present...i love that pack but i just ordered a Six Moon Design Essence pack which you might also consider....almost the same functionality as the antigravity packs but over a pound lighter.
TwoForty
04-23-2006, 03:14
I think a Z would be over kill. Your load would be better suited to a G Pack, but I have heard some durability issues with the G.
I am light but not ultralight. I was going to pick up the Z Pack for a month long section hike but the only thing it is missing is a side pocket for a water bottle. True, it has the mesh pocket, but you have to remove the pack to get to it. I loaded it with 30lbs and tried it on and it felt great.
TwoForty
04-23-2006, 03:19
Also, the SMD Essence is not in the same class as the Gregory Antigravity series packs. The antigravity packs at least have a minimalist frame. The Essence has none.
I don't know too much about what else is out there, but Golite has the Intuition and another new pack that is similar to the Gregory. You might also want to look into the new lineup by ULA.
Happy shopping :)
baseballswthrt
04-23-2006, 07:47
I purchased a Gregory Z pack 2 years ago. I carry about 16 pounds as base weight. I took everything I had, plus put together food and water for a 5 day trip and went to the outfitter and packed it in the store and wore it around for a couple of hours while we shopped for other things. (It was summer time.)
It is a very comfortable pack! I wanted to make sure that everything fit and that nothing was going to rub or shift after I got out on the trail.
It is wonderful for loads under 25 pounds!
Last winter we took a 3 day trip. I packed all of my winter stuff in it and we took off. Although it will pack that much stuff, I found that it tended to slip more with 28 pounds in it. I didn't have any rubbed spots on my body, but I got tired of hiking it up and readjusting it all day long. A lot of the time, it felt like the weight was riding on my shoulders. I couldn't seem to keep the hip belt tight enough with that much weight.
That being said, I love my Gregory Z! In the future, for heavier loads (we only section hike at this time) I will use my old Mountainsmith. It is a heavier pack, but carries heavier weight better which makes it seem lighter. I sleep cold, and require more clothes in the winter than most.
KirkMcquest
04-23-2006, 09:36
I have the gregory 'G', and don't really like it. It feels like a stone on my back, held up with ropes. Could be a size-thing but its just all wrong for me. Does not contour to the body the way other packs do.
Bob McCaw
04-23-2006, 12:34
I used the Gregory Z when I hiked 800 miles of the AT in 2004. It is a very comfortable pack, but doesn't hold a lot of stuff, volume-wise. I travel fairly light, but I found that rain/cold weather gear plus five days food made for a very tight fit.
I have since bought an Osprey Aether 60, which weighs about the same as the Z-Pack but has larger capacity. On the whole, I think I'm a little happier having the additional space.
If you can live with the space limitation, I'd recommend the Z highly.
I have a early G pack and don't realy like it. I got it cheap and so can't realy complain. I did just buy a Osprey Atmos 50 which is just a tad bigger but light years away as far as a wearable pack.Last week I had the Oprey out on its inaugural run with about 30 lbs. in it for a four day. Amazing!! Great fit, it rides like a dream, and it's a simple pack with just enough bells and whistles. Not a ultra lite weight, but at 3.1 lbs for my medium, I would trade the extra pound or so for the creature comforts of a very smart suspention/hydration set up and just enough pockets to keep key things at hand. Just a well thought out pack. Oh did I say that I liked it. LOL. Peace. J.J.B.
The Solemates
04-24-2006, 13:02
i have a zpack with over 3500 miles on it and still going strong. works good for me, but a pack is a personal thing..
trippclark
04-24-2006, 17:00
I have an early G pack and the Z-pack. I just returned from 3 days of the trail and opted to take the Z-pack. My pack weight with food and water was 31 lbs. If I had been just a couple of pounds lighter, I might have gone with the G-Pack. I like them both, but the Z has a little better suspension, IMO, and handles 30 - 35 lb loads which are a bit much for the G.
white rabbit
04-24-2006, 20:43
I got a Z last year. It is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. Here in the south there is adequate room for a weeks hike in the summer but it is too small for bulkier winter gear. You may want to opt for something a little larger.
Your load would be better suited to a G Pack, but I have heard some durability issues with the G.
I love Gregory packs but my G Pack has been the biggest disappointment of any pack I own. I have used the Z Pack a lot but recently switched to the Granite Gear vapor Trail and it's now my favorite pack.
A question for all you Z pack users: is there any easy way to attach a water bottle someplace where you can reach it without taking off the pack? I'm not using a hydration system, but I'd like to be able to get at a water bottle without having to stop.
white rabbit
04-25-2006, 18:50
A question for all you Z pack users: is there any easy way to attach a water bottle someplace where you can reach it without taking off the pack? I'm not using a hydration system, but I'd like to be able to get at a water bottle without having to stop.
I use a two liter hydration system with my Z pack. It's a good investment and the best way to stay "wet" on the train. One option is to use a belt clip water bottle on your hip belt, but they aren't very comfortable.:mad:
TwoForty
04-25-2006, 20:43
A question for all you Z pack users: is there any easy way to attach a water bottle someplace where you can reach it without taking off the pack? I'm not using a hydration system, but I'd like to be able to get at a water bottle without having to stop.
This is the only reason I didn't buy one. I tried a water bottle holder that goes over the hip belt, but it gets in the way. I am thinking of sewing the holder onto the side, like on my Gregoty Shasta.
A question for all you Z pack users: is there any easy way to attach a water bottle someplace where you can reach it without taking off the pack? I'm not using a hydration system, but I'd like to be able to get at a water bottle without having to stop.
I have used a carbiner and hooked it to the side of the waist belt. But I think a hydration bladder is your best bet.
carbiner Doh... caribiner.
Doh... caribiner. Dang.. this has been a long day.. CARABINER.