z65 backpack
Gregory Mountain Products Z 65 Backpack With 65 liters of capacity, the Z65 tackles week-long excursions easily in milder weather and handles winter weekend trips with room to spare. Minimalists can and will stretch this lightweight full-sized pack even further, while remaining comfortable in all conditions thanks to revolutionary CrossFlo ventilated suspension. Don't be fooled-despite its svelte appearance, the Z65 offers all the convenience and features of a classic trekking pack, minus the bulk. 18 x 16 x 12 inches ; Shipping Weight: 17.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Item model number: GM74566 #178,188 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors) in Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Camping & Hiking > Backpacks & Bags > Backpacking Packs > Hiking Daypacks Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here 5 star54%4 star31%2 star8%1 star7%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsAdults with short torsos, look no further!
Low-profile cargo compartments improve balance while a new front stretch pocket makes it easier to grab and stash gear on the go Tough, reinforced fabrics increase durability Upside-down U-zipper main access for easy packing and unloading Front stretch-woven stuff pocket with surface mounted buckle for top compression; dual stretch-mesh side pockets and dual zippered hip belt pockets Rain cover features an external zippered pocket that doubles as accessory storage Trekking pole attachment system with dual-sized loops to accommodate a wide variety of tools and trekking poles Enhanced lumbar foam layering for load-bearing comfort; dynamic yoke integrates the shoulder harness directly to the X Frame structure 3D suspended mesh back panel for superior ventilation; HDPE framesheet with an anti-barreling stay Floating, removable top pocket with zippered security pocket and key clip View all Gregory Backpacking Packs Body: 210-denier nylon/100-denier nylon;
Suspended Mesh Back Panel 4 + main compartmentI took a hard look at the Gregory Z65 backpack and am going to share my thoughts in this review. The Z65 performed well in all categories but before we get into that, let’s take a look at why you want to buy this backpack!As a long-distance hiker I have been exposed to almost every make and model of backpack on the market and have been lucky enough to use many of them personally. Around the campfire one of the most common topics is gear, so not only have I formed my own opinions, but I have heard hundreds of personal accounts as to the quality of Gregory hiking backpacks. It is a general consensus that Gregory makes high-quality, durable hiking backpacks and that the company honors their guarantee and supports their products.I have seen Gregory hiking backpacks used all over the world, from the Appalachian Trail to deserted beaches in the Caribbean to basecamp at the legendary Fitz Roy in Argentinian Patagonia. While a more specialized pack might be called for in some situations, Gregory hiking backpacks will suit a variety of needs and therefore are an excellent choice while seeking a backpack that will be adaptable to the many different trips you might have planned.
Whether you are just beginning to hike overnights and weekends, planning a world backpacking tour, or dreaming of a 6-month thru-hike, choosing the right backpack is one of the most important decisions to affect the success and comfort of your trip. The load capacity the backpack, the materials used in construction, the frame, the padding or cushion, the design and arrangement of the pockets; these specifications all come into play while making this important decision.We are all built a little differently; manufacturers have taken this into account to make sure we will be comfortable carrying their backpacks. Your torso might be shorter or longer than a person of similar height. I personally have a long torso and broad chest, making the sternum strap unusable with most backpacks. Here is a great, simple guide to measure yourself for the perfect fit for your new backpack!Once you have your measurements, you can choose the perfect size, ranging from extra-small to extra-extra-large. All backpacks will have their size range listed by measurements in the specifications.
This will depend on what you want to do with the backpack! For the purposes of this review let’s discuss normal usage, being this is most common for the Gregory Z65. I will discuss ultra-light backpacks, designed to be used with different volumes and pack weights, in a separate article. If you plan to day hike and only need to carry water, food, an extra layer and medical/emergency survival kits, you will be interested in a backpack with a internal volume of 20-35L. For overnight three-season camping (three-season refers to Spring-Summer-Fall, when the gear needed for comfort is less bulky) 35-55L will suit you well. When you are striking out for more than a couple of days and need to pack the extra weight, 55-70L will do nicely, and when you need weeks of supplies and/or heavy technical climbing gear, for a long-haul backpack look at 70-100L+.I have had two favorite backpacks in a lifetime of international travel, hiking, and climbing; one was 105L, and one was 65L. The 105L pack actually weighed the same as the 65L backpack because it did not come with all the bells and whistles, the neat external loops and thick padding.
These will vary greatly depending on your backpack, but many will use rip-stop nylon and fabrics meant to prevent tears. A good rule of thumb to look for when perusing the specs; a lighter backpack will most likely have cut weight by using lighter materials. These can be less durable! Remember, when reading specifications for your new backpack, the number describing the rip-stop nylon is actually the weight of the yarn used in construction. For example, 210 denier rip-stop nylon uses yarn that weighs 210 grams per 900 meters. The higher the number, the thicker and more durable the fabric. REMEMBER the weight of your backpack is only one variable you need to consider when choosing a good fit for your activities, and for the overall weight of the backpack many other variables come into play.We all remember those hiking packs from years ago, with the large external frame lifted over the head of the hiker and a variety of gear hanging off the sides. I have personally hiked with both internal and external frame backpacks and will note that I only find external frame backpacks useful when I am carrying an extremely heavy load in open areas.
For most normal hiking I prefer an internal frame backpack so that I am more comfortable. The weight is carried closer to your core, giving you more ease of movement and less need to counterbalance, and the streamlined pack fitting close to your back allows you to negotiate obstacles with greater ease. I will note that the Gregory Z65 is an internal frame backpack.This refers to the padding or cushion on the hip belt, shoulder straps, and pack body of your hiking backpack. This can be a matter of personal taste; different people enjoy different levels of padding to feel comfortable. Time for a INSIDER TIP; padding can be quite non-intuitive. For example, when I am carrying heavy loads, I actually use a pack with less padding. The heavy load will compress the padding far quicker and if I am using a pack with dense foam padding the overall effect will be a higher level of comfort for a longer period of time.There are many different designs of backpack, all claiming to be the best; be sure you do your research before selecting your next backpack!
Most packs will come equipped with a large internal pocket; this should be easily accessible as the bulk of your gear will be carried here. Loops, external pockets, and stays will be incorporated for lashing gear to the outside of the pack and to stash gear you need to access quickly, such as your camera, GPS, ice ax, sleeping pad, ect. Finally, I LOVE small pockets on my hip belt to carry those small items I want to be able to access without taking the backpack off.THE GREGORY Z65 HIKING BACKPACKS The Gregory Z65 is no longer being manufactured, however, there are plenty of chances to pick up one at Walmart, eBay or Amazon:This pack is a streamlined, flexible, durable, and ready for any adventure you might have planned. Here are some points to note about the Gregory Z65! This is a backpack for all seasons, all adventures, and all manner of adventurers! Gregory does all things well with the Z65; it will consistently perform well under any conditions. An included rain cover makes this pack ready to go out of the box and the price puts this high on my list of packs to carry on my next expedition!
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GREGORY BALTORO? If you have been researching Gregory packs, Baltoro is a name that most likely has come up. The Gregory Baltoro hiking backpack is Gregory’s high-end model. It comes in 65L, 75L, and 85L load capacities. This pack is heavier than the Z models because it will come equipped with heavier duty straps. You can more comfortably overload this backpack model, however, this comes back to what you want to do and what you want to carry. If you are interested in a minimalist experience or do not need to carry heavy weight this is most likely not a good option. The Gregory Zulu hiking backpack is a more recent model, an evolution of the Z series. Many of the options are similar to the Z series but this will cost a considerable amount more to buy. As with anything, the latest model might not be your first choice when a older model is available readily for less cost. Gregory makes a variety of packs in a variety of load capacities. If you are interested in some of their more recent models, check out the Wander, Jade, Amber, Stout, or classic Deva and Denali models.