Gear Review
Gregory Jade 50 Backpack - Women's - 2807-3417cu in
Great Pack
By js1924119 May 19, 2010
5 stars because this pack really does it all. I got it for my gf last month and she loves it. Personally, I am an Osprey guy because Osprey tends to make more slender packs. I'm 5"10" 160 so Gregory packs are a little big on my waist and shoulders. So I tried to get my gf to like the Aura (girls version of the Atmos) pack. But she has wider hips and hated the Osprey and loved the Gregory. We packed this with 30lbs of weight in an REI and she walked around for 20 min and said she barely felt anything on her back. Note that's more than she usually carries on the trail, I usually make her only carry some clothes, her pad, and the food, so at most she's looking at around 15 to 20 pounds, 20lbs being the max. She is 5"5 with what I would consider a smaller sized torso, we got her a size S and it fits her perfectly. Hope that helps on the sizing.
Regarding features of the pack, it's made of durable, thick Cordura fabric that will be somewhat waterproof (have not used in the rain yet). The side access pocket is a nice feature so you don't have to dig through the entire top tube to get something. The front pockets are nice as well- 1 expandable stretch pocket for quickly needed items, and 1 zipper pocket for wallet, camera, snack bars, etc. Waist belt pockets are really cool also. Note, this pack does not have a sleeping bag pocket, so you'll have to use a compression sack and put a bag in your backpack, or use the gear loops at the bottom of the pack. The compression straps are great at cinching the pack down, as I said above, she doesn't carry too much weight on the trail so we can really cinch her pack down. Hydration port is pretty standard. Back ventilation is also a nice feature, and I would add that while it is not as ventilated as the Opsrey Atmos or Exos, you do not have to contend with a curved back shape when packing.
We could have probably gotten away with a 30L pack, but for the extra few ounce (I think it's only an 10 oz difference between the 30 and the 50) it was worth getting the 50. This will also serve as a traveling backpack (i.e. through Europe) and is probably going to Peru or Argentina shortly. This looks like it will be the perfect pack for travel backpacking.
I would note the reviewer's pic below with the A framed ski's- very easy to do if you were going to hike Tucks or Tecumseh as the reviewer did. You could use the side straps to hold a pad, camp chair, and poles as well.
All in all, for 3lbs 10oz, if you manage how much weight you're carrying, you can't beat this pack.
View Details: Gregory Jade 50 Backpack - Women's - 2807-3417cu in
Nailed It? 3 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- , 210D double box HT ripstop fabric
- Volume:
- (xs) 2750 cu in, (s) 3050 cu in, (m) 3350 cu in
- Support/Suspension:
- jetStream LTS suspension, auto-fit harness system
- Hydration Compatible:
- yes
- Detachable Daypack:
- no
- Access:
- top, side
- Pockets:
- 2 front, 1 top, 2 waist-belt, 2 mesh water bottle
- Sleeping Bag Compartment:
- no
- Weight:
- (xs) 2 lb 15 oz, (s) 3 lb 2 oz, (m) 3 lb 5 oz
- Recommended Use:
- fast-packing, through-hiking, weekend backpacking, rock climbing, all-day hiking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- lifetime
Change me.
3 Comments Last Reply: May 3, 2012 By: TheRule
js, your sizing description is very helpful. I will order based on that. 'preciate ya.
Nailed It? 0 Yes
Joanna, don't sweat your decision, the Osprey's have not been made in the US for years, I think they are made in Vietnam now.
Nailed It? 0 Yes
How interesting - I have a brand-new Osprey Medium Aura 50 sitting at home that is just too tall in the torso for me. I tried on the Aura 50 in Small @ Moosejaw, Chicago yesterday, and it felt great - except almost immediately the shoulder straps were pressing uncomfortably into my collarbones (I'm a medium-sized gal). I adjusted it every way I could and it just did NOT work - very disappointing, as I wanted an American-made product with a Lifetime Guarantee. I didn't want to even try on the Gregory, but once the salesman handed me the Jade 50, I thought, "Now this is more like it!" It fit me perfectly, it felt like it was a part of my body construction and not a piece of uncomfortable gear on my back. I could keep my center of balance and the hipbelt was exceedingly comfortable. Best of all, this pack mimics the Aura 50 in almost every way, except it exceeds the Aura in one way - it has a full-length zipper so I can access my bottom gear instead of pulling everything out through the top. That nailed it - that plus 24 lbs on my back didn't feel like 24 lbs at all. I researched Gregory and though it's Chinese made, it appears that the construction is solid and durable. I'm getting this as soon as I can.
Nailed It? 0 Yes