Gregory Octal 55 Women's Internal Frame Backpack

Likes

Great lightweight pack. Appreciate that it came with a rain cover. Easy to adjust. Carried about 17lbs of gear well. Color is really nice in person too.

Dislikes

None

Likes

I love the fit of GREGORY packs and the way they hug your body while hiking. I did not hike with this pack but I packed it with all of my backpacking gear and it seemed to have the same great fit of my other gregory packs. I liked that it was far lighter than my Gregory Diva. I liked that there were not as many straps hanging all over off of my pack.

Dislikes

I did not like the top of the bag and the way it closed. There was no way to expand the lid cover to fit over the pack if i filled it to a higher point, which meant i could only fill the bag to a certain point, and it meant I could not easily throw a jacket or a sleeping pad across the top under the lid. I understand that the bag was made for the purpose of being lightweight, so the following dislikes were probably due to removing ounces. The waist belt was not as comfortable as my other packs, and the belt itself was very narrow and thin. The compression straps seems really thin and I worried about their durability long term.

Likes

can remove brain for day trips great support frame system and breathable easy access to water bottle well thought out all around and minimalistic for light weight

Dislikes

none so far

Likes

The pack is super lightweight. Like the bright blue color.

Dislikes

The material looks thin and delicate.

Likes

Size

Dislikes

None

Likes

Weight Removable brain. Frame system

Dislikes

Does not compress well

Likes

Lightweight, good organization features, materials are light but seem durable.

Dislikes

Hip belt is on the short side for us hippy gals.

Likes

The suspension system and ventilated backpanel is great. I use this as my work pack on a NPS trail crew and it gets loaded up on a daily basis and it carries the weight of tools, water and other gear nicely.

Dislikes

The hip belt straps and buckles and shoulder cinch straps and buckles are so small! My Gregory Jade 28 has wider straps and buckles than this 55. As I’m hiking and working, I am constantly taking my pack off and putting it back on and the straps and buckles are really difficult to find in work gloves. I really miss the Gregory Z55 pack, best work pack ever.

Likes

The main compartment is a drawstring closure that is really quick to open and close (compared to a roll top I feel). There’s 2 water bottle pockets and a huge mesh stash pocket. I think it’s the perfect amount of pockets. More and it’s easy to forget where you put things. There’s pockets on the outside and underside of the removable top lid.

Dislikes

Sacrifice some durability for the light weight. The material does feel quite thin especially the mesh.

Likes

I have a problem finding packs bc I have lumbar lordosis and a anterior pelvic tilt. So packs tend to dig into my lumbar rather than sit against it. This pack is great for my lower back. I absolutely love everything about this pack except the shoulder straps. I love how minimal it is. I don't have to remember what pocket or zipper something is in. Plus I love the blue/indigo color!

Dislikes

Shoulder straps aren't comfortable. It doesn't hold the top part of the pack secure and the top wobbles a lot. I've tried several packs and I guess I have to sacrifice shoulder comfort for lower back comfort.

Likes

Light weight but still has all the features I want. The hip belt pockets sold me on this pack vs the Osprey Eja. I used it on a 4 day hike, carrying about 28 lbs & it remained comfortable the entire hike.

Dislikes

I'm a little concerned about the durability, but Gregory's great reputation puts me at ease.

Likes

lightweight capacity & features

Dislikes

shoulder straps too high up on my shoulders, couldn't adjust to get them low enough, foam on straps rough & felt like they would easily chafe- had to return.