Z55 in use
I took my new Gregory Z55 out for a couple of hours today. I popped about 20lb's in the main compartment and had a brisk stroll along Cefn Bryn on Gower listening to Madeleine Peyroux on my iPod. The sun was out, the wind was whistling and the pack felt great.It basically has two points of contact on your back - a big comfy pad at the base of your back and another just below your shoulder straps - the rest is fresh air, not even a hint of a moist back today. The hip belt is firm but comfy and is very easy to adjust and the two small zipped mesh pockets are handy for your keys (and iPod).
As well as the main compartment (that does not seem to suffer from the access problems of other 'sweat free' packs), the 55 has a large external open pocket on the back (with stretch panels on either side) that should be good for a wet flysheet, but it is not all mesh - just a couple of mesh drain points on each side. I have attached a 3mm bungee to this pocket just in case the pocket does not drain.
There are also two 'waterproof' pockets on the pack - at least the fabric appears waterproof and they have waterproof zips. One on the lid and another on the large external pocket I have mentioned.
The drawcord that closes the main section of the pack is awful and snags, so I'll change that, using a more slippery (and lighter) cord. The main section can also be accessed by a side zip - a very handy feature.
Overall, the pack felt good on, probably the most comfortable I have used. Once I have a bit more experience of it, I'll post a few more comments and some detail shots.
Does anyone else out there have one yet?
Labels: Gear
posted by Chris Cowell @ 7:26 PM
10 comments
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10 Comments:
I'd be interested in anything further on this pack. I'd had my eye on the Gregory Z pack - that's now been replaced by this. I don't know the extent of the differences from a practical point of view? The Z pack used Dynema whilst the Z55 is just nylon I think. I wonder if this has an impact on weight/strength?
Thanks Phil
I am going to put up a Flickr link this weekend. I'll take some detail shots of the pack.
Chris
I bout this pack and i saw the drawstring was real hard to use too. You talked about switching the drawstring out for another one. How would you do that and what would you use? And you also talked about putting a 3mm bungee on the back pocket so it would drain, how would you do that, how would it work?
I just found some cord that was more slippery and pulled it through.
I have removed the bungee for the moment as it restricts access to the back zip, but it may go back on for backpacking trips. Just use the plastic 'D' rings to criss-cross the back with the bungee and use a cord lock to tighten the two ends.
Chris,
like you I think this is a fine piece of work, this z55. great fit, smart suspension, small enough to force some thought into the wandering around we all like to do. I have not found any serious design errors in this Gregory but I don't expect to find them either because, well, Gregory builds a thinking man's pack.
by the way, am in Santa Rosa, California; just so you know who reads this.
wander on.
ben
I have a Z55 and am nervous about it because i purchased a large. The hip belt seems a little too big for me(im only 31") but REI said that i could be either a medium or a large since i have like a 19" torso. The load stablizer straps on the medium were at an angle that was nearly flat. I am concerned that the large will move around too much when i walk though. The medium seemed good except for the load stablizer straps.
Now i am afraid that if i go out and use the pack i wont be able to return it if it is too big.
What do you think i should do?
Hi Matthew
I'm 6 foot with a few more inches round the waist than you and a 19" back length too.
The Medium is perfect for me and very comfortable. My load stabiliser straps are pulled in tight (therefore up) as this relieves the pressure on my shoulders. Sounds like you need a medium - they are too expensive to have to sell it on ebay 'cos its the wrong size!
Hope this helps,
Chris
thank you for your help... i am just wondering if maybe i tried on a bad pack because i dont know why but those load stabilizer straps were like i said horizontal and not at a 45 degree angle... ill be taking it back and then buying the medium with the 20% off thing!
thanks for your help again,
Matt
Hey Chris,
Are you still enjoying this pack? I have one specific question about the suspension. Do you get any hot spots or discomfort due to having only two contact points with the pack?
I tried one on today, and I am choosing between this and the osprey atmos 50. The atmos has similar ventilation features and seems to distribute weight quite evenly across the mesh surface.
However, I worry that the atmos will not handle weight as well because it doesn't have the lumbar pad like the z55.
Anyway any thoughts would be appreciated!! I hope you're enjoying winter
Taylor (Cambridge, US)
Hi Taylor,
Yes, the Z55 is still very much my favourite pack!
Hotspots were not an issue, even when carrying 45lbs for 7 days. I had not rubbing or hip / shoulder fatigue and certainly no blistering 9which I have heard has been a problem with other packs). The back system ventilated superbly too.
Once on the trail for a day or two, this is the first pack I have owned that 'dissappears' due to its comfort, sure, you can feel the bulk, but you can't really feel any pressure - they have done a great job on the Z55 and I would recommend it to anyone.
On the Cambrian Way last summer, my walking buddy used the Atmos and found it fine, but when I tried it on, there were two or three pressure points that the Z55 did not have, one, strangely enough, was on the back of my neck - I didn't like the shoulder straps on the Atmos at all!
I hope this helps a little!
Chris
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