Backpack ReviewMichelle DellerOctober 01, 2016backpack, osprey, rei, outdoors, backpack review, gregory, hiking, camping, backpackingComment

How I chose a backpack

Backpack ReviewMichelle DellerOctober 01, 2016backpack, osprey, rei, outdoors, backpack review, gregory, hiking, camping, backpackingComment

When you find yourself signed up to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, it's time to start thinking about gear. I've always enjoyed hiking, but I must admit that my idea of camping and "roughing" it was to stay in a 2-star hotel, until I tried it with the right gear. It all begins with the a comfortable pack to carry all of that necessary gear.

A friend let me borrow her Osprey pack to test out on a few day hikes. It wasn't my size so it was hard to tell if it was really a good pack for me. I also headed out to the closest REI store to get a proper fitting for a pack. They weighted it down and sent me walking around the store to see how well it fit. It's a great idea to head to REI and test out the packs, but I still wasn't sure which pack was going to suit my needs.

For Kilimanjaro, we only needed to carry whatever was needed for the day. A porter would carry the rest of our gear, so a large multi-day pack was not necessary. However, I knew that I was going to do some training hikes and multi-day excursions as training for Kilimanjaro, so I didn't want too small of a pack. After reading internet reviews, the REI visit, and figuring out what type of features I needed, I landed on the Gregory Jade 38L (circa 2014).

One thing that sold me on the Gregory pack was it included a rain cover. I realize that the given rain cover does not always do the best job at keeping everything dry, and that many hikers opt for a poncho or garbage bag, but it was one less thing that I had to think about buying. I also liked the various pockets and the size was perfect.

My first test of the pack was on a trail in central PA. I'll admit, after this hike I wasn't sure if I made a good decision, because the fit seemed to off. I think it was just a matter of getting used to carrying a pack, and believe it or not, more weight in the pack helps it to transfer the weight to the hips and carrying it more comfortable.

So far, I've used it to hike weekends on the Appalachian Trail, 3 days on the Pacific Crest Trail, 4 days on the Inca Trail, and 6 days on Kilimanjaro. It's been a great bag! The size is perfect for a few days on the trail when packing food and the necessary camping gear.

I've recently developed pack envy, when someone had a new Osprey Kyte pack. My only challenge with the Gregory is fitting in the water bladder after the pack is full of gear. I'm using the Osprey bladder with the convenient handle, and the magnet clip added to the sternum strap. When you're on the trail and need to refill the water bladder it can prove to be difficult to refit the full water bladder, especially when you have your pack stuffed to almost overflowing with gear. Osprey has solved this problem by moving the water bladder compartment to the outside of the main gear compartment, brilliant. Why has no one done this before? If I decide to do more multiple day hikes, I seriously consider getting the Osprey Kyte.

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