Once again the Web Phone rang. Alfred the butler was missing so I answered the phone myself. It was Gareth from Webtogs, asking what I'd like to review this time. Hmmm. I had been spoiled by Phil of Lightweight Outdoors with the Opsrey Hornet sack but which I'd had to return, so said to him I could do with trying something to replace it. I'd seen the Jade 34 women's specific cut rucksack so asked to try that. A matter of a couple of days later and a parcel was waiting for me. My new mission had begun.
My first impressions of this were that it was quite a big and heavy pack. My long term mission to reduce my pack weight was not going to be helped along by this item. Manufacturers weight of the size Medium I tried is given at 1.4Kgs, more than half the weight of my current "Big 3". Putting that aside I put myself in the mind set of the majority, who this pack is aimed at, and took it out on a few trips of varying lengths and destinations in the Peak District, Derbyshire and the Yorkshire Wolds.
The description on the Gregory site describes it as:
The Jade 34 is an internal frame pack with a curved back that gives a good inch or two clearance from the mesh panel that rests against your back. The bottom of the back panel has two prominent, padded lumbar pads from where the very well padded hip belt extends with a small pocket on each.
It is a top loading pack with a lid with internal and external zipped pockets (the external one has a key clip inside), and a hydration point on either side of the lid. As you can see from the photos there is a substantial haul loop, load lifter straps and well padded, shaped shoulder straps with a moveable sternum strap.
The front of the pack is covered by a big fabric panel that conceals the detachable rain cover, accessed via a zip at the bottom. The panel forms a pocket with a small area of mesh at the bottom, and is also part of the compression system with webbing straps and buckles towards the corners, used to manage pack volume. Undoing the buckles enables access to a long, curved zip which means you can get at your pack contents without opening up from the top. I personally tend to use stuff sacks to keep pack contents dry and organised and feel that the zip and fabric panel are overkill and add unnecessary weight.
There is a decent sized mesh pocket on either side of the pack which is generous enough to hold a 600ml water bottle and my Vargo meths bottle plus other slim items.
The top of the pack is secured with a drawcord and webbing and a buckle cinches down over the top of this. The lid is then locked down and secured with a buckle attached to webbing emerging from within the side pocket on each side. A lower compression strap and buckle goes over the middle of the side pocket, securing those items and keeping the pack stable. There is also an ice axe loop on the bottom of the pack. All the zips have decent sized loops with plasticised coverings which is great for winter use and the pack is made from 330D nylon oxford flatweave and 220D double diamond ripstop, both feeling very substantial. A lot of loops, webbing, zips and buckles, it is a busy pack! Oh, there's also shock cord at the top of the fabric panel with a cord hook, giving yet more possibilities of kit haulage...
So, it is a comprehensive pack, but, and the big 'but' for me, is that all together I just find it's overkill for what I want, and I struggle to think how other people would use all this pack's attributes either, especially as a day pack, though at 34litres (in reality nearer 35) it's a sizeable product.
Generally, I found that although a lot of thought and engineering had gone into this product, I didn't find it to be the most comfortable of packs for me. The air gap designed to reduce sweatiness (Gregory's Dynamic Transfer System) meant that I felt a bit 'disconnected' from the pack, that it wasn't part of me, which is how other packs have felt (to the extent that I don't really notice wearing them). It was all cinched down and stable, but still didn't feel as if it carried well for me. There was too much padding which I noticed while wearing (maybe this is a function of only using the pack for about 4-5 outings so hadn't compressed down yet, but then would you expect the padding to compress? I wouldn't!). I was aware of the frame of the pack itself too, which was a bit distracting.
More on DTS from Gregory's website:
Other thoughts from using the pack include that for me the hip pockets were too small; the photo below shows a chewing gum pack in one. They were just about big enough to fit an HTC Desire phone in.
The fabric panel, compression system and front zip access seemed over engineered to me. The usable space in the front, fabric panelled pocket was less than it could have been, even though it was gussetted. Speaking with Gareth, he likes using zips to access the body of a pack but it's not something I look for in a pack myself, so that is likely down to a matter of personal choice.
In summary, this is not the right pack for me, but for women who are interested in a pack with a large air vented panel, well padded, good capacity and lots of bells and whistles then it might be something to consider. Unfortunately I am not really in the target market for this sort of pack; I want something relatively simple with decent sized side pockets and a top lid, small compression straps (or shock cord) and a large mesh front pocket. A couple of attachment points would be good. For me it has to be light, probably a third to one half of the weight of this, frameless with good hip pockets too. My search will continue!
For information, this product is on sale with Webtogs at £85.49 (including a 10% saving) with the usual excellent Webtogs delivery and customer service.
My first impressions of this were that it was quite a big and heavy pack. My long term mission to reduce my pack weight was not going to be helped along by this item. Manufacturers weight of the size Medium I tried is given at 1.4Kgs, more than half the weight of my current "Big 3". Putting that aside I put myself in the mind set of the majority, who this pack is aimed at, and took it out on a few trips of varying lengths and destinations in the Peak District, Derbyshire and the Yorkshire Wolds.
The description on the Gregory site describes it as:
"Perfect for technical routes or longer trips. Auto fit harness system, with airflow across back. All access front zip. Side and bottom compression. Quick access waistbelt pockets. Built in rain cover."
It is a top loading pack with a lid with internal and external zipped pockets (the external one has a key clip inside), and a hydration point on either side of the lid. As you can see from the photos there is a substantial haul loop, load lifter straps and well padded, shaped shoulder straps with a moveable sternum strap.
The front of the pack is covered by a big fabric panel that conceals the detachable rain cover, accessed via a zip at the bottom. The panel forms a pocket with a small area of mesh at the bottom, and is also part of the compression system with webbing straps and buckles towards the corners, used to manage pack volume. Undoing the buckles enables access to a long, curved zip which means you can get at your pack contents without opening up from the top. I personally tend to use stuff sacks to keep pack contents dry and organised and feel that the zip and fabric panel are overkill and add unnecessary weight.
There is a decent sized mesh pocket on either side of the pack which is generous enough to hold a 600ml water bottle and my Vargo meths bottle plus other slim items.
The top of the pack is secured with a drawcord and webbing and a buckle cinches down over the top of this. The lid is then locked down and secured with a buckle attached to webbing emerging from within the side pocket on each side. A lower compression strap and buckle goes over the middle of the side pocket, securing those items and keeping the pack stable. There is also an ice axe loop on the bottom of the pack. All the zips have decent sized loops with plasticised coverings which is great for winter use and the pack is made from 330D nylon oxford flatweave and 220D double diamond ripstop, both feeling very substantial. A lot of loops, webbing, zips and buckles, it is a busy pack! Oh, there's also shock cord at the top of the fabric panel with a cord hook, giving yet more possibilities of kit haulage...So, it is a comprehensive pack, but, and the big 'but' for me, is that all together I just find it's overkill for what I want, and I struggle to think how other people would use all this pack's attributes either, especially as a day pack, though at 34litres (in reality nearer 35) it's a sizeable product.
Generally, I found that although a lot of thought and engineering had gone into this product, I didn't find it to be the most comfortable of packs for me. The air gap designed to reduce sweatiness (Gregory's Dynamic Transfer System) meant that I felt a bit 'disconnected' from the pack, that it wasn't part of me, which is how other packs have felt (to the extent that I don't really notice wearing them). It was all cinched down and stable, but still didn't feel as if it carried well for me. There was too much padding which I noticed while wearing (maybe this is a function of only using the pack for about 4-5 outings so hadn't compressed down yet, but then would you expect the padding to compress? I wouldn't!). I was aware of the frame of the pack itself too, which was a bit distracting.
More on DTS from Gregory's website:
Dynamic Transfer System (DTS)
"Ranging from larger daypacks for light and fast overnights to small packs for a quick outing, the JetStream DTS line has a pack suited for you. Although for carrying less weight, the suspension can handle up to 30 pounds with ease. A curved steel bar held in tension with the framesheet starts flexing the more you load up the pack, effectively transferring the weight directly to the lumbar pad and onto your hips.
"Thanks to the well padded lumbar pad, there is also minimal slippage when scrambling across terrain, so the pack stays centred and balanced on your back."
"Thanks to the well padded lumbar pad, there is also minimal slippage when scrambling across terrain, so the pack stays centred and balanced on your back."
Other thoughts from using the pack include that for me the hip pockets were too small; the photo below shows a chewing gum pack in one. They were just about big enough to fit an HTC Desire phone in.
In summary, this is not the right pack for me, but for women who are interested in a pack with a large air vented panel, well padded, good capacity and lots of bells and whistles then it might be something to consider. Unfortunately I am not really in the target market for this sort of pack; I want something relatively simple with decent sized side pockets and a top lid, small compression straps (or shock cord) and a large mesh front pocket. A couple of attachment points would be good. For me it has to be light, probably a third to one half of the weight of this, frameless with good hip pockets too. My search will continue!
For information, this product is on sale with Webtogs at £85.49 (including a 10% saving) with the usual excellent Webtogs delivery and customer service.
Hi Helen, I have a feeling you'll end up with the illustrious huckePACK, but I would also look into the ULA CDT if I were you. I'm very impressed by the design and build quality (it's as good as LB)
ReplyDeleteI meant to write "I'm very impressed by the design and build quality of my Circuit" :). I've never seen the CDT in person, but it's probably great
ReplyDeleteI wondered who the old doddery bloke was who answered the last time :) Great review Helen, honest in that you personally didn't get on with it. I am swinging more to the dark side, zip entry is a luxury I can do without, and although not getting down to your weights, I'm loving my Lowe Alpine Zepton at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHi Thomas, Yes, I do wonder if Matteusz is on my horizon! Thanks for the pointer towards the ULA CDT too - I'll look into it.
ReplyDeleteGareth, I must have words with Alfred to be more alive next time!
I think that it's just which market the bag is aimed at; and like boots/trail runners I've found that what fit one may not be so good for another...
Thanks for the honest review Helen, it's refreshing. I would check out Gossamer Gear and Zpacks for simpler (and much lighter) options. Or you might try your hand at making one now that you've caught the MYOG bug!
ReplyDeleteThanks John! I do try to relay exactly what I think in each review I do. Sometimes I might forewarn the 'sponsor' but I've never been asked to edit my words, which says a lot about them too (not that I'm sure I would anyway!).
ReplyDeleteI have had a look at all the 'mainstream' cottage manufacturers ;-) but I think a MYOG backpack is a little out of reach for me at present!
If I ever get off my lazy rear end, I'll review my new ULA CDT. I will say that I dig its modularity. And it is certainly lighter than my Osprey Exos 46. I wish I'd read this last week when my buddy asked me advice for women's packs. I did tell him either Osprey or Gregory. Should have just said Osprey.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review Helen, it's refreshing. I would check out Gossamer Gear and Zpacks for simpler (and much lighter) options. Or you might try your hand at making one now that you've caught the MYOG bug!
ReplyDelete