Gregory
Gregory Zulu 30
The Zulu 30 is Gregory's big day-hiker and light-overnighter, pairing a ventilated FreeFloat suspended mesh back with a pivoting hipbelt, adjustable torso, and included raincover. The women's version is the Jade 28.
We may earn a commission.
Price and availability on Amazon’s site may differ.
Specifications
What do these specs mean? →Sizes Available
| Capacity | Price | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Lthis pack | $150 | 2.4 lbs |
| 45 L | — | — |
| 55 L | — | — |
| 65 L | — | — |
Features
Pros
- ✓The 30L size with a real frame bridges day hiking and ultralight overnights — owners call it the most versatile size in the roundup.
- ✓The FreeFloat pivoting hipbelt moves with your hips, which reviewers credit for comfort on 15-mile days.
- ✓Suspended mesh ventilation matches the Stratos while carrying more.
- ✓The adjustable torso plus padded, pocketed hipbelt gives full-size-pack fit features in a daypack.
- ✓An included raincover at $150 completes the ready-out-of-the-box package.
- ✓The clamshell-style main opening makes packing far easier than top-tube rivals.
- ✓Carries 25-30 lbs comfortably, which the 22-26L class can't.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty backs it.
Cons
- ✗At 2.4 lbs it's heavy if you only ever carry 10 lbs of day gear.
- ✗Bulky for travel — the frame and mesh don't compress into luggage.
- ✗The mesh trampoline bows into the bag, and 30L packs more like 26-27.
- ✗Bottle pockets angle awkwardly for one-handed grabs, a recurring gripe.
- ✗The suspended back stands the load slightly off your center of gravity on scrambles.
- ✗Overkill (in price and features) for casual walkers versus the Hikelite.
- ✗The hipbelt pockets are on the small side for big phones.
- ✗Fewer US retail touchpoints than Osprey for trying sizes.
Common Questions
Compare the Gregory Zulu 30
Related backpacks
More from Gregory →Gregory
Gregory Juno 24 H2O
The women's-fit Citro, and the best value in this catalog's daypack category: 1.94 lb, a reservoir included, a 420D reinforced base, and $150. It undercuts the men's Citro by $30 while weighing marginally less and adding a tougher base fabric.
Weight
1.94 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Zulu 24 LT
The Zulu LT is the lightened version of Gregory's ventilated day pack, using the VaporSpan suspended panel that holds the pack off the back. At 2.3 lb for 24 L it trades some weight for airflow, which is the same bargain Osprey's Stratos makes at a similar price.
Weight
2.3 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Citro 24 H2O
The Citro is Gregory's hydration day pack and ships with a 3 L reservoir included. At 2.0 lb it is lighter than Osprey's equivalent Manta 24 by well over a pound, and $30 cheaper, while bundling a larger bladder.
Weight
2.0 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Jade 28
The Jade is the women's counterpart to the Zulu day line, at 28 L and built on the same 400D polyester ripstop and suspended ventilated panel. It is the largest women's daypack in this catalog, sitting between a day pack and a light overnight carry.
Weight
2.63 lbs
Capacity
28 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Nano 18
The Nano is Gregory's simple day pack, and the comparison table finally supplies the weight that kept it out of the earlier Gregory commit. At 17.5 oz and $75 it is the value option in this group, with a 420D reinforced base most packs at the price skip.
Weight
1.09 lbs
Capacity
18 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Zulu 55
The Zulu is Gregory's ventilated three-season pack, sitting below the Paragon in price and above the Stout in refinement. Four inches of torso adjustment across two frame sizes and a hipbelt spanning 27 to 51 inches make it one of the more accommodating packs in the catalog.
Weight
3.7 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame