Gregory Amber 68 vs Gregory Zulu 55
Quick take: The Gregory Zulu 55 costs $40 less; the Gregory Amber 68 carries more (68 vs 55 liters); the Gregory Amber 68 is lighter (3.6 vs 3.7 lbs).
| Spec | Gregory Amber 68 | Gregory Zulu 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $260 | $220 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 68 L | 55 L |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs | 3.7 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by Gregory | 40 lbs |
| Torso Fit | One size adjustable torso, plus sizes available | S/M and M/L with 4 in of adjustment; hipbelt 27-51 in |
| Material | Post-consumer recycled nylon | Recycled nylon |
| Back Panel | Ventilated panel with adjustable torso | Ventilated suspended mesh panel |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Gregory Amber 68
- ✓Confirmed to fit a bear canister both vertically and horizontally, which very few packs here state explicitly.
- ✓68 L for $260 is the best capacity-per-dollar of any women's pack in the catalog.
- ✓3.6 lb for 68 L is a 0.85 oz/L ratio, better than the much pricier Deva.
- ✓Four volumes from 34 to 68 L, a deeper ladder than most premium lines offer.
- ✓Plus sizes are offered, which is rare and not just a marketing claim.
- ✓Post-consumer recycled nylon throughout.
- ✓Measured volume came in at 60 L against 68 advertised, a smaller gap than most packs here.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty applies at the budget end too.
- ✗Gregory publishes no maximum load figure for the line.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The 34, 44 and 54 L sizes have no published prices or weights.
- ✗One-size adjustable construction is less precise than the Deva's three frame sizes.
- ✗Recycled nylon is specified without a denier, so durability is hard to judge.
- ✗The suspension is simpler than the Response A3 used higher in the range.
- ✗Gregory's site blocks automated access, so pricing rests on a single gear-media source.
- ✗68 L is more pack than most trips need, and underfilled large packs carry poorly.
Gregory Zulu 55
- ✓$220 for a ventilated 55 L pack rated to 40 lb is strong value against the Osprey Rook 65 at $205.
- ✓Four inches of torso adjustment across two frame sizes is generous at this price.
- ✓The hipbelt spans 27 to 51 inches across the size range, wider than most packs here.
- ✓40 lb is a genuinely useful ceiling rather than an optimistic number.
- ✓Suspended mesh panel gives Gregory's best ventilation outside the Focal.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓The women's Jade is the direct counterpart if a women's fit is wanted.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty.
- ✗OutdoorGearLab does not publish the fabric specification for this pack.
- ✗3.7 lb is heavier than the Paragon 60 at 3.5 lb despite holding 5 L less.
- ✗Only the 55 L volume could be confirmed with a current price.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The review has no formal spec table, so several figures are drawn from narrative text.
- ✗Less refined than the Paragon, which costs $80 more.
- ✗Gregory's site blocks automated access, so pricing rests on a single gear-media source.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated.