Gregory Jade 28 vs Gregory Facet 45
Quick take: The Gregory Jade 28 costs $30 less; the Gregory Facet 45 carries more (45 vs 28 liters); the Gregory Facet 45 is lighter (2.49 vs 3.05 lbs).
Which one to buy
On the spec sheet the Facet 45 wins nearly every line against the Jade 28: it is 0.56 lb lighter, holds 17 L more, matches the Jade's 35 lb rating on a tubular aluminum frame, and includes a rain cover, all for $30 more. That makes the Jade a hard sell unless its particular strengths matter to you.
Those strengths are fabric and size. The Jade's 400D polyester ripstop is the most durable fabric of any daypack in its class, against the Facet's 100D body, which will show abrasion sooner. And 28 L stays compact: it sits right on the day-hike and overnight boundary and handles an overnight with a compact summer kit. If your hikes go through brush or over rock and you rarely need more room, the Jade's toughness earns its weight.
For anyone planning real overnights, the Facet is the better pack. Both have suspended ventilated backs and hipbelt pockets. The Jade comes in two sizes, XS/SM and SM/MD, each with 3.5 in of torso adjustment; the Facet's XS, S and M sizes don't adjust, so pick carefully. The Jade comes without a rain cover.
Gregory Jade 28
For women on long, rough day hikes who want the toughest fabric in a compact 28 L bag, and only occasionally carry an overnight kit.
Gregory Facet 45
Best for women planning overnights up to 35 lb, since it's lighter, holds 17 L more and includes a rain cover for $30 more.
| Spec | Gregory Jade 28 | Gregory Facet 45 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $230 |
| Rating | 4★ (53) | — |
| Type | Daypack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 28 L | 45 L |
| Weight | 3.05 lbs | 2.49 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 35 lbs (16 kg) |
| Torso Fit | Women's fit, XS/SM and SM/MD, each with 3.5 in of torso adjustment | Sized XS/S/M; S fits 16-18 in (41-46 cm) |
| Material | 40% recycled 400D polyester ripstop with 420D nylon | 100D HD 40% recycled nylon with 210D HD 45% recycled nylon, C0 DWR |
| Back Panel | Ventilated suspended panel | FreeFloat suspended ventilated mesh with ComfortCradle lower-back system |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | Yes |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, original purchaser | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Gregory Jade 28
- ✓28 L covers long days that a 22 L pack cannot.
- ✓400D polyester ripstop is the most durable fabric of any daypack in this comparison group.
- ✓A suspended ventilated panel rather than contact foam.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓The women's fit is a distinct construction in Gregory's line, not a colourway of the Zulu.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty.
- ✓Better suited to shoulder-season loads than the lighter 20-24 L options.
- ✓Pairs with the Zulu 30 as a direct men's counterpart for couples buying together.
- ✗At 49 oz it is one of the heavier women's daypacks here, though the Osprey Mira 24 and Deuter Futura Pro 34 SL weigh more.
- ✗$200 is expensive for a daypack, the same as the Osprey Sirrus 24.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The weight makes it a poor choice for fast-moving days.
Gregory Facet 45
- ✓2.49 lb with a full suspended-mesh back and a real frame; most packs this light give up one or the other.
- ✓A stated 35 lb ceiling, which is honest for a 100D pack and higher than many ultralight makers publish.
- ✓Tubular aluminum frame with a fiberglass anti-barreling cross stay and HDPE sheet, a real frame rather than a foam panel.
- ✓Rain cover included, in nylon taffeta.
- ✓ComfortCradle lower-back padding and a Polygiene odor treatment on the mesh.
- ✓Three torso sizes (XS, S, M) rather than a single women's fit.
- ✓Covered by Gregory's lifetime warranty.
- ✗No torso adjustment within a size, so the XS/S/M choice has to be right at purchase.
- ✗100D body fabric will show abrasion sooner than the 210D used on the base.
- ✗US pricing varies by retailer, from $229.95 to $249.95.
- ✗The Facet 55 has no sourced US price or weight.
- ✗Fixed lid, so the pack cannot be stripped for day use.
- ✗Gregory does not say whether a bear canister fits.
Gregory Jade 28 vs Gregory Facet 45: common questions
Why is the 45 L Facet lighter than the 28 L Jade?▾
Fabric. The Jade uses 400D polyester ripstop, the most durable fabric of any daypack in its class, while the Facet uses a 100D body with a 210D base. The Facet trades abrasion resistance for weight.
Can the Jade 28 handle an overnight like the Facet 45?▾
Yes, with a compact summer kit, since 28 L sits on the day-hike and overnight boundary. For anything bigger, the Facet's 45 L and included rain cover suit overnights better; both are rated to 35 lb.