Gregory Zulu 30 vs Gregory Zulu 24 LT
Quick take: The Gregory Zulu 30 costs $30 less; the Gregory Zulu 30 carries more (30 vs 24 liters); the Gregory Zulu 24 LT is lighter (2.3 vs 2.4 lbs).
| Spec | Gregory Zulu 30 | Gregory Zulu 24 LT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $180 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (70) | 4.7★ (13) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 30 L | 24 L |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs | 2.3 lbs |
| Max Load | 30 lbs | Not specified by Gregory |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 16-22 in | One size |
| Material | 210D recycled nylon | 40% recycled 400D polyester ripstop |
| Back Panel | FreeFloat suspended mesh | VaporSpan ventilated suspended panel |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | Yes | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Gregory Zulu 30
- ✓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.
- ✗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.
Gregory Zulu 24 LT
- ✓The VaporSpan suspended panel is a true trampoline-style back, not a channelled foam pad pretending to ventilate.
- ✓400D polyester ripstop is far more abrasion-resistant than the 100D fabrics on comparable lightweight daypacks.
- ✓40% recycled content in the main fabric.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets are included, which several packs at this price omit.
- ✓2.3 lb is lighter than the Osprey Sirrus 24 at 2.69 lb for the same volume.
- ✓$180 sits below Osprey's Stratos 24 at $190 with a comparable suspension.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects for the life of the pack.
- ✓The LT designation means it is the lighter of the two Zulu day options rather than a stripped-down budget model.
- ✗No torso adjustment; one size only, unlike the Osprey Stratos which adjusts 17-22 in.
- ✗Gregory publishes no maximum load figure for the line.
- ✗2.3 lb is still heavy against a Sportlite 25 at 1.7 lb for 1 L more.
- ✗No rain cover included at $180.
- ✗Only one volume could be confirmed with a current price.
- ✗The suspended panel consumes depth, so packed volume is less than 24 L implies.
- ✗gregory.com blocks automated access, so pricing rests on a single gear-media source.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated and is irrelevant at this size.