Gregory Amber 44 Review (Incredibly Lightweight Pack For Women)

This Gregory Amber 44 review is about a pack for women completely redesigned in 2017, ultra-lightweight, 1.25 kg (2 lb 12 oz) only, ideal for weekend and overnight tours and for travel.

Benefits & bonuses

Previous and new versions – Main differences

I shall mention just the most important ones:

• The new pack is with adjustable torso length, this was not available in the previous version.
• Related to this, the new version is one size, as compared with 3 sizes in the old version.
• The front pocket is totally redesigned, see below.
• The back padding and ventilation is very different.
• See them both here:

Gregory Amber 44 pack for women – description

In my previous text, I have announced the arrival of the new versions of Gregory Amber and Stout packs, and I gave a few details there about the whole series, please have a look. So this Amber 44 pack is a part of a big series, no less than 5 Amber packs for women and 5 Stout packs for men. These packs are totally modified so it is strange that Gregory has kept the same name.

The Amber 44 pack for women is a mid-size versatile tool, so in principle, you can use it as a day pack and as a weekend pack. The pack is hydration compatible, with a standard sleeve inside the main compartment, and with a single centrally positioned exit port behind the harness.

Designed with women-specific needs, this pack incorporates a specific shoulder harness profile to fit the female figure, and the hip belt is built to adjust to women’s body shape.

Note that there are some essential differences between the two largest packs in this series and the smaller packs, like adjustability in the hip belt etc.

Access points

This is a classic backpack design, so you have a floating top lid and the collar underneath it. There is an extra strap across the collar so you can cinch the load or add some extra gear and fix it with the strap, like a rope or anything similar.

Yet another access to the main compartment is from the bottom. So you have the usual zippered entrance, but note that this is not a separate compartment, there is no divider, so this is just an extra entry. This appears to be a new trend now, you can see the same in Gregory’s smaller packs from the Paragon and Maven series, check the Maven 45 and Paragon 48 as examples.

The harness and suspension system

The suspension is based on a spring steel internal frame with 3 mm and 4 mm spring steel wishbone shape. The first thing you will notice is how flexible this system is. There is a lot of torsional flexibility so the pack moves with your body. See how it looks like:

The torso length is adjustable, just break the Velcro connections behind the harness and move it to your desired position. There are labels for the size printed, to guide you. With this, you can comfortably fit any torso size in the range 14 – 20 inches (36 – 51 cm). Remember what I said about one size in this new version, with such adjustability you have even more than what you had in the previous version, and this is fine-tuning for your perfect fit.

I must say that I am not impressed with the hip belt padding, it is really tiny and I would not suggest carrying a lot of stuff in the pack and for long distances. Well, I guess this is partly the reason for such a weight (or lack of it thereof), as usual. But this may be convenient if you use the pack for travel, such a hip belt folds nicely close to the pack, and there is less chance for damage.

But the lumbar padding is good, practically the same what you have in Gregory’s Maven and Paragon packs, or in their Zulu packs. The same is with the padding on the shoulder straps where you have dual-density foam, stitching are away from your body, all pleasant and in place as it should be.

The back of the pack is with foam and mesh, obviously very comfortable. This is again their Trailflex ventilation technology and it is claimed to provide enhanced airflow and increased comfort. But I do not think that ventilation is great here. If you need a pack to use in warm areas, I think it is better to try something else, perhaps the packs from the Maven series or Zulu series.

Pockets

There are 7 pockets plus a rain cover pocket. A large stretch mesh pocket is on the front. The design of this pocket is one of the most obvious differences when you compare the new and the previous version of the Amber 44 pack. Underneath this front pocket is the mentioned zippered pocket with the rain cover in it.

Dual water bottle pockets are on the sides, and you also have dual zippered pockets on the hip belt. One large zippered pocket with 2 zipper pulls is on the top of the lid, and one zippered mesh pocket is underneath the lid.

Attachment points

There are two compression straps on the bottom, ideal for attaching a sleeping pad or a tent, or anything similar. They are not removable.

Dual attachment loops are also on the bottom, for trekking poles or ice axe attachment, and they are paired with bungee tie-offs higher on the pack, so this is really a useful feature.

Dual compression straps are on the sides, so you can store any elongated object in the side mesh pockets and fix it in place with these straps, very useful again.

Please see more in this video:

Specifications & summary of features

• Best use: hiking, mountaineering, backpacking, travel.
• Volume: 2685 cu in (44 l).
• Weight: 2 lb 12 oz (1.25 kg).
• Maximum carry weight: 40 lb (18 kg).
• Size: 27 x 13 x 10.5 in (68 x 35.5 x 27 cm).
• Torso fit: 14 – 20 in (36 – 51 cm).
• Adjustable torso length – Trailflex suspension.
• Adjustable sternum strap.
• Access: top & bottom.
• Floating top lid.
• Rain cover included.
• Hydration compatible.
• Materials:
  – Frame: spring steel.
  – Body: 200D x 900D dobby polyester and 210D ripstop polyester.
  – Base: 630 ballistic polyester with 135 polyester reinforcements.
• Warranty: limited lifetime.
• Trailflex ventilation technology.
• Dual zippered hip belt pockets.
• Dual side pockets.
• Front stretch stuff pocket.
• Dual trekking pole attachment points.
• Dual compression and lash points.
• Colors: 2, see the pictures.

Summary, rating, pros & cons

Please see how I rate this pack:

Gregory Mountain Products Amber 44 Liter Women's Backpack

8.8

Volume-Weight ratio

9.5/10

Features & Bonuses

8.7/10

Comfort

8.3/10

Pros

• Bonus rain cover.
• Bottom access.
• Good suspension and harness.
• Very good and durable fabric.

Cons

• No side zippered pockets.
• A bit expensive.
• I miss some attachment loops on the lid.

Buy on Amazon

Buy at REI

I hope this text has been useful, thank you for reading. Let me know what you think, there is a comment box below. I wish you a pleasant day.