As its name says, Gregory J28 women pack is specifically designed for a female body. This is a great pack for day hikes with CrossFlo suspension which is hardly matched by any other pack from the same size range.
Where to buy
- The best place regarding the price and shipping conditions is usually Amazon.com.
Description
Gregory J28 backpack has an excellent ventilation system. It is based on a tensioned mesh and the pack body is completely separated from your back.
You can put an arm between your back and the pack, and move it up and down the whole length of the back; this demonstrates how much of air circulation is taking place there.
The mesh is tensioned by profiled steel plates which, in the same time, transfer the load to the hip belt area. Carrying up to 33 pounds (15 kg) should not be a problem with such a system in place.
This is accompanied with an anatomically built harness, which is specifically made for women’s body. The height-adjustable sternum strap and load lifters are the usual elements of this configuration.
Te hip belt is generously padded for such a relatively small backpack, not a bad feature of course. 2 small belt pockets are there, one on each side.
On the top, you have a really large zippered pocket and one additional pocket is under the top lid, accessible from inside.
The zippered entrance to the main compartment is from the top. There is a hydration sleeve inside the main compartment.
On the front, you have a vertical zippered entrance to a large front pocket, and beneath this pocket, you have a quite large storage area with the access form above, secured by a quick release buckle.
Attachment loops are available on both sides of the pack close to the lid, and they are paired with 2 loops on the bottom of the front, to use for ice-axe and trekking poles.
2 compression straps and 1 mesh pocket are available on each side of the pack.
On the lower part of the front, you have a zippered pocket with an integrated rain cover.
Technical specifications and summary of features
- S model: 28 L (1708 cu in)
Weight: 0.93 kg (2 lbs 1 oz)
Torso: 41 – 46 cm (16 – 18 in). - M model: 30 L (1830 cu in)
Weight: 1.20 kg (2 lbs 4 oz)
Torso: 46 – 51 cm (18 – 20 in). - Load: up to 15 kg (33 lbs).
- Updated CrossFlo suspension.
- Ventilated EVA foam on hip belt and shoulder harnesses.
- Hybrid top-loading panel access to the main body.
- Zippered pockets on exterior and interior of hybrid panel access.
- Front bucket pocket for quick gear storage.
- Two external stretch water bottle pockets.
- Dual quick-access hip belt pockets.
- Interior hydration sleeve with a hose port.
- Interior security pocket with key clip.
- Hideaway ice axe/trekking pole loops.
- Side and bottom compression straps.
- Quick-attach, integrated color-matched rain cover.
- Materials: 210D robic dynagin, 100D robic GR shadowbox, 200D polyester oxford, 265g polyester stretch woven and 190T nylon taffeta.
- Colors: moonrise purple, fog gray, astral red.
Here is a video from Gregory company about Z&J series:
So this was my story about Gregory J28 women pack. I must say that I love Deuter Trans Alpine 30 more, but the suspension system of this particular Gregory pack really forces me to give it a higher rate, regardless of some nice features that you may find in the other brands in the table. Gregory J28 is simply a wonderful pack.
If you find this text useful, feel free to share it with others. Thank you for reading. Please share with me some thoughts about this pack or anything else, there is a comment box below. Thank you.
Wanda Miller says
Hi,
I’m attempting to compare the Gregory Jade 28 with the Gregory J 28 but can’t find a site. Any ideas? Is the Jade 28 an upgrade from the J 28?
Thanks!
Jovo says
Hi Wanda, my understanding is that they launched Jade (and the corresponding Zuly series for men) as new series instead of J and Z series. I have both Zulu and Z packs described in the site. Jade is definitely available in Gregory’s site and also at REI.
Sine says
sorry. this is my correct mail adress.
Jovo says
OK, I shall send you an e-mail.
Sine says
Hi,
thank you very much for your review. I am looking for a backpack and ordered some online. I like the jade 28 really very much. The quality is very good, the colour, the style, everthing is so nice. I like it more than the Deuter Transalpine, Deuter Futura 28, Thule Capstone,Osprey Stratos, Lowe Alpine Aiezone Duo etc…That I would buy it.
But I ve got one big problem with it.
My torso length is 48,5-49cm, so I have here a medium size. But although it should fit it doesn’t. How can that be. I tried so much. I always feel that it is in a way too long because I feel a bit of aluminium, or similar, near my back in direction to the bottom. But if I pull the backpack higher the hip belts (sorry,I don t know the English word) is no more on my hips,it s then much much higher.
Have you heard of this problem with the Jade 28? I m sorry of my English, I hope you can understand that.
Thank you for answering.
Jovo says
Hi Sine, thank you for visiting my site. Gregory Jade 28 is a truly great pack, though I have not reviewed it within the site yet but I know the pack. Strange that you have such problem because the X-frame is quite far behind the tensioned mesh. My own pack (Deuter) has a similar tensioned mesh.
Two things come to mind. a) The harness is fixed so you cannot do much about it. But please check your load lifters. In which position they are? You can get a couple of centimeters perhaps by tightening the load lifters. This might move the pack up.
b) I wonder if you could add some peace of foam behind lumbar padding to see if this helps. Sometimes I use to put a sitting pad in the same area in mu pack, it is such a large space.
Matthew says
What an awesome review. I have been looking for backpacks everywhere (a decent quality one anyway). And so has my girlfriend, I am going to show her this review right now. I am sure she will be considering this backpack as you have provided such good content.
Well done, i look forward to more of your reviews on backpacks.
Jovo says
Hi Matthew, thank you, indeed Gregory J28 is a great pack for women, reliable brand by all means. I am sure she will be happy with it.
Carol b says
Wow, what a wonderful post. I’m always going out on walks and never knew the was a backpack specifically designed for it. I used to get back ake sometimes from using my heavy ordinary two strap, though comfortable for a while.
I love the information about the Gregory pack, might have to get one. I have also shared your site to my friend incase she is interested as I know she is planning a walk and maybe a mountain climb with her other half.
Thanks so much.
Jovo says
Hi Carol, great to hear from you. Thank you for sharing my site kind of you. All the best.