Gregory Maven 55L Pack for Women

2022-06-07T20:00:00

I bought this pack for a two week thru-hike in the UK. I chose this pack for its ability carry 30+ lbs/14+kg, lightweight construction and the design of the carrying system. I?ve used it for approximately 20 days so far. The pros: This pack fits so well! I?m 5?6? and ordered the S/M. As other reviewer?s have said everything is adjustable on this pack ? the hip belt and torso length especially! This pack has great external pockets (fits 1L Nalgene on each side) and spacious hip belt pocket ( I could fit my phone and three days worth of snacks inside!!). Once it?s on, the load transfer is amazing - carries the load well onto the hips and back! I thought the sunglasses strap on the shoulder harness would be gimmick-y, but not at all! Very secure and easy way to store glasses on the move. There is little ventilation between the pack and hikers spine, but I liked that the load of my bag sat very close to my body, I think helping load transfer. Temps were never above 20C/70F, so this was never an issue. The bags dimensions are perfect! It?s not too wide or too tall when carrying and inside is a uniform cylinder- making it easy to pack efficiently (no tapering to work around). The cons: The rain cover is a little small! Even with my bag 80-90% full, the rain cover either left the top or bottom exposed. In persistent rain, it also let some water through. Lining the inside with a garbage bag was necessary.

JayCee

Originally posted at

2020-07-12T20:00:00

I love the details on the Gregory Maven 55. Every other large backpack I've had, I've purchased only after completing an in-person fitting. Because I ordered this during Covid-19, I didn't have that luxury. I'm 5'9' with a long torso and a narrow upper body and getting a good fit where the pack sits in the right place on the hips and doesn't move too much around the shoulders is always tricky. Sometimes I'm XS-S , and sometimes I and S-M. I went with the S-M based on measurements online and really couldn't believe how well the pack fit well straight out of the box The 55 is perfect for a 3 day-2 night backpacking trip—easily fits the essentials: tent, sleeping pad, stove, food, extra water, layers, and sleeping bag Pros: - Side Zipper. YES! (this makes it more useful for travel as well as backpacking) - Details. There are so many details on the pack and they all are useful. The clip for the water sleeve inside, the clip for the mouthpiece, a place for sunglasses, and a waist pocket that fits an iphone plus with a case. -Remarkably lightweight -Did I mention it fits! - I got the red color which hides so much dirt Con: - The structure of the frame has some airflow, but does sit mostly direct on the back which makes it warmer than a pack with a frame that creates a gap for more airflow. -The older version of the Maven used to come with a small daypack I believe. That is no longer included.

wanderingzito

Originally posted at

2020-07-04T20:00:00

I am a 5'8", fast moving hiker and appreciate a combination of lightweight and comfort in my packs. As with all Gregory packs (and the Maven is no exception), I like the ease of adjustability. Not sure exactly how they do it, but the hip, lower and upper shoulder strap adjustments are very ergonomic and don't require unnecessary fiddling. And speaking of adjusting, the hip belt and the back panel (torso length) are both adjustable by Velcro to allow you to narrow in on what feels best over time and with different weights. The lumber support, the hip pads, and ventilation of the padding were also very nice and increased comfort in the later hours of the hike. I felt like the suspension system/frame worked well for me - the load was nicely transferred to my hips and lower back while still feeling secure to my upper back and shoulders. A few notes on functionality. The brain is "free floating". This is nice in that you can remove it completely if you want to drop a few ounces, but I find it rather fiddlesome since it can move all over the place. The brain has two pockets for organization of lightweight/small objects (the raincover in comes with has its own special pocket on the bottom). The main compartment can be accessed by the traditional top (closed by a drawstring and clip), a full length side zipper, and a bottom zipper flap (so kudos on the ultimate accessibility). The top pullstring can be easily opened with one hand. There is only one large inside elastic pocket for the hydration bladder, with the characteristic Gregory hook and a small webbing loop for hanging. The interior has a nylon shelf to divide the sleeping bag from the rest of the compartment, which can be easily removed. The outside of the pack has three elastic pockets, two on the sides and one on the back, and two zipper pockets on the belt useful for snacks, phone, etc. There is also a sunglass holder on the shoulder strap and adjustable straps on the back for trekking poles. Would recommend!

Erin c.

Originally posted at

2020-06-01T20:00:00

If you're looking for a comfortable and thoughtfully designed backpack than look no further! The Maven 55 is my new favorite backpack to take on short hiking trips and travelling. This pack is already lightweight but the padding and comfort isn't compromised. The adjustable back panel allows you to properly size the bag to your body- this is a great feature if you plan on passing this bag down to another person. The inside can be accessed from the top, side and bottom which is especially handy when you're looking for that missing chocolate bar that slipped down to the base of the pack. Stay hydrated by attaching a water bladder inside (sold separately) or by placing a water bottle in the deep side pockets. Other bonus features include: rain cover, waist belt pockets (great storage place for mini sunscreen, snacks, lib balm and more), and a cooling mesh back panel. Looking forward to using this bag more in the summer!

Caitlin A.

Originally posted at

2020-05-19T20:00:00

This my favorite pack for trips because it is super lite but it can hold everything. For some reason the bag just feels so perfect and doesn't feel clunky. It has great storage and easy access. Love the mini bag inside for day use with the 3L bladder. It's an all in one.

Shirley

Originally posted at