Gregory Women’s Deva 70

Field Notes:

On the women’s side of Gregory’s premium backpacking line is the Deva, a women’s specific cousin to the Baltoro, which we tested in a 70-liter size. Like the men’s Baltoro, the Deva is a serious load hauler thanks to its articulated, heavy-duty suspension system, and it’s simultaneously comfortable balancing heavy loads and ventilating in the heat.  Features and organizational pockets are also on the forefront of the Deva’s design, and our test crew judged the Gregory a top choice for nit-picky packers who hate when gear gets swallowed by gaping main compartments.

Pros:

Organizational features received top marks. From the top down, the brain has dual zippered pockets with a divider that splits into side-by-side compartments rather than just top-and-bottom. The main compartment has excellent access: come in from the top or pop the whole thing open with a U-shaped zipper. The hydration sleeve is easily removed and converts into a small daypack, which our test team judged perfect for exploratory hikes and summit scrambles. Our favorite use of this feature occurred when we packed a stove, a pan, and quesadilla fixings for four, and then clawed our way up a bluff to make dinner with a sunset view in Utah.  The external mesh pocket is a life-saver for storing wet or bulky gear—gnarly long underwear, trekking poles, Chacos, etc—and just below that, Gregory doubles up with two organizational front pockets—we used one for snacks and essentials, and one as a trash receptacle so as to leave no trace. The zippered sleeping bag compartment also helps to separate the vast main compartment into sections. Lastly, the WeatherShield hip belt pocket can fit (and protect) your phone, keeping it close at hand so you can quickly snap a shot of fleeting wildlife or a rapidly dipping sunset. All in all, testers loved this combination of pockets and features, making the Deva a favorite for staying organized on longer trips.

One tester also noted that while not the lightest of packs tested, the Deva is designed with durability in mind. The 100% nylon material is rugged, and the edges are reinforced to minimize wear and tear. The Auto Angle Adjust suspension system provides excellent back support, and additional lash points had our team stoked at the possibilities for solar and gear attachments.

Cons:

The Deva is on the heavier side—no surprise given the feature-heavy design. That said, one of our tester’s primary complaints was that because of the slew of features, the Deva’s straps and buckles can easily be confused. “So. Many. Buckles.” she wrote, suggesting that Gregory actually color codes some of their buckles so that less time is wasted on-trail trying to piece the puzzle together.

Tester Comments: “Pockets pockets pockets! I loved that the front and top have separate pockets. I always struggle with staying organized in the wilderness and this pack helps you through it. Also, I love how the front unzips all the way around, similar to a duffle. It makes searching for the gear buried at the bottom a little less hectic.”

“It has a ton of access points to different areas of the bag (top, front, bottom), great breathable padding on the back, and a sweet weather-resistant compartment on one of the waist strap pockets.”

Key Attribute: Organization