The Z30 sounds like a secret weapon from outer space, but it's actually a sweet little pack from Gregory, the guys who do only packs. The Z30 is available in small 1,650ci, medium 1,800ci and large 1,920ci models weighing in at a very nice 2lb 10oz, 2lb 12oz and 2lb 14oz respectively.
The Z30 is literally cool, with a burly curved frame and mesh back panel that allows airflow across the back. Gregory claims the Z30's frame will increase support as you add weight. In what must be a first in the marketing world, this seemingly impossible claim proved out. The catalog lists the comfort rating at 30lb while the tag indicates 25lb, but we're here to tell you you can stuff this thing like a Christmas turkey. Our testing showed 40lb+ were not a problem with careful packing.
The design is a bit unconventional: there's the usual hydration sleeve, dual mesh side pockets and handy dual zippered belt pockets. Then you have four storage areas including the main compartment. The lid zippers waaaay open, gaping like high school students watching Porky's for the first time. This is nice because you can get to a lot more than you can with a normal top loader. On the back of the lid there's a medium-sized top pouch, and below this is an open bucket pocket - great for stuffing jackets - with a smaller vertically zippered pouch on its front. The bottom line is a lot of organization options, each sized appropriately to its location on the pack.
The shoulder and waist suspension is comfy and up to the demands of kitchen sink rated loads. A note on sizing: the Z30 seems to run a tad small for its rated size, so try it on if you can. On the flip side this is a great men's pack that is SheFlogger approved, so don't let She Who Must Be Obeyed try it on or you may never see it again.
Yes, you can take it with you. Carry the kitchen sink in this pack, which lives up to its name as "the Great One" for both its capacity (7,000ci for the size large) and its weight (8lb!).
