GREGORY is a long-established backpack manufacturer that maintains its commitment to luxury carrying comfort and ease of use, and is never compromised. One of its representative models, the ZULU series, has been updated this season.
This hiking backpack has been steadily improving as a backpack that allows you to enjoy a comfortable hiking during warmer seasons, about seven years after its name Zulu (the female model is Jade), and over ten years after its adoption of a back panel structure with ventilation space on the back (under the name of its predecessor Z). This popular model, which can be considered the forefront of ventilation-type backpacks, was purchased at my own expense immediately after its release and tested it over the past month, so I'll start reviewing the details right away.
table of contents
- Main features of GREGORY Zul 35
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review ~I walked around Okuchichibu in early spring on Zulu 35~
- Material and appearance: A slimmer body with high durability that you won't need to worry about even if you handle it roughly
- Comfort to carry: tension mesh, not tension mesh. A new era of ventilation backpacks is here!?
- Storage and ease of use: As always, storage and parts are extremely easy to use
- What's the concern: What is the sunglasses holder (quick stoe)? What about the included rain cover?
- Summary: Top Runner ventilation backpacks with a refreshing and convenient finish that is highly recommended for your first backpack.
Main features of GREGORY Zul 35
A backpack for hiking that has a high fit and comfortable fit, thanks to the tensioned mesh that creates a space between the pack and the back, an adjustable back panel that can be adjusted to a wide range of body types, and a hip belt that circulates to follow the movement of the body, providing a high fit and comfortable carrying experience. It has basic storage that focuses on ease of use, and the detailed construction of the product, such as an easy-to-use entrance and easy-to-use zippers and buckles, is a great piece that is carefully crafted, making it a great item for beginners to hiking with confidence. This backpack is perfect for day trips and hiking over huts rather than technical and hard climbing.
Favorite points
- Moderate breathability due to tension mesh panel on the back
- The ultimate fit and comfortable carrying experience (the back is ventilated, but the pack is not too far from the back and is highly load-stability)
- Various parts such as buckles, drawcords, zippers and other easy to use and durable
- Large waist pocket
Interesting points
- Because there are few external attachments such as axe holders, straps, daisy chains and loops, it is not suitable for long distance traversing or technical climbing other than simple short distance hiking (the 55-65 liter models have been somewhat followed).
- The sunglasses holder (quick stoe) that we had before, and the rain cover are no longer available.
- The bottom has a pointed shape so it is difficult to stand upright
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | GREGORY Zul 35 |
|---|---|
| capacity | 35 liters (Other models available) |
| weight | Official and actual measurements: Approximately 1.5kg |
| material |
|
| Models for women | Yes (Jade) |
| Size/Length of the back | Adjustable |
| Hydration sleeve | ◯ |
| Main Access | Top: Wide U-shaped front zipper |
| Rain cover | none |
| Pocket attachment |
|
| evaluation | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| Storageability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality (ease of use) | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review ~I walked around Okuchichibu in early spring on Zulu 35~
Material and appearance: A slimmer body with high durability that you won't need to worry about even if you handle it roughly
The exterior has been changed to a slightly vertical and slim shape. Although it is hardly noticeable compared to the previous work, it is quite impressive with the unthinkable design that is hard to imagine from the completely clunky Z series in the past. Furthermore, more than the design point, the verticality makes the center of gravity even higher, making it easier to place load on your lower back, making it more stable. From this point of view, this is a welcome update.
The main body part of the main body has also been changed from high-density nylon of 210D (denier) to 400D ripstop polyester, which uses some recycled materials, which slightly increases the weight. However, since the fabric has increased its thickness, it is safe to assume that it is about the same strength or even greater. It's hard to imagine that it will break due to such simple friction or catches, and even beginners can handle it roughly.
Comfort to carry: tension mesh, not tension mesh. A new era of ventilation backpacks is here!?
So that's all for now, and this time, the latest Zulu continues to use tension mesh, but when I first saw it, I was impressed by the indescribable shock.
This is because even though it is a tension mesh structure, the space on the back is (apparently) gone. Even when I tried carrying it on my back, it looks like this (photo below), and there is no space on my back. I wonder if this is really tension mesh, right? It was still marked.
However, when you carry this on your back, the back of the mesh panel is firmly floating and the outstanding breathability doesn't seem to have changed particularly from the previous model.
On the contrary, I was shocked for the second time by the fit and comfort that was competing with any backpack I've been carrying over in the last few years (of this size). While it has the characteristic fit and breathability of tension mesh panels, it feels like the back fit and the pack is sticking to your back without being pulled back (usually common with tension mesh), it gives the feeling that it is snuggling close to your body and loading on your waist. The back length can also be adjusted since the previous model, so even people of a wide range of heights will feel the perfect fit.
If you look closely, it is a traditional tension mesh panel, but the reason it appears to be without space is because the curve due to tension is as mild as possible, and from this time, a new mesh panel has been placed on the side where the gaps are visible (photo below).
Even in the previous model, the curve of the back frame gradually began to become more modest. This is largely due to the fact that we have revised the structure and materials to meet the weaknesses of ventilation-type backpacks, such as "1: The center of gravity is easily pulled back because it is separated from the body" and "2: The cargo space is also curved, making it difficult to pack," but this time the weaknesses have been further eliminated and finally have been refined to look good. It's nothing more than a bravo.
In addition, as in the previous model, the flexible "free float hip belt (photo below)" that is easy to follow when walking keeps the center of gravity stable against body shaking, continuing to feel comfortable right after carrying it on your back.
Storage and ease of use: As always, storage and parts are extremely easy to use
In addition to "carrying and carrying" in a backpack, Gregory pursues comfort without slacking off any other key role, the part about "storing and taking out" luggage, which is the part of the backpack. This model is also packed with ideas for using it without any stress, and there are many points that you can't help but admire, as usual, that you can't help but be impressed.
First, access to the main storage is the drawcord (photo below) that can be opened and closed smoothly, just like the previous model.
The wide-open U-shaped zipper opening and closing at the front (photo below), which was also part of the company's flagship model, the Bartoro series, makes packing and removal easy.
The side mesh pockets located on the bottom of both sides are stretchy and durable, and can hold plastic bottles and Nalgene bottles securely (photo below). The side straps can also be placed outside the pocket to hold long, narrow items in place.
In this 35-liter model, the pocket entrance and exit are only one direction upward, making it difficult to take out the bottle while carrying it on your back, but models over 55-liter have a side opening, so you can put the bottle in and take it out while walking. Personally, I would have liked the 35/45 liter model.
The front mesh pocket (photo below) is a hybrid design with polyester fabric, starting with the entire mesh surface of the previous model, which is prone to wear. Although the elasticity has decreased, the mesh fabric is easily tear-resistant, which is why it has increased durability in that sense. The design has also become more like Gregory's recent design.
There is only one loop for the pole and axe on the front (photo below).
The top lid pocket has a wide opening with a U-shaped zipper that opens wide (photo below). It's easy to put in and take it out, but I really don't like pulling the U-shaped zipper. The zipper line is curved so you can't pull it straight at once. It's a small thing, but personally I prefer a wide open and single letter zipper.
The zip pockets on both sides of the hip belt are very long, with a large gusset and plenty of space, perhaps in line with the recent increase in smartphone size. You can store a large 6.7-inch smartphone with plenty of room to spare (photo below).
Regarding the hydration setting, the hole through which the tube is passed is not only easy to get out in the center, but the shoulder strap on the right also has a tube fixing clip, making it a rather generous and smart setting (photo below). The company's hydration bladder makes it even easier to secure.
What's the concern: What is the sunglasses holder (quick stoe)? What about the included rain cover?
It's a backpack that's perfect for carrying and easy-to-use storage, but on the other hand, there are no points that you'll ever need to worry about.
One of the things I think can be said to be a weakness of this backpack, but although it has a rich basic functionality, there is a critical shortage of attachments that are useful when it comes to a hard work and flexible parts that can accommodate activities other than basic trekking. For example, there are no straps on the bottom or top to allow you to tie a closed cell mat together (with 55 liters or more). There is only one loop for the pole axe. There are almost no loops or daisy chains that allow you to attach your own straps or cord locks externally. This requires a lot of ingenuity to try and install snowshoes in the winter (though I'm not saying it's impossible).
The sunglasses holder (quick stoe) that I liked even in the previous model, and the included rain cover, have also been omitted. It's a shame, but I feel that the impact of increased production costs has had a major impact on these details.
Summary: Top Runner ventilation backpacks with a refreshing and convenient finish that is highly recommended for your first backpack.
the GREGORY Zul series maintains the advantages of the mesh back, while overcoming the weaknesses of the center of gravity and difficulty in storing to a certain extent, and is a hiking backpack for warm seasons that has improved comfort even more than ever by combining the benefits of both the conventional close-up backpacks.
Especially for those who are starting to mountains, if you choose this backpack first, you won't get tired of heavy luggage, and you'll be able to carry bulky luggage without stress. In fact, if you are unhappy with this model, you don't know what else to recommend, and it's one of the most suitable backpacks to get into.
However, just because it is comfortable to carry on the car, it is undeniable that this pack is notable for people like you who are very particular about it. When you try to bring it up during harsh seasons such as winter, or use it carefully in a more advanced mountain activity, it is certainly not that its simplicity is inferior to the scalability and versatility of other products.
In any case, if you carefully assess the characteristics of this particular backpack, this backpack will surely become an irreplaceable companion. It is certainly true that he has enough abilities.