Gregory Freia 30 Backpack (For Women)

My boyfriend gave this pack to me for Christmas (size: small). At 5' 2" I have a short torso, and so full-sized packs prevent me from raising my head when scrambling on all fours. This little day pack is a perfect fit, and I look forward to taking it up in the White Mountains this summer. The pack is lightweight and well-designed - highly adjustable with little details like hip belt pockets, an internal pocket for a water bladder, etc. Even though it lacks an internal frame, it is really comfortable and very adjustable. There are spots to put your ice tools, something I wouldn't expect to find in a little pack like this one. I'm dinging a star because some of the plastic buckles and clips feel a little cheesey to me, but otherwise this really is a great pack. I even just bought and gave another one to someone else for their birthday!

For a basic backpack, this model tries too hard in the wrong places. The fabric itself feels insubstantial, and the shoulder straps are partially composed of a mesh material that doesn't offer much support. There are way too many clasps and straps, and the clasps themselves are made of cheap plastic that feels it will break at the first mishap. The top-loading model also contributes to its inconvenience, as one must dig to the bottom of the bag to find necessities, or take great care in the order of packing essential items. I did like the hidden interior pocket on the top flap, which would be great for a passport when traveling abroad. There's also an internal sleeve that could carry a laptop (but it didn't properly support my 13" MacBook Pro, causing the whole bag to sag strangely.) After a quick test walk in my apartment with a laptop and a few items in the main compartment, I determined this wouldn't work for my intended purpose: an ancillary bag to my main suitcase for a three-week trip to Russia. Moreover, the hip supports are—like the shoulder straps—flimsy and unsupportive. Due to their uselessness, they'd just be in the way, hanging unfastened at my waist and getting caught in the overhead-bin doors of airplanes. In short, this bag is too large to be a backpack for students, but too small and insubstantial to serve for serious travel. Even for day-hikers, its top-loading model would prove inconvenient and difficult. Sadly, despite high expectations I've held for Gregory, and good luck with their products in the past, this one will be returned.

This pack is built for light loads. Flimsy waistbelt and back support. It's going back. Probably good for light loads.

This is a lovely backpack. Lots of convenient pockets, including two on the hip belt and big mesh side pockets for water bottles. The one thing that's a bit strange is that the hip belt and shoulder straps are a bit thin for a pack of this size. Otherwise, great pack at a good Sierra Trading Post price!

Reverse open lid not an issue here, it only allows quick access on the go. Love the pockets too.