Walking Equipment and Accessories

Gregory Maven 58 Backpack | Review

A hiking backpack that flexes as you move – here’s how the Gregory Maven 58 backpack got on during our tests.

Here at Outdoors Magic, we’ve been trying and testing Gregory packs for many years now. Previous models like the Alpinisto and Focal have impressed us, and this one hasn’t let us down either. It’s a pack that, from what we’ve seen, has all the details that most hikers will look for.

We’ve been putting the Gregory Maven 58 to the test in North Wales as part of our Outdoor 100 Gear of the Year list assessments. In Eryri National Park to be precise. Specifically designed for women (the men’s equivalent is the Paragon), there’s a lot to like here, including an ergonomically designed hipbelt, an impressive AirCushion back panel, multiple innovative storage solutions, and more.

We actually reviewed the original Maven way back in 2017, however, there’s been a whole bunch of adjustments and updates since then. Here’s how we got on with this latest one.

To see how it compares with the competition, check out our article on the best backpacks for hiking.

Our Top Line on the Gregory Maven 58

The Gregory Maven 58 is a backpack purpose-built for trekking. It’s the kind of long-distance gear hauler you want with you on multi-day hiking adventures such as the South West Coast path or the Pennine Way for example, where a balance between comfort and capacity is key. It’s not the lightest pack out there, with the comfortable back panel and durable fabrics adding a bit of weight to it, but we wouldn’t call it heavy either.

Buy The Gregory Maven 58: £280 at Alpine-trek.co.uk

Key Features

The Hipbelt: This uses Gregory’s FreeFloat technologies to flex with your body’s natural movements as you make your way along the trail. The flex panels additionally stop hot spots from forming across your hips.

Back system: There’s an AirCushion mesh panel here that is made from over 90% air, keeping your back and body cool as you move. It has an adjustable torso length.

Side zip: The full-length side zip makes gear organisation and unloading so much easier and is one of my favourite features.

Storage: The shoulder strap pocket is a highlight, specifically designed for the likes of a Garmin inReach, a snack bar, or a pair of hiking sunglasses. You’ll also find a large mesh pocket on the front of the bag with a secure buckle closure, as well as two on either side of the bag for water bottles and other hiking necessities.

Here I am out and about in North Wales testing the Maven.

Materials

The main body fabric here is a mixture of high density 100D and 210D nylon, while the base features a 300D nylon ripstop fabric that’s made from 40% recycled materials. I wouldn’t say I’m very selective about where I throw my bag down on the trail – often I miss and it lands in a puddle – and so far, the Maven has handled being bashed about on rocky, muddy and soggy trail floors very well.

Both the body and base fabric have been treated with a C0 DWR which means the bag is water repellent but not waterproof. It also means that the water repellent treatment Gregory has used here is free from PFAS which, in case you didn’t know, are those nasty synthetic chemicals that are both harmful to you and the environment.

The lining of the bag also has a PFAS-free DWR and is made from a 135D polyester that’s made from 40% post-consumer materials, while the buckles are bluesign approved.

The frame, on the other hand, is built from an alloy steel with a fiberglass cross-stay, as well as some high density plastic. These make for a high-end backpack, and offer great stability across the pack in a lightweight package. I’ve also found that the materials increase the flexibility of the pack – a far cry from the stiff steel-framed backpacking bags of yesteryears…

Buy The Gregory Maven 58: £280 at Alpine-trek.co.uk

Hipbelt and Back System

One of my favourite features of the Maven backpack is the dynamic suspension system. Gregory calls it a ‘FreeFloat Hybrid Suspension’ and it involves their FreeFloat hip belt combined with the 3D foam AirCushion back panel. The adjustable system uses flex panels in the hip belt and across the lower back panel that pivot with your body. This culminates in a pack that mimics your twists and turns as you hike which, in my opinion, excels on challenging ascents where you’re making all kinds of different motions.

The hipbelt additionally features a 3D construction that hugs your body and prevents hot spots from forming across your hips over long distances. The back panel also has a 3D design and is cross-cut to allow air to flow through for added breathability. It essentially creates an air space between you and the pack so you don’t get a river of sweat down your back.

The perforated holes across the mesh and dual density shoulder harness also help with air flow.

This is one impressive back system. Photos: Dave MacFarlane.

Storage

The access options for the Gregory Maven are awesome. My personal favourite is the huge side-access zip that lets you quickly grab gear from your bag with a full view of the way you’ve layered your packing. This means that you can visibly see where you’ve put your hiking socks, for example, so you avoid rummaging through the top opening for hours on end. (Okay, maybe not hours…)

I also find the zippered compartment at the bottom of the bag super useful. I recently packed the bag for an overnight camp near Penygader (Cadair Idris) and stuffed my sleeping bag in this compartment. Inevitably, what you use this compartment for depends on the size of your gear, but I reckon you could squeeze a one-person tent in there too if it packs down small.

Of course, there’s also access from the large opening beneath the floating lid. This includes a quick drawcord closure with top webbing compression.

Details

As expected, you’ll find pockets spread out all across the Maven bag. First there’s the two handy hipbelt pockets (ideal for your phone or a bag of GORP), then there’s the large zippered pocket on the lid, the huge stretch-mesh pocket on the front that I’ve frequently stuffed both a rain jacket and rain trousers in, two stretch-mesh side pockets, and a hidden pocket beneath the lid with attachment points and a key clip. This last pocket is where you’ll find the rain cover.

The shoulder strap pocket is another highlight. It’s specifically designed for the likes of a Garmin inReach, a snack bar, or a pair of hiking sunglasses. You’ll find this on the left-hand strap.

Other handy additions include a hydration sleeve, grippy zipper pulls, and attachment loops all across the bag. I’ve found the most useful loops to be the upper shock lock loops that hold walking poles – the Craghoppers Treklites in this instance – very securely against the bag. These loops are also suitable for an ice axe.

The hidden lid pocket that contains the rain cover.

Comfort and fit

I’m roughly 5 foot 6 with a stocky and curvy build and I’ve been testing the S/M torso length. The Maven is also available in a XS/S length. I’ve found that it’s super comfy, even on longer, heavily-packed hikes. As the body naturally changes shape throughout the day, I tend to adjust hiking bags quite a lot. The Maven has been great for this, with easy-to-use adjustment points all across the bag.

At 1.59kg with a 58L capacity, I’d consider this a very lightweight backpacking bag too. It certainly feels that way when it’s on. During my tests, I don’t think I’ve reached the maximum carry weight just yet (23kg), but I’ve never been a light packer and so far, it’s never felt uncomfortable and there’s been no excessive rubbing.

The Gregory Maven 58 with the rain cover on.

Verdict

All in all, I think this bag could be a game-changer for me. Gregory have fine tuned the balance between support and practicality very well here, honing in on adjustability wherever possible. I can see myself using the Maven on long-distance hiking trips in the future where I’ll need something nice and roomy with all-day comfort.