Gregory Zulu 30 Pack | Performance

The Zulu 30 is longstanding US brand Gregory’s smallest entry into the bear pit that is the world of vented packs and the good news is that it’s excellent and well capable of standing its ground against the big beasts of trampoline back systems.

The Crossflow back mixes a shallow suspended mesh with twin crossed alloy rods to give support and together with carefully specced foam and well shaped straps gives an excellent, stable and appreciably cooler carry.

Gregory says that ‘the Dynamic Yoke design stiffens the suspension as weight increases’ and we never had any issues with the sorts of loads you’d expect to be carrying in a walking-orientated daypack, even with a full 3-litre reservoir and a bunch of clothing and equipment. There are medium and long sizes to suit your back length and a women’s-specific range labelled ‘Jade’ in various capacities.

You don’t lose out with the rest of the pack either. One neat touch is that the big top-opening zip is backed up with a sizeable ‘lid-pocket’ – there is no lid of course, but it does the same useful job. And if that’s not enough, you also get three stretch mesh stash pockets for easy stowage of fast-moving kit.

Hell, there’s even a stretch loop on the shoulder strap designated to hold your surplus sunglasses out of harm’s way. Just about the only thing it doesn’t have is one of those chest-strap buckles that doubles as an emergency whistle.

Ice-axe / trekking pole loops use glove-friendly shock-cord top loops and zip-pulls are mahoosively unmissable, which is a good thing in our book. Compression straps? Tick. Waist-belt pockets? Tick. Hydration system compatibility with central exit port and plastic hose-clip? Check. Rain cover in external pocket? You got it.

And last but not least, overall build feels good and the fabrics seems reassuringly solid with sturdy construction and solid seams throughout plus svelte good looks.