Bought a G-Pack over a year ago from Kentdale Outdoor (in Kendal). Really comfortable to carry, and I liked the pockets (which appear to have been improved). The only downside was on the first 'big' outing - 3 days around the Glenshee area - the fabric wore through in the main pack, and it subsequently ripped. This happened because of rubbing between a camera and a buckle, as far as I can tell. Kentdale sent the pack back and Gregory replaced without a quibble; I have been a little more careful about packing hard stuff on the outside since . . . A really nice sac (and cheaper than GoLite!)
The material wore through by rubbing of the contents???. Are you serious?. For low weight there is obviously a trade-off in durability but that's ridiculous, it's totally unfit for the purpose, and having to cushion the material of a pack from hard objects just beggars belief. This is an outdoor product that will be scraped against rocks, dragged under prickly branches and all sorts, and it should have a modicum of robustness.
I should hope they have improved the fabric in the latest models, but are all these very light packs so flimsy?. We were thinking of trying one of those but I have severe doubts now. Our Lowe Alpine packs are heavier but have been totally impervious to years of harsh treatment. Regards
I've just bought a gregory Z pack which is described as larger & beefier and it's difficult to see how it could easily be damaged. The fabric is different & it looks very robust. The quality & features are superb.
I like the fact that the Z fills a gap in the market for larger than 50 litre light weight packs, weighing as it does 1.5kg with a capacity of 54 litres plus approx 6 litres in external bucket pocket.
I think I may have seen these in Windermere recently. I must take a proper look next time I'm in the Lakes: I don't normally stop in Windermere, but I was nipping to Booth's.
Hmmm.... I'm not quite sure whether it was Gregory packs or one of the other US lightweight packs. Um...
Maybe I should mention that I've not had a problem with the replacement pack. The situation was one where, on my (very) old Hot Ice, I would probably have expected some 'furring', but that is on substantially thicker material. Gregory expressed surprise and said they would be testing the fabric - they suggested that it may have been a fault in the fabric.
I had read reviews on American websites (which I know are no less inclined to prejudice than any other reviews), which all stated that it was a robust pack, so I was surprised too. As to 'having to cushion' the fabric from hard objects - I have always tried to do so, to improve the life of equipment as it makes sense not to needlessly stress the fabric, but this time I appear not to have (in a downpour) and found a weakness in the material . . . ho-hum.
