Lightweight Pack

Hello.
Having tried an Osprey Stratos 32 and had the seemingly common problem of the struts digging into my hips when loaded.My attention has turned to Gregory Juxt or Macpac Amp Race 25.Any thoughts on the two packs,back ventilation etc ?
Thanks for any feedback.

The Macpac Amps are great sacks, just updated with bigger mesh pockets and they're a bit lighter as well.
Ventilation is minimal, but I'll always sacrifice a back system for stability.

Hi Ross,
I encountered that problem with the Stratos 32 a year ago, so ended up looking again and settled on the Gregory Juxt - and I love it. (I looked at the Macpac too.) It carries very comfortably whether lightly loaded or straining under ropes and hardwear. It swallows far more kit than I expected, and has good options as far as pockets, straps and fixings go. It's become my year-round pack for walking, scrambling and mountain-biking.

Minor drawbacks
- the hip-belt pocket is very small (only really good for a couple of small items like keys or spare batteries), but I've fitted a supplementary pouch on the other side of the hipbelt and that works fine.
- the back is very stable but not massively well ventilated, although there is an air channel. It doesn't bother me, I prefer the stability, and having never used any form of 'air-gap' back system I'd say the Juxt is no worse in that respect than all the close-fitting climbing-style packs I've ever used.
- only a single back length. I'm 6' with a reasonably long back (I take size 3 in POD sacs) and I reckon I'm close to the limit for being able to use the Juxt hipbelt properly positioned.
- I don't suppose you can really describe the pack as lightweight, about 1.2kg I think for 28 or 30-ish litres (you can remove the back-plate to save weight but I haven't). But that doesn't bother me, as I said before the comfort, quality and features are excellent.

To me all those points are very minor, i'd say irrelevant to me. The Juxt is brilliant, my favourite daysack for many, many years!

Thanks both..certainly tempted by the Juxt.
Pity about the Stratos though..I liked that pack...but those struts...

Thanks Pete and Matt for you input. Ive ordered a Juxt today.If you get a chance Matt,could you let me know which hipbelt pocket you use ?
Thanks again..

Ive just had some,what can only be described as exemplary customer service from Hugo Youngman of Esc Outdoor the distributor for Gregory packs in the UK.
Thank you Hugo...top notch.

Aye, Hugo did very well for me too on a couple of occasions - a top bloke!

For a hipbelt pocket I'm just using an old zipped pouch with belt loops that I've had for years, quite possibly from an 'Army & Navy' shop or similar. But a friend has got hold of a couple of hipbelt-specific pouches for packs without hipbelt pockets from Decathlon recently - I haven't seen them yet to know if they'll be any better.

I attach the pouch with a bit of velcro through the slots on the RHS of the hipbelt (you'll see what I mean) and the other belt-loop threaded on the hipbelt - that way it doesn't slide around or fall off when I put the pack down.

Thanks Matt.
Juxt just came through the mail.Very happy first impressions.I like it.
Thanks for your input,looks like youve helped me come up trumps !
Cheers

Ross,

If you are looking for somwthing lighter, have also a look at the Vaude rock ultralight 25.
A great week end pack at 350g!

Well,Im impressed with the Juxt.Id echo Jons thoughts in his review couple years ago..first thoughts of a "firm" carry.I took the back panel out and spent a bit of time bending,manipulating it and it may be all in my mind but it seems to have made a difference.The hipbelt pocket isnt much use mind..but on the whole its fantastic..thanks all for your input.

I can't find the Juxt on the gregory website; is it being replaced?

I quite like the look of some of the womens gregory packs but the female version of the G pack has a zip to get into the top instead of normal straps (why, is it assumed women are obsessed with zips or are too stupid to use straps?) and they look a bit 'pockety' and 'strappy'. Shame as the harnesses look good.

Hi Superkat
The Juxt is no longer a current model..was introduced in 2005 I think...but I can vouch for its quality.I am seriously considering a Gregory Reactor next for biking/running to replace my Karrimor Hydro.