Gregory Jade 28 Women’s Backpack

www.gregorypacks.com; two pounds, ten ounces
When it comes to women’s packs, “gender specific” often starts—and ends—with the product name and the color scheme. Thankfully Gregory recognizes that a woman’s torso differs from her male counterparts; they design packs with a narrower back panel and a harness that’s tailored to a woman’s shape.  The Jade 28 embodies this simple yet revolutionary approach to create a pack that’s large and comfortable enough for a big day out.  The Jetstream suspension, which has a mesh panel that lifts the back panel off your back, assures ample ventilation, while the adjustable waist belt and dual-density foam eliminates hot spots on those parts where the pack makes contact with your body.  The top-loader has an expansive, tear-shaped lid that gives generous access to the bag’s 28.5-liter interior (size medium).  Inside, find a hydration sleeve (with ports on either side of the bag), a mesh pocket on the back side of the lid, and another big pocket on the top that’s perfect for mid-trail snacks. The pack storage is further supplemented by a kangaroo-style back panel anchored by compression straps that’s great for stowing an extra layer (open slits at the bottom corners of this pouch, however, means you’ll likely to lose smaller objects).  There’s also a central zip that runs vertically up this back pouch, and a slot for the included rain cover (which can be left behind when clear skies dominate the forecast).  Mesh water bottle pockets on either side, and small mesh pockets on the waist belt, offer additional storage, and dual attachment points for ice axes and other tools give you more options than you’ll ever need.  We do wish that the heavy fabric straps on the bottom weren’t completely sewn into the pack—making these more like daisy chains could provide the option of strapping on a sleeping bag for an ultra-light overnight outing. But for hearty day-long use with all the feminine touches, the Jade is tops.