Gregory Zulu LT 25 Rucksack: Too much engineering for a daypack?

The Gregory Zulu – or women’s Jade – is one of the US brand’s most popular and long-standing pack ranges. They’re available in multiple sizes, starting from a diminutive 20 litres and going right up to a capacious 65 litres. So, conceivably, you could own a quiver of Zulu or Jade hiking backpacks to suit you for all sorts of adventures, from half-day hikes to long-distance, multi-day treks.

The hallmarks of the series are comfort, functionality, and build quality. The Zulu LT 25 is no exception. It’s a versatile mid-sized hiking daypack that works brilliantly for spring and summer hillwalking.

That’s largely thanks to its plush harness, rigid frame and suspended mesh back system, which ensures great load transfer as well as superb ventilation for all-day comfort. It’s made from robust and durable materials too, with a well-thought-out feature set to complete the package.

The main compartment is accessed via a top zip, which isn’t obstructed by side compression straps. As such, it’s well-designed for easy loading and rummaging, with an internal hydration sleeve for a water bladder.

Additional storage consists of two more zippered pockets on the front panel, with twin stretch side pockets for water bottles plus two zippered hipbelt pockets. Yet the pack maintains a clean look, without too many straps and cords to get snagged on branches or flail around in windy weather.

Downsides? The pack is such a capable gear-hauler that some might feel it’s a bit overengineered, especially given its modest volume. The wraparound hip fins in particular add a fair amount of bulk, though the extra support is undoubtedly beneficial when fully laden.

This also means its far from the lightest pack around, despite its ‘LT’ (lightweight) billing. But although you’re not getting class-leading volume-to-weight ratio, you are getting excellent carrying comfort and great airflow to prevent a sticky, sweaty back.

The only other aspect to note is that the back length is fixed and only available in one size. There are men’s and women’s versions, but it still essentially means this pack will either fit you or it won’t. For reference, the back length of the men’s Zulu LT 25 that we tested is just over 18 inches.

Back system

Along with the harness, a pack’s frame and back system are largely what determines carrying comfort. Famously, Wayne Gregory, the founder of Gregory packs, said that his packs ‘should be worn, not carried’, which indicates how important fit has always been to the brand.

It’s slightly surprising, therefore, that although there is a women’s-specific version of the Zulu LT 25, known as the Jade LT 25, both are only available in one size. The back system is also fixed, lacking any adjustment to suit different torso lengths.

Of course, this is only a mid-sized daypack, and with a capacity of 25 litres you’re hardly going to be carrying back-breaking loads. So, in this sense, fit perhaps doesn’t matter as much as it would for a bigger backpacking rucksack. Inevitably though, the fixed back length won’t be right for everyone, so if you can, try before you buy (or check your torso length with a tape measure, going from the top of your hips to your C7 vertebra, which is the bony one at the base of your neck). For reference, the back panel of the men’s Zulu LT 25 is about 18 and a half inches.

But, to misquote a phrase, if the pack fits, wear it – because it’s really comfortable. The rigid perimeter frame provides load-bearing grunt, while the flared base ensures excellent load transfer. Lumbar padding keeps the lower back well supported. In addition, the VaporSpan ventilated back panel uses suspended mesh to hold the pack body away from the pack, permitting plenty of airflow on warmer days. This prevents that uncomfortable sweaty, sticky feeling common with many packs.

Harness and hipbelt

If you find that the shoulder straps of many packs cut into your skin or bruise your collarbones, you’ll love the Zulu LT 25’s plush harness. It’s seriously well padded, with chunky perforated foam overlaid with fast-wicking mesh for ventilation and breathability. The upper sections of the shoulder straps are doubled over to eliminate seams too, minimising the chance of developing hotspots or chafing.

The harness is also nicely shaped and contoured for comfort, with load lifters and a sliding chest strap to further stabilise the load and prevent the pack from pulling backwards. It’s easy to tweak how the bag rides on your back to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the day.

The hip belt is also a highlight. It’s a wraparound design that integrates seamlessly with the back panel, again ensuring no uncomfortable lumps or bumps from seams or pads. It pulls in tight with a chunky webbing belt and plastic squeeze buckle, which can be adjusted at both sides with a single pull of each ‘tail’.

The oversized hipbelt also means there is space for two big, zippered pockets, which will accommodate modern smartphones. They’re fitted with ergonomic rubber zip pulls – in fact, all the zippers are – though we still found the hipbelt pockets tricky to close with one hand.

Design and features

Gregory packs – even those that are billed as lightweight or ‘LT’ models, like this one – aren’t generally known for being the lightest on the market. That’s because Gregory has built its brand on carrying comfort and features. To compromise on those qualities by sacrificing padding and simplifying the back system would essentially betray the principles that established the brand’s reputation.

As such, the Zulu LT 25 isn’t exactly a featherweight. Our test sample tipped the scales at 1.1kg, which was heavier than the bigger Rab Protium 27. So, you’re not getting class-leading volume-to-weight ratios here. What you are getting is excellent ventilation and a plush padded harness, which together deliver excellent carrying comfort. This makes sense, since the Zulu and Jade are marketed as all-rounders, not as minimalist ‘fast and light’ or technical mountain packs.

Then there’s the fact that the Zulu LT 25 is also extremely robust and well-built. The main body is constructed from thick 400D recycled polyester ripstop. On the base, where more wear and tear can be expected, you get even tougher 420D nylon. The spring steel perimeter internal frame is also one of the most rigid we’ve encountered in a daypack – it’s seriously sturdy.

The basic design is a zippered panel-loader. The curvature of the back panel does intrude a little on space in the main compartment, but it’s still easy enough to rummage around in and see right to the bottom. The two-way zipper opens nice and wide to help here, but intelligently the side compression straps don’t get in the way either. Inside, a hydration sleeve sits in the main pocket, against your back, with a hanging clip and a central exit port for a drinking tube.

Externally, you get two side mesh pockets for carrying water bottles. The compression straps run inside these, but they can also be threaded outside the pockets if preferred. Additional storage consists of two more zippered pockets on the front panel, a smaller top one and a larger side-access fabric pocket.

We really like this feature: it’s more secure and better protected than either an elastic drawcord arrangement or a stretch mesh pocket, whilst adding durability to the front of the pack and retaining a nice clean look. The base of the pack has laser-cut slots for a bike light, and a loop for trekking poles, with an upper bungee cord to secure them. A raincover is also provided, though there’s no dedicated space to store it – many rival packs have a bottom pocket for this.

Sustainability

As a brand, Gregory has made good efforts to improve the sustainability of its products. The main body of this pack is made from 40% recycled 400D polyester ripstop with a PFAS-free durable water repellent finish. The liner is also 40% post-consumer recycled 135D polyester, again with a PFAS-free DWR. Hardware, such as the plastic buckles, is also Bluesign approved. Packaging is made from 99% recycled polybags, while hangtags are made from low-impact certified recycled paper and recycled craft paper.

Gregory also offers a limited lifetime warranty (to the original purchaser) on defects in materials or workmanship. If your pack breaks, they’ll fix or replace it.

Price and competition

With a UK RRP of £135, this is a premium daypack. Its most obvious competitor is the Osprey Stratos and women’s Sirrus 24 (£155), which it undercuts on price slightly. There’s not too much to pick between them, since both have plush harnesses and excellent ventilated back systems.

The major point of difference is that the Osprey packs have adjustable back systems, while the Zulu/Jade back lengths are fixed. But if the Gregory happens to fit you well, then it’s well worth the cost saving. It’s just as well-built as the Osprey pack, and just as comfortable.

If you’d rather save some cash (wouldn’t we all?), don’t worry – you can of course get good daypacks of a similar size for a fair bit less. Good examples are the Mammut Lithium 20 (£95), the Deuter AC Lite 21 SL (also £95) and the Berghaus Remote Hike 23 (£110), all of which come in women’s-specific fits.

Alternatively, if you’re not bothered about the extra comfort that usually comes with a dedicated gender-specific fit and/or are on a tight budget, you could also look at bona fide bargains like the unisex Highlander Venture 20 (£30), the new Vango Mitra Air 20 (£62.50) or Air 30 (£72.50), the Alpkit Presta 25 (£70) or the Sprayway Akka 30 (£75). All those are much more basic designs than the Gregory Zulu LT 25 though.

Verdict

If the fixed back length suits you, the Zulu LT 25 is one of the most comfortable daypacks around. The plush harness, body-hugging hipbelt and ventilated back panel are standout features, but the pack’s solid build quality and clean, unfussy looks are also advantages. It’s not the cheapest, flashiest or lightest pack in its class but excels in most other respects.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek.

Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.