I have used this pack a handful of times, and I am always impressed with how much it can hold, and how comfortable it is to carry even when bursting at the seams.

Easy access to your stuff is key in a pack this size, and Gregory made sure that the main compartment was easy to access from multiple points. The shoulder straps are comfortable on long days and the hip strap is very supportive and doesn't dig in. Outside storage pockets are easily accessible for things like maps, snacks and your phone/camera.

OK, for starters... This pack got allll the 2015 reviews and has ranked SO high, so I figured I would try it out.

WHAT I DONT LIKE:
1. The outer zipper runs vertically, on a pretty big main storage area, so if you have anything other than cloth in there, its going to fall to the bottom and you can't keep much in there that won't fall out as soon as you unzip it. I like the use the outer pocket for day snacking food, wipes, and other immediate needs, and this large vertical pocket does not effectively allow for one to use that space to their advantage.

2. The two one way zippers at the top are pretty much the same issue, except these also get stuck in your hair when you're hiking. The testers probably just wore a super high pony tail so never figured it out, but i wear braids, and it pulls them every time which makes for a pretty miserable hiking experience. The direction of the top zippers also sucks because if you are laying your pack down nothing stays in them, everything ALWAYS falls out. If you are hiking and don't want to take your pack off they are convenient to unzip, but, once again everything falls out because the way the pack wraps over the top gravity forces everything in there to fall on your head. They need to switch the direction of the zip or make it a two-way. Since the zippers are on such a top curve, they don't really stay all the way to the end, and I've found sometimes that if I have chapstick or something small and narrow, it will slip right out of the little space.

3. The way this pack packs is not conducive to the female body type (mine at least). Its large and wide, and when hiking it throws off your center. I do not recommend a beginner buying this at all, because if you don't know the science of packing perfectly, you will end up with a really lopsided and lumpy pack (I've seen it, it looks painful!I -- I personally prefer packs that are more tall and form fitting to the height of your torso, as opposed to packing out wide in every direction and throwing your balance around. I understand how to pack it, that isn't the issue. The issue is how the pack is designed. Go for a longer more slender pack, this one requires a lot (too much) of attention to pack!

4. The belt buckle - My friend got the same pack and her buckle was so cheap and broke within her first two times using the pack. It collapsed inside on the clip, so actually getting that "click" when you fasten it wasn't happening, and you had to really jam it together to get it to stay, and pry it open to get it off. Not fun when its the only thing you have.

5. There are not many areas to attach carabiner clips to on the back center area. Only on the bottom sides, which when something attaches there it throws off your balance more, or hits you in the legs, or swings a lot. Its much nicer when a pack has clips along the vertical external pocket area (the one mentioned above) to keep with balance and so it doesn't swing so much, or nock around.

WHY I DO LIKE IT
1. The belt pockets - One is waterproof, and one is mesh. Its very convenient to have the waterproof one to stick your phone in for easy use and safety.
2. The waist strap is very wide and comfortable!
3. I love the water bottle pocket on the outside, that is just within reaching distance.
4. I love that the rainfly is included, and there is a secured pocket for it.
5. Day pack is perfect that is included.
6. The pack is very lightweight

All in all, the pack isn't BAD, but I would never recommend it to another female backpacker, and would never go with Gregory again. Ive done extensive research and testing, and there are other brands that I highly recommend instead.

Got it for a trip that didn't materialize, but.....I did load it with all the gear I was going to take. I got the xs, I'm 5 feet exactly 126 pounds. I got measured at a store, not Backcountry. The guy told me I was a size small. After buying a size small very quickly it was painfully obvious it was too big. I got this xs from Backcountry, I loaded it with all the gear. First of all it has a nice and removable day pack inside, whick also doubles as a holder for your Camelbak or other hydration bladder. I quickly discovered that having my 100 oz. Camelback in there would 1. take too much space and 2. if it leaks I'd have a major flood. I removed the backpack and you can find a way of putting it on the outside, but since I never went on my trip I'm not sure how it would work in real life. The pack weighed 25 pounds with gear including stove, food , sleeping bag and extra clothes for an alpine trip, xtra shoes and I was going to add a 1 person bivy. There was still room for a few more items. The accessibility is great from the bottom, the front and the top. I prefer maybe a few more pockets. Where my problem really came in to play was the fit. I loaded it as I would in the field and walked 1/2 mile. I never felt like the hip belt was really supporting the majority of the weight and the shoulder straps did not feel exactly comfortable. I have not backpacked in a lot of years but I'm really fit and have relatively broad shoulders, so the straps did not sag or fall off they were just plain not as comfy as all the reviews made it out to be. My walk was going to be the Haute Route carrying about a 20 pound pack, so in the end I'm glad the trip is not going to happen, because I have more time to explore other options. It may be another Gregory pack, but I am certain it won't be this one, at least not with the shoulder straps it comes with. If you can, get it at a store where someone knowledgeable will actually work with you and tweak the fit so it's exactly right. Maybe that's what went wrong with me.