Gregory Z55 vs. Osprey Aether 60

Ian,

Last year I carried the Z55 with 36 lbs 70 miles on the High Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney.

The pack is very comfortable…so comfortable that I had a hard time switching to a framesless pack. (This year I started using the Jam2).

My observations is that the Z55 is pretty tough. I believe my friend has the Aether, but not sure if it is the 60 or a bigger one.

His Osprey definitely looks tougher than the Z55, but at a price of being much heavier.

I think that the Z55 will handle anything on or off trail that you put it though, as long as you are not planning on tossing down a mountain.

I found that the zipper on the side is useless…never have unzipped it.

Given how carefully I arrange things in my pack, everything is removed from the top moving down.

Any of my 10 essentials, wind shirt, gloves, hat, med kit, etc…is all stored in the front pocket of the pack, which is quite large.

Mesh pockets on both sides of the pack is where I put my trail mix or cliff bars for snacks on the go and water bottle for my gravity filter (1 pint disposable water bottle).

I like the hip belt pockets on the Z55 and that it has a vented back, like the Osprey.

The only negative to the Z-55 is that the frame sheet is curved and cuts into the main compartment of the back.

I only found this to be an issue when loading a full size/large bear vault into it.

Plenty of straps on the Z55 to adjust it to your heart's content and to pull the load from the shoulders to your back.

(This is a feature lacking on my Jam2 that I am trying to get used to).

Anyway, hope that this helps you.

-Tony

Ian, you might want to wait and try out the new Osprey Exos 58 which is due to hit the shelves this Spring. I was pretty impressed by Will Rietveld's review in this issue…check it out!

If you like the Osprey packs, but the Z-55 suits your needs, you might want to look at the Atmos 50. I think it's closer to the Z-55 than the Aether.
The Aether is a great pack though.

The Atmos won't have the isoformed hipbelt. I've never tried it, but I always thought it was a gimmick. You're going to be losing weight along the way anyways.

Is the exos only in the printed magazine? Or can I find it online?

…never mind, I got some info on it — 2.2 lbs!

I've never used the z55 but my Aether and I have seen stuff that will turn you white . This pack is like family to me. It's gone through three seasons of bashing up and down the east coast, been crammed full with up to forty #s and it looks like I just got it.
It's almost embaressing, I look like a greenhorn.

I've run into a few gear dorks in the back country with the same bag and I've heard no complaints. It is a little heavy, but it's very much a pack of all trades since it's compression system helps control big, small, and weird loads.I now have a gossamer gear mariaposa plus, for my on wide trail ultralite trips, but my osprey is my go to for big loads and rough trails. I find the hip belt comfy, it has great support, but dries slow.

While I have not used either pack on the trail, I will mention my experiences testing them with weight in the store during auditions. I am 5'-11", 190 lbs. I do a decent amount of weight training and therefore have a wider upper torso and somewhat bulkier arms than many skinnier backpackers. I first loaded up the Z55 with 25 lbs of sand bags and got it adjusted. While it felt fine at first, the straps were the largest issue. The width of my torso caused them to flare out to the side, and my arms would rub against the sides of the straps as I walked. This caused noticable chafing in the first 15 minutes or so – I dread to think about wearing this on the trail. I consulted with the REI sales people and no amount of adjusting could make it work, and testing out the Large size was for naught, as it was too long for my torso.

The Aether series is superior for a wider range of users because of the more adjustable harness system. While the lightweight Gregory and Osprey lines are appealing, I don't think they fit users who are not either thin or average in build. The Z and Atmos lines just won't work for broad shoulders and chests, IMO.

Another vote for the Atmos 50. This is the pack I'll be using to section hike the Maine portion of the AT next summer. The pack fits me very well. (5 foot 8, 140#) has plenty of storage (including the space between your back and the frame) and is lighter than both packs you mentioned.

I hope you find the right pack for you and good luck on your thru hike!

Jeremy

bpl just did a review on it, if you wont need the pack right away then wait for the exos in the size you want.

two comments on Aether packs.

1. I have the 70, huge, but convienant for what I do. You can remove the lid and save decent weight, as a day pack the lid is ridicoulus, have to remove the belt from the pack, a pain. Side pockets suck, cannot remove water bottles by yourself if you use them. Bad design, maybe improved by now, mine is 06 model. But very nice pack for me carrying weight, very comfortable, fit perfectly.

2. Belt forming. Sales person at store said its' a gimmick, just wear the pack and it will conform. I went with that, used it for awhile and it worked just fine. Then I ran across a post on how to do it at home, in your oven, followed directions, and tried it. The fit was much better, and the feel of the pack when loaded was simply better as well. So if you get that one, get the molding done. I like frame packs, because I am BAgnes user. Good luck.

Bottom line, the most important thing is to buy the pack that's most comfortable for you. Go to a store, try them each out with weight–preferably at least 10 or 15 minutes each. If you're not sure which one feels most comfortable, then which one feels lighter?

I'm not sure about your comment on the aether extra compartment. The aether 60 doesn't have bottom access like the 70 and 85, though. As for the thermoforming, the belt will eventually mold itself to you. But if you do warm it, it'll speed up the process and be (relatively) more comfortable from the get-go. Don't get too hung up on the idea; which pack feels best on your back and distributes weight the best initially?

Depending on your time frame, you might want to try the new Osprey. The Atmos is a decent pack, but personally I find the intrusion of the frame into the pack body to be an annoyance–makes it harder to get stuff sacks in there. I'd try out a Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian, too. To second someone earlier, I've never used side zips on packs I've had. Too much hassle. The Nimbus zip is better, though.

Use your local shop. I know a lot of people buy things online now, but I really think that packs need to be tried on and fitted.