Gregory Deva 60 Review

The Gregory Deva 60 has it all. With large, easy-to-access pockets, durable buckles, and a hefty waist belt that is unmatched in comfort, you won't wish for anything else. The hinging hip belt moves as you move, keeping the shoulder straps and upper body steady as you hike. Though Gregory slimmed down the most recent iteration of this pack to make it sleeker, it still feels a bit bulky. Yes, the Deva is heavy. But hear us out on this one: the weight might be worth it because you get tons of padding, a pivoting hip belt design, and loads of space and storage options. This plush, durable pack has everything you'll need on your next backpacking adventure.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Suspension

This metric is where the Deva shines. It is an incredibly comfortable backpack with a women's specific pre-curved harness and hip belt, and the backpack carried exceptionally well on our field tests. This means that it feels lighter than it really is.

The back and shoulder straps are well padded with some nice ventilation. The pack's bomber suspension - with help from its thick cushioning - remains comfortable under even the heaviest loads. Supporting that heavy load is the Deva's hip belt, which is one of the most comfortable hip belts we've ever had the pleasure to test. It even has a ComfortGrip lumbar pad that keeps the pack from sliding down your back, meaning you don't need to keep hoisting up the pack or tightening the belt. The hip belt is stiff (in a good way) and well padded with multi-density EVA foam and PreCurve technology.

The Deva has a substantial suspension system with Gregory's new Freefloat A3 suspension that improves its weight distribution and carrying comfort. Despite the hefty suspension system, the pack is actually pretty stable because both the shoulder straps and hip belt panels pivot independently, allowing the backpack to remain stable even when you're moving over uneven terrain like a log on the trail or scrambling on red rock. These features do come at the cost of weight though - there are plenty of models that weigh less than the Deva. But none that match the stability and comfort. If you pack lighter, the suspension and comfort features of the Deva are overkill. But if you pack like the rest of us, your shoulders and back will thank you for it.

Organizational Systems

With fewer straps overall, this newest version of the Gregory Deva improves the pack's ease of use. You can easily access all of the compartments while hiking, including the side pockets and giant hip belt pockets. Hiking partners rejoice because you no longer need to help grab your partner's water bottle while wearing they are wearing the Deva thanks to its easy-access water bottle holster.

Speaking of pockets, the two large outer pockets featured on the previous model are now streamlined into one mesh pocket. Though this exterior pocket is smaller, it is stretchy and less bulky, which we like. We can still comfortably fit an extra layer and camp shoes in it. Even the lid has a good amount of storage. The slimmed-down external storage makes this pack simpler overall, for which we are grateful.

One of our testers' favorite features is the large u-zip opening that allows you to access the stuff in the bottom of your pack without taking everything out through the top. This is the perfect feature for those of us who are suddenly caught in a thunderstorm and forgot to take out our rain shells before stuffing our packs. The u-zip is also great for easily taking out your tent and sleeping bag to set up camp while leaving everything else in place.

The Deva isn't the simplest, most streamlined pack we've ever used. If you're happier with fewer pockets and features, you won't find that in the Deva. But if your idea of happiness is lots of storage options in a pack, the Deva could make your day.

Weight

All that comfortable padding adds lots of extra weight - we weighed it in at 4.7 pounds. The Deva's heft is noticeable when you pick it up but the benefit is that it handles a heavy load with superb stability and comfort.

The downside is that its weight makes it suitable for a more narrow range of adventures. This backpack feels too heavy to carry with a lighter load, and we wouldn't recommend it for a day hike. The Deva weighs a bit more because of all the extra comfort features, which we found to be very pleasant on backpacking trips when comfort and weight carrying capability were the top priorities.

Adjustability

We found that the Deva is easy to adjust on the fly. The straps are fairly streamlined and are all in logical places. The side compression straps, shoulder straps, and bottom cinch straps were easy to adjust while out on the trail. Though you have to take a hiking break to adjust the torso, it adjusts quickly using a velcro system.

Unfortunately, there aren't infinite adjustment lengths, but it does give each size 3 inches of range in torso height. A feature that you don't see much on backpacks, but that we appreciate, is that the hip belt padding length is adjustable. Yes, you read that correctly: you can extend not only the webbing of the hip belt, but the actual padding part of it too.

Value

There's no other way to put it; the Deva is pricy. It's a good value for the woman who wants a spacious pack, appreciates lots of padding comfort, and wants it to carry lighter than it really is. While there are many other models that offer comfort and carrying capacity for a lower price, the Deva is nearly unparalleled in comfort and stability for heavy loads. If what you seek is a more minimal pack, you can probably get one for less. The value often comes down to which pack fits your body the best but you should note that your backpack is a key component of your backpacking experience, and therefore, it is probably worth paying more for a pack that you love.

Conclusion

For the comfort-loving lady, the Gregory Deva calls your name. It's got some heft with a sturdy suspension design that makes it ideal for trips with mid-to heavy-weight loads. With plenty of space to pack everything you could desire on a backpacking trip, the Deva is one of the most luxurious models in our review. If luxury is what you seek, then this contender is beyond compare in design features and spaciousness.