Gregory Deva 60 Review

The Gregory Deva 60 has it all, which is part of why it is one of the heavier packs we tested. This rugged pack has large, easy-to-access pockets, durable buckles, and a hefty waist belt with movable padding. The hinging hip belt moves as you move, keeping the shoulder straps and upper body steady. The weight of the Deva can be worth it because you get tons of padding, a pivoting hip belt design, and loads of space and storage options — but it certainly is not an ultralight option. This plush, durable pack has everything you'll need on your next luxury backpacking adventure.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This metric is where the Deva shines. It is a 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 is, which is lucky since it is quite heavy, at 4.7 pounds. Even under 30+ pound loads, the suspension rides like a dream, securing the Deva's standing as an epically comfortable pack.

The back and shoulder straps are well padded with nice ventilation. The thick but rigidly padded straps remain comfortable under even the heaviest loads. The ultra-padded and customizable hip belt supports a heavy load and is one of the most comfortable hip belts we've encountered in our testing. It has a ComfortGrip lumbar pad that keeps the pack from sliding down your back, meaning you don't need to keep hoisting the pack or tightening the belt. This nifty feature might sound like small potatoes, but it makes a big difference when your pack is fully loaded, and you're wearing it all day long.

The thick, supportive shoulder straps are molded out of the same foam. Even though the shoulder straps are wide, our narrow-shouldered tester didn't find them too bulky during our tests. The extra comfort features add bulk but do a great job preventing chafing, even in crop tops and tank tops. If you prefer minimalist padding, though, there are better backpacks for you. The Deva has a substantial suspension system with Gregory's Freefloat A3 suspension that improves its weight distribution and carrying comfort. Despite the hefty suspension system, the pack is quite stable because both the shoulder straps and hip belt panels pivot independently, allowing the backpack to remain stable even when moving over uneven terrain, like a log on the trail or scrambling on red rock. Some packs with two pivot points can feel unstable, but the upper joint of the Deva doesn't allow for much movement, which helps keep the load aligned with your center of gravity. If you pack lighter, the suspension and comfort features of the Deva are overkill.

Ease of Use

Despite our lead tester's preferences for simple, more streamlined packs and pockets, the Deva was an easy pack to use. While there is a bit of a learning curve if you're unaccustomed to the nuances of backpacking backpacks, the extra straps and specified pockets are intelligently designed and intuitive once you become acquainted with the pack. The pockets are well placed and easy to access if organization is a top priority. You can easily access the front and side compartments while hiking, including the stowable water bottle holder. Gregory updated this water bottle hostler this year, making it easy to grab while hiking.

The main body of the Deva features one large pocket with a detachable ripstop nylon panel at the base. It creates a nearly complete separate pocket beneath which you can stash your sleeping bag. 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. The U-zip is great for easily removing your tent and sleeping bag to set up camp while leaving everything else in place. This is also 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.

Atop the main compartment are bilateral, vertical entry pockets; they do not connect. These pockets performed well for carrying river shoes and additional layers, keeping them protected from the elements but within reach. At the outermost layer of the pack is a large buckle-closure beavertail pocket for stashing even more quick-draw items. The brain of the Deva adds plenty of additional storage but is not detachable, which is not something we prefer. The extra straps and loops can help compress your load but can also be used for adhering gear to the outside of your backpack. The bottom straps are great for a Z-fold, closed cell sleeping pad, or a hefty sleeping bag in its stuff sack. The Deva has plenty of loops for trekking poles, sunglasses, bear spray, and more.

Weight

All of the comfortable padding, zippers, straps, and special features add a lot of extra weight. All told the Deva weighs nearly 5 pounds when empty, and it feels like it when you pick it up by its handle. And with just 60 liters of storage space, it has one of the worst weight-to-volume ratios in our lineup.

The downside is that its weight makes it suitable for a narrow range of adventures, though the manufacturer's website clearly states that the trekking pole loops are suitable for ice axes. This backpack feels too heavy to carry with a lighter load, and we wouldn't recommend it for a day hike. Because it doesn't feature a detachable brain or other removable features, this is a big pack that is pretty much only suited for backpacking excursions where you want to carry a ton of gear.

Adjustability

It is easy to make micro-adjustments to the Deva on the fly, but the torso adjustments take more time and effort to fiddle with. The straps are fairly streamlined and are all in logical places. The side compression straps, shoulder straps, and bottom cinch straps are super easy to adjust while out on the trail. Especially when carrying a heavy load, it is nice to be able to make these small adjustments as the weight in the pack may shift a bit while hiking. The ability to tug on a strap or two to regain equilibrium is a must beneath a heavy pack.

The torso adjustments are more difficult to put into action. Most of the back panel adheres via super strong Velcro, which doesn't give super easily. Once you release the panel, placing it at your optimal height is somewhat simple, but we are not particularly impressed with this system. The Deva is available in three size options, XS, S, and M, all with around 3 inches of torso adjustment height. One of the coolest features that the Deva has (but many others lack) is adjustable hip belt padding. Via the same tough Velcro, the hip belt padding can be extended to accommodate wider hips comfortably. The webbing is adjustable and plenty long to accommodate a variety of body shapes as well, but the extended hip cushion really takes the cake here.

Should You Buy the Gregory Deva 60?

If you are looking for a rugged, super-hauling lady-beast of a backpack, we definitely recommend the Deva. It offers good ventilation for a thick and loaded pack, making it suitable for myriad climate types. If you value budget-friendly or ultralight gear, pass on the Deva and look towards some of the other options on the market.

What Other Women's Backpacks Should You Consider?