The Gregory Jade 28 is one of the biggest packs in our daypack review, and it straddles the line between being too big for a daypack and too small for an overnight trip. What is it good for then? A lot of things! Because it can carry a lot of gear, it's perfect for anyone who does pack heavy even for day trips, whether that's because it's a winter snowshoe hike and you need a lot of gear or your packing your stuff along with a few children's water and snacks as well. It's among the most comfortable packs that we tested, particularly when loaded down, thanks to the functional suspension and well-padded straps and hip belt. It is the heaviest model in our review though, and probably overkill if you're looking for something to walk the dogs with or commute around town. But for any time you need to pack a lot of gear, the Gregory Jade is the way to go.
For something slightly smaller that's even more comfortable, check out our Editor's Choice award winner, the CamelBak Sequoia with a capacity nearly as large as the Jade. Looking for a good commuter bag? Check out the Osprey Tempest 20 with its convenient size and handy helmet-lock clip.
Gregory Jade 28L Review
The biggest and most comfortable daypack in our test group. Great for heavy loads and big days out
Photo: Gregory
Price: $150 List | $149.95 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Large capacity, good back ventilation, adjustable torso, included rain cover
Cons: Runs small, heavy, expensive, large for average day hike needs
Manufacturer: Gregory
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Large capacity, good back ventilation, adjustable torso, included rain cover
Cons: Runs small, heavy, expensive, large for average day hike needs
Manufacturer: Gregory
By Maggie Brandenburg and Cam McKenzie Ring ⋅ May 14, 2019
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RELATED: Best Daypacks for Women of 2020
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gregory Jade 28L | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $149.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $154.96 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $105.60 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Large capacity, good back ventilation, adjustable torso, included rain cover | Comes with hydration bladder, very comfortable hip belt, good capacity, solidly constructed | Comfortable, well-ventilated, adjustable torso length, included rain cover | Adjustable torso length, very durable, great features and pockets | Moves with you, durable build, well-balanced load carry, good pockets and carry options |
| Cons | Runs small, heavy, expensive, large for average day hike needs | U-shaped top opening is smaller, some pockets are less convenient | Heavy, ill-fitting hipbelt | Runs a bit small, front stow pocket a bit small | No hydration reservoir clip (loop only), not meant for downpours, very long torso |
| Bottom Line | A large option for those who need a big capacity bag and want it to carry weight comfortably | An extremely comfortable daypack for committed hikers | A great pack for those who hike in wet climates and who are on the smaller side | A comfortable and durable pack that works as well around town as it does out on the trail | Comfortable to carry even over long distances when fully loaded, with great balance and good features |
| Rating Categories | Gregory Jade 28L | CamelBak Sequoia 24 | Osprey Sirrus 24 | Osprey Tempest 20 | Black Diamond Nitro 22L |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Gregory Jade 28L | CamelBak Sequoia 24 | Osprey Sirrus 24 | Osprey Tempest 20 | Black Diamond... |
| Weight (oz) | 42 | 36 | 41 | 26 | 31 |
| Volume/Capacity (liters) | 28 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 22 |
| Back Construction | Crossflow suspension | AirSupport(TM) backpanel; mesh covered foam panels with air flow channels | Ventilated tensioned mesh | AirScape backpanel; large spaced padding covered by large-holed mesh | OpenAir backpanel; ridged foam covered by large mesh |
| Hydration | Internal hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve and 3L Crux reservoir included | Internal hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve | External hydration sleeve |
| Hipbelt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compartments | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rain Cover | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Additional pockets | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Outside Carry Options | External stretch pocket, trekking pole holders, ice axe attachement, sunglasses loop and bungee, hip belt pockets, hydration hose clip | Trekking pole and ice axe attachments, side pocket, expandable overflow pocket, hip belt pockets (one zip, two stretch), daisy chain, hydration hose clip | Trekking pole attachment, ice axe loop, side strech pockets | Lidlock helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, large stretch front pocket, ice tool loop with bungee tie-off, side pockets, hip belt pockets, sunglasses shoulder stow, bike light loop | Ice axe loops, dual 5-loop daisy chains, expandable side drink pockets, front stuff pocket, hip belt pocket, small zippered top pocket, four shoulder strap loops |
| Whistle | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key Clip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Materials | 210D nylon body, 420D nylon bottom | 420D oxford nylon | 210D nylon body, 420D nylon bottom | 70D x 100D nylon body, accent and bottom 420HD nylon packcloth | 210D ripstop nylon, 210D Dobby Abrasion |
| Notable Features | Adjustable torso length, internal pocket, cinch straps, sunglasses quick-stow | Hydration bladder included, hydration pocket has blue zipper pull, removable metal stiffening rod in center of back. multiple pockets in both hip belts, several internal stretch pockets, U-shaped top zipper | Integrated rain cover, ice axe loop, trekking pole attachment, adjustable back | Helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, sunglasses quick-stow, bike light loop, shoulder strap pocket, stowable ice axe loops | Bike light loop, main zip opens all the way down, ReActiv shoulder straps connect to each other behind the waist and waist belt not attached to frame to facilitate twisting, front expandable pocket reinforced with internal structural foam panels |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Gregory Jade 28 pack comes in two sizes: XS/S (16-18 inch torso) and S/M (18-20 inch torso). We tested the S/M which has a slightly larger volume (28 liters compared to 26) and is also a few ounces heavier. This pack is made with a 210D nylon body and 420D nylon bottom and has a host of features, including a rain cover, sunglasses storage system, and hip belt pockets.
Performance Comparison
Cold days in snowy alpine conditions really let the Gregory Jade shine for its ability to pack a lot of gear and stay comfortable.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Comfort
The Jade 28 received one of our top scores for comfort. Out of the many packs in our review, it is one of the most comfortable when loaded down thanks to the FreeFloat suspension. The frame helps transfer the weight onto the hips (which is a key feature in any bigger pack) while promoting airflow so that we didn't get too sweaty back there. It has a comfortable, body-hugging fit with enough padding in the right places to wear all day. That being said, we found that it runs a bit small. Our 5'4" tester with an 17" torso had to return the XS/S size (16-18" claim) for the S/MD size instead (18-20" claim), even though both sizes have adjustable torsos. For this reason, we think it's important that you try this pack on for size before committing. This is one drawback to a daypack with a frame, as the fit has to be just right for it to feel comfortable.
A long, padded hip belt help make the Gregory Jade a comfortable pack to carry even when loaded down, as seen here on our size 4 tester. However, we wish there was somewhere we could tuck these loose strap tails...
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Versatility
The Jade is packed with features that make it a fairly versatile bag for anyone who needs to carry more than the average amount of gear on a day hike. The stretchy overflow pocket and handy sunglasses quick stow loop make it easy to shed and don layers as you need. The whistle on the sternum clip and included rain cover are excellent emergency additions that preclude you having to buy them extra and remember to bring them each time you go out. The two hip belt pockets are large enough for an oversized smartphone, which we appreciate. While these features make the Jade a versatile bag, its overall size makes it more of an expedition pack or a pack for the mother of small children or trail dogs.
The Jade's hip belt can hold a Samsung Galaxy S9+ with room to spare - and a matching pocket on the other side.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Weight
This daypack weighs 42 ounces in the size that we tested (41 ounces in the smaller size), making it one of the heaviest bags in this review. That's not totally surprising, considering that it also boasts one of the largest volumes (28 liters), and a wireframe suspension system. Some smaller bags came close in weight because they used heavier denier nylon, which might make them more durable in the long run. There are often tradeoffs when selecting outdoor gear, and if you're looking for something lightweight, it might be made of thinner and less durable materials. The Jade strikes a good compromise between weight and durability in our minds. The 200D material will last longer than a 100D one but isn't as heavy as something that uses 600D packcloth.
The padding, frame and size of the Jade add up to extra weight, but we found this FreeFloat suspension to offer some of the best load distribution and back ventilation in our review.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Ease of Use
The Jade 28 isn't our favorite pack to access during a hike but is adjustable in several helpful ways. This pack is one of just three we tested that come in more than one size. Not only is the Jade available in two sizes, but it also features an adjustable harness that allows you to change the torso length to better suit your specific size. While this feature is nice to customize your own bag, we found the Jade to run small. Our 5'4" tester with a 17" torso had to return the XS/S with a claimed 16-18" fit for the S/MD size with a claimed 18-20" fit. Not only do we think the lack of any size above a so-called "medium" sounds a bit constricting for women in these modern times, but we also found that this pack adjusted to taller torso lengths is less comfortable to wear. This is mostly due to the instability of the small amount of velcro connection that is left when we extended the harness to these heights.
That said, the Jade is one of the only models we tested with actually helpful load-lifting straps due to the larger size of the bag. (If the top of the shoulder straps and the top of the bag are the same height then the tensioners are not that effective.) The hip belt also has a lot of room to expand to fit a variety of hip sizes, which we appreciate.
The velcro suspension system on the Jade helps to adjust for different torso sizes, but we found that it runs small, with our 18" torso-ed tester needing the larger option (18-20" claim) with a middle-sized adjustment.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Durability
We are impressed with the construction on this pack and gave it a good score for durability. We could find little in the way of durability complaints online and didn't experience any firsthand during our testing. The bottom has a double layer of nylon, which will help with longevity, and that's a good thing because after a couple of month's use it is already looking a little scuffed.
Some things that are supposed to make a pack more adjustable don't actually end up doing much. We found that the load-lifter straps on most of the daypacks we tested were one such feature, with the exception of the larger capacity Gregory Jade 28.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Value
This daypack is one of the most expensive bags in this review. However, for what you get in comfort and versatility in a large-capacity bag, we think this pack is worth it. If you don't need this kind of weight-carrying capacity on a regular basis, we think you'll be happier with a smaller bag.
This pack comfortably carries the extra weight of water for you and your dog in the desert.
Photo: Maggie Brandenburg
Conclusion
We knew we'd enjoy the Gregory Jade 28 as soon as we tried it on in the store, and it didn't disappoint in the field. It can hold a ton of gear (for a day pack), and it is among the most comfortable options in our test group, particularly when weighted down. It might be a little bit too big for those who do shorter hikes only, but if you're into all-day, fully loaded affairs, then the Gregory Jade is the way to go.
Other Versions
Gregory makes the Jade pack in a variety of sizes. The 28 that we tested is the smallest, and then it goes up from there: 33, 38, 53, and 63-liter options are all available.
— Maggie Brandenburg and Cam McKenzie Ring