Gregory Zulu 65 Backpack

This is my first proper backpack. I’m a big guy and the Plus Size was a must. Since you can’t easily find these sizes to try on, Gregory was very helpful over the phone answering all my questions. I ordered the Zulu 65 and got ready for my first trip. It was incredibly overloaded, probably right at its published limit, and it carried it well. It felt great and even better with a more reasonable load inside. I look forward to many adventures with this pack.

Excellent pack. Just got back from 2 days in Sawtooth Mountains and it was excellent. Love the pockets and the comfort of the pack. High quality and a great all around pack that worked well for my 6’5” height.

This one was a warranty replacement for me. But I love the fit, and is ability to carry everything I've needed for several 5 night trips and still feel good after 8-10 miles in.

I've been using my Zulu 65 for the past few months... some late summer & fall backpacking trips and winter river trip. It's one of the most comfortable packs I've used before, and it has great pockets for side gear and wallet/phone/keys access. I've used it for one to three day backpacking trips and it's been perfect. I plan on putting it to the test for a week trip coming up soon. Gregory just makes solid packs!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am pretty impressed with this pack. I have a few very high end hunting packs and they always seem to cut off some hip circulation. With a 3 night off trial campsite this pack was fantastic! I was skeptical but this pack performed very well. I really liked the U-zip access, huge hip pockets, and the side pockets that I can grab a waterbottle from while wearing the pack. A couple of things I didn't like: those huge hip pockets left no room for a bear spray holster, there is no way for the lid to double as a separate pack for little jaunts from camp, and the hip belt was maxed tight on my 34" waist in the Med/LG frame choice. I could get the waist belt tight enough but if I stopped eating cookies...

I am a huge fan of Gregory backpacks, with the Zulu 65 being an addition to my Baltoro 75. I bought the Zulu 65 last year and have used it about 400 miles on the PCT and a few other very small trips. By far this is the most comfortable pack I have owned to date. Overall, I like the features, especially the hipbelt pockets which fit my phone (small iPhone) perfectly and other miscellaneous items, like my Spot and pocket knife. The side pockets, made of stretchy material, are perfect for easily slipping water bottles in and out. The mesh back panel, is a bit slippery, but is comfortable and it keeps your back cool. Another reviewer said the backpack did not come with a rain cover, but mine did. My only complaint, is that after a few hundred miles of use, is that the hipbelt seams are starting to tear at the bottom (unfortunately I could not add pics to this review). I have never overloaded this pack, thus I am quite surprised at the weak sewing job. I had planned on using this pack to complete the PCT this year, however, I do not trust this pack to make it to the finish line.

Chest strap on 2 snapped before we made it to the airport. We returned one and then bought from 3rd party bc of color preference, then that one broke off, same seam n chest strap ripped off when putting back on after security.