Gregory packs are world famous for their supreme carrying comfort, stability and tuneable fit and this Deva 60 is no exception. Made to carry heavy loads over long distances through all terrain and weather conditions this pack can handle just about anything you care to throw at it. Pack it full of gear and head out for a day, a week, a month or even a lifetime of adventures.
The key to the Deva's' superb performance is the ingenious Response A3 (Automatic Angle Adjust) suspension system which remains comfortable and balanced, adapting to your body and maintaining your centre of gravity through shifting terrain conditions and intensity levels. You can be sure that you'll always get the perfect fit with a Deva thanks to the fully adjustable and independently pivoting shoulder harness and hip belt that actively adapt to different body shapes and maintain load balance no matter how extreme the conditions. To ensure the load is stabilised and central at all times, an innovative aluminium alloy internal wire frame channels the load to the centre of the lumbar region for dynamic support; it moves with you as you twist and turn keeping everything secure and stable. The Ultracush backpanel has a ventilated centre channel to dump excessive heat and allow a refreshing air flow whilst with multi-layer EVA foam and silicone grip over lay at the lumbar region to provide maximum comfort and stability. There is even a removable EVA foam shim that you can use to fine tune the contouring in the lumbar region.
A pre-curved and deeply padded hip belt bears the majority of the load and features lifespan foam to ensure the padding stays soft and comfortable for the life of the pack. Fine tuning of the fit can be achieved through the easy-change shoulder straps that have two attachment positions giving you customisable fit options; they also feature lifespan foam and are independently mounted to allow full freedom of movement. I think all that emphasises just how comfortable, fine-tune-able and generally brilliant the carrying system is on this beast of a pack.
Gregory haven't ignored your pocket demands, they've included some ingenious designs to make your life on the trail that much easier. A full body u-zip opening allows you to get to the bottom of your back without emptying the entire contents out, two stretch mesh side pockets house 1L water bottles, a weathershield hipbelt pocket is highly water resistant and is perfect for a phone or GPS, a bottle holster houses another bottle which is easy to reach and quick to hand, dual front zipped organisation pockets to...well organise stuff, a two-sided lid pocket for smaller items such as snacks or a compass and a zippered sleeping bag compartment in the lower of the Deva. Other useful features include a built in raincover, trekking pole attachments, glove friendly zipper pulls, a sunglasses stow and loops above the lid to allow the addition of a solar attachment.
For someone needing a highly supportive, feature packed, high-capacity rucksack for travel, backpacking and multi-day/week/month/year use, the Deva should be right at the top of your list.
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Women's specific
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Raincover
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Trekking pole attachments
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Sleeping bag compartment
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Sunglasses quickstow
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Bottle holster
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Tough fabrics
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Highly supportive
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Comfortable
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Breathable backsystem
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Mesh side pockets
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.