Brooklynpoet
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances (July 2020)
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This is really helpful! Thanks.When you say that you can get the pack at REI, do you mean that you can buy it in person in an REI store? That could be important for you. You are about to walk the Frances in hot weather (August). You can take to the store everything that you think you will need on your camino to see if it will fit in the pack. A staff member should be able to assist you in packing, then in fitting the pack on you. If it is too heavy or the gear won't all fit: don't worry. Just ask the staff member if he or she is familiar with the Camino Frances, an 800 km (500 mile) walk across Spain, which you are doing in August. Or what long-distance walking experience he or she has. If you are content with the reply, ask for help in deciding what you can leave behind, or if necessary, replace with something cooler or lighter. I have used a Gregory pack on all my walks and have recently bought a new women's Jade 38 l. pack. But I always walk in the fall, this year until late November. If I layer it all, I hope that my clothing will keep me warm and I won't get too much snow along the route. My sleeping bag is fairly light, but I can wear warm clothing inside if I need to. You might be able to manage with a light-weight bag liner. The really vital question is how comfortable the pack feels on you, when properly fitted. There is one brand of packs which is so uncomfortable for me that I cannot wear it at all. I won't say which, but a comfortable pack is very important for a long camino walk. Only footwear is more so.
For specialist information on gear, ask @davebugg or read his posts. The Search function on the forum is in the top right. Just click on Search, then fill in the blanks
YES! I bought the Gregory 28 liter I went to REI tried on a few different packs liked the Gregory then the associate fit it to me Perfect! Next spring will be its 3rd Camino!!I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
Yeah… same.I'll throw my 2 cents in. I haven't tried this specific backpack, but I did carry a 32 liter backpack on one Camino. Everything fit in very well, but there really wasn't any extra space, and it was a little like putting a puzzle together every morning. For me, 35-36 liters works better, but I know people who are very happy with their smaller packs.
BTW, I don't carry a ton in my backpack, usually about 6.5 kg.
Thank you!YES! I bought the Gregory 28 liter I went to REI tried on a few different packs liked the Gregory then the associate fit it to me Perfect! Next spring will be its 3rd Camino!!
YES I just saw that, and it doesn't weigh much more. I will go into the store and try them all on.If you like the pack but want a little more room, there is a 38 liter version.
Gregory Jade 38 Pack - Women's | REI Co-op
Ready for an overnighter or a warm-weather long weekend, the women's Gregory Jade 38 pack is designed for adventures with elevation changes and rough terrain, no matter the mileage.www.rei.com
sounds good! thanksYou can also check out the Gregory pack that I have - the Juno 36. It's a bit lighter weight than the Jade
Also on Amazon with free returns
Amazon.com : Gregory Mountain Products Women's Juno 36 Hiking Backpack : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Gregory Mountain Products Women's Juno 36 Hiking Backpack : Sports & Outdoorswww.amazon.com
This has never worked for me. Outdoor store staff put a couple of heavy weights in awkward shapes into the pack. The weights do not at all feel like gear packed in a bag. I guess that this speeds things up for the staff, but it doesn't teach the potential buyer what that pack would feel like with the desired amount of gear in it. And whether their personal gear would fit in it. And of course, no one really wants to carry weight, they want to carry stuff: the particular stuff that they want/need to take with them. Will it fit in the bag and be comfortable?Tell them how much weight you want to carry and they can load it in the pack and you’ll get a feel for it,
Whoops my pack is a Jade 38 not 28sounds good! thanks
No, I wouldn’t expect that to work in any old outdoor store, but even 35+ years ago when I worked at REI, they had special kind of heavy, squishy pillows in different sizes to load in packs that gave a very good approximation of what a pack with gear in it would feel like. Someone qualified to help people select a pack would understand that a couple of dumbbells or a bag of sand or something isn’t going to give the same feeling. And they would understand that you load a pack with the weight distributed differently for different types of use anyhow, so they would need to be able to replicate that.This has never worked for me. Outdoor store staff put a couple of heavy weights in awkward shapes into the pack. The weights do not at all feel like gear packed in a bag. I guess that this speeds things up for the staff, but it doesn't teach the potential buyer what that pack would feel like with the desired amount of gear in it. And whether their personal gear would fit in it.
good to know as I'm going to rei todayWhoops my pack is a Jade 38 not 28
Yes, it seems though that 28 is the minimum and many people go a little bigger. It seems that 38L is also a reasonable size for the Camino. It's an odd market for packs, because real daypacks are usually smaller, unless it's wintery mountain weather, and backpackers packs need to be bigger.No, I wouldn’t expect that to work in any old outdoor store, but even 35+ years ago when I worked at REI, they had special kind of heavy, squishy pillows in different sizes to load in packs that gave a very good approximation of what a pack with gear in it would feel like. Someone qualified to help people select a pack would understand that a couple of dumbbells or a bag of sand or something isn’t going to give the same feeling. And they would understand that you load a pack with the weight distributed differently for different types of use anyhow, so they would need to be able to replicate that.
I think most of the staff at REI would be happy to take the time with people, but sometimes a store can be very busy, crowded or cramped. If you showed up with a mountain of your personal gear, it could be really inconvenient for a lot of reasons. And unnecessary. It just isn’t something that I would encourage people to do. You could probably use some of the items in the store, too, if you really wanted.
Anyhow, I think brooklynpoet understands that either size of this pack is suitable for the Camino. One would require tight packing and the other would be a bit roomier, but both would accommodate what most people bring on their trip. It’s really just personal preference.
I looked at this pack. Nice but I decided against it. Went with Osprey Women's Lumina 60 Pack. Extremely lightweight. I wore a lightweight vest over my T shirt. Anything that might have gone into the belt pockets of a pack went into any one of the many pockets on my vest, which had at least a dozen pockets on it. I found the Lumina pack to be very comfortable. Available at REI back in 2018.I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I love Gregory. Had mine with me on the Primitivo. It is the best in my opinion. 26 is pretty small you might need a 30 something. But the main thing is the actual size, meaning the measuremeant from the neck to the pelvis in the back. Otherwise, no matter what a wonderful backpack it will not feel wonderful. Just saying that size is different from capacityI am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I love my Gregory 38 l which has served me well on several caminos. I don't carry a lot and it is never stuffed full but I love having a little extra room which makes it easier to find stuff when you need it and also gives enough space to carry extra food on those unpredictable days! As others have said it is a very individual decision but I can truly say that after the first couple of days on any walk I'm scarcely aware I have a pack on my back. It is that comfortable!I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
The Jade 28 and 38 packs each come in two sizes with slightly different capacities. This is for the current model of the Jade 28 (it may have been different when you bought your pack):I believe the Jade 28L is the same as the Jade 30L.
Seems I had that conversation with the salesperson at one time.
Anyway, mine is a 28-30L and I love it.
Best Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Bag Style | Backpack |
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | S/M: 28 liters XS/S: 26 liters |
I got the 38! It fit better, more weight on my hips, plus it is not much more wight for a lot more space. Im on the subway home from REI, where i spent 3 hours. They were great and fitted the pack to me, put in 16 pounds in these pillows they have, and i walked around for a while. Thank you to everyone who chimed in on this!Curious to know where you landed! I have a Gregory Jade 38, and it's the ideal size for a Camino. Like others have said, the 28 is doable (especially if you're small and your clothes are too; I used one for my first camino), but it takes so much time to tetris it all in there that it's just irritating. I have tons of room in the 38 for days I want to bring a few more snacks, or when I need warmer gear (spring/fall thru-hikes, etc.). I think the 38 is more versatile and it only weighs .28 lbs more than the 28.
I took a Kathmandu 28 litre. It was ok but next time I would try about a 32 litre. I had to tie my sleeping bag to the outside and would prefer to have shoved it inside. BTW I am 5'2" and slim so struggle with anything much bigger.I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I am 5’9” have been on the CF twice with a 24 liter Deuter. I made it work, but it’s too small and I wouldn’t recommend it. That’s why I opened this thread; I am looking for a new pack!
The Jade 28 and 38 packs each come in two sizes with slightly different capacities. This is for the current model of the Jade 28 (it may have been different when you bought your pack):
Technical specs
Best Use Hiking Bag Style Backpack Frame Type Internal Frame Gear Capacity (L) S/M: 28 liters
XS/S: 26 liters
I think it is also important to note that capacity measurements are not really very accurate. I remember reading an article some time ago in Outside magazine where they had used a uniform system to measure capacity of a dozen or so different packs and compared their results to the manufacturers’ reported capacities, and they were all over the place. There was some consistency within a manufacturer‘s line, but even that was not always the case.
The specs from the manufacturer are going to give you a rough idea but not much more.
Whilst I agree about the shape and spread of the weight being natural with your own gear trial , I personally would not want to buy a new pack that had had someone else's gear in it ..think lurking bed bugs for example. I would hope the stores would not allow that!This has never worked for me. Outdoor store staff put a couple of heavy weights in awkward shapes into the pack. The weights do not at all feel like gear packed in a bag. I guess that this speeds things up for the staff, but it doesn't teach the potential buyer what that pack would feel like with the desired amount of gear in it. And whether their personal gear would fit in it. And of course, no one really wants to carry weight, they want to carry stuff: the particular stuff that they want/need to take with them. Will it fit in the bag and be comfortable?
4 Caminos for me so far ( each time I spend 90 days in Spain/Portugal,) . Worked for me and still in great shape, ready for the next one.I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
I purchased my women's Gregory Jade 28L backpack for my 2017 Camino Frances pilgrimage. The staff at REI were knowledgeable and helped to guide me to what I can only describe as the perfect backpack for me. After trying several other backpacks...the size, comfort and utility of the 28L Gregory has proven it to be the right choice. Absolutely zero regrets selecting this backpack for the incredible journey that is the Camino de Santiago. It will accompany me on Chemin de Saint-Jacques Le Puy-en-Velay to the Pyrenees in 2023! Blessing and Buen Camino! BevI am beginning my first Camino Aug 4 and am shopping for packs. Has anyone tried the women's Jade 28 liter Gregory pack?
Do you think 28 liters is a good size?
It's supposed to be very comfortable and seems to have some great features, plus I can get it at REI.
THANKS!
Just a heads up … they may not have them on hand in the store, especially in the smaller locations. What you can do is pick out a couple of packs that you’re interested in online, have them sent to the store without any shipping charges, go to the store, consult with a salesperson and get fitted, and then make your final choice.
As for bringing all your stuff you want to take with you to the store, as a former REI employee, I would really discourage that. It isn’t necessary. Tell them how much weight you want to carry and they can load it in the pack and you’ll get a feel for it, or they will tell you if the amount you want to carry isn’t going to work for a particular pack. If you end up with too much bulk to fit in your pack, you will just need to carry less. At some point, whether due to weight or bulk, it always comes down to tough choices of what to bring and what to leave anyway.
I also wouldn’t really expect REI salespeople to be familiar with the Camino. Some will be or may have heard of it, but by no means all wha
What's the best way to have items shipped to the store to try on? I am looking at 3-4 possibilities but they are not currently in stock at my local REI. Should I call the store or go online?Just a heads up … they may not have them on hand in the store, especially in the smaller locations. What you can do is pick out a couple of packs that you’re interested in online, have them sent to the store without any shipping charges, go to the store, consult with a salesperson and get fitted, and then make your final choice.
As for bringing all your stuff you want to take with you to the store, as a former REI employee, I would really discourage that. It isn’t necessary. Tell them how much weight you want to carry and they can load it in the pack and you’ll get a feel for it, or they will tell you if the amount you want to carry isn’t going to work for a particular pack. If you end up with too much bulk to fit in your pack, you will just need to carry less. At some point, whether due to weight or bulk, it always comes down to tough choices of what to bring and what to leave anyway.
I also wouldn’t really expect REI salespeople to be familiar with the Camino. Some will be or may have heard of it, but by no means all of them.
I would have things delivered to my house and try them on at home. If you spend a minimum (I think $50) shipping is free. You can then return what you don't want to the store.What's the best way to have items shipped to the store to try on? I am looking at 3-4 possibilities but they are not currently in stock at my local REI. Should I call the store or go online?
I was hoping to avoid putting down over $500 in credit to try three packs out but my local REI says they won't have packs moved into their inventory to try out. Total bummer.I would have things delivered to my house and try them on at home. If you spend a minimum (I think $50) shipping is free. You can then return what you don't want to the store.
I would just go online. You could also have them shipped to your home, but I think it would be good to have a REI person fit you in the pack(s) and put weight in them. For me, it would be more convenient to not have to bring them to the store, but just pick them up at customer service, try them out in the store, and return what you don’t want immediately. However, I am sure either way would work.What's the best way to have items shipped to the store to try on? I am looking at 3-4 possibilities but they are not currently in stock at my local REI. Should I call the store or go online?
The cost of REI membership is well worth the benefits that you receive such as the one year return policy, even for used goods.If you buy at REI they’ve got a great return policy
Just ordered this! Due to arrive in a couple of days. Look forward to packing a trial run with this 38L v my 28LIf you like the pack but want a little more room, there is a 38 liter version.
Gregory Jade 38 Pack - Women's | REI Co-op
Ready for an overnighter or a warm-weather long weekend, the women's Gregory Jade 38 pack is designed for adventures with elevation changes and rough terrain, no matter the mileage.www.rei.com
Red is the one that I ordered. Same idea of the visibility!I got the 38 and walked 10 days with it on the Frances this summer. It was perfect. Loved it all.
and having the red color was good - adds visibility when you're walking along aa road.
I love my jade 38L. It’s right with me now as we’re on the Camino.Just ordered this! Due to arrive in a couple of days. Look forward to packing a trial run with this 38L v my 28L
Really need to sell some of my packs lol!
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