Gregory Matia 28

Not for any serious outdoor use. Limited by poorly designed zippers and compartments. Straps are not comfortable and it isn't a piece of kit that I enjoy using.

I didn't see many reviews on this pack when I was considering it, but what I did see were pretty decent. The sale price I paid was $29 and I figured it would be good to try it out for that cheap. I was hesitant, but took the leap and was really surprised at some of the reviews after I began using this pack. They seemed to be unrealistic.

I have used this pack on a few outdoor trips and it wasn't working out. I decided to make it my "take my stuff to work" pack for my laptop and necessities, figuring it would be more convenient than the 30-liter Mountain Hardwear Agama that I had been using for three years and was starting to get beat up (a great pack by the way).

I have been using this pack everyday since about November 2018 and it's May 17, 2019 today. I regret wasting $29 on it. I should have gone with a few other choices I was considering. I figured for a Gregory product it would be well designed and comfortable. It is neither of those.

The shoulder straps do not stay in place without using the sternum strap. They constantly slip off my shoulders and they aren't comfortable to wear with any significant weight in the pack. The two primary compartments are very slim and aren't that useful for much other than the laptop and folder/files type of items. You certainly aren't putting any real camping gear or multiple layers for cold weather in there.

The main compartment zippers only unzip to reveal about half of the compartment openings and it is a pain to get items in and out due to this. The compartments are too deep for the slim profile and it is hard to find things at the bottom. The organization slots within the compartments are too small to do almost anything with other than put a few pens in and are pretty much wasted space.

The small front zipper pouch at the front of the pack is hard to get in and out of, and the water bladder hose hole at the top of the pack is so big that when I am wearing the pack and walking, the movement of the pack causes puffs of air to go up my neck with each step. Highly annoying.

Having said that, the pack isn't all bad. The pack is really nice looking, the color is nice, and the sunglasses pouch at the top is nicely lined and convenient. The water bottle pockets expand enough to hold a full size Nalgene but remain tight enough to keep a full bottle snug. It is very difficult however to reach your water bottles while the pack is on. The cinch straps on the sides work nicely as well. 

Knowing what I know now, I will use this pack for activities that I need a bag for but do not have to spend much time getting in and out of the pack. It will suffice for the simple task of carrying stuff, but for me, it isn't a serious outdoor pack and doesn't appear to be designed for those types of things. A kids school bag or some light outdoor adventures, I guess.....but this pack isn't even in my top five choices of packs for almost anything now that I've used it a while.

Background

Extensive experience from the outdoors to urban commutes.