Gregory Nano 18

Something between my 2L hydration bag and 27L daypack. Lighter than my Tamrac camera pack.

Last month I bought this on a whim. I was looking for something bigger than my current running hydration that was an ancient (15 years) Avalanche early design. This fit the bill. This is only a one-pound pack. Have only used it twice, but it's one of those things you just know about.

I tried it with a few reservoirs and I ended up using an older 2L bladder swapped out to a newer Hydrapak/Osprey bit valve. The pack has two mesh bottle pockets, the reservoir area, a main compartment and a back pocket. Inside the back pocket is a keys strap just inside with a couple of smaller mesh dividers sewn inside. There is a routing hole in the shoulder to put your reservoir hose to either side, you choose.

My only complaints are I sometimes have used D rings on harnesses for water bottles, carabiners, flashlights or lens pouches. This pack could use them, considering getting one sewn on at least one side. Also the waist strap lacks any storage and could be a bit wider. That being my complaints I couldn't believe nobody mentions that many Gregory packs have a sternum strap adjustment vertically. Its ends slide on a rib. For women it makes them so it isn't right across the breast and for men I'm not being choked from one being too high which was the case with one pack I've owned.

It's being discontinued in some colors but can still be found at Gregory or hiking stores in several other designs. This is somewhere in  middle of the Nano pack model size range, so you should be able to find one of the Nano models in the length you like with the size you want. It lacks the sunglass storage on the harness of many Gregory models but the tubing straps on the harness can be used for a glasses hanger.

Now I can load more clothes on fall and winter runs with room to spare. Might get two dry bags for the main compartment. Enough room for my DSLR, a couple of neoprene lens pouches, gear and a first aid kit. Will attempt to use a bottle pocket and the side load straps to secure a tripod. It will fit my needs with more comfort than our Matador travel pack that's usually in our luggage.

Background

Enough at 70 years old. Have hiked in the Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert, Eldora Colorado, portions of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Only had this pack out for some runs in the past month. Have not loaded up yet past maybe 5-6 liters and in sunny weather.