REASONS TO BUY
Stable and sturdy
Comfortable
Adjustable
Spacious
Great suspension
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Overbuilt for lighter missions
Padding can feel stiff
Expensive
Less versatile
Gregory Deva 60 Review
Bringing you exceptional comfort and support for heavy loads with an excellent feature set and spacious pockets
With a full-blown suspension system and a ton of pockets, it is almost difficult to think of things to bring to fill this backpack to its capacity.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
The Gregory Deva excels at carrying substantial loads in comfort. You can easily fit a box of wine and some s'mores supplies in the Deva without feeling like you've added a box of wine and s'mores goodies, thanks to its bomber suspension system. It's durable and stable, leaving you to worry about things other than what's on your back. Everything about this pack is burly yet plush, a style that can feel a bit overbuilt if you tend to pack light or want minimal padding. But for the adventurer who wants to comfortably bring a few extra luxuries into the backcountry, this is the pack to pick. If you only hit the trails a weekend or two a season, the Deva might simply be more pack than you are looking for. Check out our article on the best women's backpacking backpacks to see how it ranks versus competitors.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gregory Deva 60 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Pack for Super-Hauling in Comfort |  Best Overall Backpacking Backpack for Women |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Most Versatile Women's Backpacking Pack | Best Ventilation and Adjustability |
| Price | $329.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $259.15 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $190.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $199 List $138.93 at REI | $287.55 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This large pack has all the features you need, plus all-day comfort, stability, and support for heavy loads via its overbuilt suspension system | This women's pack is comfortable and well-designed, including near-effortless adjustment options, a trampoline mesh back panel, and a removable brain | A comfortable, roomy, durable pack that is friendly on your wallet and your body while you hike | From ultralight overnights to meandering multiday excursions, this lightweight and affordable pack can be adjusted to adapt to different types of demands - all in an extremely straightforward way | The Aura 65 AG is an incredibly comfortable fully-featured pack that is well ventilated and super adjustable |
| Rating Categories | Gregory Deva 60 | Osprey Eja 58 | Osprey Renn 65 | REI Co-op Flash 55... | Osprey Aura AG 65 |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Gregory Deva 60 | Osprey Eja 58 | Osprey Renn 65 | REI Co-op Flash 55... | Osprey Aura AG 65 |
| Advertised Volume | 60 L | 55 - 58 L | 65 L | 55 L | 65 L |
| Measured Weight | 4.7 lb | 2.7 lb | 3.6 lb | 2.7 lb | 4.5 lb |
| Overall Weight-to-Volume Ratio | 1.25 oz/L | 0.79 oz/L | 0.89 oz/L | 0.79 oz/L | 1.11 oz/L |
| Volumes Available | 60, 70 L | 38, 48, 58 L | 50, 65 L | 55 L | 50, 65 L |
| Sizes Available | XS, S, M, adjustable torso | XS/S, M/L, adjustable torso | One size, extended fit one size; adjustable torso | XS, S, M, adjustable torso | XS/S, M/L, adjustable torso |
| Organization Compartments | Lid, front pocket, hip belt pockets, 1 water bottle compartment, main compartment | Lid, mesh side pockets, front stretch pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, main compartment | Lid, side pockets, hip belt pockets, main compartment | Lid, double side pockets, front pocket, hip belt pockets, shoulder strap phone pocket, main compartment | Lid, front pocket, side pockets, dual front pockets, hip belt pockets, main compartment |
| Measured Volume (main compartment) | 45 L | 45 L | 40 L | 45 L | 40 L |
| Access | Top, side, bottom | Top | Top, bottom | Top | Top, side, bottom |
| Women's Specific Features | Slim profile and women’s-specific Response A3W Suspension | Women's specific fit | Women's specific fit | Women's specific fit | Women's specific fit |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rain Cover Included | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sleeping Bag Compartment | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bear Can Compatible | Yes - Vertical and Horizontal | Yes - verical and horizontal | Yes - Vertical and Horizontal | Yes - Vertical | Yes - Vertical |
| Main Materials | 210D 40% recycled nylon & 420D 45% recycled nylon with PFC-free DWR | 100D high-tenacity recycled ripstop nylon | 600D polyester | 100D robic ripstop nylon; bluesign approved | 210D honeycomb nylon |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Gregory Deva 60 has it all, which is part of why it is one of the heavier packs we tested. This rugged pack has large, easy-to-access pockets, durable buckles, and a hefty waist belt with movable padding. The hinging hip belt moves as you move, keeping the shoulder straps and upper body steady. The weight of the Deva can be worth it because you get tons of padding, a pivoting hip belt design, and loads of space and storage options — but it certainly is not an ultralight option. This plush, durable pack has everything you'll need on your next luxury backpacking adventure.
Performance Comparison
Want to lug over 30 pounds of gear to a mountain top? The beefy suspension of the Deva can help you get there in relative comfort.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort
This metric is where the Deva shines. It is a comfortable backpack with a women's specific pre-curved harness and hip belt, and the backpack carried exceptionally well on our field tests. This means that it feels lighter than it is, which is lucky since it is quite heavy, at 4.7 pounds. Even under 30+ pound loads, the suspension rides like a dream, securing the Deva's standing as an epically comfortable pack.
The back and shoulder straps are well padded with nice ventilation. The thick but rigidly padded straps remain comfortable under even the heaviest loads. The ultra-padded and customizable hip belt supports a heavy load and is one of the most comfortable hip belts we've encountered in our testing. It has a ComfortGrip lumbar pad that keeps the pack from sliding down your back, meaning you don't need to keep hoisting the pack or tightening the belt. This nifty feature might sound like small potatoes, but it makes a big difference when your pack is fully loaded and you're wearing it all day long.
The suspension is so strong that with loads lighter than 20 pounds, the pack rides up higher than it needs to. Shown here, set on the smallest setting with all of the weight resting on our tester's hips.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The thick, supportive shoulder straps are molded out of the same foam. Even though the shoulder straps are wide, our narrow-shouldered tester didn't find them too bulky during our tests. The extra comfort features add bulk but do a great job preventing chafing, even in crop tops and tank tops. If you prefer minimalist padding, though, there are better backpacks for you. The Deva has a substantial suspension system with Gregory's Freefloat A3 suspension that improves its weight distribution and carrying comfort. Despite the hefty suspension system, the pack is quite stable because both the shoulder straps and hip belt panels pivot independently, allowing the backpack to remain stable even when moving over uneven terrain, like a log on the trail or scrambling on red rock. Some packs with two pivot points can feel unstable, but the upper joint of the Deva doesn't allow for much movement, which helps keep the load aligned with your center of gravity. If you pack lighter, the suspension and comfort features of the Deva are overkill.
A closer look at the comfortable ventilation amid the sea of straps and clips that make the Deva such a capable pack.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Ease of Use
Despite our lead tester's preferences for simple, more streamlined packs and pockets, the Deva was an easy pack to use. While there is a bit of a learning curve if you're unaccustomed to the nuances of backpacking backpacks, the extra straps and specified pockets are intelligently designed and intuitive once you become acquainted with the pack. The pockets are well placed and easy to access for anyone who has organization as a top priority. You can easily access the front and side compartments while hiking, including the stowable water bottle holder. Gregory updated this water bottle hostler this year, making it easy to grab while hiking.
The main body of the Deva features one large pocket with a detachable ripstop nylon panel at the base. It creates a nearly completely separate pocket beneath which you can stash your sleeping bag. One of our testers' favorite features is the large U-zip opening that allows you to access the stuff in the bottom of your pack without taking everything out through the top. The U-zip is great for easily removing your tent and sleeping bag to set up camp while leaving everything else in place. This is also the perfect feature for those of us who get suddenly caught in a thunderstorm and have forgotten to take out our rain shells before stuffing our packs.
The varied levels of storage make staying organized on the trail easier than it can be with packs that have fewer compartments.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Atop the main compartment are bilateral, vertical entry pockets; they do not connect. These pockets performed well for carrying river shoes and additional layers, keeping them protected from the elements but within reach. At the outermost layer of the pack is a large buckle-closure beavertail pocket for stashing even more quick-draw items. The brain of the Deva adds plenty of additional storage but is not detachable, which is not something we prefer. The extra straps and loops can help compress your load but can also be used for adhering gear to the outside of your backpack. The bottom straps are great for a Z-fold, closed cell sleeping pad, or a hefty sleeping bag in its stuff sack. The Deva has plenty of loops for trekking poles, sunglasses, bear spray, and more.
The hip belt pockets are big enough to carry a phone, snacks, a map, and other small items that you'll want easy access to. The latest version of the Deva includes two ripstop nylon pockets, as opposed to the prior versions that featured one mesh and one nylon.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
All of the comfortable padding, zippers, straps, and special features add a lot of extra weight. All told the Deva weighs nearly 5 pounds when empty, and it feels like it when you pick it up by its handle. And with just 60 liters of storage space, it has one of the worst weight-to-volume ratios in our lineup.
The downside is that its weight makes it suitable for a narrow range of adventures, though the manufacturer's website clearly states that the trekking pole loops are suitable for ice axes. This backpack feels too heavy to carry with a lighter load, and we wouldn't recommend it for a day hike. Because it doesn't feature a detachable brain or other removable features, this is a big pack that is pretty much only suited for backpacking excursions where you want to carry a ton of gear.
Here the Deva is loaded with 33 pounds of backpacking gear. There was plenty of space left to add in extra goodies, but sometimes all you need are the basics for a night or two in the wilderness.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Adjustability
It is easy to make micro-adjustments to the Deva on the fly, but the torso adjustments take more time and effort to fiddle with. The straps are fairly streamlined and are all in logical places. The side compression straps, shoulder straps, and bottom cinch straps are super easy to adjust while out on the trail. Especially when carrying a heavy load, it is nice to be able to make these small adjustments as the weight in the pack may shift a bit while hiking. The ability to tug on a strap or two to regain equilibrium is a must beneath a heavy pack.
The torso adjustments are more difficult to put into action. Most of the back panel adheres via super strong Velcro, which doesn't give super easily. Once you release the panel, placing it at your optimal height is somewhat simple, but we are not particularly impressed with this system's ease of use or range of adjustment. The Deva is available in three size options, XS, S, and M, all with around 3 inches of torso adjustment height. One of the coolest features that the Deva has (but many others lack) is adjustable hip belt padding. Via the same tough velcro, the hip belt padding can be extended to accommodate wider hips comfortably. The webbing is adjustable and plenty long to accommodate a variety of body shapes as well, but the extended hip cushion really takes the cake here.
A few tugs on the easy-to-access straps can help restabilize your load as the weight shifts.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Gregory Deva 60?
If you are looking for a rugged, super-hauling lady-beast of a backpack, we definitely recommend the Deva. It offers good ventilation for a thick and loaded pack, making it suitable for myriad climate types. If you value budget-friendly or ultralight gear, pass on the Deva and look towards some of the other options on the market.
The Deva is truly a one-of-a-kind pack that can keep you hauling gear in style. Is it a bit overkill for some trips? Yes. But can you bring everything you could possibly want for a weekend backpacking trip? Also yes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Women's Backpacks Should You Consider?
With a higher overall score and a much lower price tag, the Osprey Renn 65 is a pack worth contention. The Renn offers a bit more overall volume but is lighter, more comfortable, and more affordable. If you like organizational pockets but don't need the excess suspension of the Deva, the Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 SL is a pocket-laden pack that weighs about as much, but holds its weight in an even more streamlined fashion. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you'll find two of our highest-scoring light options, the REI Flash 55 and the Osprey Eja 58, both of which weigh in a minimal 2.7 pounds.
—
Ally Arcuri and Madison Botzet
You Might Also Like
