The Gregory Jade 24 LT is a ventilated women’s daypack with a suspended mesh back panel and hip belt that cups your hips and torso, keeping you cool and drier in hot and humid weather. It has a fully featured hip belt with pockets and a wire perimeter frame, giving you the flexibility to carry heavier loads on longer hikes comfortably. Hydration-ready, the main compartment, and contents are easily accessible through a U-shaped panel opening, while handy external pockets help keep you organized when on the move.
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- Volume: 24L
- Weight: 2 lb 3.8 oz
- Gender: Women’s
- Type: Internal frame
- Ventilation: Yes
- External pockets: 5 + main
- Torso sizing: one size: 14”-19”
- Waist sizing: 27”-45”
- Max recommended load: 20 lbs
- Pack body: Recycled 400D Polyester Ripstop with C0 DWR: Designed without PFAS
- Pack bottom: 420D Nylon with C0 DWR: Designed without PFAS
- Pros: Ventilation keeps you cooler, comfortable fit
- Cons: Not waterproof, falls over when placed on the ground
Backpack Frame and Suspension
The Jade 24 LT’s ventilated suspension system is the secret sauce that makes this pack a winner. The back panel consists of suspended mesh that’s fully integrated with the hip belt in order to eliminate any hot spots. The 3D cradle hip belt is shaped specifically for women, padded, and covered with the same breathable mesh, while the wide hip belt closes with a robust buckle. In addition to hiking, I do a lot of trail maintenance, and it is nice to have a backpack that can comfortably carry heavier tools and protective gear when necessary.
While the Jade 24 LT is bigger than the day pack I usually wear for hiking, I can wear it for 6 or more hours while doing trail work and really like the fit. It was easy to adjust to my dimensions, and I love that the water bottles don’t fall out of the side pockets when I bend over, stretch, or reach sideways. The suspended mesh back panel keeps me cooler, and the S-shaped shoulder straps designed for women fit comfortably over my chest.
Backpack Storage and Organization
The Jade 24 LT is a panel-style daypack with a U-shaped top zipper that provides easy access to the main compartment’s contents. It easily holds all the gear I need for a day hike, including my first aid & emergency gear, and a couple of clothing layers and rain gear. The main compartment has a hydration sleeve with a large port at the top for the hose that allows you to run the hose to the left or right.
There is a small pocket on the outside of the pack, on top, with a key clip. I use it to hold my glasses and things I like to grab –like a knife, moleskin, and toilet paper. I would love it if there were another small zippered inside pocket, too. Below that, there’s a vertical zippered pocket that I use to carry my map and phone when hiking or my clippers and folding saw when doing trail work. The side water bottle pockets are made with sturdy mesh and are large enough to hold my Camelbak bottles or 1L Nalgenes. I can even reach back to grab them and replace them when I’m finished drinking.
There are a few things I don’t like about the pack, but they’re not complete showstoppers.
- The pack is not waterproof, and the contents get wet from heavy rain.
- You can only lean the pack with the FRONT against the tree, so you can’t easily open the main compartment and access stuff. It topples over if you lean it with the back mesh against the tree.
- The hip belt pockets are small and not big enough to hold my phone, although you can put small snacks into them. I mainly use them to hold my chapstick and poop bags for my dog.
External Attachment Points
While I don’t use trekking poles, the Jade 24 LT has a system for attaching trekking poles on the left side of the backpack. It consists of an ice axe loop at the base of the pack and an elastic shaft holder behind the left shoulder. If you want to stash your trekking poles, you have to stop and take off your pack first, unlike most Osprey daypacks, where you can stow them on the go while walking. There are also small webbing loops around the perimeter of the front of the pack where you could rig up some elastic cord to carry additional gear, like a foam pad.
Comparable Women’s Daypacks
Recommendation
The Gregory Jade 24 LT is a great women’s daypack for hiking. The women’s specific ventilated suspension is comfortable and effective for keeping you cool and drier on the trail. Plenty of pockets keep you organized, and the main compartment has lots of room for gear and clothing. The construction is very durable, and the color choices are yellow, blue, and red. Thankfully, Gregory has stopped making women’s packs in pink and purple and has adopted a more unisex color palette.
Disclosure: Gregory donated a backpack for review.
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About the author
Skylar Holmes is a experienced hiker and backpacker who resides in Vermont. She’s an active member of the Green Mountain Club and who when she’s not crushing trail miles likes to roll up her sleaves to build and maintain hiking trails. She’s hiked Vermont’s Long Trail and enjoys learning all about the trees, flowers, and birds that make the Long Trail their home.
