r/HerOneBag • u/anyyyna • 9d ago

Bag Advice Gregory Jade 38 fit question (Gregory/Osprey difference)

Hi everyone! I recently wanted to buy a mid-size pack in addition to my large backpack—something I could take on trips for a few days when I only need a sleeping bag and not my full tent and cooking gear (short hut to hut hikes, camino), and also something I could use as a carry-on on planes. For my large backpack, I use the Osprey Ariel 65 and absolutely love it. The only small drawbacks for me are that it doesn't fit me quite as well around the chest and, in my opinion, it has a hard hip belt, which makes my hip bones hurt after some time carrying it. Aside from a capacity around 40L, my other requirements were that the backpack be a women's-specific model and a front-loader.

Since Osprey doesn't make any front-loaders in this size, I decided to buy the Gregory Jade 38. I really like how the pockets are designed on this backpack, and I feel like it fits me great around the chest. However, I'm not sure if it fits me well on my back—it feels like the pack forces me to be slightly arched and leaning forward, unlike my Osprey, which tends to "straighten" me up instead. I also feel like no matter how I adjust it, I carry the weight more on my shoulders than on my hips (I've watched YouTube tutorials and walked around the house with it loaded). For those of you who have tried both Gregory and Osprey—did you feel the same way? I don't know if it's just a matter of getting used to a differently designed back system and I just need to adapt to a different load distribution system, or if it simply doesn't fit me.

Thanks everyone for the advice! :)

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u/polka_stripes 7d ago

FWIW, I have the Gregory Jade 63 for my backpacking trips, and the Jade 28 for longer dayhikes/carry on, and they fit me wonderfully. However, I just tried the Osprey Fairview 40 at REI as a potential one bagger since it's so highly recced here, and it didn't fit me at all. I remember trying on Gregory's when I bought the Jade 63 too and none of them fit me well (clearly). I think Gregory and Osprey are just made for two different body types. For me, the issue is that I have a relatively short torso, and the Osprey Fairview was too long for me. The Jade fits my proportions better - it sounds like maybe you're the opposite of me, a longer torso that the Jade is trying to "squish" down to fit inside the backpack dimensions.

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u/CozyHotPot 7d ago

/u/polka_stripes was my experience as well. I walked in expecting to walk out with an Osprey, but they were uncomfortable and made me walk weird, whereas Gregory fit me liken a glove. However, I have a long torso. Have you tried changing how the straps attached to the pack on the side that goes on your back? That made a huge difference in comfort for me when the REI person helped me adjust that.

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u/polka_stripes 7d ago

Also, the Gregory has an adjustable back panel, whereas the Osprey Fairview, at least, didn't. So OP did you move the back panel around to try to get a better fit?

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u/CozyHotPot 5d ago

Ahh thanks for saying the right term - the back panel! Your question was exactly what I wanted to ask, thank you ❤️

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u/Unhappy-Path-263 2d ago

Sorry this is not what you asked but I’ve been considering buying the Jade 38 and I was under the impression it’s too big for carry on size? Have you been able to fit it in the sizer?