Gregory Women's Angora 26 Backpack

Angora 26 - A pleasant pack to carry
April 12, 2011

First experience with a Gregory pack. Took this pack on a day trip through some local canyons. I pack an SLR camera and camera gear when I go out, including a long lens. I used padding from a photo bag to cushion my camera. My load was light as backpacking goes, the pack was only 1/3 full. But, having carried my photo gear in a Lowe Pro SlingShot100 camera bag, on other trips, I found that eventually my one shoulder starts to get sore from the strap and my camera feels heavy in this (I still like the LP. It's well padded for my stuff). Didn't feel the load with the Angora 26 with same camera gear plus a full aluminum canteen, my cousin's water bottle and a couple of snacks. The pack distributed pressure from the load pretty evenly. Pack disappeared at times. Load was not a chore to carry. Had NO sore shoulders and my low back ( I have 3 slipped discs) was happy after 3 hours of hiking up and down through dry heavily trenched trails. Using the hip belt on the descent, load was stuck to my body - no sloshing, comfortable and conformed better while moving as one piece with me. The side pocket was perfect size for my canteen plus I didn't feel it's weight as I walked. The main compartments are roomy. There is a water reservoir compartment that will probably take a 70 oz Camelbak, which is what I'm planning to put in there. Inside pockets on the top compartment are nice for lotsa little stuff, one that fits sunglasses. Plenty of room in the other large compartment for couple of lite packable insulated jackets and rain shells. Can easily carry water and snacks for a full days trek. I like this pack very much, nice simple silhouette, great color in Pumice. It's perfect for a long day adventure.