Gregory Zulu 30 Daypack Review

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a spacious, feature-forward, and comfortable pack for long days and heavier loads, consider the Gregory Zulu 30. At 30 liters, this is one of the biggest models on our best daypacks for hiking guide. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves the Zulu for shoulder season adventures and tough winter day hikes, including summit pushes and short backpacking trips. There’s room for bulky and small gear alike and external straps work well for attaching larger pieces, like snowshoes. 

However, this is a large backpack, so it’s not a practical choice for anything but big days with lots of gear. At over 3 pounds, it ranks as one of the heaviest, least compressible bags on our daypacks list, so it will miss the mark for folks who want a lighter, slimmer profile for shorter day hikes. But for folks who want a large-capacity backpack for big days, cold-weather romping, or even quick overnights, the Zulu 30 is a top pick.

Comfort

With the Zulu 30, Gregory proves bigger doesn’t mean less comfy. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves the thickly padded shoulder straps and wide waist straps for a cushy fit, no matter the load. The internal frame also provides a rigid structure that helps distribute weight, reducing strain on our bodies. A breathable mesh back panel has a soft, springy feel and promotes airflow between your back and the frame to prevent overheating and discomfort. 

We’re also big fans of the adjustable torso on the Zulu. The pack can be adjusted precisely to work with your shape and size. Load lifters further fine-tune the fit, ensuring that weight is balanced across the pack for mile after mile. 

Typically we prefer lighter and smaller options when going out for only a couple of hours, and this bulk can feel burdensome for some hikers. That said, the Zulu feels much more agile and comfortable than its weight might indicate.

Organization

The Gregory Zulu 30 is a leader when it comes to smart organization. Two side pockets with compression straps are wide and deep enough to hold any sized water bottle. Our tester found the stretchy mesh front pocket fast and easy for  stuffing gear away quickly, and the wide waist pockets easily accommodated our phone, snacks, and other essentials while keeping them at hand. A zippered external pocket and internal pocket are located on either side of the main compartment flap for storing small items. 

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer also loves the compression straps on the Zulu because they have two orientations. First, they are side compression straps that both tighten down the load and keep tall items like trekking or fishing poles from shifting. However, the male and female clips also attach across the front of the bag to secure larger items. Ian’s used this feature to carry snowshoes, a sleeping pad, and even an elk skull.

The U-shaped zipper offers good access to the main compartment. Inside, a reservoir pocket and burly plastic clip work with all major brands of water reservoirs – that’s important to hikers like Ian, who prefers reservoirs over bottles. 

Our organization concerns the top zippered pockets on the brain of the pack – one inside, one outside. This makes the head flap top heavy when loaded, so it flops open awkwardly when we access the main compartment. We also find the lack of external lash points a bit of a headscratcher. But these are small issues overall. Ian’s taken this pack on dozens of adventures, and it stays permanently in his rotation because of its easy gear access in cooler weather.

User-Friendliness

The Zulu 30 is impressively user-friendly. This thing had all the pockets we needed on overnights in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. The waist, shoulder, and load lifters are highly adjustable, and the adjustable frame can move 3.5 inches to adjust to different torso lengths. Mesh water bottle pockets have internal cinch straps to keep your bottles from jostling. Everything about this pack feels intuitive, making it a reliable companion for both short hikes and more involved treks.

However, all these features can hinder user-friendliness, too. The ample straps and pockets can feel overwhelming for those who prefer a more minimalist design. That said, if you’re looking for a larger capacity bag with all the storage, bells and whistles one could want in a smart design, the Zulu will check every box.

Weight and Compressibility

With a 30 liter capacity, the Zulu is the heaviest day pack we tested, tipping the scales at 3 pounds for the small / medium size. It’s a titan on our Daypacks For Hiking list. The main driver of this weight is the Zulu’s internal structure and high quality, strong materials – a strong alloy steel frame, burly ripstop polyester, and strong components. As a result, this Gregory model is certainly not the most compressible daypack out there, either. But the Zulu feels much lighter than the scales indicate because it carries weight extremely well. 

This heavy-duty pack caters to those who want comfort and support to carry bigger loads. However, its heft is a dealbreaker for minimalists, ultralight hikers, and fastpackers who want an ultralight option.

Durability

The Zulu 30 offers top-tier durability thanks to tough nylon fabric that can handle years of rugged use. The steel alloy frame adds plenty of support and structure to keep the bag intact through demanding conditions. We’ve bushwhacked through thick forests, left this pack in -5°F overnight conditions, and dragged it through tight sandstone cracks in the Utah desert, and strong materials just keep going and going. We expect to get thousands of miles out of this bag for years to come.

Durability is another benefit of the added weight. If you’re looking for a long-term investment in a pack that’s built to last, the Zulu is a winner.

Should you buy the Gregory Zulu 30 Daypack?

The Gregory Zulu 30 is a great choice for hikers who prioritize comfort, organization, and durability over weight savings. With its large 30-liter capacity, it easily accommodates larger loads, and the pack’s outstanding back ventilation and cushy, adjustable straps make for a comfortable carry even when loaded down with 30 pounds of gear. On the other hand, we don’t recommend the Zulu 30 for those seeking a slim or lightweight daypack. At over three pounds, it will feel cumbersome for minimalists and casual hikers. However, if you’re okay with a 3-pound pack, the Zulu is in the Goldilocks zone for comfort, user friendliness, and durability. We highly recommend this large day pack for year-round adventures with bulky gear.

What other day packs should you consider for hiking?

If you’re still on the hunt for your next favorite pack, see our full guide to the Best Daypacks for Hiking.

Six Moons Designs Wy’East Review: The Wy’East matches the Zulu’s 30 liter capacity,  excellent organization, and user-friendly features – but if you’re looking for a minimalist daypack, this one weighs nearly a third less. 

Gregory Citro / Juno 24 H20 Review: The Gregory Citro (men) and Juno (women) 24 H2O are great choices for hikers who want hydration on the go without sacrificing longevity or comfort. 

Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Review: We recommend the Osprey Stratos 24 (men) and Sirrus 24 (women) for folks who want less capacity without sacrificing support and organization.