This pack is very comfortable for dayhikes. It allows plenty of air circulation so your back isn't soaked when you take it off. It has plenty of room for a days needs.

I used the Z30 everyday for 2 months while in Uganda, in Puerto Rico, and on numerous camping, hiking, and day excursions. It is light, comfortable, and though it looks small, really packs a lot in! the hip pockets are great and the ventilation system works wonderfully! I also really like the clips in the side water bottle pockets, i can clip in my Nalgene with out having to carabiner it in or worry about it popping out while on my bike or on the trail. The only 2 negatives is that the waist belt isnt very snug on me, i got the medium and i am 5'10 153 lbs, probably should have gone with a small. and the main zipper is kinda small and if you need something at the bottom, gotta take everything out. but i LOVE this pack and it goes everywhere with me; from the bush in Africa, to the rainforest, to on campus. i would highly recommend this pack!

It is very comfortable. The quality is clearly top of the line. I highly recommended it. I used mine for the first time, loaded with everything for a five mile hike for my son and I. It did not bother me at all. It has all kinds of adjustment so you can fit it just right on the move. By the way Backcountry.com has the best customer service of any online company including Amazon that I have ever dealt with. Use the live chat, you will be surprised how helpful they are. Anything you buy can be easily and QUICKLY refunded. I buy it, try it in the field and if it doesn't meet my expectations they take it back without any hassles, no questions. They make it really easy right from the website, print a UPS label and as soon as UPS scans it they start the refund. WOW! Much better than the BS that Amazon puts you through no second party hassle.

I guess three stars means it's adequate for the job, but I wouldn't buy it again. I got a medium pack and I find it's too long for my torso (I'm 5'7"). Pockets on the hipbelt are very useful but I find they stick out a bit because they're right at the front by the buckle and I would prefer they were closer to my hips. Also, I find it's hard to get things out of the bottom of the pack because the zipper is small and the pack is kind of narrow in the middle, so you have to take everything out.

But, it is comfortable (other than bumping my head when biking) and the air flow on the back can't be beaten. I wore it all summer hiking in Africa and it's still in good shape. The light grey colour is really light and gets dirty very easily.

I bought this pack before going to Italy for two months; I used it every day to walk the 2.5 miles home from work as well as on weekend excursions. Even loaded down with a laptop or two (and accessories), textbook, and various other things it was quite comfortable. I also took it on a 25 mile day hike with more traditional equipment in it...it was great for that too. It has stood up to abuse well, and the back panel does help to keep your back cooler, if not dry. Put this on last weekend for a hike and realized I actually missed wearing it. Gregory makes some great equipment and this pack is no exception

Great loading geometry. My hips never chafe, and the back ventilates reasonably well. Enough padding all-around to be comfy, but not excessive. The Gregory pear shape of the pack really helps in terms of settling heavy loads on the back for long hikes. I've even climbed easy trad with it a couple times. As a lanky, oddly built dude I recommend it highly for its comfort, adjustability and durability.

Just used this as a day pack for Kilimanjaro. Very comfortable, and comes in sizes to fit a small torso person. Also fits under an airplane seat.