Gregory Swift 16 H2O / Inertia 18 H2O Hydration Pack Overview

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The Gregory Swift 16 H2O / Inertia 18 H2O excels as a light-weight, compact hydration pack, good for brief hikes, or biking. It affords a cushty match for mild hundreds, with a well-distributed weight that minimizes fatigue. The hydration system is environment friendly, with a sturdy bladder and an ergonomic pan deal with for straightforward filling and hydration on the go. 

The pack’s 16L capability supplies sufficient area for necessities, although it’s greatest fitted to minimal gear resulting from its smaller compartments and restricted storage. The pack is sturdy general, however the mesh materials on the shoulder straps and again might not be as sturdy for prolonged put on. It lacks a padded hip belt and adjustable shoulder straps, which may have an effect on consolation throughout longer outings. When you’re searching for a bigger or extra sturdy pack, please see our full information to the greatest hydration packs. 

The Swift 16 affords nice worth for these in search of a no-frills, environment friendly pack for brief adventures. It’s excellent for lively people who prioritize consolation and ease.

How We Examined

We took the pack out on a 6-mile winter hike at Lake Keechelus in Washington in the course of the winter to check for consolation and consider how successfully it carried our snacks, gear, and different gadgets for mountain climbing. We examined ease of use for the hydration system and used a bathe to guage the pack’s climate resistance.

Consolation & Match

The Gregory Swift 16 H2O affords respectable consolation for brief hikes however lacks some options for long-term put on. Throughout our winter hike in Washington, we felt slight discomfort with carrying the pack because of the lack of a padded hip belt. With 8 kilos on our again, we didn’t overpack the Gregory Swift 16 H2O however felt that any extra weight could be uncomfortable for an extended hike. Moreover, there aren’t any load lifters on the shoulder straps which decreased the adjustability.

Nonetheless, with the lighter load we used throughout our testing, the match was typically comfy. Each the shoulder straps and again mesh have been breathable, maintaining us cool within the winter solar. This isn’t probably the most supportive pack available on the market, but it surely’s excellent for minimalist adventures the place consolation isn’t the very best precedence.

Hydration System

One of many standout options of the Gregory Swift 16 H2O is its hydration system. The 2L bladder is simple to fill and insert, particularly when the pack is full, due to its well-designed bladder compartment. We cherished how the pan deal with felt when filling the bladder and the way simple it was to carry with only one hand. The pan deal with ensures that the bladder doesn’t slip round, and the sturdy, lengthy deal with makes refills easy. There isn’t a exterior facet pocket for a Nalgene-sized bottle, however the 2L bladder is enough for the smaller pack dimension.

All connection factors with the bladder have been simple to make use of, such because the clip between the bladder and hose. The slightest subject we discovered was that the button to detach the hose was stiffer than we choose. A minimum of it gave us a bit of thoughts that the hose wouldn’t by accident self-detach and trigger a bladder leak. We just like the bonus characteristic that the bladder mouth is the right match for a Nalgene-sized filter (just like the Katadyn water filter pump.

Total, the bladder suits comfortably within the pack and is probably the most simple and ergonomic to make use of in comparison with all different hydration bladders we examined. The hydration system is dependable, and the bladder’s simple setup makes it the most effective options of the pack.

Compartments

The Swift 16 H2O options minimalist compartments that present fundamental group however lack versatility. There’s a separate compartment for the bladder, maintaining the primary compartment dry after filling the bladder. That important compartment affords sufficient room even after the hydration bladder, together with snacks and some small necessities, but it surely’s not roomy sufficient for bigger gear. We have been barely ready to slot in a winter jacket with our lunch meals, which restricted what we may deliver on the hike. 

Past these important compartments, the important thing pocket is a pleasant contact, maintaining small gadgets safe. The facet zippered pocket is spacious, however the stiff material makes it tougher to entry. It’s the proper dimension for a cellphone however because of the zipper location, we didn’t really feel prefer it was an awesome possibility to position a cellphone in case it fell out.

Nonetheless, we felt that the 2 exterior small pockets have been useful for offering additional storage divisions for small snacks versus only a single compartment like extra minimalist packs. There’s no inner hidden pocket, which was a disadvantage for hiding away essential gadgets like keys and pockets. For mild adventures, the compartment format works, however it could be too limiting for individuals who want extra group.

Waterproofing

The Gregory Swift 16 H2O performs fairly effectively in moist circumstances. We simulated a rainstorm by testing the pack underneath a bathe faucet for 30 seconds. Total, the pack saved most of its contents dry, however water did discover its method into the compartments via the zippers since they weren’t lined.

Nonetheless, the waterproof material itself didn’t enable water seepage in the course of the simulated heavy rain. Subsequently, we imagine that this pack would stand in opposition to a light-to-moderate Washington rain however not a heavy Colorado storm and not using a pack cowl. Take into account getting a pack cowl for those who plan to hike in heavy rain with the Gregory Swift 16 H2O pack.

Sturdiness

The Gregory Swift 16 H2O is constructed with sturdy supplies that may stand up to common use. Throughout most of their packs, Gregory makes use of 420D Excessive Density Nylon, a thick and abrasion-resistant material that’s an awesome alternative for frequent out of doors actions. On the outing, we didn’t see any obvious points with the primary physique material. It by no means snagged on rocks or different sharp objects and any grime at all times slid proper off simply.

The mesh on the shoulder straps and again was clearly much less sturdy. The terrain most likely gained’t rip or tear it, but it surely won’t maintain as much as heavy hundreds over time. The zippers are clean and straightforward to function, nice for on-the-go fast entry with out snagging the material. Total, for a medium-sized day pack, the Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 H2O pack feels sturdy and long-lasting.

Weight

The Gregory Swift 16 H2O is a light-weight, compact hydration pack that’s simple to hold throughout brief hikes and out of doors adventures. Weighing in at 1.2 kilos, this pack is clearly lighter than any bigger quantity pack but in addition lighter than packs of comparable dimension – a few of which weigh nearer to 2 kilos. Though the pack materials felt barely denser and heavier than anticipated for its dimension, the environment friendly construct and compartments make the pack light-weight as an entire. 

The pack’s design additionally retains weight near the physique, which helps keep consolation and steadiness, even with a full bladder. It didn’t really feel heavy whereas mountain climbing regardless of not having a padded hip belt. Its 16L capability is ideal for hikes with restricted gear, however packing it too dense decreased the ergonomic really feel and elevated how heavy it felt on path. Total, the Swift 16 H2O is a stable possibility for light-to-medium hundreds and is well-suited for short-distance hikes, providing a very good steadiness between dimension and weight.

Ought to You Purchase the Gregory Sula 16 Hydration Pack?

The Gregory Swift 16 H2O is a stable hydration pack for brief hikes, providing a light-weight design, easy-to-use hydration system, and good consolation for mild hundreds. Though its compartments are fundamental and lack organizational options, the pack excels in its hydration bladder and general sturdiness. The absence of a padded hip belt and adjustable shoulders could restrict consolation for longer hikes, but it surely’s a superb alternative for these in search of a compact, environment friendly pack for fast adventures.

The worth lies in its light-weight design and reliable hydration system, making it excellent for lively people who prioritize simplicity and performance.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Take into account?

When you’re searching for one thing totally different, please see our full hydration packs information – or attempt the next packs:

Teton Oasis 18L Overview: For budget-conscious hikers, the Teton Oasis 18L affords stable efficiency at a cheaper price. Whereas the Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 H2O excels in consolation, the Oasis supplies loads of cupboard space and a pack cowl for wet days for these seeking to save with out sacrificing an excessive amount of high quality.

CamelBak M.U.L.E. 12 Overview: When you prioritize group, the CamelBak M.U.L.E.® 12 is a stronger contender than the Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 H2O. With a well-designed format and a number of compartments for fast entry to gear, the M.U.L.E.® affords a greater steadiness of capability and group, particularly for short-to-medium treks.

Deuter Velocity Lite 13 Overview: For a lighter and extra compact possibility, the Deuter Velocity Lite 13 outshines the Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 H2O. Weighing much less and that includes a minimalist design, it’s good for quick, brief hikes the place carrying additional weight isn’t a priority.