The Gregory Maya 25 daypack is a fantastically featured, comfortable option that just feels right when hiking with it. It’s incredibly well made, durable and will stand the test of time, for more full-on loads, or lighter ones all the same.
March 2026 update: I’ve added more testing notes from further use in the spring and summer after my initial winter tests. This has become one of my favourite packs and has been my go to last year and so far this year too. I’ve fallen in love with the fit, comfort and feel it offers. I’ve also updated my review with a things I’ve noticed from prolonged use and more testing photos. We’ve also included the Maya 25 in our guide to the best lightweight daypacks.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Incredibly comfortable
- Offered in an extended range of sizes
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not fully waterproof
- Not suited as airline carry on
The Gregory Maya 25 is a pack that makes sense. It’s made partly from recycled materials, is well proportioned and extremely comfortable to wear and has optional sizes for plus size hikers.
I have fallen in love with this daypack through my tests due to the comfort it offers, and it’s well thought out design. It fits close to the body for unparalleled comfort and never feels sweaty or uncomfortable.
Due to this and it’s ‘light suspension’ style back, well-padded straps and hip belt means you can take this pack on shorter, lighter trips or more full on trails where you may need to carry heavier loads.
This article is part of our overall guide to the best daypacks, see more in this guide:
- Best Daypacks for Hiking
- How to Choose The Right Daypack For Your Hike
- How We Tested Hiking Daypacks
- Compare Hiking Daypacks
You may also be interested in: Best Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
See the Gregory Maya 25 in more detail:
Analysis and Test Results
I loved the Gregory Maya 25 daypack in my tests and was pretty much sold the moment I put it on. It fits so well and is easily adjustable to your size, which makes carrying it feel almost like you aren’t.
This was especially something I liked when hiking in winter which much more bulky gear on, and this pack stayed feeling comfortable throughout. I was also impressed with the placement of the side pouches, which meant I could get my water bottle out without having to remove the pack fully.
The light suspension this pack offers makes it fantastic for carrying heavier loads, but it also handles really well for lighter loads too. It’s a great, durable and versatile pack and due to this, for many hikers, it may be the only pack you need.
Performance Comparison
Type and Style
The Gregory Maya 25 is a well-proportioned day pack that gets the mix right of a kind of hybrid pack. It’s lightweight, with a ‘soft’ suspension system that gives you what you’d expect in a much more full-on pack.
At 25l, it’s perfect for carrying day to day items on your hikes and can be packed light. Because of its fairly full on back and strap detail, you can also carry heavier loads, making it a perfect ‘best of both worlds’ solution.
In terms of style, to me, this very much looks like a hiking backpack. Some hikers may feel like they’re perfectly happy using this as a day bag for commuting, however, I think this pack is best suited to the trail.
It’s important to note as well, that this pack in the 25l size is likely too big for airline carry on, but the 20l could be better suited to this. Though I’d recommend checking this in advance if this is a consideration for you.
Material
The Gregory May 25 daypack uses a combination of different denier nylons in its construction. There’s a 100D 30% recycled nylon and 210D 45% recycled nylon used for the body.
The base is constructed from 210D 45% recycled nylon, the harness, hip belt etc. are EVS foam. The lining is made from 135D 40% recycled polyester. The hardware uses Bluesign approved buckles. All of these are PFAS free.
This is obviously great to see! I was happy to see that the Maya stands up really well against the other Gregory packs I’ve had a chance to use over the years. It’s strong, made incredibly well and up close looks like it makes use of very well produced materials.
Breathability
The Gregory Maya 25 uses a back panel with molded/channeled foam. This uses a grooved shape, which aims to help with air movement. I’ve been using this pack through summer hikes and it’s been incredible on hotter trails. It is my go to at present for longer hikes as it feels a lot more comfortable and breathable than some other packs I’ve tested!
I’ve also used this pack pretty extensively on my winter season hikes, where I was able to build up quite a sweat. At no point did I find any sweat transfer on my puffy. So, I’m pretty happy with how this pack performs here.
I think something that does make a big difference here is that this pack is designed to hug the body and fit your shape whilst wearing. There was still some airspace which really helped keep the pack in place, but also provide air circulation – the best of both worlds.
Waterproofing
The Gregory Maya daypack does have a DWR treatment, but this makes it only water repellent and not technically waterproof. This in turn means that it will work until a point, but if you know you are going to be up against heavy rain or storms, then I would suggest getting a fully waterproof cover for this pack.
I experienced pretty heavy rain on some of my test hikes with this pack, and it never reached saturation point. However, to take this through to a full four seasons, I always carry a cover that can be used over it.
Dimensions
This pack is 51x29x23cm, and it feels pretty much perfect for a day pack size. I found the dimensions of this pack to sit just right on my back. There were no areas at the top that stuck out and the sides were perfectly aligned.
If you’re looking for a pack to use for airport carry on, I think this may be too big for some airlines. So, I would check in advance if this is something you’re considering. Gregory do smaller versions of this pack too, so this may be worth looking at as an option also.
Fit
I absolutely love the fit of this pack, and this is one of the reasons I’ve fallen in love with it in the time I’ve been testing it. One of the things I absolutely loved was the positioning of the side pockets.
Usually, with other daypacks I’ve tested, I’ve had to take off my pack to get my water bottle out the side. Gregory have done something magical and made it so you can easily slip out and back in your water bottle without having to take your pack off.
In fact, I was able to do this with my hiking poles too. This was a bit of a revelation for me. I sometimes find myself not drinking as much as I should because of this.
I also really love the position of the hipbelt on this pack, it feels like it’s just right and really comfortable. The mild suspension (as I’m calling it) back is also really comfortable for longer missions with a heavier pack.
Storage
I think the Maya 25 from Gregory is a well-proportioned day pack that allows you to fit a lot in without it feeling overly bulky. I have been able to fit in everything I need for winter hiking (which is more as layers bulk up and crampons/snow spikes needed etc.), which I was pretty happy about.
I’ve also easily been able to fit a drybag inside with my swimming gear for mid hike icy dips along the way, including a small towel. There’s also space for my camera gear too.
The outer pockets on the sides are also well proportioned for water bottles and hiking poles. The front has a mesh stash pouch, which is really roomy and well made.
There’s a big zip up section at the back that you can either use for a hydration pouch or a laptop. There’s an inner zip up section and a front zipped up pouch. This all makes for a very roomy, well organized pack.
Comfort
When I say this is one of the most comfortable daypacks I’ve ever used, I don’t say that lightly. The Gregory Maya 25 is built with comfort in mind, and comfort it delivers.
I sometimes find that certain areas of a pack just don’t quite come up right for me, but this pack really delivered here. The fact that I could wear this and not have to take it off to take a drink was a big bonus too.
I love the contoured shape of this pack; it feels like it’s hugging you whilst you hike. This is especially good when you have a pretty full pack as it never feels overbearing and allows you to move quickly on the trail.
Features
In terms of the technical information, there is an adjustable torso length with 9cm of adjustment possible. The shoulders are perforated and use foam to help with their comfort. Then there’s the ‘biosync’ body hugging comfort offered that aim to adapt to your shape.
There are also comfort grip molded zipper pulls which are great in winter with colder hands. You can also buy this pack in plus size, with a number of adjustments and fit revisions.
Other than this, I love the way the side pouches have been designed to allow you to grab your water bottle on the go without having to take your pack off. This was a revelation to me, and something I loved.
The only thing within the features that may be a very slight issue for you is that the water reservoir pouch at the back of the pack has a hook that only fits a Gregory specific reservoir really neatly.
I use an Osprey hydration reservoir for hikes where I need to bring more water and I love this. I don’t plan on updating it anytime soon. I’ve had to basically make a workaround here that uses a small attachment from the Osprey hydration reservoir to loop over the plastic Gregory hook on the pack.
I can see why Gregory have done this – to encourage you to buy further into their system, but it would be worth checking your hydration pouch fittings to see if yours fits. As like many hikers, I’ve settled on my hydration reservoir after years of trial and error and not just by chance!
Sustainability
This daypack makes use of significant recycled materials (I’ve gone into more detail on this in the material section). This is of course great to see, as are the PFAS free DWR coatings.
Gregory are a brand who are committed to sustainability, and are focused on making sizes available to all too. I’ve always been a fan of Gregory’s upfront and inclusive tone, so they get good points here when it comes to the Maya.
Conclusion
The Gregory Maya 25 has become one of my favorite daypacks in a very short time period. It’s hard to ignore it’s comfort, which is pretty evident from the moment you put it on, but there’s more to it than just that.
Firstly, I love that Gregory actively offer this pack in plus sizes too, with adjustments made to certain elements to fit hikers’ bodies better. I also love that this pack gets the balance right between lighter day hikes and more full on, with its ability to carry weight easily.
On more full-on hikes, it handles breathability really well, and just gets a lot of boxes ticked with the thoughtful placement of a lot of things. Such as being able to take a water bottle from the side without removing the pack.
The hydration sleeve compatibility issue may not be a problem for you, but it is something I would love to see improved – as simple as a more universal strap. However, I can see why Gregory have done this.
If you’re looking for a daypack that’s just comfortable, durable, versatile and thought out well, you won’t be disappointed with the Maya 25. It’s a fantastic pack, full stop.
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!