Gregory Retna 28 Review

The Gregory Retna 28 is an eco-friendly pack for daily essentials and possibly even light travel. It’s made from recycled materials to significantly reduce its carbon footprint compared to conventional backpacks. The materials feel strong and are very lightweight, and the bag’s structure comes from a frame sheet that extends from top to bottom behind the laptop sleeve. Unfortunately, despite its rear structure it does not stand up on its own and can require more effort to pack gear inside.

Thanks to its design, it provides a comfortable carry experience and flexible organization. An external dedicated laptop sleeve, a convenient quick-access pocket, a water bottle pocket, and a flexible main compartment allow it to accommodate a variety of gear.

External Components

The Gregory Retna 28 is made entirely from recycled materials, including a 300D polyester ripstop with C0 DWR. According to Gregory, this material is water-resistant and has less than half the carbon footprint of a conventional nylon pack. However you feel about sustainability, the materials are thin and lightweight. While they are not the softest, they are still comfortable to use.

The YKK zippers have a smooth thread with grippy molded zipper pulls. The shape and design of the zipper pulls make them super comfortable to grab and easy to locate and pull. On the front are four attachment points: two at the top corners and two cleverly hidden under a slight flap at the bottom. They have a small degree of reflectivity stitched into them for visibility. The attachment points provide flexible options for attaching additional gear and feel sufficiently sturdy. As for branding, it is pretty minimal, with just the company logo displayed in the upper corner of the face. The overall face of the bag has a clean and simple aesthetic.

The Gregory Retna 28 features a doubled nylon grab handle on the top. While it feels strong and sturdy, it is not the most comfortable experience for lengthy carries since it lacks padding. As for maneuvering the bag or picking it up, it does the job decently. Aside from the top grab handle and the shoulder straps, this pack does not have a hip belt or luggage pass-through, which may be a deal breaker if you intend to use this bag for traveling or carrying heavier loads.

Compared to the top grab handle, the shoulder straps are a different story. They are nicely contoured and densely padded for extra comfort. They also have air mesh for breathability and easy-to-adjust plastic hardware. The back panel is also constructed with multi-density foam and air mesh, providing a soft and comfortable feel. However, the back panel relies exclusively on the air mesh for breathability and lacks any dedicated airflow channels, which is noticeable, especially in warmer climates. It’s something to keep in mind.

Each shoulder strap has an attachment point located right above the sternum strap. The sternum strap itself is removable, clipping into dedicated attachment points and connecting via a small plastic buckle. It is minimal but easy to adjust, ensuring a comfortable and customizable fit.

Fit Notes

The Gregory Retna 28 offers a comfortable carry experience, even with heavier gear, due to its contoured and padded shoulder straps. The pack has a fairly casual aesthetic, especially in this Mirage Tan color version. It is well-suited for travel and more relaxed, familiar environments. The face has a minimal design, which contributes to its clean look. To some, it somewhat resembles a minimal hiking backpack. While it has a casual and outdoor aesthetic, the Black colorway might be able to pass in more business or professional settings. It might also be more suitable for travel if you prefer to blend in and go the more inconspicuous route.

Inside The Pack

The lining on the Gregory Retna 28 is 40% post-consumer recycled 135D polyester with C0 DWR. The dark blue interior provides a nice contrast with the outside of the pack. There is a front compartment that offers minimal organization at the top, with the rest being available for more basic storage. This thoughtful design allows you to store gear at the bottom without getting in the way of the gear in the organization panel at the top. The organization panel at the top includes a zippered pocket with an accented thread to help with visibility and distinction. There are also two pen or stylus loops. The compartment’s dual zippers extend about halfway down the backpack, allowing for a wide opening and a good overview of everything inside.

A quick-access pocket with a decent amount of storage is conveniently located on the top of the pack. It can fit a wallet and phone without any issues. This compartment could also be handy for storing items like passports, tickets, or a battery bank. However, you should be careful storing sensitive items like glasses in this pocket because it lacks soft lining or padded protection.

An external laptop sleeve between the quick-access pocket and top grab handle provides easy access to your device without opening other compartments and risking other items falling out or being exposed. It is minimally padded but benefits from the back panel’s solid frame sheet for added protection. It has a wide opening and can fit up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro. The laptop sleeve is lifted about 2 inches from the bottom, which is always nice to see since it adds protection from accidental drops or impacts.

On one side is a stretchy water bottle pocket that can hold a 1-liter Nalgene bottle. While it can also be used for other gear, it does not have the most secure closure, so you’ll want to be careful storing more narrow items like tall water bottles, umbrellas, or tripods here. Your items could fall out relatively easily when the bag is lying down or in transit.

The main compartment also includes dual zippers extending about halfway down the backpack. This wide opening provides a good overview of the contents inside. Similar in design to the front compartment, this one offers more overall capacity. It has ample storage space that can be used flexibly as a dump site. You can throw gear inside freely or use pouches and packing cubes for a more organized approach.

There is a slip pocket against the back that is not immediately noticeable due to the dark blue interior. This pocket is ideal for flat items such as tablets, notebooks, or magazines. While books can fit, thicker volumes may be challenging as the pocket does not stretch. One thing to remember is that packing the empty bag can be slightly annoying due to the lightweight materials and lack of structure.

However, the Gregory Retna 28 is a solid choice for an eco-friendly, versatile, everyday backpack. It offers a comfortable carrying experience thanks to its padded shoulder straps and air mesh, though you may miss a luggage pass-through and a hip belt for heavier gear or extended carries. The dedicated laptop sleeve, quick-access pocket, and water bottle pocket provide a nice amount of flexible storage, as does the light organization in its front and main compartments. While it may not have the most exciting or innovative features, it walks a nice line between function and comfort while also being environmentally friendly. It is perfect for everyday use, outdoor adventures, and potentially even light travel. If you are looking for a flexible, casual, everyday backpack, the Gregory Retna 28 is worth considering.