They are all overpriced and weigh too much. The Optic and Exos are fairly similar, and the significantly lighter HMG pack will carry as well as those twoassuming it fits you, and it comes in four sizes, so it should fit. This backpacking backpack makes it easy to access your gear with a sleeping bag compartment, reinforced stretch "shove-it" front pocket, a large zipper to access the pack's interior, and a double-pocketed lid that keeps all the necessities just a zip away. Gear can be carried inside a back or attached to the outside using webbing straps or elastic cord. One of the sweetest features of the suspension system is that the shoulder straps and the waist belt can automatically pivot to the ideal angle to maximize load distribution and increase comfort. These extra pockets are super handy and unique use of space, essentially doubling the external storage capacity. Hey Aaron, good question. See my review of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. When evaluating a backpack, its important to find out how the manufacturer calculates its pack volume. 4 oz.backcountry.com. Some people prefer using a hydration bladder and others prefer using water bottles, as long as theyre reachable while wearing the backpack. Read my complete review of the Gregory Paragon 58 and Maven 55. For full-day adventures or summer overnights, with an adjustable, dynamic FreeFloat suspension. Your pack swaying a little isn't the biggest problem, but it does feel unnatural, and other packs have features that prevent this. Another gripe we have with this pack is that the attached hip belt doesn't absorb the movement of your hips while you walk, which causes the pack to sway from side to side when carrying heavy loads. For the weight, this contender has a host of useful features and a top-notch suspension system. Hi Michael- really great article and I especially appreciate the decision matrix and testing trip reports! Lightweight packs are often more expensive, less durable, and less supportive. Related: How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack. Gregory Baltoro 75 Price: $350 Weight: 4 lbs. To test the selected models, we took them on multiple extended trips loaded with weights from 25 to 55 pounds. GearLab is reader-supported. But no matter which type of backpacker you are, this review covers the best packs in each of those categories. For folks who love to stay super organized, the Gregory Zulu 55 and Baltoro 65 offer excellent gear access and the ability to get to your items quickly without having to remove anything. Whether youre a beginner or seasoned backpacker, youll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my How to Plan a Backpacking Trip12 Expert Tips, A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking, and How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be. With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you dont have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of How to Plan a Backpacking Trip12 Expert Tips, the lightweight backpacking guide, and How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.. I recently purchased an AARN pack and found it excellent, was wondering where your thoughts lay with this brand of backpack, Hi Joe, Ive seen AARN packs but havent had the opportunity to try one out yet. The Gregory Baltoro has a robust suspension that comfortably supports heavier loads. This tends to provide more airflow, making these packs cooler and less sweaty, but typically less capable of handling heavier loads. Everyone sweats when they carry a loaded backpack. Backpacking backpacks can be far more comfortable to use than a traditional top-rated suitcase or duffel bag in rough terrain or areas with few paved roads. Weighing well under five pounds, theyre a great choice for backpackers who usually carry moderate to heavy loads. Front U-Zip opening Zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment 3 entry points: top, u-zip and bottom 9 exterior pockets Dynamic suspension, rotating hipbelt and harness Bear canister friendly wide shape Men's Paragon & Women's Maven BEST FOR Long hikes, when you're trying to go light and fast. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. The Stout/Amber collection is designed with Versafit suspension, making it fully adjustable and offering wraparound padded hipbelt. With an easily adjustable torso length, extended, wraparound hipbelts, and a dynamic, breathable backpanel to keep you cool; this award-winning collection offers optimal comfortable and dynamic fit. Rating: (4.7/5) See the Men's Gregory Baltoro 75 See the Women's Gregory Deva 70 If you are just starting out as a backpacker, youll find this to be a great option for multiday trips and extended trails with re-supply stops. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. The Gregory Baltoro 65 is a highly configurable, high-volume backpack designed for carrying heavy or high volume loads, north of 40 lbs. Heck, for an upcharge, they will even embroider your trail name on their packs. The Response A3 suspension system is made to carry heavy loads and allows the harness and hipbelt to rotate independently, delivering dynamic support that adapts to your bodys movements on the trail. 1-48 of 70 results for "Gregory Baltoro 65" RESULTS. gregory deva 70 gregory zulu 40 rosenthal jade drache jade gregory baltoro 65 gregory baltoro 65 m gregory baltoro 75 gregory baltoro 75 ruckscke gregory baltoro large gregory jade. Some packs, like the Granite Gear Blaze 60, Gregory Baltoro 65, and Osprey Aether 65, allow the foam padding of the waistbelt to extend out to fit larger waist sizes. Each pack in our lineup has its strengths and weaknesses, and we help to decipher all the nuances to simplify your research experience and help you find the best backpack for your needs. Our testers enjoyed the two zippered pockets on the top of the lid. Im confident at least one of these packs will be perfect for youplus youll find the best prices for them through the affiliate links to online retailers below. Our lead tester going fast and light in Vermont. Torso adjustment system direct-connects to . The two most important backpack sizing variables are your torso length and the circumference of your hips. I have been looking at your blog and reading your pack reviews but am not sure 100% the things I should be looking for in a pack. It's loaded with features and provides incredible back ventilation while weighing in at 4.5 pounds. ), Breathable backpanel for airflow reducing sweat and moisture, Organization: 3 entry access points including a front U-Zip *excluding smallest liter size, Dual side stretch mesh pockets with pass-through for over or under compression, Dual side mesh pockets with top and bottom compression straps, Front oversized stretch mesh pocket with durable fabric panel. Gregorys attention to comfort in its ultralight backpack is evident in the aluminum perimeter wire frame with a fiberglass cross-stay and an HDPE framesheet that lend the pack substantial rigidity, distributing most of the load across the hips. How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, A lightweight load hauler that is both comfortable and full of features, This pack blends excellent carrying comfort with arguably the best-executed set of features, all in a light-weight package, It may not be a heavy load hauler, but for moderate loads, this pack is comfortable and has an amazing set of features, all at a great price, Top, front U-shape, sleeping bag compartment, 210D High Density 40% Recycled Nylon, 420D High Density 45% Recycled Nylon with PFC-Free DWR. Gregory Mountain Products Men/Unisex's Baltoro 65, Alaska Blue, Medium. Ps- wasnt thunder springs amazing? We directly compared the best and most popular packs to evaluate the pros and cons of each and help narrow down the right one for you. As I suggest in my Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Backpacking Pack, choosing a pack comes down to some personal preferences on design and questions like how much weight you expect to put in the pack, so without knowing those details about you, Ill just try to help you make a choice. Read my complete review of the Osprey Exos 58 and Eja 58. Amazon.com : Gregory Mountain Products Zulu 65 Liter Men's Overnight Hiking Backpack, Empire Blue, Small/Medium : Sports & Outdoors . 14 oz. While it's not an adjustment in the traditional sense, the shoulder strap attachment points pivot and automatically create the best fit for the wearer. $320; 4 lbs. Three big, external mesh pockets add nearly 10 liters of capacity, and the roomy, zippered hipbelt pockets offer convenience. Deal Of The Week. Which of these packs would fit as a carry on? The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. The combination lands all of them in the load-hauler category. You can move this model's shoulder straps up or down nearly 10 inches, helping it fit a wide range of users and be genuinely tailored to its wearer. Ian is a professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide with over 3,000 days guiding in the Pacific Northwest, European Alps, and beyond. NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. Anything from overnighters to longer hikes. The plush, tapered, breathable foam shoulder straps are dreamy. Although this pack is incredibly light, it comfortably carries a hefty load for long stretches between resupplies. For carrying loads of 50 pounds or more, I want a pack thats supportive, comfortable, and tricked out. 11.4 oz. The Gregory Baltoro 65 sports an excellent overall backpack design. Rain covers are a practical addition to any backpacking pack. Access is excellent in the top-loading Sphinx 60, with seven external pockets, including two deep, large front pockets with two-way zippers. There are two "extra" side pockets between the water bottle and front stretch pockets. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest ($355,55L/3,400 c.i., 2 lbs., four sizes) is virtually identical to the 3400 Windrider except that it replaces the durable, tearproof mesh used in the external pockets with a more durable, Dyneema Hardline fabricsame as used in the zippered hipbelt pockets on both packs. We tested how each pack handled small and large loads alike and figured out the maximum comfortable carrying capacity for each. Gregory Baltoro 65/Deva 60. Quick and easy to adjust to an individual, Hip belt causes the entire pack to sway while walking. $329.95. We assess how well the weight is distributed between the hips, back, and shoulders by loosening and tightening the shoulder straps, hip belt, and load lifter straps. Torso length is not the same as your height but measures the distance between the top of your hip bones and the C7 (bulging) vertebrae on your neck. Zippers can also be a point of failure. Granite Gear keeps things simple, and by using some of the lightest and most durable fabrics available, they manage to keep the pack light and strong. I try to respond to all comments. If we knew we had heavier loads in our future, this pack would be on our shortlist. An outside mesh pocket makes stashing a jacket where you can grab it quickly a breeze. Gregory Baltoro 65 and Deva 60$330, 4 lbs. Comfortable and lots of features but not too heavy. For a full list of weights according to collection and liter size please visit the product pages on our website. Qualified orders eligible for FREE S&H and FREE RETURNS. Bear canisters are definitely tough to fit conveniently in packs. If you have a question for me or a comment on this review, please make it in the comments section at the bottom of this story. Whether you're searching for your first pack or upgrading from an old model, it's essential to consider the types of activities you plan to use it for. At the same time, the close fitting upper backpanel keeps the bulk of the weight close against your back to help you save energy along the way. We found this design pretty useful for getting this pack to fit a variety of shoulder widths. When you say lighter gear, your pack choice will depend on what you really mean by that in terms of total weight. Read my complete review of the Gregory Focal 58 and Facet 55. Our comprehensive review is here to help We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a What's the best backpacking water filter? Hi Carlo, I know youd probably prefer a simple answer, but I think the truth is that, with these models, weight-carrying capacity and comfort are a little different, and comfort will likely be dictated by the one that fits you best. See my review of the Gregory mens Zulu 55 and womens Jade 53. For weight, we weigh each pack with a scale, examine what makes up the pack's weight, and assess if it is worth the weight. And, the large mesh panel provides plenty of airflow between your back and the pack. Barely tipping the scales at 2.8 pounds, the ULA Catalyst is an excellent pack for lightweight enthusiasts. Read my complete review of the Ospreymens Atmos AG 65 and womens Aura AG 65. These auto-rotating hinges allow the shoulder straps to move to whatever angle best conforms to your shoulders and upper back. Toll-Free: . OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! Shop All Backpacking Packs. I have a REI flashpack 65 can you comment on this bag? The combo of dynamic fit and lightweight features create a balanced and agile carry. There are multiple compression straps to keep the weight close to your body. Wish they improve the daypack! Hi Garry, Ive used both the Aether and Xenith (and reviewed the Xenith here: https://thebigoutside.com/gear-review-osprey-xenith-88xena-85-backpacks/). We also research how many different sizes each pack comes in. It has the capacity and support for long trips and the compression and low weight for short trips, plus super access with a wide top-loading mouth, a zipper into the main compartment, and six external pockets. If you are gearing up for Backpacking, we've got you Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst review, professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack, Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2023, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Light-weight, comfortable with heavy loads, perfect pocket combination, Light-weight, comfortable, supportive, functional feature set, Very lightweight, comfortable suspension, good value, great features, Light-weight, comfortable, easily personalized, inexpensive, Durable, lots of features, plenty of adjustments to dial in the perfect fit, supportive, lacks durabillity, not made for heavy loads, Heavy, attached hipbelt, water bottle pocket can be inconvenient, A lightweight load hauler that is both comfortable and full of features, This pack blends excellent carrying comfort with arguably the best-executed set of features, all in a light-weight package, This is an awesome lightweight pack that can carry a heavier load and has a very comfortable mesh-trampoline back panel, It may not be a heavy load hauler, but for moderate loads, this pack is comfortable and has an amazing set of features, all at a great price, This highly adjustable pack may be one of the heaviest in the review but carries large loads in comfort. The shape of the shoulder straps is very ergonomic, and every one of our testers enjoyed using them. These packs use high-quality foam that strikes a perfect balance between support and comfort. That works, but its not an easy fit. This system is what allows these packs to fit like a glove. The straps on the Gregory Focal 58 pass through the side pockets and function as side compression straps. Perfect for those who are in the market for a pack with all the features you need with no extraneous extras. This backpacking pack aided our explorations high above the trees of Vermont, making our travels light and comfortable. The Osprey Atmos AG 65, Gregory Focal 58, and Mountain Hardwear PCT 70 all have trampoline-style suspension. , Medium extended trips loaded with weights from 25 to 55 pounds professional internationally IFMGA/UIAGM. Full list of weights according to collection and liter size please visit the product pages on website. 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