Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Gregory Halo > Jack Corrigan > Field Report

Product Name:

Gregory Halo (Daypack)

Personal Biographical Information:

Name: John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 41 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)

Email: jack@jackquest.com

Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)

Report Date: 26JUL2004

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Gregory

Manufactured Date: 2004

Manufacturer URL: http://www.gregorypacks.com

Listed Weight: 3 pounds 6 ounces (1.5 kilograms)

Delivered Weight: 3 pounds 4 ounces (1.5 kilograms)

Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Color: Aurora Red

Volume: 1800 cubic inches (29 liters)

Load Capacity: 25 pounds (11 kilograms) or less

Size: Medium/Large

Field Information:

Location:

Field testing locations included the following areas in Virginia:

• Caledon Natural Area (18 311910mE, 4246507mN)
• Prince William Forest Park (18 289939mE, 4272874mN)
• Phelps Wildlife Management Area (18 260059mE, 4262426mN)

Description of Location:

The terrain of the testing locations varied, and ranged from low wetlands to lightly forested areas with elevations around 125 to 300 feet (40 to 90 meters). Trails included established footpaths, overgrown logging roads and even the occasional bushwhack.

Weather Conditions:

This test period was conducted from May through July.

Weather during the test period was warm 80°F-90°F (27°C-32°C) with noticeable humidity and even a few light rain showers thrown in for good measure.

Product Experience:

The Gregory Halo "All Terrain Series" daypack has been a pleasure to test. During the test period I have used the Halo as my primary daypack (for obvious reasons) and as my training pack for search team training days. The "load" has ranged from 8-12 pounds (4-5 kilograms) for the field test period. The Halo is in excellent condition, although a bit dirtier than the day I took it out of the box!

The Halo is my first panel access pack. it took a little getting used to but now I like being able to open the pack a see pretty much all the contents at a glance. I think the "connected" dual panel zippers are a bit overkill (added to the snap buckle and hook and loop patches) and there were times that I would have just liked to open one side. But I soon adapted. The single daisy chain came in handy for hanging a collapsible dog bowl. The side pockets held either a regular bike style water bottle or a liter size hard or collapsible plastic container with no problems. The "ice axe" loop combined with the hook and loop tie down did a fine job of securing my Tracks Sherlock Hiking Staff. Th hook and loop tie down also doubled as a nice place to hang a two way radio with the speaker mike attached to a shoulder strap daisy chain loop. The lined "sunglass" pocket was used for just about everything but sunglasses. Cell phone, spare radio, truck keys and GPS have all had their chance at a cushy ride. The small zippered pocket on the waistbelt is just that small. I used it for carrying two spare AA batteries for GPS backup.

I found the Gregory Halo to be very comfortable. With lighter loads and shorter distances (1-3 miles/2-5 kilometers), there were times when I didn't use the waistbelt or the sternum belt but once the load or distance was increased the waistbelt and sternum strap made the Halo fit to the point it was almost easy to forget it was there. During warm muggy weather, I did not feel the Halo fit was a significant contributing factor to any overheating then again there wasn't any significant cooling from the ventilating air flow. it was just plain ol'comfortable! I found this fit exceptional during a land navigation exercise where crawling over and under various briars, brambles and laurels. There wasn't a single incident of snagging or pockets coming open/unzipped.

Long term testing will include increasing the load as well as adding the use of a hydration bladder. So far the Halo has been a pleasure to wear and I hope that continues. It along with other gear will get a good workout during next week's vacation, or as I like to call it the Northwood's Expedition around and about Minnesota.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Gregory Halo > Jack Corrigan > Field Report