Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Gregory Wasatch Pack > Test Report by Patrick McNeilly

GREGORY WASATCH PACK
TEST SERIES BY PATRICK MCNEILLY

TESTER INFORMATION

I have been hiking for over 20 years but backpacking only since about 2002. Most of my backpacking is done as overnight trips and occasional weekend and weeklong trips. My typical packweight is approximately 18 to 20 lb (8 to 9 kg) before food or water. Most of my backpacking is the three season variety in the mountains of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition to backpacking, I also fish, hunt, and enjoy orienteering. As a result, some of my backpacking equipment gets used in a number of different venues.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Gregory
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.gregorypacks.com/
MSRP: $ 79.00 USD
Listed Weight: 1 lb 5 oz (600 g)
Measured Weight: 1 lb 5 oz (600 g)
Pack Volume: 720 cu in (12 L)
Torso sizes: 16 - 22 in (41 - 56 cm)
Color: Cayenne (also available in Tungsten or Moonstone)

The Gregory Wasatch Pack (i.e., the pack) is constructed of a coated nylon fabric with mesh outer pockets. The pack has three large pockets and a variety of smaller ones. The large main pocket includes a hydration sleeve and a small interior mesh zippered pocket which measures 5 x 7 in (13 x 18 cm). Another large zippered pocket (smaller than the first) has two interior mesh organizer pockets and a 4 in (10 cm) nylon ribbon with a mitten hook. Lastly, there is a large expandable outside pocket pocket constructed of nylon mesh on the outside of the pack. This large mesh pocket secures with a bungee using a hook located in the center of the pack.



The pack also has two additional exterior mesh pockets on the body of the pack located on either side of the lareg mesh pocket I noted above. There are two zippered mesh pockets on the hipbelt. Inside each of these pockets is a band of elastic which appears to be designed to secure the items in the pocket.

The back panel and shoulder straps are constructed of a thin flexible foam covered with a nylon mesh material. The shoulder straps and the hipbelt attach to the pack in such a way that they can stretch with the movement of the body. The shoulder straps also have channels to feed the tubing of a hydration bladder. There is also a bungee loop on the left shoulder strap which has a small patch of nylon webbing and hook and loop fastener sewn to it allowing it to secure to the shoulder strap. There is also an adjustable sternum strap attached the shoulder straps.

The Wasatch Pack has a compression system which consists of two compression straps on the outside of the pack. There are also two small cords with plastic loops and small black toggles on either side of the pack near where the hipbelt attaches. These two cords are an internal compression system to secure the lower portion of the pack.



A few other small items to note are that there is a small haul loop made of thin nylon cord. Inside the largest compartment are three nylon loops. Two of these loops have hook and loop fasteners and appear to be for securing a hydration bladder, while the third loops appears to be for positioning bladder tubing. I also noted that there is a small triangular hole in the bottom panel of the pack.

Gregory has a lifetime warrantee on materials and workmanship. Defective products will be repaired or replaced at Gregory's expense. However, the warrantee information on the Gregory website specificly states "Sorry, no free repairs if you have been using your pack as a feed bag for bears or cleaning it with white gas." Seems reasonable.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

My first impression of the Gregory Wasatch Pack is that it looks very complicated. There are many pockets and straps of various sizes. I also thought to myself that this is an organizers dream. There seems to be a place for everything I might take on a hike. One thing that I think might be helpful would be some type of description of the features. No literature or hang tags came with the pack and there are some features which I simply do not understand, such as the bungee cord with the hook and loop fasteners on the left shoulder strap. My guess is that it is to assist in feeding hydration tubing, if not, I figure someone on the trail will laugh and tell me what it is really for.

The construction appears to be very good. The materials seem to be of excellent quality and there aren't loose threads. There appears to be reinforced stitching on some high stress areas such as where the compression straps and haul loop attach.

The largest pocket has a two liter hydration bladder and still has additional room for other items. I was able to put a full bladder in and easily feed the tubing through the opening in the pack and along the left shoulder strap, without removing the mouthpiece. This pocket also has two small loops that have hook and loop fasteners which are in the right place for securing a bladder. The small zippered pocket inside the large main pocket is about the right size for holding keys or a cell phone.

There is a large mesh pocket on the outside of the pack which will hold a fleece. This pocket has a bungee and is connected to the two compression straps to help stabilize items stored in the pocket. There are also two mesh pockets on the outside which have elastic openings. These pockets will hold a one liter water bottle but I found that it was difficult to get the bottles in the pockets.

The padding on the back, hipbelt, and shoulder straps is fairly thin but soft and very flexible. The shoulder straps and hipbelt attach to the pack with a stretch fabric. This makes the pack move with my torso while moving. The sternum strap is adjustable but when I put the pack on, the vertical adjustment seemed fine but the strap fits tight across my 40 in (102 cm) chest.

The hipbelt feels comfortable and I was a little surprised to find that the buckle clips on the left side and there is only one strap to adjust the belt. The pockets on the hipbelt are large enough to hold snacks or a small camera and the elastic straps inside the pockets look as though they may help prevent items from falling out.

The pack compresses to a fairly small size. I put a two liter filled bladder in the pack and compressed it as much as possible, as if I were going for a trail run. The main compression straps do a good job on the upper portion of the pack while the inner compression system did compress the lower section of the pack. The problem with the internal compression is that the pull cords seem too long when the pack is compressed. They extend as much as 9 in (23 cm) on either side and dangle there. The bungee on the outer mesh pocket can be disconnected and attached to another hook closer to the top of the pack which really seems to create a small package.

This concludes my Initial Report. The Field Report will be appended to this report in about two months. Please check back then for more information.

I would like to thank Gregory and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this item.

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Gregory Wasatch Pack > Test Report by Patrick McNeilly