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Initial
Report:
GREGORY G
PACK
by Gail Staisil, Marquette,
Michigan
August 18, 2005
Tester
Information
Personal
Data:
Backpacking
Background:
For the last 15 years, backpacking has become
a passion. I am a four season backpacker and an off-trail navigator.
Although I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the
majority of my trips are in Michigan and Canada. My pack weight varies
considerably, but my base weight is under 20 lbs (9.1 kg). I am primarily a
tarp camper, that averages over 50 nights a year backpacking in a huge
variety of weather conditions, including relentless rain, wet snow and sub
zero temps.
Gregory G
Pack--Description
Product
Information:
Manufacturer: Gregory
Mountain Products
Phone: 1.800.477.3420
Model: Gregory G
Pack
Model Year: 2005
Size: Medium 2700 cu in
(48 L)
Manufacturer Weight: 2 lbs 12
oz (1.2 kg)
Actual Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz (1.2
kg)
Color: Bamboo Green
MSRP: $139 US
Design/Features:
Usage guidelines: According to the
hangtag that came with the G Pack, it is "designed for fast and light
activities with sub 25 lb loads". On the same hang-tag, there is a selection
graph of the different types of Gregory Packs. The G Pack is listed under
the graphic entitled "weekend and light and fast", load capacity per this
chart indicates a possible load level of 25 lbs (11.3 kg) to 35 lbs
(15.9 kg). I fully expect to try different load levels with this pack, to
judge the upper limit for comfort.
Hydration: There is a pocket built in
to the back of the pack to store a hydration system. Gregory has also
provided a triangular fabric covered exit port on one side of the
pack (the right side).
Top Pocket: The top pocket is fully
detachable. It closes by the means of a conventional zipper and the inside
of the pocket has a loop with a hook to secure keys or another pertinent
item. The top of the pocket is made out of the heavier 210 HT Nylon
Fabric with the remainder of the hood utilizing silynylon (G70) for its
structure. During my initial hike, I stored a quilted loft jacket and extra
food items in the hood, it easily had room for more items.
Ice Axe Loops: Two ice axe loops are
located in the traditional arrangement on the front bottom edge of the
pack. I will most likely use these for trekking poles, but since
ice climbing is popular in this area, they may at some point get utilized
for their original purpose :)
Main Compartment: This compartment is
a top loader, it is approximately 23 in (58 cm) tall and is topped
by an extension collar which adds another 5 in (13 cm). The base of the pack
is in the neighborhood of 17 in (43 cm) wide and 7.25 in (18
cm) of depth.
Mesh Pockets (front and side): These
are roomy mesh pockets with the front pocket measuring approximately 13 in
(33 cm) at the base, 10.5 in (27 cm) at the top edge and 16.25 in
(41 cm) in of height. The top edge is elasticized to possibly
prevent loss of items. There are two side mesh pockets (one on each side).
Each of these measures approximately 7 in (18 cm) at the base edge,
8.75 in (22 cm) at the top edge and 12.25 in (31 cm) for the
height.
Mesh Zippered Pockets (on waist
belt): I love these !! There are two mesh pockets, one on each side
of the waist belt. They overlay the waist belt with each pocket being 3 in
(8 cm) at the narrow end, expanding to 6.75 in (17 cm) at the
middle and tapering back to 4.25 in (11 cm) at the side. They are
approximately each 11.25 in 29 cm) long with a full length zipper on
each pocket.
Technological
Features:
Gullwing Waistbelt: This is a
very lightly padded waistbelt. On my initial hike, it was very comfortable.
The padding extends almost completely around my waist with a light
layer of clothing, but the additional 14 in (36 cm) of 1.5 in
(4 cm) webbing will certainly be utilized, as I add more layers of
clothing. I usually "buy" my waist belts sized to be padded
almost around my entire waist so this is right on target for
me.
Stealthlite Harness: Gregory
also refers to this as a sport harness. I would qualify the harness as
being shaped like a very soft "S", it was also very lightly padded
and was comfortable during my initial hike. There is a daisy chain on
top of each strap with 5 loop units. It is very easy to change the location
of the sternum strap as indicated in my initial impressions
below.
Wraptor Stabilizer: I can sum this up
in two words: mechanical advantage. To clarify more, the 2 point strap
system on the side of each pack connects the harness with the stabilizer.
The stabilizer is a fabric covered "wing" that is reinforced with a rigid
material. As I pull up on the strap, the stabilizer hugs the pack
closely to my body and minimizes bounce.
Exo Frame: This is a contoured,
internal, rigid framesheet that allows torsional flexibility, but
gives excellent support.
Chimney Ventilated Backpanel: The
padded backpanel has a depression in the shape of an inverted "Y". This has
been designed to circulate air and keep the body
cool.
Materials:
Fabric G70: The main material of the
pack is this light, silicone impregnated fabric. Other qualities include
tear resistance.
Fabric 210 HT Nylon: This Nylon
fabric is used in the high-stress areas of the pack to prevent ripping and
tearing. The bottom of the pack, the back of the pack, and the top of the
removable lid are some areas where this fabric is
utilized.
Gregory G Pack--Initial
Impressions
After getting the "go ahead" to start testing, I took
the Gregory G Pack out for its initial run. I loaded it up with over 20
lbs (9.1 kg) of gear including day and night provisions. I headed out to
a hilly and rocky trail a few miles from my present home. I was anxious to
explore it and since I had not previously journeyed on this
crude trail, I was fully equipped to spend the night if I became lost or
found it necessary.
My only major adjustment to the pack at this point was
to relocate the sternum strap a few increments on the daisy chain-like ladder
on the shoulder harness. The strap was easy to move as each strap end has a
snap closing. I only needed to unsnap them, remove them and insert them into
another link and re-snap.
I ordered a size medium pack and it fit excellently.
Gregory has easy to follow fit selection sizes on the website. The shoulder
harness is non-adjustable, so it is important to order the right size and
Gregory made it easy to do so.
My initial hike lasted over 3.5 hours and I am happy to
report that I made it back :) I only removed the pack from my
body once during the hike, and that was only because I wanted to take a
quick break. Comfort-wise, it wasn't necessary to remove the pack. I had no
discomfort of any quality during this hike, in fact, I broke out in to a run
several times during the hike and I couldn't believe how nicely the pack
stayed snug to my body. The shoulder harness lay close to my shoulders and was
extremely comfortable. The Gullwing waistbelt never needed to be adjusted or
never slipped out of place. It was an amazing initial experience, it felt so
light and so fun!
The feature of the pack that holds the most excitement
for me is the zippered mesh pockets that overlay each side of the waist
belt. I have traditionally attached a "rib" pocket to other packs that I own,
to hold all the little necessities that I like to utilize without taking my
pack off my body. I quickly filled these mesh pockets on the Gregory G Pack
with a sunscreen stick, pen and notepad, lip balm, an extra compass, a trail
bar, a small headlamp and there was still room for more!. It gave me such a
sense of freedom, as the mesh pockets didn't interfere with my stride at all.
When I had used the added-on "rib" pocket on other packs, the bulk of the
single pocket hanging in front of me was uncomfortable during ascents. Those
"rib" pockets also had an extra buckle attachment to hook making getting in
and out of the pack more of a nuisance. So far, I am quite impressed with
the mesh zippered pockets design of the G Pack...it is so
innovative!
Gregory G Pack--Test
Plan
During the next few months, I will be taking numerous
short backpacking trips. I have recently moved to the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan, which has vast wilderness areas. I have a 5 day trip planned to
the Rock River Canyon area, as well as shorter trips to Grand
Island and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, all which are in
Michigan. As I am also very prone to impromptu trips, I'm sure I'll
be adding in a few additional trips as well. I also plan to use this pack on
longer day hike excursions as I explore new possibilities for future
trips. Many of my trips will be of the off trail or bushwhacking variety. I
fully expect the weather on these trips to vary from a high temperature
of 80F (27C) to a low of 20F (-7C). Weather
conditions could include hot and sunny to rain and snow as the fall
progresses...this is snow country and living next to Lake Superior will
invariably produce significant changes in weather. Elevation changes
are minimal. The usual range is from 600 ft (183m). to no more than 2000
ft (610m) In the past, I have had to take a pack with me that has
had more capacity than needed on such trips. I hope the Gregory G Pack will
fill that niche quite nicely as it is designed for smaller and lighter
loads.
I will address the following concerns and
more:
Capacity/Adaptability:
- Will the size of the pack be efficient for a weekend
trip or multi-day trip?
- Will it accommodate my closed cell Z-rest, either on
the inside or outside of the pack or would I have to take my inflatable pad
instead?
- Can the pack be utilized effectively for a day hiking
trip to the local forest?
Accessibility:
-
Will the dimensions of the pack make it easy to find
all items in it?
-
Will the mesh side and back pockets hold all the items
needed during the hike - rain gear and the like?
-
Will the mesh pockets on the belt have enough space in
them for small items, so that I could eliminate having to carry an extra
front pouch? (I currently have an extra "rib" pocket on the front of all my
packs, so that I can quickly grab a trail bar or sunscreen. It would be
great if I didn't have to add that extra pocket for such items, as I often
additionally carry an SLR camera case on a waist belt as
well.)
Comfort and
Adjustability:
Durability:
-
Will the G 70 Fabric perform
according to its specifications? (It is supposed to stretch,
rather than tear under pressure.)
-
Will the silicone
impregnated fabric survive when encountering brush and tree
branches?
-
Will the fabric be durable
enough when shimmying through rock formations?
-
Will the mesh panel pockets
tear easily and snag?
Pack Weight and Pack Load:
-
At 2 lbs 12 oz (1.2 kg)
for the medium size, will this Anti-Gravity, lightweight-series
pack carry a decent load, such as 30 pounds (13.6 kg),
comfortably?
-
Can the pack be loaded so
that items can be easily packed without a lot of dead air
space?
Water
Resistance:
-
Will the pack hold up to its
claim of being water resistant?
-
Does this mean the fabric is
only water resistant or are the seams also resistant to
moisture?
-
Is the zipper on the top
pocket waterproof, water resistant or neither?
Ventilation:
-
Will the chimney ventilated
back panel be effective for humid conditions?
-
If it does get wet from
sweat and humidity, will it quickly dry?
Workmanship:
-
Will the pack be made to the
finest specifications or will the seams pop easily from being poorly
finished?
-
Are the buckles, fasteners,
zippers and straps installed properly? If so, will they stay in great
shape or will they easily break?
Design:
-
Will the design of the pack
meet my needs?
-
Will I be able to attach a
rock helmet on the outside of the pack or are the mesh pockets big enough
for it?
-
Will I be enthralled with
the design enough, to utilize it long term?
Tester
Remarks
I will gladly address all these issues and any
additional pertinent issues, as I continue to test the Gregory G
Pack.
Thanks to Gregory Mountain Products and BGT for
this great opportunity.
Read more reviews of Gregory gear
Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil
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