GREGORY KEELER
5300 Cubic Inch Internal Frame Backpack
report review
Long-Term Test Report - May 31, 2005

I carry my pack into the wilderness because it can't walk on its own, and it does enjoy the simple pleasures.  How can I refuse it's every whim?  

IN THE FIELD

I had ample opportunity to test the Gregory Keeler during the Long-Term Review phase.  I was able to use the Keeler on several overnight trips, a number of day hikes, and during night recon training.  These were all in the south-eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi region, with variable (but warm) temperatures, high humidity, and moderate rain.  Four of the overnights were night hikes, wandering in the moonlight; two were simple hike-n-camps.  Hikes ranged from 6 to 11 miles a day (or night, as the case may be).  Terrain included swampy marshland, bottomland hardwoods, and the Mississippi River batture and levee system.  

I have been pleased with other features of the pack as well.  The Auto•Cant™ shoulder harness is very comfortable.  The Dual Density Wilderness Waistbelt is likewise comfortable, and it rides very nicely.  The Flo-Form® II Molded Backpanel breathes fairly well and I experienced no chafing.

PACKING IT UP

NOTE: There is no standard terminology for specifying the 'front' or 'back' of a pack.  In this report, I use Gregory's terminology which calls the 'back' of the pack the suspension side, and the 'front' of the pack what you would see if you were walking behind me - even though I think that's backwards.  Left and right stays conventional; the left shoulder strap is over my left shoulder and the right shoulder strap is over my right shoulder when I am wearing the pack - and so the sides of the pack are determined in the same way.

During the Field Report phase, I got used to packing the Keeler.  During the Long-Term Report phase, however, I continued to experiment with various methods.  If I wasn't careful to load the pack 'back heavy', the Keeler tended to try to pull me backwards.  That's true of any pack, I suppose.  My largest difficulty was what to do with my sleeping pad.  I like to roll it up and put it inside the pack, but with the Keeler this defeats the purpose of the many access flaps and pockets.  The Keeler isn't just a bag, it's a storage system, and that takes a little getting used to.  In the end, I have settled on the 'bag of bags' method.  I put like items together in a stuff sack, and then put the stuff sack into the Keeler.  This works really well, and I never have to open the top flap to get to anything.

Whenever I wanted something, I had a mental map of where everything was in the pack.  It was never necessary to open the top of the pack while I was in the field.  I just opened one of the side compartment zippers and pulled out the bag that I needed.  When it came time to camp, I just undid the bottom compartment, set up my hammock, and my entire pack was still packed.  This is a very big deal to me, and I really enjoy this feature of the Keeler.  Normally I am very sloppy in camp and I wind up with everything spread out all over a NeetSheet under my tarp because I had to pull everything out to get to my shelter.  With the Keeler, everything stayed together just where it belonged. 

I always had plenty of room in the Keeler, even with winter loads, but once I start taking my 4 year old daughter on trips with me, I know I'll need that extra room.  Fortunately, with all the straps cinched down, the load does not shift.  The Keeler has excellent load suspension in that context.

The lift loop has become quite annoying to me.  When the hood is cinched down all the way it interferes with the lift loop somewhat. I didn't have any trouble getting the Keeler on and off, but I didn't like having to mess with the lid all the time to get to the handle. 

The first thing I notice every time I put the Keeler on is how well it fits me.  I am very pleased in every respect with the fit of the Keeler, and Mr. Gregory deserves some kudos for his attention in this area.  Many times one will hear the 'forget it' weight discussed by experienced backpackers.  This is the weight at which a backpack seems to 'disappear' and the wearer forgets he has it on.  For most folks, that's about 15 pounds.  I was having a pleasant stroll in Black Creek with the Keeler loaded to 32 pounds, and I totally forgot all about it.  During a rest break I turned around to put it back on and realized that I was still wearing it. 

The breathability of the backpanel is good, but not excellent.  It's better than most internal frame packs, and about the same as other external frame packs I've worn.  Of course, once the temperature hits 90 degrees, my back sweats.  The good news is that the Keeler is easy to wash with a soft nylon brush, some mild soap, and a garden hose.  It comes out just like new. 

CONTINUED USE

I will continue to use the Gregory Keeler for winter loads and loads where I need extra capacity - like when I start taking my daughter with me on trips.  It's a little large and heavy for the kinds of summer hiking I do, but I'd quickly choose it for extended trips and long distance hiking.  For hiking in heavy weather, the Keeler is a winner as well.  The Gregory Keeler gets high marks for packability, durability, comfort, water resistance, and most things that I think a pack should be able to do.

SUMMARY

In all areas - packability, durability, and comfort, the Keeler makes As.  

THINGS I LIKE

1.  Excellent Fit
2.  Built with the philosophy that 'overkill' is an unattainable ideal to be reached for.  Everything is stronger than it needs to be.  
3.  Color.
4.  Appeals to my manhood.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1.  The hood is not designed to be used as an escape bag.
2.  The hydration port is on the wrong side for me.
3.  No thumb loops on the ends of the shoulder strap adjustment straps.  
4.  Hood interferes with load lifter/shoulder strap stabilizer adjustment.

***

Thank you for your time.

Shane Steinkamp
shane@theplacewithnoname.com  
www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking