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Gregory Triconi Pack
Initial Report – February 15, 2006
Tester Information:
Name: Jason Boyle
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6"/ 1.68 m
Weight: 170 lb/ 77 kg
Waist: 36”/ 91 cm
Email address: c4jc "at" hotmail "dot" com
City, State, Country: Snoqualmie, WA, U. S.
Backpacking Background:
I have been camping and backpacking for about 17 years. My introduction to the outdoors started with the BSA and has continued as an adult. I have hiked mostly in the Southeastern and Northeastern United States. I am generally a lightweight hiker, but will carry extras to keep me comfortable. Most of my hiking and backpacking takes place in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but I can be found exploring the other wild areas of Washington!
Pack Philosophy:
I normally carry a large 6000 cu in (98 L) pack in the winter and if I am leading groups. It is heavy, but is super comfortable and bombproof. For three-season solo backpacking, I use a 3000 cu in (49 L) pack. It is lightweight and provides me enough space for my gear for a week.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Gregory Mountain Products
Model: Triconi
Size:
Pack Bag/Frame: Medium (Received), other sizes available
Shoulder Harness: Medium
Waistbelt: Could not find a size tag
Capacity: 3800 cu in/ 62 L
Color: Spruce Blue, also available in Sequoia Red
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL:www.gregorypacks.com
Listed weight: 5 lbs 13 oz/2.6 kg
Measured weight: Surprisingly 5 lbs 13 oz/2.6 kg
**Disclaimer: The closest my scale will measure is in whole ounces.**
MSRP: $249 US
Country of Manufacture: Unknown
Main Pack Bag Fabric: 630 D / 210 D high tenacity nylon
Load Range: According to Gregory comfortable up to 45 pounds (21 kg)
Product Description:
From the Gregory website:
Multiple inner pack zip-thru access points, exclusive Response™ suspension technology that automatically delivers a custom fit and a low profile front pocket make the Triconi fit for a variety of adventures~inter-continental traverses, week long ultra-light thru hikes or just a day of cragging.
At first glance the pack seems similar in design to many other internal frame packs, but Gregory has added some new features to a classic style pack. I will detail the features below:
Response™ Suspension System:
This is one of the features that makes the Triconi pack different from other internal frame packs. The single aluminum stay is connected in between a plastic shoulder strap harness and a plastic hip belt harness. The hip belt harness has pivoting hip belt connections. This is supposed to allow the hip belt to pivot with my hips as I backpack allowing for even weight distribution, and more comfort.
Adjust•A•Cant™ Waistbelt System:
This feature allows is part of the Response™ Suspension System, it allows the hip belt to pivot to match the wearer’s hip movement. It can be adjusted to three positions to fit most users.
Auto•Cant™ Shoulder Harness System:
This feature allows is part of the Response™ Suspension System, it allows the shoulder straps to pivot to match the wearer’s shoulders and are supposed to move with the wearer to avoid blisters and irritation.
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3D Pre Curved Hip Belt and Shoulder Harness:
These differ from typical hip belts and shoulder straps in that they are molded and curved to fit the user’s body better with no wrinkling or creases.
The hip belt is made up of two parts; a 5 ½ inch (14 cm) foam part and a 1 ½ inch (4 cm) nylon strap. One thing different with this belt from other hip belts that I have used is the way that it is tightened. Instead of the belt tightening through the mechanism on the buckle, the strap runs around the buckle and back to a pulley type buckle. I pull the strap through this buckle and the pack tightens. My hypothesis on this arrangement is that it places less stress on the hip belt buckle and lessens the chance of it breaking.
The straps themselves are 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) wide and made of foam. There is a separate outer piece that attaches to the strap via hook and loop closure in the middle and is sewn in place at the top and bottom of the foam. This piece has the adjustment for the elastic sternum strap. The sternum strap connectors slide up and down along a track so that they can be moved to the most comfortable location on any user.
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Pack Bag:
The pack bag is composed of five parts; a top compartment, a bottom compartment, hood w/pocket, an outer zipper pocket, and two stretchy side pockets. The fabric used on the pack body is a combination of their 630 D/210 D high tenacity nylon.
The main body of the pack contains the top and bottom pockets, which are separated by a removable fabric panel. The panel can be removed by twisting the metal buckle and sliding it through the plastic ring that holds it in place. This is the same method used to remove the hydration sleeve. The top compartment, 20 inches (51 cm) tall by 14 ½ inches (37 cm) wide, is accessed via the top with a standard drawstring/cord locked entrance or a zippered access on the left side. The top compartment also features a compression strap and buckle to compress the top of the pack. Inside of this compartment there is a removable hydration bladder sleeve and two hydration port exits one to each side near the top of the pack. The hydration port exit is large enough to fit a bite valve and hose through with out a problem. A very nice feature indeed. The main pack bag can also be compressed via the 2 side compression straps on each side.
The bottom compartment, 8 inches (20 cm) tall x 14 ½ inches (37 cm) wide, is listed as a sleeping bag compartment. The bottom of the compartment is a Waterproof Tarpaulin, feels like plastic, fabric that is supposed to keep water from soaking through the bottom of the pack. One item that concerns me already is the divider between the top and bottom compartments. In addition to a zippered closure there are two compression straps to compress this compartment and serve as an additional way to attach gear to the outside of the pack. It does not completely separate the two compartments and I foresee smaller items sliding from the top compartment to the bottom compartment. I will talk about this more in my field report.
The hood is a standard internal frame type hood with a zippered pocket into the top of the hood. It has two zippers and can be unzipped in either direction.
The outer zip pocket is shaped like a “V”, 7 inches (18 cm) wide at the bottom and 11 inches (28 cm) wide at the top and 18 inches (46 cm) long. This has a zipper that zips from bottom to top, and according to Gregory is supposed to be waterproof.
The lumbar and back support is nice and squishy and seems to be very comfortable. It has the standard chimney shaped column that is supposed to keep my back cool while hiking.
Finally there are two stretchy side pockets that can presumably be used to hold a water bottle or other assorted gear.
There are also two loop and tab closures on each side of the pack along with loops hanging just above the bottom compartment that can be used to hold things vertically along the pack.
The pack also comes with a detailed fitting instruction booklet and the same directions are on the Gregory website. And while I am mentioning their website, there is a wealth of information on their website from definitions about their fabrics to their technology. Well worth checking out.
“THE GREGORY LIFETIME GUARANTEE
We build Gregory gear to last a lifetime and that's how long we stand behind it. We guarantee to you, the original purchaser, that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, for as long as you own it.
If you think this product has any defects in materials and workmanship, then just send it to us post-paid and clean, with proof of purchase. If the product is defective, then we'll fix it or replace it with a new one and return it to you at our expense. This warranty does not cover damage due to unreasonable use or improper care (sorry, no free repairs if you have been using your pack as a feedbag for bears or cleaning it with white gas)”
Initial Impressions/Use:
The pack arrived in a box that was partially open, but the pack was in a sealed plastic bag and in new condition. I immediately ripped open the plastic bag and tried it on. Without anything in it, the pack did not really fit that well. I followed Gregory’s instructions and adjusted the shoulder straps to my torso length and that helped. I next loaded the pack up with an assortment of gear to see how the pack felt when loaded and found that the fit was very good. Everything seems to fit like it should. My only complaint and at the moment it is only a small nit, is that if I tighten the shoulder load lifter straps to tightly, I pull the back of the frame to tightly against my head and it limits my ability to look up. Field testing should determine whether this is a valid concern or not.
Improvements:
None at the moment.
Expected Field Conditions:
The average precipitation from February through May for the Seattle area is 5+ inches per month (13 cm) and will take all forms: rain, snow, and sleet. The average temperatures for the early winter range from highs in the 60’s F to lows in the 30’s F (16 C to 1 C). Most of my outdoor adventures take place in the Mount Baker and Snoqualmie National Forest. Elevation may vary from sea level to 14,000 ft (4267 m), although Mt Rainier will probably not be attempted during this test period. My normal outdoor routine consists of at least two day hikes a month, and no less than 2 nights of backpacking a month. In addition to my normal monthly trips, I will be taking a 5 day backpacking trip over spring break in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Test Plan:
I will look for the following characteristics in the Gregory Triconi Backpack. My answers based on my initial review of the pack are listed in parenthesis.
Fit:
- This pack features the “Response Suspension” that is supposed to mirror my body and evenly distribute weight so that I am more comfortable. How easy is this system to adjust?
- Does it require any getting used to?
- Does it really distribute weight more evenly and make me more comfortable?
- The independent camming hip belt is supposed to automatically register my hip angle and provide an exact fit every time I put it on.
- How comfortable are the 3D hip belt and shoulder straps?
- Are they easy to adjust?
Durable:
- How durable is the fabric?
- Should I be worried about tossing it on the ground once I get to camp?
- How well does it hold up to off trail hiking?
Usefulness:
- This pack seems like a typical internal frame pack with a top loading part, a bottom loading part and an external front pocket. So what makes this pack special? (See my description of the pack’s features above.)
- The pack has a top cover but I am unable to tell based on the website picture whether there is a pocket in the hood. (Yes, there is a pocket in the hood.)
- If so what can I store in there? (To be determined)
- Next is the top loading compartment. How easy is it to stuff things in there?
- From the diagram on the web page there appears to be an access zipper near the back of the pack.(There is a zipper on the left side of the pack. It allows access to both top compartment and the bottom compartment.)
- How easy is this top pocket to load?
- Is it easily accessed from the zipper or will my gear fall out easily?
- Is the hydration pocket in this part of the pack?
- Can it be accessed via the zipper?
- The website mentions two ports, are they big enough to fit my bite valve through without disassembling the whole valve? (Yes.)
- Can the water bladder be filled while it is still inside of the pack?
- Finally there is the bottom pocket. Is it large enough to hold a sleeping bag?
- How easy are the zippers to operate when the compartment is jammed full of gear?
- How useful is the external pocket?
- Can I cram gear in there or do I need to be careful in my planning?
- It looks like the zipper unzips downward to open the pocket, if so I will probably need to be really careful of gear falling out unexpectedly.
- Do the multiple compression straps actually help snug the pack down if I don’t fill it up with gear?
- Are there options to be able to expand the pack if all of my gear doesn’t fit inside of the pack?
- Are the side pockets reachable while wearing the pack?
Thanks to Gregory and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to participate in this test.
Read more reviews of Gregory gear
Read more gear reviews by Jason Boyle
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