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Initial Report - Gregory Mountain Products Triconi Backpack
by Mike Lipay - February 16, 2006
| Description |
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| Date Arrived | February 8, 2006 |
Image from Gregory Mountain Products |
| Manufacturer | Gregory Mountain Products |
| Year of Manufacturer | 2006 |
| Website | http://www.gregorypacks.com/ |
| MSRP | $249.00 USD |
| Model | 52248 Escape Series Triconi Backpack, Spruce Blue |
Mfgr. Specs
from website |
Dimensions: 3800 cu in (62.3 liters)
Weight: 5 lb 13 oz (2.6 kg)
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Personal
measurements |
Dimensions: Unable to measure
Weight: 5 lb 7 oz (2.5 kg)
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| Warranty | Gregory Mountain Products warrants this product for lifetime against any manufacturer defects. |
| Personal Information |
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| Name | Mike Lipay |
| Age | 51 |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lbs (83.9 kg) |
| Email | hiking AT westernpa DOT us |
| City, State | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| Background | I've been hiking and backpacking with the Boy Scouts since the '60s, although currently I hike more solo, with my kids, or as a trail guide for a local outdoor group. I am no ultralight backpacker, my pack (external frame) weighs 29-40 lbs (13-18 kgs) loaded (not including food), though I am always on the look out for ways to cut down on the weight. I'm a low-techie, preferring a hiking staff to trekking poles, compass to GPS, fire to fuel; but I do carry some techie stuff as well, recently switching over to a digital camera from film, and an UV sterilizer from a filter pump. |
| Appearance, Features, and Usage |
The Gregory Mountain Products Triconi backpack comes in two choices of color: Sequoia Red or Spruce Blue, both outlined in black. Aside from this the Triconi has several unique features:
- ResponseTM Suspension System
- 3D pre-curved harness
- 3D pre-curved waist belt
- Single 7001-T6 Stay
- Compression stiffening panels
- Top, side and bottom zip-thru access
- Cross-over compression
- Low profile front pocket w/ butterfly closure
- Waterproof Tarpaulin bottom
- 630 D / 210 D high tenacity nylon body fabric combo
- Dual hydration ports and sleeve
- Side stretch pockets
Unlike other packs, before I ordered the Triconi backpack I had to make some size decisions:
- Frame size. This is determined by measuring the spine from the shoulders to the top of the hips, including the curvature at the small of the back. My size is medium.
- Waist belt. Measuring the circumference at the top of the hips (waist) determined that I needed a large belt.
- Shoulder harness. Typically this is the same as the frame size, but if a larger or smaller size can be ordered.
The Triconi backpack has several compartments for storage:
- On top is a removable, waterproof, pocket that fastens on the top near the back, and to straps in the front near mid-pack.
- A front pocket that zips open, even with the rest of the pack closed.
- The main compartment is accessible from two access points, from the top with the upper pocket removed, or from the right side where a zipper runs from the entire length from top to bottom.
- Inside the main compartment is a removable sleeve whose purpose is to hold a hydration pack. The hydration tube can be run through an access port on either side of the pack.
 
- There is a compartment at the bottom of the pack that can be accessed through a zippered opening on the front of the pack. A divider inside the pack separates the bottom compartment from the main compartment, the divider can be removed to provide a single storage area.
- Finally, there are two pouches, one on each side of the pack, that can be used to hold water or fuel bottles, camera, or other things which need quick access.
If the pack is not full there are compression straps on the sides to snug the contents closer to my back, this makes for a more comfortable and safer pack.
There are only two attachment points on the outside of the pack, two hook-and-loop fastening straps which can be fastened around tent or trekking poles.
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| Instruction Manual |
Fairly well written; good, clear, illustrations. Everything is explained from how to determine if this is the right pack thru how to fit and adjust it, including how to pack it (and what should go where).
There are two parts where the manual fails:
- The first thing that is poorly written is on the hydration ports. On page 3 the manual mentions that there are "dual hydration ports and a removable hydration sleeve," this is the only mention of these features anywhere in the manual. I was left to my own devices to locate the ports (not immediately obvious), and to determine how to remove the sleeve from the pack. A few more words, and an illustration or two, would be beneficial.
- The second failing is the mention of a "waterproof roll top pocket" inside the top pocket. After not being able to locate this pocket I contacted Gregory Mountain Products for help, they were not able to locate it either and feel that it was a planned feature that never made it to production. I'm sorry here, but I feel the manual should have been reprinted with whatever corrections are necessary. It makes me wonder what other items in the manual are inaccurate.
A well written explanation of the auto-adjusting mechanism, which Gregory refers to as the "Gregory Active Suspension" is included in the manual, along with illustrations, beginning on page three. I was especially interested in this system as it is the main selling point of the Triconi pack, and is of particular interest to me since my current pack gets quite uncomfortable after a days trekking in the constantly changing terrain where I hike.
The "Gregory Active Suspension" refers to the complete harness system which is compose of: the "ResponseTM Suspension System," which pivots the hip belt to customize the fit and balance the load while hiking; and the "AutoCant(tm) Harness System," which does the same adjustments, but for the shoulder and neck.
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| Fitting |
After the pack arrived I had to adjust the pack to fit, the instructions for doing this are well written and have illustrations to help.
- First the shoulder harness adjusts depending on spine size, the pack fits a 2 in (5 cm) range. A simple slider on both sides needs to be moved up or down, only two slots exist.
- Placement of the pre-formed hip belt is achieved by lifting a leg to a 90 deg. position. The belt is then fitted around the waist, making sure that the belt does not touch the leg.
- The shoulder harness is adjusted so that the curve in the pre-formed strap is even with the arm pits.
- Finally, the shoulder stabilizer straps are adjusted, the instructions say to do this to a 25 deg angle...but how can this be done while wearing the pack? What I found that worked was to adjust it so that the top of the pack did not touch my head, while the pack still rests comfortably on my back.
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| Test Plan: |
My initial test will be a local day hike to become acquainted with the feel of the pack and the auto-adjusting system.
After that I will be using the Triconi backpack on several day hikes and weekend trips in the Laurel Highland of Southwestern Pa. Conditions over the next few months will take me from the winter season where temps average 18 - 42 F (-7.8 - 5.5 C) and precipitation varies from snow thru rain, thru to the spring with temps of 45 - 60 F (7.2 - 15.5 C) and rainfall averages 6.5 - 7.5 in (16.5 -19 cm).
Terrain in this area is constantly changing elevations as most of the trails run up and down the Laurel Ridge, with possible elevation changes up to 1800 ft (548 m), though most of my treks average around 600 ft (183 m).
Along with typical backpacking treks this pack will also see a trail care weekend, where the pack is constantly coming off and on as work is being done. I will also have a week-long trek in the Allegheny National Forest, where the terrain is more rugged than in the Laurel Highlands.
What I will be concerned about with the Triconi backpack is:
- Comfort, after all this is the main requirement of a backpack. If it isn't comfortable it doesn't matter how many slick features the pack has.
- Does the hip belt's independent cam action really track with my hip movements? When trails are all up and down hips move constantly, and belts rub constantly, so this is definitely a selling point for me, provided it works.
- The shoulder straps on this pack are narrower than my current ones, so I am interested in seeing if they create hot spots (since weight is distributed over a smaller area).
- Gregory Mountain Products claims that the top and bottom of the pack is waterproof, with the rain we get here I will have ample opportunity to find out just how waterproof the pack is. Along with having to deal with rain, the bottom of the pack will be set down on snow, will the snow seep through the bottom of the pack? One of my spring hikes will be through an area where I will be passing under a waterfall, if the Triconi doesn't leak there it never will.
- I'm use to an external frame 5000 cu in (81.9 liter) pack, the Triconi is much smaller - 1200 cu in less (19.7 liters), with lots of external connection points. While I rarely use the entire capacity of the pack, I do use the external fastenings to hold my tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad; so far I can see where to put the tent and bag, but I have no idea where to put the pad.
- Will the compression straps really make the pack easier to trek with when the pack is less than full?
- Can I access my camera and water bottle without taking off the pack? My current pack has made me realize that just because a pouch is provided for these things doesn't mean you can comfortably reach them with the pack on.
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| Personal Observations |
The pack, with its preformed belt and shoulder straps, looks really good, and I like all of the external access points. Equally exciting are the auto-adjusting shoulder and hip cams, and the promise of keeping my stuff dry (I hate all those plastic bags).
The hydration sleeve and ports are a nice feature, kept inside the pack the water pouch will be less likely to freeze in the winter, or overheat in the summer (I hate hot water). But I was less than pleased with the instruction manual on this point. The manual mentions the sleeve and ports, but does not show where the ports are. Even with the pack open and looking at the sleeve the location of the ports was not apparent, I had to call Gregory Mountain Products to find the ports.
The pack was ordered with a non-standard configuration, a medium pack with a large belt. What arrived was the standard medium pack, medium belt, supposedly any Gregory Mountain Products dealer will be happy to exchange the belt, I'm curious if this is true.
I would like to thank Gregory Mountain Products, and Backpack Gear Testers, for the opportunity to test the Triconi backpack.
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Read more gear reviews by Mike Lipay
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