Gregory Palisade 80 Pack

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

This pack is great. It can carry a heavy load and fit everything you need in this pack. I am not a minimalist packer, and carry all kinds of stuff with me and this worked out great. I do wish that it had more outside pockets to jam things into, but the main body is plenty big enough to fit everything in.

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

Initial reviews concerning the waist belt issues breaking was a concern until I called Gregory directly and found out the waist belt issues had been fixed in 2010.

Took a boy scout and venture troop to Glacier National Park this summer and was very pleased with the Palisade 80 pack. Went 40 miles through the back country hauling 55-60 pounds of gear and had no problems.

Very comfortable and easily adjustable pack. Very nice pack and worth the money!

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

I read almost all the reviews, paying particular attention to the negative reviews which I feel are more objective. The negative reviews claimed the seams are weak and the pack material was weak. Taking these two claimed weaknesses, I went to REI to look for myself. I've used either a military pack or my Gregory Denali for the past 25 years as a comparison.

I inspected the Palisade as I intended to buy one for personal use for this fall hunting season and in my inspection I found nothing weak about the quality of material or seams. The material is not as durable as a military ruck sack, but the Army continuously uses those packs for 25+ years with a very high retention rate. I don't know of any commercially produced pack for the private sector that has the same durability as the Army gear. The Palisade is more than durable for an estimated 100 days a year for 20 years. The pack material is so strong it is also mendable. As for the seams - I found nothing weak about them. They were sewn with thread I couldn't break with my hands and there seams are doubled prior to sewing.
This pack does not use complex fasteners as in the Baldaro, but the fasteners the Palisade uses is the highest quality and I envision the hardware lasting as long as the pack.
This pack is not for an amateur or weekend backpacking birdwatcher, it is a professional grade pack that is useful to people who don't want to waste their money buying a new pack ever couple of years and hoping the fasteners don't malfunction.

Head to the nearest store that has a Palisade and at least take a look at the pack's quality so you can compare it to the pack your considering.

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

How I use it:
-Casual day hikes where I can throw stuff in a pack without any order
-5 to 20 day trips canoeing, backpacking in woods, backpacking in mountains, rock climbing, mountaineering, minimalist camping, casual camping, and travel.

Things that are great about it:
-The full-front pocket opens up in the back of it so I have full-front access to the main compartment...I don't think I can ever go back to the standard packs with top and bottom access
-The belt is supportive, durable, and the tightening design is the BEST I have EVER used. I am usually not impressed with the belt system in packs. I will admit I am not nice to my gear, I play hard and my gear takes a beating (like throwing my pack down and bending the waist belt). I have heard there was a recall on the waist belt prior to my purchase of this pack, I'd like to think that is true because I have not had any issue with the integrity of the waist like I read on some of the reviews prior to my purchase.
-The pack is highly adjustable, but more importantly, ITS EASY AND QUICK.
-The design on the back is great to allow airflow, reduce pressure points, and keep you dry
-With a little water repellent treatment, the fabric does a great job against moisture (if you dump any pack in water or leave it in a storm...its probably going to get wet)
-It has been very convenient and easy to attach gear on the outside of the pack

Things that aren't so great:
-If you mindlessly and quickly zip up your zippers, you will probably not enjoy the zippers. When I have taken the extra couple seconds to make sure the zipper is lined up, they have worked very well and have a great design to keep water off the zipper
-I wish the additional water-bottle pocket was a little more vertical. When I do put a standard nalgene in it, it does not stay in very well
-I love little pockets, and there are not too many of them in the pack (2 water bottle pockets, 2 pockets on the belt, one long pocket in the main compartment, and the top pocket). I have easily remedied this with stuff sacks and REI Flash 18 packs.
-Sometimes I get annoyed with the top pocket's tendency to drop down onto the back of the pack while I'm digging in my pack. This really isn't a big deal and I don't think most people would mind, but If you leave the top pocket open and walk away when its not clipped in, you might be picking your gear up off the ground.
-The shoulder straps could be a little wider and have more cushion for those who pack heavy loads, but accept a certain price in any pack when you start carrying heavy loads.
-I can see where some reviews have complained about the integrity of the fabric, but personally have never had an issue. If you are that rough on a pack, a pack cover is always a smart idea. I always use an REI pack cover in precipitation or in heavily wooded areas, the small investment helps to protect a large investment (worth it every time).

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

This was by far the most comfortable pack I have bought. You can pack 60 lbs of stuff in it and it feels like half that. I have taken this pack fully loaded with gear and food on 4-5 day excursions in ALL the elements and it has performed well. Zippers are study, straps are well sown and the suspension system is balanced. The ONLY thing, other than being expensive, is that when you have a heavy pack (over 50 lbs), the loads straps like to slip and you are constantly trying to re-adjust while walking. If you have a challanging hike, it is a pain. If you use this for weekend hikes, it is performs better due to less weight. The pack is perfect for my 72 inch frame and fits like a glove when all the straps are tightened. I would recommend this pack.

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

I have now taken this pack on a few trips. I regularly stuff it full of 70-80 pounds of gear including skis. We did a 13 mile loop in the Pacific Northwest Mountains last week and aside once i lifted the pack off the ground and got it on my back it was VERY comfey. I have also used Osprey packs and this one takes the cake. LOVE it!

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

I have the older model of the Gregory Palisade. If you are looking for a high volume expedition pack look no further. This pack is quite customizable with lots of strapping, and pockets. The lid is removable for a camp fanny pack. I usually pack weigh at around 25lbs, and loaded up another 25 lbs of food and water. It practically absorbed the additional load of food and water.

This pack is overkill for overnighters. I suggest it for multi-night, or week long adventures. It's also heavy, even for it's class, but it's got lots of straps and adjustments. Some might find these unnecessary, but I like the customization possibilities.

NOTE: I understand that the hip harness has a recall from Gregory. So if you bought your pack within a certain window, call them for a free replacement.

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

I waited to review this bag. After seven days in the somkey's and several trips on the AT, I can now speak with experience. This is an extremely dependable bag. The only drawback is its weight. It comes in at around 7 lbs, but it had to be like that because of its durability, its strenght and its capacity. The padding and comfort was what had initially drawn me to the bag. It fits like a glove. I was concerned about the belt supports breaking issues and took that risk. I'm glad I did becausee I think it will hold up without that being a problem. The only minor complaint that I have is that the two pockets on the hip belt are very small, and its not much that they will hold. I had to struggle to get my small digital camera into it. But other than that, its an extremely dependable bag. Pleanty of room for everything (you have to be careful with all that room, because you'll have a tendancy to fill it up)

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

I've been using this for 9 months as part of my world tour. The hipbelt broke about 2 months ago. The seams that hold the hip on is starting to break as well. Even the load lifter at the top is starting to come unseamed. This backpack does NOT hold up to abuse.

Comments about Gregory Palisade 80 Pack:

Back to back trips in the Marble Mountain's, Ca., w/heavy 70lb plus loads that included bow hunting equipement externally attached. This pack proved durable and reliable, easy to load and adjust. No problems with buckles or waist strap as noted in other reviews! 41 miles, 11k in elevation changes without a hitch. I Would suggest a second 1 liter bottle sleve on the right side instead of a expandable tilted pocket. Ran into an gentleman hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail 2500 miles plus in his 5th consective month with the same pack....states no problems, great for heavy loads! I'm currently looking on-line to purchase a second Gregory Palisade 80.