Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

I've had this pack for about 18 months and 300 trail miles now, and I absolutely love it. It's incredibly comfortable, and has more than enough room for 5+ day outings. A few things I particularly like:

- There's a divider separating the sleeping bag compartment from the main compartment. Keeps things organized

- Removable lid which makes a great peak bag

- Hip belt pockets are the perfect size for knife, duck tape, sunscreen, advil, etc, things you want to have handy

- the right-hand side pocket is great for water bottle, trail mix, point and shoot camera, etc. very handy and accessible, and the drawstring can be pulled tight and secure.

- Zippable side and front pouches allow you to separate items, like keeping your water filter in a different area than your cathole trowel.

- Suspension straps and hip belt padding is extremely comfortable.

The only downside is the weight, it's north of 5 pounds empty. But if you're ok with a little extra weight in exchange for some creature comforts, this bag is perfect. I use it 10-15x per year, and I love it.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

I own an adventure company and take groups out as a guide. On account of this, I often carry more gear and items and require a comfortable and lightweight pack. This pack definitely earns top marks:
- it is easy to load
- it is lightweight
- it is durable
- the contents stayed dry in Scotland/Ireland wet weather
- it provides easy access through multiple openings
- the top flap is detachable to use for a day hike
- it cinches down tightly when you have a lot less to carry

The only reason I did not give it five stars is because the super comfortable harness/belt is very bulky. This contributes to sweating and made my hips hot. One drawback is also that I tried putting on the PEAKCAMCLIP camera clip on the straps, but they were too thick and I had to attach it to the belt. Not too much of a bother, but it made the process of taking off and putting the pack on more complex than simple since the camera would be hitting the ground when I took off the pack.

HOWEVER, I found this to be the best pack I have had yet and am looking forward to many years together on the trails.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

Obviously, with all the raving reviews, this is a pack you can't go wrong with. I have 4 of the Baltoro 75 liter and one 65 liter. I have seen MANY at REI not even consider this pack because it weighs more than other packs, but that weight, aside from being stronger than a LOT of packs, actually has the effect of canceling weight! (at least the effects of carrying it, which is the part that people in general underestimate until they actually try one FOR AT LEAST an entire day of hiking with a moderate to heavy load.) It may be the best for weight, but it ALSO is best if you need a pack at all, to haul lighter weights.
Yes, I am boldly recommending this pack over ALL other packs in it's classification. It IS better than a lighter pack that has no suspension or padding. You will definitely NEVER notice the 1 to 2 pounds that this pack weighs over others. NONE other has a suspension system even comparable to the Baltoro (other than Gregory's larger expedition packs with the same suspension design). I finally bought the Gregory contour, which is 2 pounds lighter than the baltoro, but lacks big time on the padding and suspension. I only bought it on sale 30% off, and to use for my motorcycle. I will still test it out further with lighter and heavier loads, but so far, the heavier loads are so much better in the Baltoro, and right away it wears me out in the Contour compared to the Baltoro. I can REALLY load up the Baltoro with weight and volume, and it takes it. It's definitely the only pack that I can comfortably haul that all day, up hill, and it be in total comfort, and more importantly, no DIS comforts!
Even if you are only going to haul 20 to 30 pounds, the VERY tried and proven baltoro is still going to be the winner. I have in fact hiked all day with tools, hoes, machetes, even big rocks I needed to hike a bit that I was using. It takes the weight of all that you could possibly carry, and does it with ease!
There is a reason I have 5 of these packs.... The only thing better would be an upgraded baltoro, possibly with better organization and more, bigger pockets. Even if it weighed more to have everything you could want, I would definitely go for it. That's the whole angle people need to understand about this pack is that the way that it deals with weight reduces fatigue and eliminates discomfort like muscle cramping or sore shoulders. It also puts your back into a proper position for hiking, especially with weight! I do own 1 Gregory Contour 70, but if needed another pack for extra people in an expedition, it would ONLY be the Baltoro, or the larger expedition packs by Gregory. I feel like there's no end to how long I can hike with any weight only because of this magnificent pack. I wonder if the military anywhere uses it?
I'd be surprised if not. Happy hiking! d

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

I needed a new pack, so after extensive research, I went with the Baltoro 75. For me cost was not an option and I reviewed many high-end systems. At the end of the day, the ability to carry a heavy load comfortably was at the top of my criteria and as such, the Baltoro won my purchase. The true test: I went on an extreme multi-day backpack trip in the Wilderness of the Pike's Peak range Colorado. The Baltoro was large enough to carry everything I needed and performed exceptionally well over inhospitable terrain. Despite the heavy load out, I was comfortable after many hours of traversing boulder fields, river crossings and other natural impediments. Great suspension and padding, easy to load and find that gear and plenty of pockets and locations to strap on gear. I couldn't be more happy about the performance of this pack. I highly recommend it.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

Boy Scout leader who carries extra gear to cover the forgotten items the scouts don't pack appreciates the space and great suspension on this pack. Typical load 20-40 lbs of gear/food/water. Padding seems firm, but comfortable and doesn't compress while hiking as much as my prior two packs. Good number of pockets for organizing gear. Easy access to main compartment from top or front. Top of main pack bag cinches down nicely to carry smaller weekend loads. Bottom/Sleeping bag compartment is on the small side for my 3lb Kelty mummy bag in compression sack. Prior pack fit the sleeping bag and pad in the bottom compartment. There are two buckles for a divider panel in the bag between the main and bottom compartments that could be modified to allow the panel to adjust for more space. Bought two extra straps for top of top compartment to strap on camp shoes as the pack has the loops but doesn't come with the two straps.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

I purchased this pack a few years ago and have taken it on many hikes since, usually overnight not more than 2-3 nights. It has tons of space, which is especially good if you are the pack-horse of the group. The suspension fits like a glove and moves with you and is very adjustable, even for odd sizes like me. I especially like the pad on the small of your back/upper hip area which carries most of the weight of the pack. This makes it comfortable and keeps the bulk of your load off of your shoulders, reducing fatigue. There are lots of straps to tie down large, heavy, bulky loads, though this adds weight to the pack itself. There is lots of comfy padding. There are compartments for the sleeping bag, as well as external pockets for organization. That said, this is clearly not the choice for the minimalist or ultra-light hiker. I bought it to carry heavy loads so that I could convince other people to go hiking with me by carrying more weight than them. It does the job nicely and has been very durrable.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

Have taken this pack on several hikes now and it's a great pack. Very comfortable over long distances. Has the room you need. The removable top is a good option. It gives you a butt pack to use when you leave camp. Though it tends to become a little uncomfortable over time. The pack material is relatively durable. Have snagged it on branches, rocks, etc. with no problems. The pack also balances very well and it will adjust to your body well.

Only con that I've found is the weight. I will be buying a lighter pack for 2-3 day trips. I usually take this pack on trips of a week or more.

Overall a great pack. You will not be disappointed if you purchase one.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

After trying 5 or 6 packs in the store (loaded them up with 30 pounds and walked around the store) I wasn't finding the right pack. I'm especially sensitive about packs because of some back problems I have so finding one that didn't hurt was difficult. The sales person kept suggesting I try this Gregory pack. I didn't want to pay that much so kept looking. Finally I agreed and loaded up this pack with what I thought was 30 pounds. I walked around the store for about 15 minutes. It felt lighter than all the other packs so I came back and told the sales guy I thought he didn't put the full 30 pounds in. Turns out he had accidentally put in 35 pounds. That with this pack being heavier than the other packs it was probably about 7-8 pounds heavier but felt lighter. I was immediately hooked.

I think what makes this pack so unique and fit me so well is partly due to the shoulder harness and the belt are able to swivel interdependently. All the other packs I've tried the belt is stationary.

On the flip side the side pockets could have been designed better. When the pack is full it's difficult to put much into these side pockets. That with a heavy pack is all I can find to complain about. Even with that it's still a 5 star product!

I've learned over the years that finding the right pack and fitting it perfectly to your body type and needs is essential. After a couple miles on my last trip I was experiencing pain and was thinking about stopping early. I finally remembered the sales guy had told me the belt must be centered directly over my hip bone. I lifted the pack slightly and tightened the belt. What a difference! I made it the full 12 miles that day without any more problems. I adjust my pack to carry all the weight on the hip belt. The shoulder straps only keep the pack from falling off.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

This bag is outstanding. Here is why:

1) External pockets - this bag has pockets in all of the right places. If you are the type of hiker who always wants to know exactly where everything is located in your pack, this pack is for you. Two very spacious side pockets, a spacious front pocket, and two mesh pockets located on the waste bands are all perfectly designed. Also has the standard pocket on the top flap of the pack, as well as underneath the top flap. Bottom line, I have never found a pack with so many pockets, all of which are placed exactly where you want them.

2) Front access to main compartment - the designers of this bag added an awesome feature that I have no idea why other bags haven't thought of: you can access the main compartment from 3 locations, not the standard two. Like most bags, you can access through a top opening, through a bottom opening (where most people store a sleeping bag)...but they have also created a THIRD opening that is located on the front of the bag. It is large and spacious and enables you to quickly access gear that might be stored half way down your main compartment. Outstanding feature that makes life that much easier.

3) Comfort - the floating straps and waste band suspension system is top notch. I've carried a lot of weight in a lot of different bags, and this bag is frankly the best. Extremely well designed, comfortable, and practical.

4) Aesthetics - generally this is something I don't care about...I'm all about function. Yet somehow, the designers of this bag managed to make this thing look pretty awesome despite its extreme functionality. Pretty nice perk if you wanna look good!

5) Quality - this thing is just WELL made. Everything down to the small details - for example the zippers. Sometimes zippers can be a pain in the butt. Not on this bag - they are sleek, well designed, easy to open and close...just one of the many details that these designers paid close attention to. Another example: the fact that they canted the angle of the water bottle holder on the side of the bag. THANK YOU. It's about time that a bag designer realized that unless you have T-Rex arms, you have to take your pack off in order to reach the side bottles. Not on this bag.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack:

I have done many multi-day hikes and currently own 3 backpacking specific packs. The baltoro is BY FAR the heaviest bag I own but I pick it every time for outings of 4 or more days because I can carry anywhere from 35-50# of food/gear much more comfortably than with my other 2 smaller "ultra-light" packs I have. While this pack may be "heavy" by most pack standards, on longer trips comfort becomes much more important to me. Yeah its almost 2-3 lbs heavier than my other backpacks but I take that extra weight every time on longer outings. There are many other ways to cut weight that don't come at the expense of a sore back, hips or shoulders. When getting fit for a pack be sure to take comfort into consideration, a slight pressure point here or there when fitting a pack is compounded many times over on the trail over long distances (especially if you like to cover high daily mileage during your hikes).

When looking for a new pack I tried on several at REI, (osprey, arc'teryx, deuter) loaded them with ~40#'s and walked around the store for a while. Decision was easy, this one was so blanaced and the load was well distributed it actaully felt lighter than the other packs I tried that weighed less.

REI staff was patient and helpfull. Honestly I wasn't even considering the Baltoro when I walked in as it was "too heavy" according to specs.. I saw it there and REI sales dude said it was a very popular pack so I tried it out. Good lesson, DON'T buy based on specs alone!!

That said.. Gregory, make a 65-70L pack with the same suspension/padding and cut out all the extra pockets and extra zips!! could propably get an ultra comfy 4# pack pretty easily that is just as durable.