Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

I have been backpacking for forty years, and this is the most comfortable pack I've ever had. Before I got this one, I had the REI Flash 65, which was OK, but not too comfortable and the durability wasn't there. So, I returned it to REI (with their wonderful return policy) and got this one. I've put a lot of effort, time and money into getting ultralight gear, but I've realized that the comfort of my pack is one area where some extra weight is more than worth it. There's just so much more to the overall equation that simply the weight of a pack. This pack weighs 2.5 lbs. more than my ultralight pack did, but with 25-30 pounds of load, it feels SO much better! It actually feels like I'm carrying LESS weight. No pressure points whatsoever, nothing digging in, just plush comfort! I put the pack on, adjust it once and go hiking. I'm not constantly re-adjusting it like I've done with packs in the past. All my other gear (sleeping bag, pad, tent, etc) are all very light, so I could disappear for a week with this pack and still have my load under 35 lbs. Packs and boots are two items where I won't skimp on comfort, support and durability. Also, I love the side pockets on the Baltoro. Growing up backpacking in the seventies with external frame packs, I really appreciate numerous pockets to organize gear. I use the water bottle holder on the right side for my Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter, and because I have the adapter on the tube of my Camelbak, I can refill my reservoir without ever taking off the pack. This is a really great thing to be able to do, and I appreciate it very much. All in all, I am extremely pleased with this pack. Having the 65 liter version helps ensure I'll be careful about what I pack, and not take too much stuff. I tell you, the fit, comfort, padding and craftsmanship of the Baltoro 65 is outstanding!

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

Went to REI Marlton NJ to check this pack out. First I put 30 lbs in the Gregory Z65. It felt good, but not great. Then I put the weight in the Baltoro 65 and it literally felt as if was at least 10 pounds lighter. The extra pound that this pack weighs over the Z65 is more than worth carrying. Buy this pack, you won't regret it. I know what my dividend is going towards this year!

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

This pack is great. I used it for a 8 day backpacking trip and packed about 45 pounds into it. It was very comfortable and did not really have any pain on my back or any part of my body. I'm 6'1 and weigh 150 pounds. I got the medium size because of my chest size and it fits great. My only complaint is that the strap that tightens across your chest broke halfway through my backpacking trip as I was trying to tighten it. [...]

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

6 months ago a college teammate of mine said that it was time for some "bro-time," a get-together and that this was going to take place on the Denny's Creek Trailhead outside Denver over Memorial Day Weekend 2011.

There was no way I wasn't going to go.

I had no backpacking gear at the time nor had I been camping in years. I started the quest to assemble the necessities and that same weekend my 20% member coupon showed up in the mail. I went to REI and decided to get my first real backpacking pack. I had done a decent amount of research and had my choices narrowed to an Osprey Atmos or this Baltoro.

The Baltoro is amazing. I'm not sure how someone can argue about the size of the pack. It is, after all, as advertised. The sleeping bag compartment is spacious, IMO. While in CO, I would stuff my large Big Agnes Sleeping bag and long insulated Big Agnes sleeping pad into the sleeping bag compartment with ease... along with a decently heavy Columbia jacket. A couple pairs of clothes, a stove, fuel, food and the other necessities fit in the bag with ease... any issues with pack size must be do to inefficient packing.

I had about 45 lbs. in the pack during the trip and loved every minute of it. The waist belt is outstanding, I also like the articulating feature found on both the hip-belt and shoulder straps.

I didn't have any issues with durability, the pack withstood the 4 day trip without a blemish. I've used it on several occasions since, in several scenarios and am completely pleased with my purchase. There're pockets galore, and creative minds can find multiple ways to use every aspect of the pack.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

I bought this pack to haul my gear and the collective gear of the party on short outing of one or two nights. Because we are not "into" backpacking yet or stuff is not the lightest or the smallest. The light part we can handle. It's the small part where we come into some trouble. I couldn't get my wife's sleeping bag to compress into a small enough bundle to slide INTO the sleeping bad compartment. It cam OUT of it OK though and top-loaded just fine. Throw in some other items that packed a little more beefy than the "enthusiast" version would and I ran out of room quickly. I am positive that better packing skills will free up SOME room but I think a larger pack would have been better for our current collection of stuff.

The pack itself was easy to adjust and comfortable. It's been a long time since I had a pack of any size on my back. After I got over the fact that packs have not become "magical" in the past 15 years and started hiking, I realized how much better packs actually were! I kept fiddling with it throughout he morning trying to make it "better" but it was never actually uncomfortable at all. It was only a 4.5 mile trial hike with 32 pounds of my own and wife's gear on board but so far I am quite pleased with this pack.

I bought this pack in the Reading store: after THREE HOURS of trying things on and adjusting and setting up and all that. Thank God for Jennifer! She was amazing and I would not have left the store with anything if it weren't for her! That being said, MY pack is NOT at all the same color green shown in the pictures on the web site! It's a happier shade of green, more interesting to look at.Not bad at all, just not the same as the picture.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

First let me say that I am 6'7" so most of my stuff is big. The sleeping bag compartment on this pack is not very large and would not take my mummy bag. I ended up having to place it in the center compartment and move my other items around. However, it is a very comfortable pack and I will probably give this one to my son and purchase a larger one. When I go to purchase the nextone I am taking my Slpg bag w/me.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

Gregory knows how to make packs! I tried lots of different packs on at the local REI and this one stood out for comfort by far. Sure, it is a bit on the heavy side when empty but the weight is in thicker padding alone. Which means a very comfortable pack that can take heavy loads with no problems. My comfort is high on my list when backpacking and a good pack makes the biggest impact on that. Try them all on! You'll see what I mean when you load the Baltoro up with 40lbs.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

I needed a comfortable pack that allows for size adjustments and heavy loads and this pack does it well. I'm a professional adventure photographer on the Big Island of Hawaii. Many of my hikes are long and difficult so, lots of gear is needed. I easily overloaded mine with 70 lbs of gear and on its 1st hike I had it on for 4 straight hours and no issues with discomfort. My large tripod fits inside along with my hipster camera bag. I carried 8 liters of water. 3 in a camelback unbottle. I also use a slim profiled chest pack for easy to reach gear. Everything secures nice and tight so there's no load shifting. Very important for ducking under fallen trees and branches. My hike involved 12 miles of rain-forest and 8 miles of difficult lava flows. Lots of rain, mud, sharp lava and the pack still looks new. This pack is very comfortable. The front loading option is great. Its the reason I chose this model. I'm 5'9" 160lbs and have the Medium.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

Many of my ultralight friends laugh at me for carrying a 6 lb pack. But I can wear it all day with a 40 lb load and still be comfortable. I reduce weight where possible, but I'm not a fanatic - a "gram weenie." A comfortable pack is not something I'm willing to give up. Plus, the customizable suspension ensures you can make the pack fit fit you, instead of vice versa.

Comments about Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack:

Gregory has raised the bar again with the new(er) suspension system on their "backpacker" series. While their hiking & Z series packs are well made, I'm a huge fan of the heavier frames. It's worth 2 extra pounds of pack weight to be comfortable. I regularly do 20 mile days with 2-3 day loads in this pack & am incredibly comfortable in it.

The only drawback on this is the giant rivet that sits right in the middle of my shoulder blades. I eventually adjusted the pack & my posture to minimize it, and it was never really that big of a deal to start with. Just be aware of it when you're getting fitted.

I've owned several brands of packs over the years & Gregory has come out ahead of the field again & again. This pack is a fantastic continuation of that reputation. (all of the above holds true for their Palisade & Whitney packs too, both of which I've carried in the field recently)