Gregory Men’s Baltoro 65

Field Notes:

This award-winning Gregory pack has been updated for 2018 (it’s now lighter than ever), and testers were raving about the comfort of the Baltoro’s adjustable lumbar support as well as the best-in-test suspension system and organizational features. After proving its worth on backpacking trips in both Utah and Colorado, the Baltoro 65 was our testers’ pick for the best multi-day backpacking backpack.

Pros:

Where to start? Gregory’s suspension system is top-of-the-line: it balances cushy padding for comfort and a stiff, wishbone-shaped aluminum frame that delivers on-trail stability and resettles pack weight onto the comfortable, broad hip belt. Each hip belt (2x) and shoulder strap (2x) rotate independently of one another—like the shocks on a rock-crawling ATV, this allows the pack to adjust to bumps in the road and deliver a smoother hiking experience. Additionally, the suspension system is adjustable, and you can remove a small pad at the base of the pack panel if you prefer less lumbar support, though our testers dug the additional padding, especially when carrying a maxed out pack.

The Gregory is also chock-full of features. A few of our favorites: the hydration sleeve is removable and doubles as a sweet low-volume summit pack—score! The pack also comes with a stowable rain cover that stashes in the underside of the brain. A waterproof and relatively spacious hip belt pocket allows for easy access to your phone for snapping a quick pick on the trail—or, in an international travel situation, access to travel documents or safe storage of valuables. The u-shaped zipper wraps around the front of the pack, making access to the main compartment straightforward. The stretchy outer pocket is snugger than many on the market, and won’t relinquish poles or puffies even on the most trying of trails. The removable divider on the sleeping bag pocket at the bottom of the Baltoro was also a favorite, especially among testers who camp in wet conditions and appreciate the ability to quarantine wet clothes and stinky gear. The SideWinder water bottle stash pocket is perfect for on-trail access if you aren’t one to use a hydration bladder—and even if you do, using both is a great way to multiply your hauling capacity on trips with formidable distances between water sources.

For backpacking trips and long-term international travel, the Baltoro can handle any adventure you can.

Cons:

Although revamped and lighter than in years past, the Baltoro isn’t exactly lightweight. However, given the hauling capacity of this beast and the fact that the broad hip belt, comfortable pre-curved shoulder straps, and semi-stiff aluminum frame can handle loads well over 50 pounds, we’re not going to hold a few extra ounces against this pack.

Tester Comments: “On a hotter trip into Canyonlands National Park, the ventilated back panel kept my back comfortable even when we had to hike out under the midday sun.”

“The subtle swing of pack, the on-the-fly adjustments of the individually pivoting harness points—that’s where Gregory really won me over. When scrambling on scree or traversing steeper slopes on narrow, sketchy trails with a full load, the confidence supplied by this pack is unparalleled.”