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Backpacker Magazine – Fall Gear Guide 2009

Gear Review: Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack

Best pack for large winter loads and family trips.

by: Testers Kelly Bastone, Berne Broudy, Shannon Davis, Michael Lanza, Becca Roseberry

Gregory Palisade 80 (Courtesy Photo)
Gregory Palisade 80 (Courtesy Photo)

Bulky Winter Loads
Got a heavy pile of awkward cold-weather gear to haul? Few packs we've used match this one for comfort, stability, and gargantuan capacity. On family backpacking trips from Yosemite to the Tetons, our tester credited the hipbelt for the pack's load-bearing success: "The belt is rigid yet amply padded, and because it adjusts to five different angles, I was able to find the perfect fit. Even carrying loads of 70 pounds, I felt like almost all of the weight was channeling directly to my hips–not my shoulders." The smooth and precisely contoured shoulder straps never chafed, even after hours of load humping.

"The wide top opening and main compartment swallow a boatload of gear–I never had space issues–and compression straps keep everything from shifting around," he reports. Though the Palisade is hydration-compatible, our tester used bottles, which are easier to keep from freezing in cold temps. The bottle pocket is canted for quick grabbing and restowing without dislocating your shoulder, and it can be folded away when not needed. Other sweet features: a convertible lid-fanny pack, a roomy front pocket for stowing shell gear, and dual hipbelt pockets. $329; 4,973 cu.in.; 6 lbs. 6 oz.; 3 men's sizes; gregorypacks.com



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READERS COMMENTS

I have been using 1987 era gear until last year when I slowly began to replace/upgrade my stuff to the newer, lighter offerings available. The first thing I did was buy the Palisade 80 because it was able to haul all my old, big, heavy stuff with comfort and ease. I'm not sure when I'll be fully "ultra light", perhaps never so the Palisade will be my pack of choice until I get there and am able to use a smaller pack. I don't mind th eweight of this pack given the comfort it provides - it is still the least of my worries in regards to cutting weight down.
Posted: Sep 21, 2011 scoopy

I have been using 1987 era gear until last year when I slowly began to replace/upgrade my stuff to the newer, lighter offerings available. The first thing I did was buy the Palisade 80 because it was able to haul all my old, big, heavy stuff with comfort and ease. I'm not sure when I'll be fully "ultra light", perhaps never so the Palisade will be my pack of choice until I get there and am able to use a smaller pack. I don't mind th eweight of this pack given the comfort it provides - it is still the least of my worries in regards to cutting weight down.
Posted: Sep 21, 2011 scoopy

I purchased an Osprey pack at REI for $240, and then did some research, well after going threw all the specs and even the owners wayne gregory, compared to Mike Pfotenha.. well I think Gregory has more of a passion of making packs designed to fit perfectly, so that being said, and by coincidence.. REI had there awesome "deal of the week" going on with the Gregory Palisades 80 for only 149.93 that retails for 329.00, I bought one for me,and one for my best friend James

Now there has been a problem with the hip belt breaking due to defective plastic, gregory packs are aware of this and will give you a new hip belt that is not defactive, if you bend your hip belt and it turns white or cracks, it is defective! Mine will come on DEC 23, hopefully it is not one of the defective belt
Posted: Dec 18, 2010 Brandon Quinn

I used this pack this winter in the Adirondacks and Algonquin park. It is beyond comfortable with 60+ lbs in it. I quite literally forget I'm wearing it- all the time, and my friends even had to ask me why I was still wearing my pack around when we were stomping out spots for our tents at camp. You literally have to try carrying a heavy load with it to believe it.
Posted: Jan 25, 2010 Tom

This is by far the best pack I have ever had ( I currently own 5 packs ) It carries large loads very well, I hauled 50 lbs this summer on a 7 day Colorado trip. I just used it on a Winter trip to the Smokys and it swallowed up my bulky down clothing.
Posted: Jan 12, 2010 Skyline

I used to get a pack almost every year until a six years ago for a trip to Ireland, I wanted a bag without too much "stuff" on the outside to make using public transportation--not really even for backpacking. I got a Palisades and haven't wanted another bag since--sucks on and becomes a part of you. Cold, hot, short, long, I love this pack pretty much no matter what. Thanks Gregory!
Posted: Jan 12, 2010 snoopy

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