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Backpacking is well my favourite pastime, whether or not it’s a single night time within the woods or a 2,600 mile thru-hike. It’s the finest feeling to hold every little thing it is advisable to survive in your again then stroll out into the wilderness. Alongside the way in which you’re all the time sure to see and expertise some fairly superb issues.
Your backpack is arguably an important piece of substances to contemplate when getting ready on your backpacking journey. It’s your contact level to the remainder of your stuff throughout your whole journey. I’ve had the pleasure of making an attempt numerous packs and am fairly choosy in relation to what I like and don’t like.
When selecting a pack for backpacking journeys you will need to have all your different gear in thoughts. As soon as you recognize what sort of gear you could have, or wish to spend money on, you’ll understand how a lot house you want, how light-weight you need your pack to be, and what small options will work finest along with your package.
That is my Gregory Katmai evaluate. I examined the 55L pack, however it additionally is available in a 65L regular and plus size. I’ll begin by saying that the Katmai was a pleasing shock! Right here’s what I assumed.
Gregory Katmai Evaluate Abstract
Gregory is a family title in relation to backpacks. They attempt to make packs which might be “worn not carried,” they usually do that via progressive chassis methods that work along with your physique as you carry the pack versus towards it.
Gregory, together with many of the out of doors gear trade, has begun to put a higher emphasis on sustainability. They’ve an extensive pack repair program to assist hold packs from getting thrown away. In case your pack isn’t repairable on the finish of its life, Gregory recycles or repurposes numerous parts of the pack!
The Katmai (men’s) and Kalmia (women’s) are two of Gregory’s finest baggage. The Gregory Katmai is a basic backpacking backpack with high, backside, and facet entry factors. It boasts many attachment factors and pockets for gear, in addition to loads of storage on your water.
Since its inception, this bag has grow to be a staple for a lot of thru-hikers. It has many thoughtfully-designed options that make it stand out from primary packs that fall in the identical value vary.
This bag evaluate offers you the whole breakdown of the Gregory Katmai Backpacking Bag!
Gregory Katmai Execs and Cons
Execs
- The suspended mesh again panel paired with auto-rotating shoulder straps, known as the FreeFloat 360 system, is snug and ergonomic. A daily backpack is mounted in place and strikes wherever your physique strikes. With the FreeFloat 360, the pack strikes by itself so it really works with you to remain balanced.
- The group and pockets on this pack are nice. I like the skin mesh and zippered pockets that give a number of easy-access storage choices whereas mountaineering and touring.
- The Katmai comes with a rain fly and has a pleasant storage place for it to go when not in use.
Cons
- The stowable water bottle holder on the precise facet of the pack, though a novel and intuitive function, sort of sits proper the place your elbow goes. I hit my elbow many occasions whereas testing the pack. It additionally isn’t fairly tight sufficient to carry a slim water bottle, so it could transfer round or fall out while you bend over. It was actually designed for a full-sized Nalgene bottle.
- This pack by itself weighs 4.68 lbs. I’ve spent a very long time refining my backpacking gear. I attempt to get my pack as gentle as attainable whereas mountaineering longer distances, and over 4 lbs is fairly heavy for a pack. For example, the Osprey Exos I carried on the Pacific Crest Path weighs about 2.5 lbs.
Gregory Katmai 55L Backpack Specs
| Capability | 55L |
| Materials | Nylon |
| Dimensions | 28.7″ x 12.6″ x 16.5″ |
| Weight | 4.61 lbs |
| Max Carry Weight | 45 lbs |
Is the Gregory Katmai Proper for You?
The Gregory Katmai is an superior pack for anybody seeking to get into backpacking. Though it weighs fairly a bit for a backpacking pack, it’s nice in the event you don’t fairly have all of your gear dialed in but.
The pack has loads of quantity to attempt completely different gear setups and can be utilized as each a journey pack in addition to a trekking pack.
The FreeFloat 360 suspension system is nice as a result of it lets you carry heavier stuff with out sacrificing consolation. The way in which the pack strikes in your again is also nice to assist make a heavy load really feel lighter.
The Katmai pack is particularly made for males’s our bodies, and Gregory’s Kalmia Backpack is the sister pack constructed for ladies.
This pack isn’t properly fitted to somebody searching for an Ultralight pack. In case your gear is usually light-weight, you’ll most likely discover that you’ve a whole lot of additional room on this pack and may look to get a smaller, extra compact bag within the 2 lbs vary.
Gregory Katmai Options
Backpack Entry Factors
The Gregory Katmai permits entry into the principle compartment from three zippered entry factors.
It’s arrange like a typical top-loading pack with a drawstring closure and a lid pocket. That is fairly commonplace for many backpacking packs. Typically this may be irritating in the event you’re making an attempt to get to a bit of substances not positioned on the high of the bag, however that’s the place the opposite entry factors come into play (which many different baggage don’t provide)!
It has a zippered backside sleeping bag compartment, which has a detachable nylon divider that offers you the choice to separate the objects on the very backside from the remainder of the pack.
Then there’s a nifty side-access zipper that enables you fast and easy accessibility to the within of your pack. This can be a frequent function for digicam backpacks in order that photographers have entry to their gear at a second’s discover, and it’s a welcome boost to a backpacking bag!
A facet entry pocket means you could have one other methodology of reaching your gear so that you don’t need to fully unload your pack to get to issues deeper down or pressed towards the edges (I’ve skilled this problem with previous backpacks I’ve owned and it’s a complete ache)!
Exterior Storage
Subsequent to the facet entry pocket there’s a stealthy one-hand water bottle holder that may be tucked away when not in use. I touched on this earlier, however one problem I’ve with this design, though I wished to like it, was that I typically hit my elbow on my water bottle when mountaineering! I want it was positioned elsewhere so it was extra snug!
On the bag’s different facet is a stretchy mesh pocket nice for snacks, poles, a rain jacket, or one other water bottle. The entrance outdoors of the pack has a stretchy mesh pouch and a small zippered pocket.
On either side of the pack, there are two adjustable buckled straps to connect issues to the facet of the pack in addition to compress the pack in case you are not carrying as cumbersome of a load.
The underside of the pack additionally has buckled compression straps to connect a tent or sleeping pad. There are additionally two spots on the pack to connect trekking poles or an ice axe for winter adventures. Some of these straps are important to an excellent backpacking pack!
The lid pocket consists of three completely different compartments. The smallest one on the highest holds very small issues like keys, a pockets, and sun shades. The principle pocket within the lid is nice for straightforward entry to issues like lunch or snacks.
Trying Inside The Pack
Once you open the highest, you’ll discover a pocket on the underside on the lid the place Gregory has positioned the bag’s rainfly. I opted to truly transfer this to a different place within the bag and use this pocket as a substitute for my small toiletries.
Within the bag, there’s a sleeve for a hydration bladder with a SpeedClip. Except you already personal one, I usually advocate getting the hydration bladder made by the corporate of the bag you’re utilizing. On this occasion, Gregory’s 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir.
One among my favourite comfort options of this pack is the outsized hip belt pockets. Either side can simply match regular-sized iPhones and Android telephones. The opposite pocket is ideal for fast snacks or your headlamp.
I really like having huge hip belt pockets in order that I don’t need to take my pack off to get snacks or pull out my cellphone to take an image whereas on the path.
Harness
The harness of a pack is all the issues that contact your physique whereas carrying it. This contains the shoulder straps, the hip belt, the sternum strap, and the again panel.
That is most likely the very best a part of the Katmai. They built-in a FreeFloat 360 system with a suspended mesh again panel and auto-rotating shoulder straps.
The FreeFloat 360 is fairly superior. Most corporations sew their shoulder straps proper onto the physique of the pack, however Gregory attaches the straps with rivets that enable them to rotate as your physique strikes facet to facet.
I’ve carried a whole lot of packs and was very excited after I had this loaded up for my first hike. It made the pack really feel a little bit lighter and the way in which it moved along with your physique made it really feel extra like an extension of your physique versus a static object in your again.
The shoulder straps themselves are thick and properly padded. Gregory made them rounded on the edges so that they don’t dig into your shoulders.
The precise again panel is a suspended mesh panel on an aluminum body with fiberglass horizontal stays. I like mesh again panels as a result of they conform to your again completely versus a standard pack that sits stiff proper up towards your again. It additionally permits air to circulation between the bag and your again, serving to hold you cool and fewer sweaty.
Gregory calls the hip belt their 3D Consolation Cradle. The again panel extends down into the hip belt making a seamless mesh panel that hugs you all the way in which round your hips. It’s padded and sits actually properly in your hips.
For backpacking, this fashion of hip belt is superb. It feels safe round your physique and does an excellent job of taking weight off of your shoulders. Since it’s one mesh panel all the way in which down the again there isn’t any place the place the pack can pinch you.
The design of the hip belt makes it so you possibly can’t take away it. This may be problematic when taking a pack like this on airplanes, as a result of it doesn’t tuck out of the way in which. I’ve tried to place an Osprey Atmos (related hip belt design) into an overhead storage bin for a couple of minutes earlier than I had to surrender and gate-check the bag.
The final piece of the harness is the chest strap. It strikes up and all the way down to get the strap in the precise place and has an built-in whistle in case of emergency.
Pockets
For me, one of the enjoyable points of backpacking is tetrising all your gear into your pack. The pockets on any pack are one of the essential issues to contemplate when shopping for a backpacking bag.
The Katmai has seven exterior pockets—properly, seven and a half, in the event you rely the tuck-away water bottle holder.
The lid of the pack has two outdoors pockets. The smaller one on high is for objects like keys, pockets, and permits. The principle lid pocket is good and roomy, though the rain cowl saved within the pocket underneath the lid sort of eats into this house.
They put a zippered pocket on the very outdoors of the pack with a mesh sleeve inside. I like this pocket as a result of it’s very accessible and large—I ended up placing my camp sneakers on this pocket.
On high of that pocket, Gregory put a small stretchy mesh pouch. I really like such a pocket as a result of they’re so handy to place no matter you need in it and the stretchy mesh holds every little thing in.
I already touched on the 2 hip belt pockets however I’ll say once more this stuff are nice! They’re so huge you possibly can match all types of nicknacks in them.
Group
The Katmai is an enormous pack, making group all that extra essential. Gregory does an excellent job with all the completely different pockets on the skin of the pack that show you how to hold essential objects out of the litter of the principle compartment.
The underside entry for the sleeping bag is nice and the zippered facet entry additionally helps to not need to dump the contents of your pack out.
I stay in bear nation and lots of of my favourite locations to go backpacking require me to hold a bear canister. As a lot as I hate making an attempt to suit it into my pack (they’re heavy and hulking) the Katmai can match one of many huge measurement canisters simply. You may retailer it in the principle compartment or match it underneath the lid pocket and safe it down.
Gregory Katmai Evaluate
Supplies: What’s It Made Of?
The Gregory Katmai isn’t constructed from typical backpacking backpack supplies. The supplies used within the Katmai are a nod to Gregory’s dedication to sustainability.
The principle pack physique is product of a mix of 210D nylon and 420D nylon. Of the 210D nylon, 40 p.c is recycled nylon. The 410D nylon is 45 p.c recycled. The liner of the pack is a 135D polyester that’s 45 p.c post-consumer recycled as properly.
The body is constructed from aluminum with horizontal fiberglass that stays for anti-barreling.
The again panel and the straps are made with Polygien Keep Contemporary Know-how, an odor management air mesh therapy that inhibits the expansion of odor inflicting micro organism. Though the mesh helps to maintain you again much less sweaty whereas backpacking, your again nonetheless does sweat and that is superb to maintain the again panel of your pack stink-free.
Gregory topped all of it off with a PFC-free DWR coating. With time, the DWR (sturdy water repellent) coating wears off your bag. Conventional DWR finishes are petroleum-based, and once they rub off attributable to rain, they get into the watersheds and might hurt crops and animals.
Nevertheless, the PCF-free coating used on the Katmai don’t include environmentally dangerous chemical compounds!
Consolation: Is It Straightforward To Put on?
The Katmai is a really snug pack to put on. The suspended mesh again panel conforms to the form of your again, and the auto-rotating shoulder straps hold the pack balanced in your again and assist stabilize you whereas strolling. The hip belt hugs your hips making it really feel like an extension of your physique.
I’ve been carrying Ultralight packs just like the ULA Circut for the previous few years and I forgot what it was like to hold a totally padded full-suspension backpacking pack! I actually loved it.
Sturdiness
The Gregory Katmai is a strong pack by way of workmanship. Gregory used high-quality supplies for every little thing on the pack.
The buckles, the straps, and the zippers all appear very sturdy. Gregory paid consideration to the little particulars and put the thicker materials at high-stress factors on the pack.
Total I really feel like this pack will final me a very long time!
Model & Aesthetics
The evaluate wouldn’t be full with out speaking concerning the aesthetics of the pack.
The Gregory Katmai is available in 2 colours: Volcano Black and Blaze Blue. The blue is a brighter, enjoyable choice, whereas the black is sleeker and blends in a little bit extra.
The Katmai appears to be like clear but rugged. The compression straps and the trekking pole and ice axe loops make it seem like a backpacking pack.
I had the Volcano Black coloration for this evaluate, and I actually just like the crimson inside! It sort of made the bag pop a little bit extra when the pockets had been opened up.
Gregory Katmai Equipment
There are a number of equipment that you simply would possibly wish to purchase alongside the Katmai. I all the time advocate getting equipment from the identical model as your pack if attainable, so listed here are my high picks from Gregory!
Gregory 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir
The Katmai comes with a SpeedClip and a compartment for a water bladder. This Gregory branded bladder matches completely into the pack but additionally comes with Gregory’s fast connection methodology. If you’re going to be utilizing a water bladder whereas backpacking, the Gergory branded ones offers you the very best match within the Gregory pack.
Gregory Nano 14
The Katmai comes outfitted with NANO join, a system of inside toggles that lets you connect the Gregory Nano 14 to the within of the pack.
The Gregory Nano is a small easy drawstring closure pack that’s excellent as a small day pack. Whether or not you’re strolling round a brand new metropolis or bagging a fast peak out of your campsite, it’s all the time good to have a smaller bag so that you don’t have to hold your 55L pack round for a shorter journey.
Gregory Katmai Alternate options
Listed below are a number of product choices which might be much like the Gregory Katmai 55L, and the way they form up as compared.
Mountain Hardware PCT 55L Backpack
This heavy obligation backpacking bag is one other nice 55L pack. Roughly the identical weight and measurement, this pack serves related features to the Gregory Katmai, however presents a bit completely different group.
I really like that this backpack has two giant an identical facet pockets which might be excellent for water bottles. They’ve a high and facet entry choice, which is extraordinarily handy for sliding out your water bottle.
A full trampoline backpanel gives help and air flow, and the hip belt provides additional stabilization to your pack.
This pack has a extremely distinctive entrance compartment that’s virtually like a mini pack on high of the backpack. I like this concept as a result of you possibly can put all the stuff you want through the day on this entrance compartment so that you don’t need to root round the principle compartment to search out these necessities.
It additionally has a backside entry level and sleeping bag storage space, however doesn’t have a facet entry level just like the Katmai does, which is a bummer.
Total this can be a fairly related different to the Katmai with some design variations which might be as much as desire!
Deuter Aircontact Core 50 + 10 SL Pack
The Deuter Aircontact (men’s and women’s) is a modern but useful bag that gives a whole lot of nice options for a backpacking bag.
This can be a base 50L bag that may go as much as 60L with its expandable collar on the principle compartment. It has a number of exterior straps to connect gear like trekking poles and a sleeping pad, and options elastic mesh facet pockets for water bottles.
A entrance stretch pocket and high zip pocket present extra group on your objects, nevertheless this one does present total much less pockets and group than the Katmai or PCT packs.
The entire straps are adjustable and constructed from snug padded supplies, and over 50% of the pack’s materials is recycled!
Total this can be a nice newbie bag whereas determining your favourite gear, as you possibly can broaden it to suit extra in the event you want and fix issues to the skin of the bag.
Gregory Katmai FAQ
What Form of Guarantee Does Gregory Provide?
Gregory presents what they name the Gregory Lifetime Guarantee. It covers every little thing aside from regular put on and tear, unreasonable or abusive use, and improper cleansing or storage.
It’s an excellent, not nice guarantee. It basically covers you if the workmanship or the supplies are faulty while you get your pack. In comparison with the All-Mighty assure (they are going to exchange or restore and pack for any purpose from any period) that Osprey presents on their packs, this isn’t an incredible guarantee.
Does Gregory Ship Internationally?
Gregory ships to in all places in the USA, Alaska and Hawaii included, in addition to to Puerto Rico and Guam. Presently Gregory doesn’t ship internationally. Nevertheless, many retailers carry Gregory each on-line and in brick-and-mortar shops.
Gregory Katmai Evaluate Abstract: Closing Ideas
The Gregory Katmai was a really nice shock. The pack is properly thought out and excellent in the event you’re searching for a pack that you may simply as simply tackle a backcountry journey as they might on a tour of Europe.
The FreeFloat 360 is the actual better part for me. The consolation on the again and the way in which it strikes along with your physique are superior and I beloved mountaineering with it!
In case you are searching for an Ultralight pack or one thing to tackle a thru-hike, I’d look elsewhere. The Katmai is just a bit too heavy—however it’s nice for shorter backpacking journeys.
Total I appreciated this pack. The Katmai is a good choice for folks simply beginning on their backpacking and touring journeys. So have enjoyable, and bear in mind to all the time go away it higher than you discovered it!
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