The Males’s Gregory Paragon 60 Backpack is a multi-day backpack that strikes a superb steadiness between mild weight, improved match, and technical options. Weighing 3.7 lbs, it has an adjustable size torso and an adjustable size hip belt (which is uncommon) so you possibly can dial in a customized match tailor-made to your private dimensions and preferences. Along with prime entry underneath the floating lid pocket, the Paragon gives a sleeping bag hatch to entry contents on the base of the pack and a full size facet zipper to entry gadgets within the center, along with quite a few different comfort options. In the event you want extra quantity, the Gregory Paragon 70 can also be out there.
Gender: Males’s (Ladies’s mannequin is known as the Maven 58)Weight: 3 lbs 11.2 oz (Precise: 3 lbs 13.2 oz)Kind: Inside body backpackPFAS-Free: YesAccess: High, Backside, SideAdjustable torso size: YesAdjustable hip belt size: YesPockets: 8Hydration prepared: YesFloating prime lid: YesHip belt pockets: YesLoad lifters: YesRain cowl: Not includedTorso size: S/M (15-19″), M/L (18-22″)Hip belt size: S/M (25-48″), M/L (27-53″)Most advisable load: 40-50lbsBear canister compatibility: BV500 matches horizontally in base of the packMaterials: Physique: 100D high-density nylon/210D high-density nylon w/ C0 DWR; backside: 300D 40% recycled nylon ripstop w/ C0 DWR; lining: 40% publish client recycled 135D polyester w/ C0 DWRPros: Comfy bear canister carry, adjustable hip belt, facet zipperCons: Restricted choices to hold water bottles, rain cowl not included
Newly up to date, the Paragon 60 sports activities Gregory’s FreeFloat hip belt that flexes with you, impartial of its inflexible body, so that you do’t need to work as exhausting when scrambling or mountaineering up hill. This new mannequin is PFAS free and incorporates considerably extra recycled materials than beforehand, reflecting Gregory’s dedication to full lifecycle administration.
Backpack Pockets and Group
The Paragon 60 is a top-loading backpack that additionally has facet zipper entry and a sleeping bag hatch, supplying you with three other ways to entry your packed gear. There are two facet mesh pockets, two zippered hip belt pockets, two pockets within the prime lid, and a entrance stretch mesh pocket that can be utilized to retailer layers or damp gear.
The Paragon 60 additionally has a sleeping bag hatch so you possibly can entry gear on the backside of the pack with an optionally available sleeping bag shelf within the inside, held in place with dowels, you could take away if you wish to pack the inside as one massive major compartment. If I’m not carrying a bear canister, I usually pack my tent on the base of my pack so I can set it up first in camp to get out of the rain.
Whereas the Paragon’s facet pockets are mesh and sized for 1L Nalgene bottles,I feel it’s a lot simpler to make use of the Paragon 60 with a water reservoir/hose for consuming on the go than water bottles. The best-hand facet pocket has a facet minimize so you possibly can simply attain in and pull out a bottle via the facet of the pocket reasonably than the highest. The pocket is deep sufficient {that a} bottle isn’t going to fall out of the facet minimize and there’s a safety loop the place you possibly can anchor it down with a ‘biner in case you’re nervous about dropping it. The pocket on the left facet of the pack doesn’t have this facet minimize nevertheless and you actually need to take the pack off to achieve its contents.
Consolation
Weight
Suspension
Options
Adjustability
Sizing
Sturdiness
Light-weight Gear Hauler
Constructed for superior path consolation, the Gregory Paragon 60 pack has an adjustable torso size and an adjustable hip belt (uncommon) size guaranteeing you get a GREAT match.
The Paragon 60 has two massive hip belt pockets. Each are hard-faced (not mesh) for higher sturdiness and weatherproofing, with massive zipper pulls that make them straightforward to open and shut. There’s additionally a big entrance stretch mesh pocket the place you possibly can retailer layers, snacks, or different gadgets you wish to keep it up the outside of the pack.
Backpack Body and Suspension
The Paragon 60 has an adjustable torso size and an adjustable hip belt you could make longer or shorter for a greater match. There are only a few backpacks that present this stage of flexibility on the subject of fine-tuning your match and it’s an actual perk of this backpack. The shoulder straps are anchored to a velcro again panel that may be raised or lowered to match your torso size. Elevating it will increase the torso size whereas decreasing it decreases it. As soon as adjusted, the velcro locks into place and received’t slip regardless of how closely you load up the pack.
The size of the hip belt can be adjusted by extending two sliding tabs which lengthen ahead from the buckle ends of the belt, very like Osprey’s fit-on-the-fly hip belt adjustment system. The tabs are additionally velcro-based, so that you’d unstick them, pull them ahead in order that they wrap over the entrance of your hip bones, after which refasten them. Sadly, you possibly can’t reposition the location of the hip belt pockets and convey them ahead to to allow them to find yourself behind your midline relying in your waist-size. They’re massive sufficient to nonetheless be reachable, however their fastened placement is without doubt one of the downsides of this hip belt adjustment methodology.
Whereas the Paragon 60 doesn’t have a trampoline body with an enormous air hole behind the shoulder straps, the metal perimeter body does allow air to circulation behind your again. The hip belt wings are additionally extremely pre-curved in order that they grip your sides effectively and are much less susceptible to slippage. They really feel actually safe when worn, even over a slippery nylon shell. The hip belt additionally has some flex within the hip belt wings, giving the pack a really dynamic really feel that strikes with you when you’ll want to scramble. Gregory calls this their FreeFloat system, the place the hip belt flexes and tracks your hips reasonably than transferring with the body. It’s delicate. However gives enhanced consolation for the reason that you hips usually are not tied to the actions of the body.
The Paragon 60 has a wire perimeter body which provides it a springy really feel. The body additionally has a mid-back cross-brace to forestall load barreling which is a large plus if you need to carry a inflexible object like a bear canister on the within of your backpack.
Backpack Compression and Exterior Attachments
The Paragon 60 has two tiers of compression straps with straps which are angled to clear the tops of the facet bottle pockets. The compression straps are angled, so the load is pulled up and in direction of your core offering higher hip belt load switch when used. It’s a small element however makes the pack’s carry extra environment friendly in a delicate manner.
The Paragon additionally comes with a pair of sleeping pad straps that are helpful to hold a cumbersome foam pad or a tent physique. They’re completely connected to the pack and never detachable.
Comparable Mid-Dimension Backpacks
Suggestion
The Gregory Paragon 60 is a multi-day backpack with an adjustable size torso and adjustable size hip belt which will be tailor-fit for individuals with completely different physiques. It’s loaded with options together with three completely different technique of entry: from the highest, via a facet zipper, and from the underside via a sleeping bag hatch. That includes a light-weight, however dynamic wire perimeter body, the Paragon carries hundreds as much as 40-50 kilos in nice consolation. However the factor that impresses me probably the most about this backpack is how a lot gear you possibly can carry inside or strapped to the outside. It feels quite a bit bigger than a 60-liter backpack, which will be good in case you want a load-hauler however aren’t keen to compromise on mild weight, options or consolation.
Disclosure: Gregory donated a backpack for assessment.
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