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 the whole lot you must survive in your again then stroll out into the wilderness. Alongside the best way you’re all the time certain to see and expertise some fairly wonderful issues.
Your backpack is arguably crucial piece of drugs to contemplate when getting ready in your backpacking journey. It’s your contact level to the remainder of your stuff throughout your complete journey. I’ve had the pleasure of attempting a variety of packs and am fairly choosy with regards to what I like and don’t like.
When selecting a pack for backpacking journeys it is very important have your whole different gear in thoughts. As soon as you already know what sort of gear you will have, or wish to spend money on, you’ll understand how a lot area you want, how light-weight you need your pack to be, and what small options will work finest together with your equipment.
That is my Gregory Katmai evaluation. I examined the 55L pack, nevertheless it additionally is available in a 65L common and plus measurement. 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 with regards to backpacks. They attempt to make packs which are “worn not carried,” and so they do that by modern chassis methods that work together with your physique as you carry the pack versus in opposition to it.
Gregory, together with a lot of the outside gear business, has begun to position a larger emphasis on sustainability. They’ve an intensive pack restore program to assist maintain packs from getting thrown away. In case your pack just isn’t repairable on the finish of its life, Gregory recycles or repurposes numerous parts of the pack!
The Katmai (males’s) and Kalmia (girls’s) are two of Gregory’s finest luggage. The Gregory Katmai is a basic backpacking backpack with prime, backside, and facet entry factors. It boasts many attachment factors and pockets for gear, in addition to loads of storage in your water.
Since its inception, this bag has change into a staple for a lot of thru-hikers. It has many thoughtfully-designed options that make it stand out from fundamental packs that fall in the identical value vary.
This bag evaluation offers you the entire 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 surface mesh and zippered pockets that give a number of easy-access storage choices whereas climbing 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 correct facet of the pack, though a singular and intuitive characteristic, 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 might 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 mild as doable whereas climbing 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 when you don’t fairly have all of your gear dialed in but.
The pack has loads of quantity to strive totally 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 best way 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 girls.
This pack just isn’t effectively fitted to somebody on the lookout for an Ultralight pack. In case your gear is usually light-weight, you’ll most likely discover that you’ve got loads of further 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 customary for many backpacking packs. Typically this may be irritating when you’re attempting to get to a bit of drugs not situated on the prime of the bag, however that’s the place the opposite entry factors come into play (which many different luggage don’t provide)!
It has a zippered backside sleeping bag compartment, which has a detachable nylon divider that provides 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 quick access to the within of your pack. This can be a frequent characteristic for digital camera backpacks in order that photographers have entry to their gear at a second’s discover, and it’s a welcome addition to a backpacking bag!
A facet entry pocket means you will have one other methodology of reaching your gear so that you don’t must fully unload your pack to get to issues deeper down or pressed in opposition to the edges (I’ve skilled this situation 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 situation I’ve with this design, though I wished to find it irresistible, was that I usually hit my elbow on my water bottle when climbing! 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 each 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 if you’re 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 a great backpacking pack!
The lid pocket consists of three totally 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
Whenever 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 really 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. Until you already personal one, I usually suggest getting the hydration bladder made by the corporate of the bag you’re utilizing. On this occasion, Gregory’s 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir.
Certainly one of my favourite comfort options of this pack is the outsized hip belt pockets. All sides can simply match regular-sized iPhones and Android telephones. The opposite pocket is ideal for fast snacks or your headlamp.
I really like having large hip belt pockets in order that I don’t must take my pack off to get snacks or pull out my telephone to take an image whereas on the path.
Harness
The harness of a pack is all the issues that contact your physique whereas sporting it. This consists of 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 loads of packs and was very excited after I had this loaded up for my first hike. It made the pack really feel somewhat lighter and the best way it moved together 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 effectively 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 conventional pack that sits stiff proper up in opposition to your again. It additionally permits air to movement between the bag and your again, serving to maintain 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 best way round your hips. It’s padded and sits actually properly in your hips.
For backpacking, this type of hip belt is wonderful. It feels safe round your physique and does a great job of taking weight off of your shoulders. Since it’s one mesh panel all the best way down the again there is no such thing as a place the place the pack can pinch you.
The design of the hip belt makes it so you’ll be able to’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 best way. 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 right down to get the strap in the correct place and has an built-in whistle in case of emergency.
Pockets
For me, some of the enjoyable features of backpacking is tetrising your whole gear into your pack. The pockets on any pack are some of the necessary issues to contemplate when shopping for a backpacking bag.
The Katmai has seven exterior pockets—effectively, seven and a half, when you rely the tuck-away water bottle holder.
The lid of the pack has two outdoors pockets. The smaller one on prime is for objects like keys, pockets, and permits. The principle lid pocket is good and roomy, though the rain cowl saved within the pocket beneath the lid sort of eats into this area.
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 prime 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 the whole lot in.
I already touched on the 2 hip belt pockets however I’ll say once more these items are nice! They’re so large you’ll be able to match all types of nicknacks in them.
Group
The Katmai is a giant pack, making group all that extra necessary. Gregory does a great job with all the totally different pockets on the surface of the pack that aid you maintain necessary objects out of the muddle of the principle compartment.
The underside entry for the sleeping bag is nice and the zippered facet entry additionally helps to not must dump the contents of your pack out.
I stay in bear nation and plenty of of my favourite locations to go backpacking require me to hold a bear canister. As a lot as I hate attempting to suit it into my pack (they’re heavy and ponderous) the Katmai can match one of many large measurement canisters simply. You possibly can retailer it in the principle compartment or match it beneath the lid pocket and safe it down.
Gregory Katmai Evaluate
Supplies: What’s It Made Of?
The Gregory Katmai just isn’t created 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 % is recycled nylon. The 410D nylon is 45 % recycled. The liner of the pack is a 135D polyester that’s 45 % post-consumer recycled as effectively.
The body is created from aluminum with horizontal fiberglass that stays for anti-barreling.
The again panel and the straps are made with Polygien Keep Recent 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 wonderful 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 on account of rain, they get into the watersheds and might hurt crops and animals.
Nevertheless, the PCF-free coating used on the Katmai don’t comprise environmentally dangerous chemical compounds!
Consolation: Is It Simple 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 maintain 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 couple of 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 when it comes to workmanship. Gregory used high-quality supplies for the whole lot 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!
Fashion & Aesthetics
The evaluation 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 possibility, whereas the black is sleeker and blends in somewhat extra.
The Katmai appears to be like clear but rugged. The compression straps and the trekking pole and ice axe loops make it appear to be a backpacking pack.
I had the Volcano Black coloration for this evaluation, and I actually just like the purple inside! It sort of made the bag pop somewhat extra when the pockets have been opened up.
Gregory Katmai Equipment
There are a number of equipment that you just would possibly wish to purchase alongside the Katmai. I all the time suggest getting equipment from the identical model as your pack if doable, so listed here are my prime 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 in addition comes with Gregory’s fast connection methodology. If you will 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 geared up 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 are much like the Gregory Katmai 55L, and the way they form up as compared.
Mountain {Hardware} PCT 55L Backpack
This heavy responsibility backpacking bag is one other nice 55L pack. Roughly the identical weight and measurement, this pack serves related capabilities to the Gregory Katmai, however gives a bit totally different group.
I really like that this backpack has two massive similar facet pockets which are excellent for water bottles. They’ve a prime and facet entry possibility, which is extraordinarily handy for sliding out your water bottle.
A full trampoline backpanel offers assist and air flow, and the hip belt offers further stabilization to your pack.
This pack has a extremely distinctive entrance compartment that’s virtually like a mini pack on prime of the backpack. I like this concept as a result of you’ll be able to put all the stuff you want through the day on this entrance compartment so that you don’t must 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 it is a fairly related various to the Katmai with some design variations which are as much as desire!
Deuter Aircontact Core 50 + 10 SL Pack
The Deuter Aircontact (males’s and girls’s) is a smooth but useful bag that gives loads 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 prime zip pocket present extra group in 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 created from snug padded supplies, and over 50% of the pack’s materials is recycled!
Total it is a nice newbie bag whereas determining your favourite gear, as you’ll be able to broaden it to suit extra when you want and fasten issues to the surface of the bag.
Gregory Katmai FAQ
What Form of Guarantee Does Gregory Supply?
Gregory gives what they name the Gregory Lifetime Assure. It covers the whole lot aside from regular put on and tear, unreasonable or abusive use, and improper cleansing or storage.
It’s a great, 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 gives on their packs, this isn’t an amazing guarantee.
Does Gregory Ship Internationally?
Gregory ships to in every single place in the USA, Alaska and Hawaii included, in addition to to Puerto Rico and Guam. At the moment 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 effectively thought out and ideal when you’re on the lookout 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 best way it strikes together with your physique are superior and I liked climbing with it!
If you’re on the lookout for an Ultralight pack or one thing to tackle a thru-hike, I might look elsewhere. The Katmai is just a bit too heavy—nevertheless it’s nice for shorter backpacking journeys.
Total I preferred this pack. The Katmai is a superb possibility 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!
