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Gregory Knocks it Out the Park with Duffels, Case, and Backpacks :: Field Tested

Gregory Mountain Products specializes in designing and manufacturing backpacks, travel bags, and outdoor gear. Founded in 1977 by Wayne Gregory, the brand is known for its focus on comfort, durability, and innovative design. Gregory’s products are built to support outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of packs for hiking, backpacking, and travel. The company emphasizes ergonomic fit and advanced suspension systems that adapt to the user’s body for improved comfort.

We are known to be thorough testers of gear, and sometimes, it might take almost a year of regular use before we are ready to finally commit pen to paper and share our thoughts about the pros and cons of the items we review. These Gregory bags are no exception, as we have used them for long-distance, international, overland, and fly-and-drive business trips. When not on the road, we might sling a bag over a shoulder for a quick walk to the local market or a brisk hike into the surrounding countryside. By using gear for a variety of purposes, we are truly able to identify strengths and weaknesses. The Gregory gear we have tested has many of the former and few of the latter, especially when used for the function that suits each pack best.

The Gregory Alpaca Duffel 100

The Gregory Alpaca 100 is a large-capacity duffel for heavy-duty travel and gear transport. Its 100-liter capacity provides ample space for bulky equipment and large loads. It features a wide opening for easy packing, reinforced grab handles, and removable padded backpack straps for versatile carrying options. Unless you’re carrying lightweight items in the 100-liter duffel, I wouldn’t recommend carrying this pack on your back for extended periods of time.

Interior zippered pockets help organize smaller items, while compression straps keep gear secure. An exterior zippered pouch is ideal for storing your dirty laundry or shoes. The exterior daisy chain loops make it easy to lash down on your roof rack or rails, and as it’s constructed from tough, weather-resistant materials, it offers durability and protection against the elements. While built to be tough, the well-priced Alpaca duffel offers a touch of luxury while effortlessly storing large amounts of gear, such as our winter jackets, boots, beanies, gloves, and scarves.

$150 | Gregory Alpaca Duffel 100

Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel 50

The Gregory Alpaca 50 duffel is a rugged bag crafted for outdoor adventures and travel. With 50 liters of capacity, it features a wide-mouth design for effortless packing and quick access to gear. Made from tough, abrasion-resistant fabric and equipped with water-resistant zippers, it offers reliable protection in harsh environments.

The bag includes various carrying options, including detachable shoulder straps and sturdy grab handles. Inside, zippered pockets help organize smaller items, and an interior frame keeps the duffel sturdy but doesn’t allow it to be stowed well when not in use. Built for demanding conditions, this duffel provides a practical solution for storing gear on the go and is tasked with storing our Starlink equipment when not in use for international flights. The only gripe with this bag is that it weighs easily more than 5 pounds when empty.

$150 | Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel 50

Gregory Zulu 24

The contoured hip belt makes it easy to distribute the pack weight around your lower back, and the hip belt pockets help to keep your keys, wallet, and phone in an accessible area. The Zulu 24 includes hydration compatibility, an external front zippered pocket, side stretchable mesh water pockets, and external attachment points for trekking poles or other gear. With durable construction, this pack balances comfort and functionality and is just the right size for those quick daily hikes when only the essentials are necessary.

The Gregory Zulu 24 is a minimalist, lightweight daypack designed for male hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers 24 liters of capacity, making it suitable for short day trips. The pack features Gregory’s FreeFloat dynamic suspension system, which provides a comfortable fit by adapting to the wearer’s movements. Its ventilated back panel helps keep users cool, while the main compartment and multiple pockets offer practical storage options.

$150 | Gregory Zulu 24

Gregory Jade 24

The Jade 24 is built with a ventilated back panel to enhance airflow, keeping users cool during hikes, and the soft, abrasion-free material is ideal when wearing a sleeveless top. It includes multiple compartments and pockets for organized storage, as well as external lash points for gear like trekking poles. The hydration sleeve adds further convenience. The pack and the contoured hip belt sit quite high for some users, but with a few adjustments to the shoulder straps, you should find a comfortable fit for your back to distribute the weight accordingly. The hip belt pocket is a good place to store a small pocket knife, wallet, lip balm, and sunscreen. I found that a larger phone, such as the Samsung S23, was too large for the pocket and had too tight a fit to access easily. The side mesh pockets are deep enough to ensure that your water bottle doesn’t take a topple before you do. The Jade 24 balances comfort and durability, making it ideal for day hikes and outdoor adventures.

The Gregory Jade 24 is a women-specific daypack designed for hiking and outdoor activities and is remarkably similar to the Zulu 24 with ergonomic differences. It offers 24 liters of storage capacity, featuring the FreeFloat suspension system, which provides a flexible and comfortable fit that moves with the wearer.

$150 | Gregory Jade 24

gregory.com

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Graeme Bell is an author and explorer who has dedicated his life to traveling the planet by land, seeking adventure and unique experiences. Together with his wife and two children, Graeme has spent the last decade living permanently on the road in a self-built Land Rover based camper. They have explored 27 African countries (including West Africa), circumnavigated South America, and driven from Argentina to Alaska, which was followed by an exploration of Europe and Western Asia before returning to explore the Americas. Graeme is the Senior Editor 4WD for Expedition Portal, a member of the Explorers Club, the author of six books, and an Overland Journal contributor since 2015. You can follow Graeme's adventures across the globe on Instagram at graeme.r.bell