PACK REVIEW: GREGORY BALTORO 65 MENS PACK: The Cadillac of Packs?

[@johnnylenss]

Great review, thanks for sharing. For my body size/frame/fit - two packs from Gregory work really well for me: the Katmai (55) and the Zulu (40). I too struggled with the Baltoro (65) - the Osprey Atmos (65) consistently felt better for my long torso at that pack size, and when carrying the extra weight. I picked up the 3 different Teton “Blackout” Packs (Grande, Mountain Adventurer and Talus) - with the MA becoming my favorite of the 3 after many uses. The layout and versatility of that pack was just excellent, and it really excelled for winter adventures with all the external lashing options for snow shoes, crampons, or bulkier sleeping pads. The major con for me was strap comfort - much lower quality compared to Osprey & Gregory. Weight scaled very poorly for me - anything over ~25lbs, and my shoulders started paying for any extra weight after 3-4 miles. Cheers, and thanks again for the review!

[@ziwozo]

I own the pack and like though your review is fair. Two point you don't have to pay $300+. I got on sale for $189 ( which is still expensive). The weight of 5 lbs is a negative but the reason I purchased the bag was for how it distributes the weight because like a lot of people I have damaged my back. And I have not any back stress from the bag. From what it looks like the really light packs might put more stress in the back. Just because it is impossible to test every bag out there, don't discount the Gregory or Osprey bags if you have some issues like a bad back. You cut some of the weight issue with lighter equipment.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

Phillip Cohenour I replaced it with another Gregory bag! 🤣😆😂 mainly because as I was doing this review I was super impressed with the craftsmanship and quality. I’ll be doing a video on the bag I replaced it with soon. Stay tuned! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@lt2246]

Hi Jeremy Hope you are doing well in these times. I noticed you have not had any new videos recently probably due to virus issue. Hopefully you will be able to get out soon. I did a short trip to the Cohutta Wilderness in north Georgia recently - it was nice to get out. I have enjoyed the charger you sent me - thanks again. Take care

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

Hey L T! So glad you’re enjoying the charger! I’m actually working on editing some videos for the channel now! Thanks for thinking of me! Hope all is well with you and yours during this strange time we’re in! God Bless!

[@corey6011]

Super unfortunate that it doesn't fit you. I absolutely love mine. You're right about the nice day bag in it. I'm a smaller guy and only 150 pounds. Maybe the larger one will fit you better?

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

I bought a different Gregory pack during REI’s end of year sale. It’s a little lighter and has more adjustments. I don’t understand why they only put two adjustments on the Baltoro. A third adjustment would’ve dialed it in perfectly for me. The quality is second to none though really, and that’s why I decided to go with another Gregory pack. Plus this one was super deeply discounted. It’ll be in future videos. Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@kcdogny1]

I enjoyed your review and thought it was well done. That said, I have this pack and love it. Ironically, that goofy daybag/bladder-holder that you really liked is one feature I don't care for. But I have several Gregories and find them super comfortable and user friendly..

[@Im_With_Stupid]

It's only the Cadillac of packs if you're looking for a heavy hauling expedition pack. That's what it's designed for. If you just want a fair weather weekender, the Baltoro is a poor choice.

[@garrycollins3415]

"Your mileage may vary." Funny. I just ran my Osprey Exos 58 through your score system: Cost - 2 Quality - 4 Features - 4 Usability - 1 Category - 4 Average - 3 I love the pack, very popular with through hikers.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

I almost bought the exos 58! Probably should have! Thanks for watching!

[@erictafuro9076]

Your sternum strap looks way to tight maybe that’s part of why it does not fit right.

[@lt2246]

Good review. I tried both the Gregory Baltoro and the Osprey Aether 70 --- went with the Osprey. It just felt better on me with heavy loads in the 30 to 35 lb range for winter hikes. Overall I have preferred Osprey packs. I own the Talon 33 for day hikes and looking at the Osprey Kestrel 48 to use as a summer pack. The Kestrel weighs about 3.5 lbs vs the Aether @ about 5.3 lbs - looking to reduce weight for summer and the Kestrel is good for loads up to about 30 to 35 lb range but lower capacity.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

L T did you see that you won the 100 subscriber giveaway? I haven’t heard back from you yet so I wanted to make sure. Send me your address and I’ll get it sent your way! I ended up going with another Gregory pack. I’ll have a video of it coming soon. Thanks for watching and for your support! 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟

[@lt2246]

The Purpose Full Life Hi - thanks for the note. I had not seen that I won the drawing - THANK YOU 👍. I will look for the email and respond with an address. Thank you!

[@garrycollins3415]

You might look at the Osprey Exos. Just under 3 pounds, I think it was $220. Max out in comfort at around 35 pounds but I've had 40 in it with no real problem (drought, had to carry 3 days of water).

[@UnannouncedFart]

Thanks for making this video. I'm comparing this pack with Osprey Atmos, so this will help in my decision. Also, has anyone told you that you look like John Kruk?

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

Never gotten that one! I get Jack Black a lot! LoL thanks for the comment!

[@KGi4]

Great review 👍 I got this backpack too. I think you had issues with chest strap popping up because of your big sizes chest and your are big guy. No offense, but if you are as a big guy as say said, maybe you should have looked something different that would have fited your size 🙌 I had great experience with this bag. Love quality and features. I carry my camera and tripod in it and that was my main reason I picked this bag. Only was bit hard on shoulders but I am skinny person so maybe that's why, other then that I really enjoying it ✨👌

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

GyDRyUs thank you! I tried numerous packs on before buying this one and in the store it fit me better than any of the others. Being a big guy definitely has its obstacles. I’ll probably never own and Osprey pack due to the fact that their straps are a little more narrow. The Baltoro is an excellent pack overall! I was so impressed with the quality, I bought another Gregory Pack. I’ll have a video of it sometime soon. Thanks for the comment and enjoy your Baltoro!

[@KGi4]

@@ThePurposeFullLife also Baltoro model has detachable shoulders straps may you can get wider ones so it would solve your issue? Try too lookup for that 🧐

[@Freddy-nb7gj]

Better than the Osprey atmos 65?

[@chappy48]

Did you get the wrong size pack? Those shoulder straps are WAAAY too far off your shoulders.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

Thanks for commenting! Yes it was definitely the right size. I had it pretty loose for this video as it wasn’t loaded properly. It didn’t have enough adjustments. My new pack is a Gregory Stout 65 and it had more adjustability and fits great. Thanks again for the comment. Happy trails!

[@shawnnielsen1898]

@@ThePurposeFullLife is the stout an upgrade to the Baltoro and what do you like?

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

@@shawnnielsen1898 sorry for my delayed response!! The stout is definitely not an upgrade over the Baltoro. The only thing that’s better about the Stout is that it has more adjustability in the carrying system. The Baltoro is much nicer from a bells and whistles standpoint. The Stout was much more reasonably priced though. I’m happy with the Stout. Wasn’t happy with the Baltoro, but as stated in the video, “your mileage may vary.” Happy trails my friend hope this helped!

[@shawnnielsen1898]

@@ThePurposeFullLife when you say adjustability what do you mean. I am a big guy too, and wonder if I should try the Stout. The Baltoro is comfortable, but wonder if the stout may be a little more comfortable

[@shawnnielsen1898]

Did you end up getting the Plus size? Or the standard for?

[@PabbyMan2000]

I have the exact same orange Gregory Baltoro. I used it on the Appalachian Trail. I didn't have any problem with the sternum strap getting unsnapped. I did find that it rode high up closer to my neck than I cared for. The water bottle holder took some getting used to. After some practice I could pull the bottle out and put it back without taking the pack off. Wrap the strap over the top of the bottle to keep it from falling out.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

It’s an excellent pack for sure! Happy with my replacement Gregory. Great equipment! Thanks for commenting man! Happy trails!

[@Skyclub12]

Don’t you think it’s useless to watch your video if right off the bat you already said it’s not the backpack for you?

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

Wasn’t looking for clicks. My goal was to help people see the pack and get an idea of what it’s like before they buy.

[@billcampbell1627]

If you carried 90 pounds in a large ALICE pack, you would not be so worried about chest straps and where pockets end up after adjusting the belt. It's like everything else, things have evolved. A terrible pack of today is way better than what was available in the 60s. Your milage may vary.

[@lordenkidu1876]

Thanks for the review, im on the fence between this or atmos osprey.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

I hated the atmos. It’s a great pack but the straps were too narrow for me. My buddy used one though and loved it. I actually like the exos the most out of the Osprey packs. Have you tried on an Osprey Aether? I liked it a lot too, and liked it better than the atmos.

[@lordenkidu1876]

@@ThePurposeFullLife my roommate has the aether 70 but i tend to pack lighter than him though it is a nice pack. After much deliberation, and also thanks to your input, I’ve decided on the baltoro65 the materials seem to be higher quality and I really do like the waterproof hip pocket.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

That’s awesome man! You’ll love it I’m sure. It’s an awesome pack. I ended up going with another Gregory when I replaced my Baltoro because of the quality. I went with the scout 65 and it’s great. I paid a lot less for it which is nice, but the Baltoro is definitely in another league. I make fun of people for calling it “the Cadillac of packs,” but it really is VERY nice and I understand now why it gets that moniker. I’m glad my review helped you decide. Let me know how you like it once you get some mileage on it!!

[@lordenkidu1876]

@@ThePurposeFullLife I’ve recently recieved my Baltoro 65, i live in a jungle environment and took it out camping its a lovely pack. Im 6’6 200lb lanky build the large fits quite well for me. Thanks for helping influence my decision I really love this pack. There are areas where i have to climb up root systems and the pack doesn’t pull or endanger my climbing it also handles well in a downpour.

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

@@lordenkidu1876 love this!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Happy trails!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Cool video and channel. I see you haven’t done a video in a while. Are you still making videos? New follower here. Crow✌️

[@ThePurposeFullLife]

I am! Finishing one up now from a recent trip to Colorado. Thanks for the encouragement!!!

[@spaceman8839]

Most Important, Where are they made?