Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack: A Trekker’s Best Friend
As an avid outdoor guy, I always put a premium on getting the best gear for my money. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack fits both the quality and value-for-money requirements. When you go for extended treks or off-trail hikes, what you need is a backpack that is easy to carry and will not wear out your back.
You also need something that keeps your gear safe from the elements and still makes it easy for you to pack and unpack your gear. I am mostly a compartments kind of guy. I think that the best backpacks allow you to organize essentials in such a way that you can easily locate and retrieve what you need without having to rummage through everything you packed.
On top of that, you should be able to get maximum comfort. You will be carrying the backpack for several hours on end so it should be easy on your upper body, with the bag’s entire weight distributed evenly on your back, shoulders, hips and waist, so that you do not end up spending the night being sore all over. What’s more, it should stay in place and fit your body contours for safety and balance, especially when you are scaling heights, doing extreme activities, or even skiing. From capacity to ease of loading, to flexibility and durability, and most importantly, comfort and easy adjustments, the Palisade 80 is your best bet.
Specifications The Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack comes in three different sizes which makes it easy to get the best fit for you. A small Palisade 80 backpack weighs 2.70 kilograms and has a torso length ranging from 16 inches to 18 inches. It can hold 4699 cubic inches in volume. A medium sized Palisade 80, meanwhile, has a volume of 4973 cubic inches, and weighs 2.80 kilograms. It comes with a torso length of 18 inches to 20 inches. The largest sized backpacks weigh 2.90 kilograms, can carry up to 5370 cu. in. and have a torso length of 20 inches to 22 inches.
Snug Fit I really cannot imagine how things were before internal frame backpacks were invented. I had a friend who had a frameless one and, to be honest, it was very uncomfortable. Maybe I am just so used to internal frame backpacks that I found it difficult to carry a frameless variety that shifted all over my back and made me lose my balance on the trail so many times! The beauty of the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack is that it gives you a great snug fit on your back, making it extremely ideal for long treks or for rock climbing. Safety, comfort and balance combined!
With its Response Custom Fit Suspension, you get more support even under extreme weight and you get added flexibility. You get more comfort by the elimination of hot spots andwrinkles on your hips and shoulders, while the weight is kept off your back with its anti-slip co-molded lumbar pad that shifts the weight to your hips. Plus it minimizes the strain on your back, waist and shoulders with its auto-cant harness that adjusts automatically to the curve of your shoulders and the Adjust-a-Cant waistbelt that matches the shape of your hips.
Get more ventilation for your back All this talk of snug fit would surely get you thinking of sweaty backs, shoulders and hips. Not so with the Palisade 80 Backpack. It comes with a chimney ventilation panel that circulates the air between your Palisade 80 and your back while also seeping away moisture.
Extra storage One of the best things that I like with the Palisade 80 backpack is that not only is the main compartment very roomy, it also adds a lot of extra storage space. It has a very generous front pocket that can hold your rain gear, and a top pocket that can be used as a fanny pack of short hikes. Water bottles can be hidden away in their own holder and stash pocket, while smaller things may be stashed in the dual waistbelt pockets. Further, it is easy to get your things in and out of the bag with top and bottom entry points, plus the zip through access found in the front pocket. This means that you can search your things without having to empty your Gregory backpack. It also means a relatively simple way to pack your things even with a backpack this big.
Durability With the Gregory backpack being made of the finest materials, you are sure to have a long-time partner in it. I had thrown out a few backpacks before because the bottom gave out. This is not a problem with the Gregory Palisade backpack because of its wear-resistant and water-resistant bottom panel.
Great-looking What sets apart a Gregory Backpack from the others is that it certainly looks great. It serves the purpose you would expect from a durable and dependable load hauler, with the added benefit of being easy on the eyes. This makes the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack ideal for traveling as well, not just for outdoor adventures. I admit that I’m not much of a design freak as I give more attention to function rather than aesthetics.
But even I can appreciate the awesome appearance and design on this backpack. Each design element is there because it serves a function, such as the waterproof zippers, the durable materials and other add-ons. Who says that style and function do not mix in an outdoor gear? It comes in four colors: gray, blue, a bright red, and the red pictured here (forget what they call it; ‘lost coast red’?).
The downside There are no major downsides for a Gregory Palisade backpack in general, but I have friends who complain of zipper snags and a low-quality hip-belt plastic reinforcement. These are things that a minor repair cannot fix though.
What others say Most Gregory backpack reviews I have read are positive, with a few comments on what might be done to improve the product. The Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack is no exception. Camp Saver has a general rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for this product, with all reviewers unanimously saying that they will recommend it to a friend. Amazon.com reviewers, on the other hand, gave the Palisade 80 a perfect 5-star rating. Now that should say a lot about the brand. “After doing months of research I went to my EMS store and tried on various packs including this one. The difference was immediately evident. The molded back and straps were simply far superior to their counter parts.
…I can say this is a great pack. It fits comfortably with a 50 pound load, is easily adjusted, and had room to spare for a four day trip. I would buy this pack again.”
“…it carried like a champ I couldn’t feel all the weight, felt like I was carrying 15LB the entire trip, its very comfortable, and has space for ALL your gear.”
“…if you’re looking for a good pack that gives you plenty of space and the ability to adjust the hip belt for better comfort, than this is the pack for you.”
“Better than expected! I bought this pack on November 2009 for a week mountain trip, this pack handled all my gear ( I mean every single thing I could pack) including 2 3L camelback bladders, my eureka 2XT tent, 2 sleeping bags, food, 4 Nalgene wide mouth water bottles, Coleman stove Coleman propane gas, ez rest mattress…It handled 60lb very comfortably! I highly recommend this backpack, I have 6 months using it every month and its just the best backpack I have ever used.”
