Gregory Contour 60

I just got back from a backpacking trip in Colorado Springs. This bag held everything I needed and more. My body felt really great from using this pack. It was loaded down with about 25-30 lbs of gear. My girlfriend would frequently dig in the pack with great ease taking gear in and out.

If you want a pack to use with little back worries this is it. I hiked 12 miles on my first 14er with my girlfriend and with no trekking poles.

Background Knowledge

When I was first shopping for this pack I was not even considering Gregory packs. This is the biggest and most important item for backpackers, so I was shopping and asking questions all over. I was mainly looking at Osprey (more specifically the Atmos 65). When I was about to buy the Osprey I saw the Gregory and had to try it on and see what the difference was.

What sold Gregory to me was the adjustable side buckles and the mold the pack brought to my back. I am not bashing Osprey's products whatsoever. My dad has an Osprey and swears by them. So choosing gear matters when it fits to that specific person's body and needs. I am six foot tall around 175 lbs and 22 years old.

The Present and Past

I have tested my pack loaded down on short walks, but not on a full on mountain. This was a great trip to break this pack in on. My back felt like there was a pillow pressed against it the whole trip. The hip belts were adjustable which allowed me to push the pack an inch or two higher getting the weight of my lower back.

I have yet to fully put a load in the pack that fills it up. Thus far on my weekend hikes it fits all of my needs and some. There are several side zipper openings that allow you to get inside the pack without fully unbuckling the straps which is a great plus. All the straps were very easy to adjust while I had the pack on.

Think and Try before you buy it.

I just came back from a 3-day trekking with my Contour 60 pack. In these three days, I found there are more Cons than Pros on this pack. I will list some annoyed things in my personal priority.

1. This pack was designed to have spaces for camp, trail, and on-the-go. However, the "trail" and "on-the-go" are "linked" by 2 side straps. That is to say, no matter I want to take stuff from either "trail" or "on-the-go", I have to open all the straps.
   
   When arriving at camping site and need to take camping stuffs out, I still need to open the side strap if I would like to open the side zipper. The design idea is fine, but they are all interlocked.
2. The curved shape at the base makes it very difficult to fully use the space inside. This also makes the actual usable space probably 10 liter less than what it should have.
3. Two side pockets are too deep and hard to reach. If you drop your Swiss Army Knife in there, you will have to put your pack on the ground for finding it.
4. Two side pockets have very narrow open. Once I take out my water bottle, it is impossible for me to put it back with one hand.
5. This pack was designed to load stuffs with "outward" pattern instead of "upward" pattern, therefore, there is always a force tries to pull me back. The GC of this pack is too far away from my body GC.
6. This pack has tons of straps and harnesses, very easy to get confused. 

Other than those annoyed features above, there are still some good features.

1. Light weight.
2. Good ventilation.
3. Suspension system does a good job.

Summary:

These are all my personal opinions, others may feel OK. But I suggest you to try it in the shop before paying money.

Best fitting pack I have ever owned.

This pack really works for me. I do a lot of one-night and two-night trips in NH with my kids, which usually implies carrying some extra stuff.

What makes this pack great... the shape of the back and hip belt put the weight on my hips better than any pack I've owned before. The back curves in just where I want it to; the S in the shoulder straps curve in just where I want them to, and the hip belt sits on both hips even when I'm scrambling. I've never had a pack that moves with me as well as this one does.

One thing I would change: I would like the side pockets to be bigger. I like to carry water in bottles rather than a hydration bag, and it's tough to get a 1L bottle into the side pocket when the pack is full.

I've been happy with the water resistance, durability, organization. It's a great pack.