Gregory Denali Pro 105

When it comes to an Ultra Durable pack that can carry enormous loads over uneven terrain, look no further than the Denali Pro from Gregory. Huge volume and comfortable suspension is a very fine, yet very rare combination...

As long as the pack that the customer purchases is appropriate to that customer's torso length, the Denali Pro fits very well. The hip belt is not pretty, but damn does it keep the weight on the wearer's hips.

The shoulder straps are enough to be comfortable without being too bulky or too fragile.

The back panel is not mesh; this is not an ultra light pack. This pack is made for loads over long distances.  For this purpose the back panel is foam — wonderfully forgiving on the back, super cozy over just a t-shirt or a winter parka.  

I have used this pack to haul huge 70+ pound loads in both the high desert and the north woods and it has always performed its task brilliantly.  I have winter camped and brought axes, saws, and the like into spring forests, always using the Denali Pro, and my pack is no worse for the wear.

It seems that some folks with big packs tend to totally fill their pack, no matter the duration or distance of their trip.  For those who cannot get past the need for filling every pack to capacity, the Denali Pro is not for you.  However, if one can leave the extra down jacket in the car, I find this pack works great full, half empty, or even mostly empty (water runs, overnights, etc).  Because of the compression strap setup, the Denali Pro is my most versatile pack from two nights to twenty.

I hate packs with a millions pockets. I prefer packs with at least three organization pockets (Brain, Front, and Side). The Denali Pro offers only the Brain and the front pocket other than the actual pack bag itself. Even if there were only one side pocket, or a kangaroo pocket, or anything that would allow me to separate out my gear just a little more I would be psyched.  As the pack is now, it works for basic organization, but there is always room for improvement.

500d Cordura construction = Heavy... but I will likely pass this pack down to my grandkids.

I would rather buy a heavier pack that is more durable. I can fill the thing with 2 oz. stoves and still cut the handle off my toothbrush to bring down my total gear weight. I just don't want my pack to be so light it is going to pop while I'm out in the field.

I would suggest the Denali Pro to serious outdoors folks, mountaineers, backpackers, forest workers, transcontinental adventurers, and guides who will love the versatile technical features while winter campers, hunters, and expeditionary thru hikers will love the load hauling ability and durability of the Denali Pro for decades or longer.

I posted this review before, but will add to it as a registered member.

"If you are looking for a pack that can carry all your backpacking equipment, winter gear and/or mountaineering equip. -- this is it. The "frame" and suspension are second to none. Carrying 60+ pounds while snowshoeing in 3 feet of powder is hard work, but wearing this pack you won't experience sore shoulders or count how many times you have had to cinch up your hipbelt to keep the load from slipping down your body.

I have taken this pack on several winter trips and most recently to the Smoky Mountains and never had sore shoulders/back. The shoulder padding is excellent (the suspension automatically pivots to the taper of your shoulders) and the hip belt really keeps the load on your hips (it is adjustable to match the angle of your Iliac crest). With this pack it is easy to carry too much, but the side compression straps can be used to keep the load to sane levels.

The "technical" features are well thought out - dual axe loops make organizing easier and the tough crampon patch up top eases my worries about the damage that my crampons can cause. The HUGE front pocket has a mesh "wall" that unzips and gives access to the main compartment. The super tough sleeping bag compartment bottom has survived several scuffs and drags without showing any significant abrasion marks.

I have tried the EMS7000, Dana Designs, Lowe Alpine, Mountain Smith and a few others, but none even came close to the "off the shelf" fit of the Gregory. I like it so much I bought my fiancee' the Petit Dru Pro - and she loves it too. Spend the money - you'll not regret it."

Since this initial review 11 years ago, i've used this pack in mountains around Bosnia as well as in the Presidential Mountains in New Hampshire and on Mt. Marcy in New York. It's carried my crampons/poles/ropes/tents/bags and everything else i've needed in the mountains with aplomb. My opinion, in general, remains unchanged.

This notwithstanding, when it comes time (very soon) to replace my Denali Pro, i'll probably go with a custom pack for the reduced pack weight. I like the fit/comfort/useability of my Denali, but it's just too heavy empty. I've had mine now for about 12 years and it still looks in excellent condition though i generally use it only in the winter or the mountains. Unfortunately, the coating on the spin-drift collar is gummy and sticky, but it's 12 YEARS OLD!!!! Quality-wise i couldn't be more satisfied.

If you're needing a hardcore, carry-it-all pack then you're shopping is over - the Denali Pro will be there for you and for many years of hard-use.

I recently took a gentleman on his first backpacking trip, which meant that I carried all of our group gear plus my camera gear. My load with my camera gear was in excess of 60 lbs. My Gregory carried all this very comfortably. I've used Kelty, Lowe and Dana (Terraplane) packs before, but couldn't find a pack that carried well. I bought my Gregory after my last winter trip in Jan. when I carried the Dana. I liked the Dana's design, but it simply wasn't comfortable for my body, it bruised my hips pretty bad (due to over-tightening the hip-belt) and constantly slid down my butt (the reason for the over-tightening). After the frustration of that trip I set out to find a Denali Pro and try it on. When i found one, I tried it and I bought it.

As for the design of the Denali Pro, it is pure function. It is simple in design with one very large outside pocket that allows access to the main bag, a removable and spacious top lid pocket, and a huge sleeping bag compartment. The top crampon patch and bottom of the pack are constructed of an exceptionally strong matierial, looks indestructable. The adjustable hip-belt angle is a God-send and the automatically adjusting shoulder straps are very nice although they still bothered a pinched nerve that I have in my shoulder(but that's not the packs fault). The four v-shaped compression straps are perfectly designed and very adjustable.

To sum it up, this pack is awesome! It carried my load very nicely on my last trip and has me giddy about the thought of loading this thing up for a winter climbing or snowshoeing trip. So far i am totally impressed and satisfied with my Denali Pro and highly recomend it to anyone lookin for a big, sturdy and stable pack that is capable of almost anything.

As advertised. Well built heavy hauler.

I bought this pack for a 10-day Dall sheep hunt in the Brooks Range. My main criteria were weight carrying, ability to get into the main compartment 2 ways, not a lot of pockets/zippers, cost. I could have gotten a much lighter pack from Kifaru but for several hundred dollars felt I could deal with a few extra pounds. 

The load carrying ability of the pack made it so I didn't really notice the extra weight anyway. Hydration pouch compatibility was initially a concern but the front pocket works perfectly with my 100 L bladder so no worries there.

We started walking with 65-68# and I was very happy with how the pack performed over the course of the trip. I really liked that I was able to leave most of the food and extra gear at base camp and the pack rode comfortably cinched down and at reduced capacity. On this trip I wasn't able to test the real load carrying ability of the pack.  Only complaint has been mentioned a million times: it is a pain to get sleeping bag in and out — deal with it.

Several months later I went on a successful Elk hunt and was definitely able to test the load carrying ability! We spent two and a half days ferrying loads in the alpine and the pack performed flawlessly! Loads ranged from 90 to 125 pounds. 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this pack to anyone. I really like the ability to mix and match torso length and waist belt sizes. All in all a great pack.

If you are looking for a pack that can carry all your backpacking equipment, winter gear and/or mountaineering equip. -- this is it. The "frame" and suspension are second to none. Carrying 60+ pounds while snowshoeing in 3 feet of powder is hard work, but wearing this pack you won't experience sore shoulders or count how many times you have had to cinch up your hipbelt to keep the load from slipping down your body. I have taken this pack on several winter trips and most recently to the Smoky Mountains and never had sore shoulders/back. The shoulder padding is excellent (the suspension automatically pivots to the taper of your shoulders) and the hip belt really keeps the load on your hips (it is adjustable to match the angle of your Iliac crest). With this pack it is easy to carry too much, but the side compression straps can be used to keep the load to sane levels. The "technical" features are well thought out - dual axe loops make organizing easier and the tough crampon patch up top eases my worries about the damage that my crampons can cause. The HUGE front pocket has a mesh "wall" that unzips and gives access to the main compartment. The super tough sleeping bag compartment bottom has survived several scuffs and drags without showing any significant abrasion marks. I have tried the EMS7000, Dana Designs, Lowe Alpine, Mountain Smith and a few others, but none even came close to the "off the shelf" fit of the Gregory. I like it so much I bought my fiancee' the Petit Dru Pro - and she loves it too. Spend the money - you'll not regret it.

This bag is superb. I can load it with as much as 100lbs for training and it does not disturb me. Of course this is heavy, but I don't feel any pressure point or discomfort. I used it mostly on winter trips. I am rough with my equipment and when I compress my gear, I compress my gear. This bag has endured all this without any sign of weakness. It's really built tough.

The bag can carry A LOT of gear. Even if you are a disorganised or non packing person, everything will fit in this bag. The mesh panel on the frontside allows easy acces to your gear at the bottom of this cavernous pack. The top can easily be detached to be used as a good daypack. Mesh sides pockets are very good. It allows the snow to get trought when it's storming. You can easily fit two 1 liter fuel bottle in each.

My only little complaint would be about the opening of the sleeping bag compartment. My last pack was an Osprey and the opening was huge. On the Denali Pro, fitting a -40 down bag in the sleeping bag compartment is kind of a challenge everytime! The compartment is more big than enough, this is the size of the opening that is too small. There is no way you'll enter an already compressed winter bag by this panel. Anyway, you'll find your own tricks about that like I did, and after this, this Denali Pro will look like a nature wonder!

Sure is a bit expensive but well worth it.

When I bought this pack, I questioned my sanity for spending so much. Now I can unquestionably say that it was worth every penny. Properly fitted, you don't carry this thing, you wear it like a well-washed T-shirt. I've previously owned two packs, an external frame (I don't know what kind) and a mid-line Lowe internal frame. The maximum load I could carry with either of these is on the order of 45 pounds, and I hurt everywhere. I've recently been taking my two small boys (9 and 6) backpacking and I get to carry most everything. On the last trip my pack was 65 pounds. The only hard part was getting it up on my shoulders (I'm only 5'6", 145 pounds). Carrying it was no problem. The only drawback to this pack is the small zipper flap to the sleeping bag compartment makes stuffing a bag in kind of a challenge. Also it's a true mountaineering bag and only has one external pocket and one in the lid so organization is essential when packing. It also has a nice daisy chain, two ice axe loops and straps, two small mesh, open top pockets (ideal for water bottles) and pass-thoughs for carrying skis. This pack also has the best, easiest to adjust compression system that I've seen. Highly recommended if you're in the market for a comfortable, high capacity pack that makes carrying heavy loads bearable.

After a long, long search, and a lack of neccessary disposible income, I finally decided on this exceptionally comfortable pack. The suspension is adjustable enough that, combined with the range of available sizes, you are practically guaranteed a perfect fit. There is even a women's model (the Petit Dru model). This pack makes huge loads bearable, even unnoticed. The packbag is big enough for any trip, even with extra luxuries like a chair kit and a frozen chicken for the first night in camp (now that's luxury).

The only problem I can forsee is the sleeping bag compartment zipper does not provide enough of an opening to allow an already-in-the-stuffsack sleeping bag unless it is really small. The compartment itself however is large enough for most bags, and it is not difficult to top load, or better yet, pack it without a stuffsack.

Overall, a great pack. Could not afford a McHale pack, or for that matter, try one before buying, and I am positive that is the only possible true competition this pack has.

ALTHOUGH THIS PACK DOES GREAT IN ANY WEATHER WITH 50 LBS, OR LESS, DO NOT EXEED THAT MUCH WEIGHT. I RECENTLY WENT ON A 35 DAY MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION WITH IT, AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU ALL THE MISERY IT GAVE ME WITH 80+ LBS. EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO CARRY THAT MUCH GEAR, IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SUSPENSION TO DO IT COMFORTABLY. EVEN ADJUSTING THE CANTING HIP BELT DID NO GOOD, AND IT PINCHED ALL THE MUSCLES IN MY MID BACK. I RECOMEND THE DANA PACKS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO REFUSE TO TRAVEL LIGHT, AND ALWAYS SEAM TO CARRY ALOT OF WEIGHT. NO OTHER PACK I HAVE TRIED CARRIES LIKE A DANA. THE GREGORY IS A GREAT PACK FOR THE WEAKEND WINTER MOUNTAINEER, BUT THAT JUST ISN'T ME ANYMORE.

Got the pack for Christmas in '97, it had only been out for two weeks. Since then (three months) I have been on five trips and loved every comfortable minute of it. I love gadgets and accessories and this pack has it all. I would recommend this pack to anyone with a passion for backpacking. It is a little bit heavy, but not really for a pack that can carry enough for a family of four, and will last you until they make a weightless pack. Enjoy.

Excellent pack. I've carried in excess of 70 pounds in winter (wearing expedition plastic climbing boots with crampons) and 65 pounds in summer wearing hiking boots without any problems. When the pack is fully loaded it is heavy but manageable. The suspension and shoulder harness system adjusts the harness angle to eliminate pinching so heavy loads are well distributed. This is the pack that goes with me when I am hiking for more than one day.

After 15 years with the same external frame pack I decided to join the 20th century and try an internal. I've owned several packs in the past 25 years, and this is by far the most comfortable thing I've ever carried. The quality is exceptional, and the 62 lbs I had at the start of a nine day trip was hardly noticable. I love the thing.