Gregory Focal 48

The Focal replaced Gregory’s Optic line with a few improvements for 2022. I got the 48L capacity to replace my old, worn out Quechua MH500 40L backpack. The Focal is a well-built, lightweight, and comfortable option from a good brand and I’m liking it a lot.

Review of the 2022 GREGORY FOCAL 48 Size L backpack.

Before purchasing the Focal, I was using a Quechua MH500 40-liter capacity backpack. Quechua is a sub-brand of the big French sports chain Decathlon, and the MH500 is a pretty decent, inexpensive pack. 

The MH500 has been part of many adventures for the better part of the last decade. I still use it for shorter trips as it forces me to be more pragmatic (that is, to carry less stuff). But I’m past 50 already and leaning more and more towards convenience and small pleasures (or luxuries) during my outdoor explorations, even if that means a bit more weight and bulk. 

So, the 40L Quechua was starting to feel limiting for weeklong trips, especially during winter when more equipment and clothing were necessary. Furthermore, despite being relatively modern and lightweight (1,30kg), the MH500 has a basic frame, making it uncomfortable for loads above 20 lbs and longer trips.

The Quechua MH500 40L resting near a lake during a rural trekking and camping trip.

Gregory is a well-known company, so I’ll skip presentations. The Focal 48L is a direct competitor to the Osprey Exos 48, and both are very similar in design, capacity, and construction. Before opting for the Focal, I tested each for a weekend and found the Gregory more to my liking. It is a bit more comfortable, with more oversized belt pockets and other excellent features I’ll address in a moment. 

I also found the single available color very pleasing, though the dark grey fabric makes it hard to see inside, even with abundant light. My aging vision makes that task even more difficult, but others may find it different. A central or bottom opening would help immensely with locating and picking/stashing gear without the need to open the top lid.

The Quechua MH500 has this feature, as does the excellent (and heavy) Osprey Atmos 65G (among others), and it adds considerable versatility to any backpack above 40-45L, in my opinion. It’s great to be able to access the middle and lower sections of a backpack easily and quickly. Maybe Gregory left it out to save weight, but it’s not a deal-breaker. I got used to it as-it-is, but a front opening would have made the Focal near perfect in my book.

Gregory also won me over the Osprey thanks to specific features and construction, particularly the oversized belt pockets and overall ergonomics. But honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference. Both are excellent, and it’s hard to go wrong with either the Focal or the Exos.

Construction, design and capacity.

The "48" refers to the size M‘s max capacity. I’m 6', so mine's a large size to fit my 22" torso. The Large has a 52L volume capacity (3173 cu in.), but that’s counting the closed spaces (main compartment, lid, and zippered pockets). The side and back pockets can carry a lot of stuff, even large phones and items; they’re a good size and made from stretchable fabric to help with ventilation.

The weight for size L is a respectable 2.76 lbs. / 1.25 kg (mine’s 1.21kg on the scale), and the max carry weight is 30 lbs. / 13.6 kg. I usually stay below 13kg, and the Focal is very balanced and comfortable up to that much. Over longer trips, it feels like I’m carrying less weight, which saves a lot of fatigue, effort, and mental energy. 

It’s not an ultralight backpack, but it fits nicely into the lightweight category, considering its perimeter wire frame and plenty of padding. It’s slightly lighter than the Quechua and the Exos. The Focal 48L packs 15-20L less than the Atmos 65G and Gregory’s own Baltoro 65, but it also weighs half.

There are lighter, more comfortable, and higher-capacity backpacks out there. People’s needs vary, as do body type, fitness level, and other aspects. For me, the Focal’s weight, construction, capacity, and comfort hit the sweet spot, and that’s the most important factor when choosing a backpack.

The perimeter wire frame construction is very clever. Coupled with the floating harness, well-padded straps, and supporting belt, the backpack and its content feel lighter and well-distributed, contributing to lower fatigue over long trips.

It’s good to have extra room just in case; we never know. However, I've yet to go over 45L for weekend trips and 48-50L for weeklong ones, or well below its maximum volume. 

Construction.

The Focal came without manufacturing flaws and no details in the panels, hardware, or stitching that could lead to premature failure. Everything is solid and well-built, and workmanship is evident. Gregory uses a mix of 100D and 210D nylon in the main body, ventilated, stretchable mesh in side and front pockets, and good-quality zippers throughout. 

The simplicity belies a good deal of clever design and attention to detail. There are adjustable straps for almost everything, and it’s easy to find the perfect adjustment at the trailhead and on the move, saving shoulders, arms, and hips along the trip.

The mesh used on the trampoline, belt, and straps is treated to minimize odor. Gregory calls it Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. After two or three days of trekking in tropical summer, I could tell it worked. Two years in, with occasional washing, it still seems to be holding well. 

The zippers are good quality and smooth, but after a couple of years of hard use, they still work like new. There has not been a single failure so far. The same can be said about the straps, cords, and buckles.

Some panels show a scratch or two, but overall, they are in excellent condition considering the use. I took it to beaches and mountains, and a few bushwhack crossings through dense forests where it snags here and there, a rock slide or two, and it’s holding up well. It’s not a backpack for extreme use; remember, it’s a lightweight item; treat it accordingly, and it should last a long time.

Scratches are inevitable but no real harm other than cosmetic so far. It’s not a heavy-duty backpack but Gregory chose nice materials for the Focal line. 

Capacity.

Max load is 30 lbs. / 13.6 kg. I usually try to stay below 13kg and up to that much the Focal is very balanced, stable, and comfortable, even for light mountain climbing. I feel like carrying less weight, which saves a lot of physical and mental energy especially during later parts of longer, or harder, trips.

I’d be fine with the actual 48 Liter capacity of the M size—if it fit my torso. Sticking with a smaller sized backpack means I’m able to avoid overpacking, but the M wasn’t as comfortable for my height/torso so I stuck to the L and try to cut down on stuff to carry.

Gregory takes into account only the volume of “closed” spaces in its technical sheet, so there’s significant “extra” capacity when the outer mesh pockets are considered. That’s valid for all available sizes. In short, that means I have extra room in case I need. However, I‘m yet to go over 45L for weekend trips and 48-50L for weeklong ones, and those figures are well bellow its max volume. 

In use.

The max load is 30 lbs. / 13.6 kg. I usually try to stay below 13kg, and up to that much, the Focal is very balanced, stable, and comfortable, even for light mountain climbing. Carrying less weight saves much physical and mental energy, especially during the later parts of longer or more challenging trips. 

If it fits my torso, I’d be fine with the 48-liter capacity of the M size. Sticking with a smaller backpack size means I can avoid overpacking, but the M wasn’t as comfortable for my height/torso, so I stuck to the L and tried to cut down on stuff to carry.

Gregory considers only the volume of “closed” spaces in its technical sheet, so there’s significant “extra” capacity when the outer mesh pockets are considered. That’s valid for all available sizes. In short, that means I have extra room in case I need it. However, I‘m yet to go over 45L for weekend trips and 48-50L for weeklong ones, and those figures are well below the max volume. 

Water bottles fit nicely into the stretchable side pockets, I have no trouble reaching for them while walking. Both sides have top and side openings to make it even more versatile. The pockets are stretchable and will carry a lot of stuff if needed. 

The front pocket is also very large and made of stretchable and ventilating fabric. It can hold jackets, tarps, and other humid/wet items. Under the sun, the dark-toned nylon will help dry whatever’s in there quickly. 

I’ve switched between the optional top cover flap (included) and the lid with the pocket, but it’s not worth trading the usable, spacious flap to save a few ounces. The MH500 and most other backpacks I’ve owned or used have a usable top lid, and it’s really useful and practical, so I just leave it there with all the small stuff. Like any top lid, it gets very hot in the sun, so I avoid putting food or temperature-sensitive items in there.

The ventilation is excellent, so much so that during colder days, I can feel more chilling winds in the back, especially when I’m traveling with my motorcycle. It won’t prevent sweat when I’m walking, and it’s hot, but it will help to keep things cooler during warmer days. 

I use water bottles rather than bladders, so I have no comments on Gregory’s hydration system. I use the sleeve for small items such as a personal hygiene bag. But it would be nice if Gregory had gone with a more universal solution rather than a proprietary one. 

I haven’t used it above the maximum recommended capacity and wouldn’t recommend doing so with the Focal or any other backpack, but it really shines near that limit. If your base weight is around that, it will keep things stable and supported as long as you pack your gear as it should (heavier items at the bottom, etc.).

The belt pockets are large enough for my use and taste. They’ll hold a smartphone, though I’d recommend testing beforehand if you own one of those big phones. I have a cell phone bag in the right strap, so I can listen to music or podcasts without earphones while walking. So the pockets are more than large enough for me, but maybe not for everyone. 

Final considerations.

A comfortable and reliable backpack is vital for a good outdoor experience. A bad one can ruin a trip in no time.

Aside from the aforementioned lack of a frontal middle or bottom zippered access, there isn’t much I can fault the Focal 48 for. It could see a few minor improvements, of course. Still, overall, it strikes a great balance between light weight, capacity, adjustability, durability, comfort, and features, all for a very decent price. And it looks damn nice, too.

The Focal may or may not be a good fit for everyone, but I appreciate it when a company can achieve that much in a product that‘s simple yet with so many design aspects to accommodate the multitude of individual factors and personal preferences, and above all, for a fair price. 

I acknowledge it’s a competitive bracket, and some of Gregory’s competitors are up there, but the Focal hits a home run for me. Remember that it doesn’t come with a rain cover, and the lightweight construction won’t do much to keep the stuff inside dry. I carry my old 50-60 liter cover all the time and pack sensitive gear in waterproof bags.

Background

I tend to use backpacks for a long time once I find one that serves me well so I’ve been through maybe only 5 or 6 in over 40 years of outdoor activities. Still have a couple of them around, for other uses. I like to care, fix and improve/modify bags to make them more fitting to my needs.

For the past two years or so I’ve been using the Focal 48L in 9 out of 10 outings, mostly short weekend camping and trekking trips, to weeklong (sometimes longer) explorations over trails, beaches, mountains and others. It’s been holding very well and I’m really happy with my purchase so far.