User Review: Gregory Baltoro 70

Gregory Baltoro 70
Above: The current Baltoro 70, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 27, 2008 by PocketMoose

Rating:
Design: Spring 2008
Size: M
Number of Pockets: 7
Max. Load Carried: 55 lbs?
Height of Owner: 5'11"
Price Paid: $209.99

My first review, so I won't pretend like I'm some sort of a backpacking pro. I'll be straightforward with you, because that's how I like it.

First off, let me start by telling you me honest opinion: What a great pack.

There were some seriously great minds used in the engineering of this pack. Just spent my 21st birthday with this pack in Providence Canyon, GA, backpacking 3 days through mud, muck, gravel, loose sand, etc.. and the pack was a comfortable ride the entire time. Also was able to pack it like a mule and still carry my load comfortably.

Some downfalls might include the regular side pocket (the one that does not fold out) doesn't hold a water bottle when the pack is full. Mine slipped out so I just kept it inside the pack. Access to the pack through three different loading areas did prove to be useful, and although at first I wasn't sure about it having enough pockets, I'm sure that as of right now it does.

I really like the fold out water bottle pocket on the right side, although it does take some serious bending/flexing/pretzeling of the arms to get it back in and secured.

Also liked the compression straps, double closing pull at the top for the extra 10 liters, hip-belt pockets were big enough to hold 2 Clif bars or a digital camera, maybe could be a little bigger, but I'm rating the pack as it is, not the way I want it to be. .

Very comfortable, very durable, very bombproof.

Solid stitching and bright minds put this together.
It's going to take mountains to break it apart.