User Review: Gregory Denali Pro

Gregory Denali Pro
Above: The current Denali Pro, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 10, 2000 by Ji Theriot

Rating:
Design: Internal
Size: 6500+
Number of Pockets: 2+ lid
Max. Load Carried: 55 lbs ?
Height of Owner: 5'9"
Price Paid: $450

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.