User Review: Gregory Iso

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

Reviewed May 31, 2006 by Stephen

Rating:
Design: Lightweight hydration daypack
Size: 1,800 cubic inches
Max. Load Carried: 6-7 lbs
Height of Owner: 5'7"
Price Paid: $95

A great lightweight, roomy, and comfortable daypack, with just one caveat.

The Iso is big enough to easily hold a whole day's gear, including a few layers, your lunch, first aid kit, etc. Contents are easily cinched down using the well-placed compression straps, and the pack is so well balanced that it's easy to forget it's even on your back. The waistbelt is particularly well designed, with large, handy zipped pockets big enough to hold a digital camera and an energy bar. Why can't other daypack makers think of that?

Now, the caveat: there is no anchor point or hook in the hydration port on which to hang your hydration bladder. This doesn't sound like a huge problem, but when I am drinking and the bladder empties, it tends to bunch up at the bottom of the sleeve. It can get annoying. It might be easily fixed by taking the pack to a shoe repairer and having them sew in a small clip or something like that. Again, nothing major, but when you're paying a hundred bucks for a pack...?