User Review: Gregory Lassen

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

Reviewed May 17, 1999 by Steve

Rating:
Design: Internal Hybrid
Size: 5050
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 60 lb
Height of Owner: 6'2" torso: 21 inch
Price Paid: $270

This is a real nice pack if you decide to go real light. However, I found somethings that weren't so great. Here they are:

1. Depending on how you pack this bag the frame sheet may not adhere to your back very well. With a little practice it becomes a lot easier though. I'd suggest taking a good hour in the store packing and repacking this pack to know what works best for you.

2. When Gregory measured this bag, they must have either used its spindrift collar or really stuffed it to high. If you want a pack for bushwacking, know that it will be very hard to carry a full load and keep the back a reasonable distance above the top of your head (1 ft or less.)

3. Be careful of the "top compression strap." If you overstuff this pack and pull that strap as hard as possible, the load will jiggle around a lot more than you probably want it too.

Overall, the whole Gregory design is awesome and amazingly inexpensive in comparison to the Dana Terraplane. The Lassen probably isn't great for non-ultralight long range stuff, and probably fits in range somewhere a little above the reality.