User Review: Gregory Palisade

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

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Design: Top loading internal
Size: 5500 cu
Number of Pockets: 2
Max. Load Carried: 60lbs
Height of Owner: 6'2"
Price Paid: $230

I love this pack and have owned two. I bought my first in 1996 and just recently bought my second and have used it on one four-day trip. Most of my trips are four days or less but I tend to carry a lot of camera gear (MF camera, 3-4 lenses, film, etc) which weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. The Gregory is up to the task and I never have to make shoulder adjustments because of their unique cam that rotates to fit your shoulders. The waist strap is bomb proof and comfortable.

Favorite features: 1) Top pouch can be used as a fanny pack (I use it all the time for morning/evening camera shoots)
2) shoulder cam.
3) outer pouch compatible with most bladders including my 100oz camelback
4) sturdy straps and clips that haven't broken on me in 10 years of use.

Improvements since my 1996 model:
1) they rotated the water bottle holder 90 degrees so that it is 100x easier to get to your nalgene.
2) the outer pouch that holds your water bladder has a pass through zipper to get into the body of your pack.
3) uses new lighter materials.
4) zipper on top pouch makes items in it much easier to access.

BTW, I couldn't possibly disagree with "Melissa" more (she is reviewing the men's pack?). I've been backpacking in Colorado for 20 years so I'm no beginner; I purchased this pack. And I pack exclusively between the months of May and October. Some of us like a few creature comforts out there (i.e. camp shoes, camp chair, real tent, etc.) and camp in colder climates where it can be 80F during the day and 20F at night. Could I use a smaller and lighter pack? Sure. Would I? No.

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Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Palisade at 13 online stores:

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

Campmor
2 purchase options:
Palisade 80 Internal Frame Pack$269.97Buy Now
Palisade 80 Internal Frame Pack$329.00Buy Now

Backcountry.com
Palisade 80 Backpack - 4699-5370cu in$263.16Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community
Palisade 80 Backpack$254.95Buy Now

Moosejaw
Palisade 80 Pack$263.20Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors
Palisade 80 Backpacking Backpack$328.95Buy Now

CampSaver.com
Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack 4973 cu in$318.95Buy Now

REI
Palisade 80 Pack$259.93Buy Now

GearX.com
Palisade 80 Backpack$319.00Buy Now

RockCreek
Palisade 80 Backpack + Free Rain Cover!$328.95Buy Now

Gear for Adventure
Palisade 80 Lost Coast Red Backpack$254.95Buy Now

EMS
Palisade Backpack$230.30Buy Now

Tahoe Mountain Sports
Palisade 80 Backpack$246.71Buy Now

US Outdoor Store
Palisade 80 Pack$329.00Buy Now

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