User Review: Gregory Shasta (2002)

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

Reviewed December 13, 2002 by Chuck Nelson

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Design: Toploading
Size: 5,000
Number of Pockets: 1(lid pocket)
Max. Load Carried: 45 lbs
Height of Owner: 5'9"
Price Paid: $230 (sale)

This is a top quality pack made to handle any reasonable load. It weighs 6 lbs, which isn't the lightest pack of its size out there, but that doesn't matter because it has such an amazing suspension/frame that you don't feel the weight. It has Gregory's famous rigid hip belt that moves with your natural motion, twin stays and a half length framesheet. The shoulder harness pivots to move with you also. The shoulder straps look thin, but are very comfy--you hardly feel them at all since it transfers weight to your hips so well. Packed with a total weight of 35 lbs I hardly feel the weight. Very stable too-it hugs your back and doesn't wobble or shift. A grippy back pad prevents the pack from sliding downwards.

The Shasta is a no-frills pack- one big lid pocket and the main pack bag. No extra pockets to add weight. It has one water bottle holder on the side, canted at an angle for easy access. On the other side it has a mesh pocket that holds fuel bottles, tent poles, or even another water bottle if you wanted. It has great compression straps on the sides, daisy chains on the front to clip gear to, and a tough waterproof rubberized bottom. It could use a better water bladder sleeve (the plastic mesh one underneath the lid is way too small and a pain to use) but it isn't a big deal- just throw the bladder into the pack on top and snake the drinking tube out under the lid. It has a huge expansion collar and a floating lid so you could cram a ton of gear into it. The lid detaches and has its own built-in hipbelt so you can use the lid as a fanny pack for dayhikes or side trips. The packbag's opening is big--it swallows big gear easily. The sleeping bag compartment is plenty big with a removable divider.

The pack's fabric is a thin, lightweight, ripstop nylon called Arrowhead fabric. It's good because it's light yet strong, and "gives" more than traditional packbag materials so you can cram more stuff in. It cinches down nicely to handle small loads, yet can also handle huge heavy loads with no problem.

I love this pack's simplicity and tough as nails construction. But its real strength is is comfy carry.

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