Review: GREGORY BALTORO 75: Thinking about the usability of backpacks

Yasushi Hisatomi

8 years ago

This time we will be looking at BALTORO (women's model: DEVA), which is famous as GREGORY's signature backpack

Yes, I know. It was first released in 2008, and the current 2015 model has been met with rave reviews around the world. It's no exaggeration to say that this model is the king of backpacks, so it seems a little late to review it now

However, only recently have I begun to intensively try out large backpacks from various brands, including BALTORO, and as I have come to appreciate the indescribable charm of this pack, I have come to realise that it would be a sin to pass it by without writing a review

In addition, it seems that the current model has already been renamed the "OLD model" at official stores, and a clearance sale has already begun. Yes, this masterpiece is actually due for some kind of update next spring, so if you're on the fence about buying one, now might be your chance

So, although it's a little late, I thought I'd write about the BALTORO pack here on this site, since it's incredibly easy to use. When it comes to BALTORO or GREGORY, words like "fitting" and "backpacks are something you wear" tend to come up in the spotlight, but from our perspective on this site, the appeal of BALTORO lies in the "thorough user-oriented design, thoroughly thought out from the perspective of the actual user," which lies behind the philosophy of excellent fitting. I'll talk about this using BALTORO as an example

We have also published a review of the 2018 model. Please see the link below ↓↓↓

Review: The GREGORY BALTORO 65 has been updated for the first time in two years. A backpack at the forefront of the industry, moving forward without arrogance

table of contents

The desire to fit all body types
Carefully designed to keep you fit even while you're on the move
Basic quality that makes it comfortable to use for any purpose
Not without complaints
summary
GREGORY BALTORO's main specifications and ratings

The desire to fit all body types

Wayne Gregory, founder of GREGORY, is said to have said that a backpack is something to wear, not something to carry. This means that it is important for a backpack to "fit snugly with the right weight distribution, just like clothing," but in reality, this is easier said than done

First of all, the most important thing is to have a back system with a frame structure that properly distributes the load across the entire back, centered on the waist. In addition, the back must be compatible with all body types of people who will be using it. As someone who is much thinner than Westerners, I have had many experiences where I knew a back frame was sturdy and excellent, but ended up giving up because it just didn't suit me

For an average backpack, if the back system is excellent enough to satisfy a certain number of people, it's fine to boast about it. What's great about BALTORO is that it's been carefully thought out to ensure that this "excellent fit" fits not just "me," but "everyone, in any situation." I'm really impressed by this user-centered approach that goes beyond simply providing a good fit

Looking at it in more detail, it's worth noting that at the time of purchase, you can precisely choose the torso (S/M/L), shoulder (S/M/L), and hip belt (XS/S/M/L/XL) sizes to suit your body type (only available at specialty stores). It's almost heartbreaking that such detailed fitting is possible at this stage, something that would normally be difficult to achieve with a semi-custom-made product that takes several months from order. It's something I'd like to see a globally operating brand offer, even if it means going to the trouble of doing so

Carefully designed to keep you fit even while you're on the move

The user-focused fitting philosophy naturally takes into account not only the wearer's body shape, but also terrain, posture, and other factors during various activities. Let's take a look at the unique back system, the "Response A3 (Automatic Angle Adjust) Suspension." Simply put, it's a shoulder harness and hip belt equipped with an auto-fit function that automatically adjusts the angle to suit each individual's body type and situation. For example, the shoulder harness not only has two height settings to match the torso length, but also flexibly adjusts its angle to fit a variety of shoulder widths and ensure proper shoulder load distribution regardless of body tilt. Furthermore, while the hip belt is fixed to the frame, it moves up and down (and independently to the left and right) in response to the movement of the hip bones while walking, allowing for extremely comfortable walking despite the waist being firmly secured by the belt

The shoulder harness is fixed at one point, allowing it to flexibly adjust to fit your body shape and movements (left). The hip belt also moves up and down in response to your hip movements (right)

Other features include the exquisite cushioning of the pads used on the shoulders and hips, which are like a memory foam bed (see photo below),

A removable EVA shim (Lumbertune, pictured below) that adds cushioning above the tailbone,

And the company has done a fantastic job of providing a comfortable carrying experience in every way, including the anti-slip "silicon grip overlay" around the hip bones (see photo below)

Basic quality that makes it comfortable to use for any purpose

GREGORY BALTORO tends to be focused on the fitting aspect, but what I find truly amazing is the careful choices made in terms of usability, such as storage and attachments, which would only be possible with a thorough focus on the user

It has a good balance of "general storage" and "storage specialized for a specific purpose," and each is carefully crafted, making the BALTORO incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of uses, not only for travel and long trails, but also for somewhat technical mountain climbing. Here, I'll talk about its appeal, introducing some of the details that are too detailed to cover in a regular review

Side pockets with different functions on the left and right

The left side has a standard mesh pocket, and the right side has a diagonally opening pocket for bottles and accessories

The right side features a diagonally opening pocket for bottles and accessories for easy access, while the left side features a mesh pocket with an upward-facing opening that stretches and secures securely. The bottle pocket in particular is extremely well-designed, with a drawstring closure to prevent items from falling out. This satisfies both those who want to carry bottles on the side and those who want to attach long items like tent poles and mats, and the two straps on each side also make it suitable for items like skis. While it takes some courage to have separate left and right side attachments, I've yet to experience any inconveniences so far, and I can only admire the people who made this decision

Stress-free access!

The larger the backpack, the more useful it is to have a zipper opening that allows you to access the main compartment without opening the top lid. There are various ways to do this, but the easiest to use so far is probably the inverted U-shaped opening

The top lid has two large compartments that open vertically, and the openings face upwards, making it undoubtedly top-class for ease of finding and retrieving small items

The waterproof, TPU-coated hip belt pocket is perfect for storing digital gadgets, but my iPhone SE fits in, and it looks like it needs a size update soon

The perfection of the Sidekick Pack

The Sidekick Pack normally functions as a hydration pocket inside the main compartment, but can be quickly pulled out and transformed into a sub-pack when needed. It's extremely efficient from storage to use, and even its functionality when worn is impressive

Perfect usability, even down to the small parts that are not visible on the surface

It's often said that "God is in the details," and this is easy to understand when you use BALTORO. The user-oriented philosophy is perfectly embodied in the small parts, from the cord lock to the buckle, which are all incredibly comfortable to use. The sense of quality in every detail is what makes this a GREGORY flagship

Main access shock cord with silicone tubing on the pull point for easier grip

Detachable shock cord for easy attachment and detachment of poles and axes

A buckle that is easy to hook and loosen

Not without complaints

While I have no complaints about the usability of the bag, there are still areas I'd like to see improved in order to reach even greater heights. First of all, the packed-in functionality could be simplified a bit. The thin zipper pockets on both sides, in particular, feel a bit useless when surrounded by so much functional storage. The access to the main storage compartment at the bottom is also unnecessary, as the U-shaped zipper reaches all the way to the bottom. These are all common storage features that have been around for a long time, so it's difficult to decide whether to cut them, but I think they'll disappear sooner or later

On the other hand, I wanted a loop on the top lid to pass a sling through, such as a daisy chain. Since the versatility had been prioritized up to this point, I didn't understand why they would cut out that feature

summary

As I wrote at the beginning, I'm not reviewing the overall features, but rather focusing on the points that I personally found appealing, so it may or may not be helpful to some people. Also, because so many people have rated it this time, I've tried to avoid mentioning other people's impressions and reviews as much as possible so as not to repeat what others have said, so I may be writing something that's quite off the mark

As I've written so far, carrying a GREGORY pack is by no means a superficial experience where you just feel satisfied with the way you carry it. It's also not like simply buying a high-quality sofa. Not only is it comfortable to wear, but the many features that have been thoroughly designed with the user in mind make it a highly refined "tool for carrying things," which leads to the satisfaction of using good equipment, the true joy of the outdoors

Luxury vehicles are suitable for almost all long-distance outdoor activities, from spring to winter, from trips to mountain hikes, and offer the ultimate in comfort for anyone, at any time. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, why not take this opportunity to give one a try?

BALTORO 75

GREGORY

2,690g (measured with shoulder bag M size and hip belt S size, including rain cover)

DEVA 70