Review: GREGORY PARAGON 48 A commitment to comfort that remains the same for 40 years, living behind a modern look
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
When you first start hiking, you may only do day hikes, but as you gain experience and confidence and your range of activities expands, many mountain enthusiasts will eventually aspire to longer trips of more than one night. At such times, you will need a backpack with a capacity of around 50L or more
When it comes to this size of bag, the total weight of the bag, including the contents, often approaches 15 kg. To reduce the stress of such a large load being placed on one part of the body and to stabilize the center of gravity against shaking caused by the heavy load, the backpack needs to have sturdy supports and ample cushioning on the back, shoulders, and waist. This inevitably means that the weight of the backpack itself is inevitably heavy
GREGORY PARAGON series (women's model is MAVEN) is trying to overturn this conventional wisdom . The lineup ranges from 38L to 68L in 10L increments, but I personally think this pack really shines from 48L and above, where weight starts to become a concern. In this review, we'll be looking at a modern, all-around backpack that faithfully inherits the brand's tradition while also meeting the modern demand for lightness.
table of contents
General features
It is said that one of the most important aspects of a backpack is how comfortable it is to wear, or what is commonly referred to as "fitting," and GREGORY is known for its extraordinary commitment to fit and comfort, and has continued to create packs that are second to none in this regard. As you may already know, they offer detailed customization of the shoulder and waist harness (hip belt), a dedicated back measuring device, and detailed explanations of the appropriate back length
The PARAGON 48 we're introducing today is a model designed for overnight trips. The newly developed AEROLON SUSPENSION and MATRIX VENTILATION SYSTEM are that provides lightness and breathability for comfort while ensuring the high stability required of medium to large packs . The shoulder straps and waist harness are thick and provide a gentle, body-hugging fit. Another plus is the convenient and easy-to-use storage provided by the functional pockets and straps that are a familiar feature of recent Gregory models.
Recommended points
- It's just so comfortable to wear. It feels like your body is being wrapped up in it
- Despite its comfort, the 48L capacity is lightweight at less than 1.5kg
- It has a rather clean appearance but is packed with features in key areas
- The two-layer head storage is convenient
- The citrus red coloring is very good, very good (according to the editorial department)
Points that interest me
- The straps and buckles are small and a little tricky to use
- The fabric itself is thin and somewhat delicate
Item appearance
Front
side
Back
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| material |
|
| color |
|
| Size/Length of the back |
|
| capacity | 48 liters |
| weight | 1.45㎏ |
| Maximum load weight | 18kg |
| Variations (women's model) |
|
| Main Access | Top/Bottom |
| Rear system | Aerolon suspension + Matrix ventilation system |
| Rear length adjustment | ◯ |
| Hydration compatible | ◯ |
| Rain cover | 〇 |
| function |
|
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Storage and functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
Rear system
First and foremost, the unique back system (Aerolon suspension) provides excellent comfort. The main body is made of a specially constructed lightweight aluminum frame that conforms to the shape of your back. The padding that touches your back is thick and soft, reducing the stress on your body from the weight. The waist harness in particular has an excellent balance of lightness, breathability, strength, and cushioning. It's clear that no flaws have been left unresolved when it comes to comfort
The back of the bag, which fits snugly against your back, is covered in mesh and has a triangular foam hole in it. It's clear at a glance that it's designed to be just the right thickness (cushioned) while also being breathable and lightweight
This foam is also used in the shoulders, and this overall consideration allows for a high level of breathability in a backpack with a pattern that fits closely to the back
The common method for adjusting the back is to peel off the Velcro at the base of the shoulder harness, adjust the range, and then secure it
By the way, the maximum load weight was within the 18kg range as stated in the catalog, and I was able to carry it comfortably. The accuracy of the figures is also typical of Gregory
Comparing the back design with another Gregory model
As for the thickness of each pad, let's take this opportunity to compare it with the ones reviewed in the past by our editorial team. Although there are differences in capacity, these three backpacks are used for roughly the same purpose. When we lined them up to take a photo, they looked like three brothers. When we compared them, we made a surprising discovery
Let's start with the shoulder harness. I compared it with the Stout and Zul
Comparison of shoulder harness with Stout
Comparison of shoulder harness with ZUL
The thickness of the shoulder pads is roughly the same, but the Paragon's padding is made of a special EVA foam that is not only lightweight but also has cushioning properties, so it is definitely more comfortable when carrying a heavy load
Next, what about the West Harness? First of all, compared to the Stout, there is a clear difference in thickness
Its heaviness is clear when compared to the Zulu
The Paragon's waist harness is quite thick, and yet it uses the special EVA foam mentioned in the shoulder harness section, which is lightweight, breathable, and highly cushioned, making it the most stable and comfortable of the three siblings
A variety of comfortable and convenient storage spaces designed for ease of use
The rain cover also has a two-layer structure, making it very convenient to separate valuables
Personally, I really like the fact that you can fix your finger on the black loop at the end of the zipper on the top of the canopy (see bottom photo) and move the wide zipper, which makes opening and closing it less stressful
The two-chamber structure allows access to the main compartment from both the top and bottom, making it easy to quickly access items packed at the bottom, such as a tent or sleeping bag. By the way, there was no internal divider
There are mesh pockets on the front and sides, and the side pockets are large enough to easily fit a 500ml PET bottle
There is a rain cover inside the front pocket
The main compartment has a quick-lock drawcord system that makes it easy to tighten and open, even when wearing gloves, especially in winter. This has been adopted by many advanced models in recent years, and the handle loop is now larger and much easier to operate than before. As an aside, this vinyl-covered loop seems to have difficulty drying the inside when wet, and it remained cloudy for a long time... but this is a minor issue that has nothing to do with functionality
The waist harness length adjustment parts are also designed to make it easy to release tension. It's a small detail, but it's this attention to detail that creates comfort
The shoulder pads have a part called the "Sunglasses Quick Stow" that can be used to store sunglasses. This is a unique detail that has never been seen before and is a great feature
Because it is lightweight, there are some things you need to be careful about
The buckles and straps are thin, so care must be taken when using and handling them. The main fabric is also a little thin, which leaves some concern about damage. Even though the weave is quite tight, there are mesh areas, so you need to be careful of snow getting on it. The time and environment of use should be determined based on the characteristics of the backpack
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
Based on a basic and simple structure, the Paragon/Maven is a highly complete bag that is lightweight and packed with easy-to-use features. With today's compact equipment, it can be used for any activity that involves a one-night stay with a tent. In particular, it is suitable for fastpacking activities or mountain climbing that involves staying overnight in huts, and I think it would be sufficient for two or more nights
Experienced users will be able to determine when to use this type of backpack by looking at its features, but if they understand this and use it while covering a certain amount of risk, it has plenty of potential to be used for a wide range of purposes, not just hiking and trekking, but also on rocks, streams, and snow throughout the four seasons
It has a good balance of functionality and storage, and its simple appearance without being too cluttered is also appealing. It also has a high level of design, so it will stand out on both regular trips and around town
The feeling of your back being gently wrapped around you is quite addictive, and you'll find yourself wanting to go out more than usual. For example, even if it's just a day trip, it's not a bad idea to take a gourmet hike in the mountains and cook a feast, bringing along lots of bulky ingredients and cooking utensils. Another new standard has been set by GREGORY, and we hope many people will try it out
GREGORY PARAGON 48
We also recommend this article about backpacks
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- Comparison review: Comparing the best introductory backpacks for those just starting to climb
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