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Gregory Baltoro 65 Review

An excellent pack that handles loads well, while on the heavier side
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gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review
We especially love the outside beavertail style mesh pocket.
Credit: Sam Schild
Price:  $330 List
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Manufacturer:   Gregory
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 17, 2022
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 15
  • Comfort - 40% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 4.0
  • Adjustability - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Gregory Baltoro 65 sports an excellent overall backpack design. This feature-rich contender is one of our favorites for its overall comfort and its excellent heavy load-hauling ability. It also has a fantastic pocket design and easy accessibility to all your gear and knick-knacks. This pack is one of the most comfortable models that we tested for extended trips thanks to its supportive hip belt and suspension system. While it is on the heavier side, the additional ounces are not as big of a deal when you are toting heavier loads of 40 pounds or more.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Handles heavy loads
Dual zippered lid pockets for accessibility
Large "U" zipper allows easy access
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier weight
Supportive foam can feel stiff at first

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gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review
This Product
Gregory Baltoro 65
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
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$164.97 at Backcountry
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$340.00 at REI
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$199.00 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
65
87
83
82
81
Star Rating
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Bottom Line If you tend to pack a heavy pack, this bag and its burly suspension system are your ticket to trail happinessThis super-light pack caries loads like a pro and has just about every feature you could ever wantThis now classic pack offers incredible ventilation, an awesome set of pockets, and a hug-like suspensionThis comfortable yet supportive pack has an extremely functional set of features and is one of the lightest in our testThe Flash 55 is a great value, with excellent features and a great weight to volume ratio at an affordable price
Rating Categories Gregory Baltoro 65 Granite Gear Blaze 60 Osprey Atmos 65 AG Ultralight Adventur... REI Co-op Flash 55
Comfort (40%)
7.0
9.0
10.0
8.5
8.0
Ease of Use (25%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (20%)
4.0
8.0
5.5
10.0
9.0
Adjustability (15%)
6.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
7.0
Specs Gregory Baltoro 65 Granite Gear Blaze 60 Osprey Atmos 65 AG Ultralight Adventur... REI Co-op Flash 55
Measured Weight 4.9 lbs 3.0 lbs 4.6 lbs 2.8 lbs 2.8 lbs
Weight per Liter (oz/L) 1.21 oz/L 0.80 oz/L 1.13 oz/L 0.60 oz/L 0.81 oz/L
Advertised Volume 65 L 60 L 65 L 75 L 55 L
Organization Compartments Lid with two zippered pockets, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets Lid, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets Lid, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets Front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets Lid, front mesh pockets, 2 side pockets per side, hip belt pockets, shoulder strap pocket
Access Top, front U-shape, bottom Top, front Top, sides, bottom Top Top
Hydration Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sleeping Bag Compartment Yes No Yes No No
Materials 210D High Density 40% Recycled Nylon, 420D High Density 45% Recycled Nylon with PFC-Free DWR 100D robic nylon w/ DWR coating Main Body: Recycled 210D honey comb nylon
Accent: Recycled 210D high tenacity nylon
Bottom: Recycled 500D high tenacity nylon
400 Robic fabric Main Body: 100D ripstop nylon
Bottom: 420D nylon
Measured Volume (main compartment) (not measured) 55L (not measured) 55L 45L

Our Analysis and Test Results

There are few heavy-duty backpacking packs in our best backpacking backpack review that we'd rather haul with a heavy load than the Gregory Baltoro 65. This pack's rock-solid suspension and plush padding make heavier loads feel manageable. Even beyond its load-hauling prowess, our testers loved its well-designed feature set, complete with fantastic pockets and a top-notch access zipper, ensuring gear is easily accessible and as organized as possible.

Performance Comparison


gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - the baltoro 65's suspension was comfortable all day.
The Baltoro 65's suspension was comfortable all day.
Credit: Sam Schild

Comfort


This pack is one of the most comfortable in our review and is comparable to other top performers. This model has extremely well-designed and auto-rotating shoulder straps that conform to the shape of your upper back. The foam used in these straps is extremely dense and comfortable, too. The face fabric is also among the best in the review and performed above average. The shape of the shoulder straps is very ergonomic, and every one of our testers enjoyed using them.

The Baltoro 65 is geared toward heavier loads, which its slightly stiffer-than-average foam suggests. However, it isn't too stiff such that it causes discomfort or hot spots. Even with moderate pack weights, the foam spreads even pressure across the surface area of the shoulder straps. This model also sports wider shoulder straps than most packs. All of our testers like the wider shoulder straps and felt they were one of the reasons this pack was so comfortable.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - these auto-rotating hinges allow the shoulder straps to move to...
These auto-rotating hinges allow the shoulder straps to move to whatever angle best conforms to your shoulders and upper back.
Credit: Sam Schild

This pack has one of the burliest suspension systems currently available. If we knew we had heavier loads in our future, this pack would be on our shortlist. The "U" shaped aluminum frame on the Baltoro is quite stiff and does a fantastic job of transferring the load from the pack to the hips. And, the large mesh panel provides plenty of airflow between your back and the pack.

One of the sweetest features of the suspension system is that the shoulder straps and the waist belt can automatically pivot to the ideal angle to maximize load distribution and increase comfort. The benefit of this subtle feature is even more noticeable when negotiating rough terrain with heavier loads. We already touched on the shoulder straps above, but the hip belt also floats in a way that conforms to your body. And, the hip belt has extendable padded sections for larger waisted hikers.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - the floating hip belt and extendable hip belt cushioned sections...
The floating hip belt and extendable hip belt cushioned sections make this pack ultra-comfortable.
Credit: Sam Schild

Ease of Use


This competitor stands out for its excellent pockets and features. Our testers enjoyed the two zippered pockets on the top of the lid. Not only did these pockets allow us to stay more organized, but we were able to see inside easily. As a result, we were able to find items more quickly than we could with a more traditional full-length pocket.

The two zippered pockets on the front of the pack are favorites of ours, too. Each one is large enough to fit a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle. These pockets keep you organized and keep essential items accessible. The stretchy mesh beavertail-style pocket is excellent for drying socks, storing a rain shell, or fitting oddly-shaped things like flip-flops.

The Baltoro has a mesh water bottle holder on one side of the pack and a stowable forward-facing bottle pocket on the other. The forward-facing pocket makes your water bottle very easy to remove. However, we found it was also pretty easy for a water bottle to fall out of this pocket if you lean over too far.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - the forward facing water bottle pocket made it easy to stay hydrated.
The forward facing water bottle pocket made it easy to stay hydrated.
Credit: Sam Schild

The dual waist belt pockets are very big. They're big enough to fit a 500-page paperback book, not that this is where you'd probably pack a book, but you could if you wanted.

The straps underneath and around the sleeping bag compartment are long enough to fit over a closed-cell foam pad. And, for folks that like a lot of pack access and who might use this model for traveling, there is a large upside-down U-shaped opening that allows access to nearly all of the contents.

The enormous hip belt pockets are large enough to hold a 500-page...
The enormous hip belt pockets are large enough to hold a 500-page paperback book.
Just like that, the side pocket engulfs the paperback book.
Just like that, the side pocket engulfs the paperback book.

Weight


The Baltoro 65 weighs in at 4.9 pounds for a size medium. The main reasons it isn't lighter are that its suspension is one of the most robust in our review. And, it has a lot of pockets and access points--those zippers aren't light. For the weight, this contender has a host of useful features and a top-notch suspension system. It's slightly lighter than packs with similarly robust suspensions. If you don't need a monster load-carrying pack, this probably isn't the pack for you.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - the baltoro's suspension is stiff and robust, but this makes the...
The Baltoro's suspension is stiff and robust, but this makes the pack quite heavy.
Credit: Sam Schild

Adjustability


The Baltoro 65 is available in three torso lengths with a highly adjustable hip belt that is sized relative to its size. The small size fits a torso of 16 to 19 inches and waists from 26 to 48 inches. The medium fits 17 to 20-inch torsos and 28 to 50-inch waists. The large fits 18 to 21-inch torsos and 30 to 52-inch waists.

While it's not an adjustment in the traditional sense, the shoulder strap attachment points pivot and automatically create the best fit for the wearer. We found this design pretty useful for getting this pack to fit a variety of shoulder widths. It added to the pack's overall comfort, particularly with heavy loads and long days.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - we loved how the shoulder straps conformed to a wide variety of...
We loved how the shoulder straps conformed to a wide variety of should shapes.
Credit: Sam Schild

Value


This contender is on the less expensive side of the models with similarly robust suspension systems. This particular pack could be worth it for anyone looking to go on extended adventures with a lot of equipment, or if you are the designated porter for the group. Though it is pricier than some packs, this model doesn't give up anything in terms of suspension and comfort. We feel this makes it an exceptional value overall.

gregory baltoro 65 backpacks backpacking review - we think the back offers exceptional value for a robust load hauler.
We think the back offers exceptional value for a robust load hauler.
Credit: Sam Schild

Conclusion


This model is not the lightest. But considering its suspension, it's still a respectable weight. The Baltoro 65 has one of our favorite overall designs and offers all the features that backpackers want, plus a few extras. Most importantly, this beast is a load-hauling machine. Anyone looking for a super comfortable pack with lots of bells and whistles can appreciate this pack. Its robust suspension and comfortable design is among the best we have tested.

Sam Schild