Gregory Wind River Pack
By Kerry Brock

There are two pieces of essential gear when backpacking--your boots and your pack--in that order. I had an unusual amount of spare time last summer, which I spent backpacking throughout the Southwest in a quest for the perfect pack. I had heard that when buying a pack you should spend as much time in "trying out the fit" of the pack as you would in buying a new pair of boots, but I had never used that theory. Until last summer.

In my search I adopted the following criteria. The pack must:

• comfortably handle large loads (45 ‚ 55 lbs) for longer treks
• not sag at the belt or cut into the shoulders
• not bruise the hip bones
• cinch down with small loads so gear doesn't slosh around" in open space
• hug the body to maneuver on canyoneering routes and backcountry ski treks
• offer easy access
• have big outside pockets for stuffing "handy to have" items

Ižm not really that picky ‚ I just want one pack that does everything. After trying on gazillions of packs loaded with 50 pound of gear and hauling them countless miles down canyons and over mountaintops, I think I have found the perfect pack for me--the Gregory WindRiver. This pack meets all my criteria at a price point that works for me.

The WindRiver is part of Gregoryžs Adventure Series, designed for "moderate mountaineering, ski touring, and trekking". It is a large pack at 6585 cubic inches, and weighing 7 lbs 8 oz. The main bag can be extended up to 11 inches via an 11 inch storm collar for those really large loads.

The pack loads from the top, but has a full-length zipper that opens up the entire main compartment. I found myself repeatedly thanking Wayne Gregory for this access zipper, which saved me the headache of constantly digging through the top of my pack to find some small ditty bag at the very bottom. I also love the "mondo" outside pocket, which I find super-handy for ponchos, jackets and other must-have-quicklys.

Other features that I love are the water bottle "holsters" perfectly sized for a Nalgene one qt. bottle. You can EASILY retrieve and return the bottle without missing a stride. It also has a sleeve under the top pocket for a hydration system that works like a charm. And of course the top pocket doubles as a removable fanny pack.

The convenience features of the WindRiver are truly remarkable, but they are not the main reason for buying this pack. What really sets this pack apart from the "ordinary" is the incredible suspension system-- the pack's "skeleton" that supports it, determines how it "carries" a load, and how it interacts with your back and body.

The Gregory suspension system is comprised of two 2024-T4 aluminum stays built into a proprietary FOAM-X frame sheet. The result is big-time comfort when carrying monster loads. I have carried large loads for long distances in other "big name" packs and always found "sagging" hip belts and great discomfort on my skinny body. Not so with my WindRiver.

The other major comfort factor with the WindRiver is the Flow Form II waist belt and shoulder harness. Simply stated, I have never felt anything like it. No more sore hips or shoulders for me. It feels like a gel-foam product with a thin coating of nylon. You really have to put this on your hips to appreciate it. If you're carrying a 50 lbs load, your hips will thank you for weeks to come.

On a five-day trek in Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness, I tested the WindRiver's suspension system by loading it up with 50 lbs of gear, and lugging it over 10 miles on- and off-trail per day. It was so gratifying to have a pack that didnžt "sag" an inch and carried such a big load comfortably. Weighing only 155 lbs, there times that I literally forgot I was carrying my pack (I have to admit the incredible scenery and big moose had something to do with that.)

The ultimate suspension test came on a early fall trip when I moved off-trail and traipsed up and down some 1500 foot near-vertical, scree and boulder-strewn slopes, again toting 50 lbs in the WindRiver. After tightening the straps, I took off climbing, scrambling and jumping from rock to rock and enjoyed the sensation of feeling the pack moving right with my body. This pack is for real.

On weekend trips in Zions and Grand Canyon National Parks, the WindRiver proved that even a "big" pack can be nimble and sleek. Its size allowed me to put everything inside (including tent and sleeping pad), keeping loose items off the outside of my pack. This was especially appreciated during a bushwhacking session on the Virgin River in Zion. Since that trip, I almost always pack everything inside my WindRiver.

Summary: The Gregory WindRiver is clearly a cut above most good packs and gets my deepest admiration and respect. I honestly canžt think of another backpacking item that I have ever used that has made such an impact on my love of the sport. At $320, the WindRiver is priced competitively for its quality.

Kerry is a new contributor specializing in backcountry skiing and backpacking.

For more information, contact:
Gregory Mountain Products
100 Calle Cortez
Temecula, CA 92590
(800)477-3420
customerservice@gregorypacks.com