Chris Townsend recommends the Gregory Paragon 60 backpack. Find out why in his review.
The Gregory Paragon 60 is a fully featured pack at a reasonable weight. It’s not light but it does weigh less than many similar packs.
Chris Townsend recommends
The Gregory Paragon 60 is a fully featured pack at a reasonable weight. It’s not light but it does weigh less than many similar packs.- comfort
- side zip access
- pockets
- unnecessary lower zip access
| Quick Specs |
|---|
| Price: $299.95 | £225 (available from Gregory) Weight: 1.83kg (M/L) Volume: 60l Materials: PFC-free nylon with recycled content Features: zipped bottom compartment, internal hydration sleeve, ice axe/trekking pole loops, side and base straps, rain cover Closure: floating lid, side zip Back: adjustable, curved frame, foam and mesh panel Hipbelt: Foam and mesh Pockets: front stretch mesh, 2 side stretch mesh, 1 external zipped lid, 1 internal zipped lid, 2 zipped hipbelt, 1 stretch mesh shoulder strap Sizes: S/M, M/L Women’s version? the Maven eu.gregorypacks.com |
It is built round a substantial carrying system with thick foam padding on the back, shoulder straps and hipbelt. The foam is covered with mesh for breathability. There are two back lengths available and the shoulder harness is adjustable so it should fit most people. Gregory says it’s suitable for loads up to 23kg. I’ve found it comfortable with 16kg. I think it should easily handle quite a bit more. The back system is also stable on rough terrain and moves well with your back and hips. The foam does reduce moisture build-up a bit but like any close-fitting back system some dampness can’t be avoided.
There’s a long-curved zip for access on one side plus a curved zip round a lower compartment. I don’t think the pack needs both. It just adds weight. I much prefer the side zip as it gives easy access to virtually all the contents. The lower zip is a little more substantial than the side one though. I think the latter could be beefed up a bit. The pocket mesh could be reinforced too. I’ve had no problems with it yet but I know from using earlier Paragon models that it can snag and tear. Gregory has strengthened this on the latest Baltoro packs, but not here. Other than that, I like the pockets and find them very useful. That even includes the shoulder one. I don’t usually use pockets here but this one has a side opening designed for a Garmin InReach, for which it is ideal.
How Chris tested
Chris is 5’8” and a size large. The packs were used for backpacking trips in the Cairngorms in the late winter and spring in mixed weather and over some very rough terrain. Weights are from his own scales. This review was first published in the July 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. You can compare it with other in our guide to the best backpacking packs.
