Gregory or Osprey

Hey guys I'm looking to pick up a new pack for backpacking trips and have narrowed it down to 2 packs. Have any of you used either of these? If so, any pros/cons you've seen through use? As always, any help is greatly appreciated!

Osprey Xenith 75
backcountry.com/osprey-pack…

Gregory Baltoro 75
backcountry.com/gregory-bal…

I love me osprey aether 70, I wish would have gotten the 60 but the pack is great.

+1 Osprey. Awesome company. Bomber warranty. Bomber products. I do like some of Gregory's smaller packs/daypacks, but still prefer Osprey overall.

My 48 liter Osprey is totally the tits. I love it.

Gregory and Osprey are both excellent packs.

That being said, I own the Xenith 88 and love it, plus you can't beat the "All Mighty Guarantee" that Osprey offers. I also own 3-4 other Osprey packs and am super happy with all of them.

Gregory doesn't breathe very well. The fit is awesome, but it's like a vapor seal.

Gregory for the straps - super comfy

Osprey for the warranty and some pretty solid features and functionality. I hiked the Long Trail in Vermont last spring with my osprey 50l and everything was awesome except the straps digging into my shoulders causing some pretty serious pain. that was after 20 days though, shorter trips are not a problem.

Have you tried both packs on? They distribute weight differently and will feel different after a few miles with 30-40 pounds... so you really need to find which one works for you.

That said, the Xenith is a durable pack with a suspension that flexes well and does a nice job of getting some weight on the sides of the hipbelt and not just in the lumbar region. With very heavy loads I feel the suspension flexes a bit too much and "bounces" a bit, and the hipeblt tends to sag as the weight goes up (a serious issue with older Ospreys)... but anything below 50 is carried very nicely.

If you are looking at the newest Baltaro I think the jury is still out... the suspension is different from the old single stay design and does initially seem to carry weight better, but I have seen numerous wire frame suspensions break (I broke an Osprey Variant 52 just by setting it down after loading it with 30 pounds to fit a customer). The plastic used in the hipbelt is pretty thin, and I will say that there were chronic issues with the plastic exoskeletons snapping on the hipbelts of the CFS suspension (which is otherwise brilliant). I saw one snap on the trail and saw at least 6 returned due to this issue.

As far as load carrying and comfort goes, I think the Palisade 80 is a more direct competitor with the Xenith 88. I actually prefer the Palisade as it is a more stable carry, and would buy it over the Xenith if not for the hipbelt plastic concern if I needed a large pack that could handle 50-60 pounds(I still use a 15 year old Dana Design Alpine for that weight- similar suspension to Osprey but, well, better).

Easy answer, whichever one fits you better. I fit both of these on a regular basis,and there both quite different. 40 pounds in one could feel like 20 in the other.

I'm. Big fan of the Baltoro 75. I liked that REI let me swap out the straps on a small size pack to have medium straps. The Baltoro is better suited to my needs because of its storage, pockets, and the large slanted forward algebra holder on the side. I've put it through hell and it has proven itself over and over. Durable and comfortable

Have you looked at Deuter?

Bryan Ferguson wrote:Have you looked at Deuter?

Second that. I have an Osprey day pack, it's good, but the last 3 packs (different purposes) I've bought have been Deuters. They're the best designed and best made I've found in 40+ years of various outdoor sports.

I haven't. Any Deuter model you guys would recommend?

As others have said, be sure to try them on. That might make the choice for you. I once spent a week looking at Osprey packs (having heard great things about them) only to discover that my hips are too skinny for most Osprey waistbelts.

I actually work in outdoor retail and spend most of my time selling packs...

I prefer Osprey as a brand, but fit is king. try em both. I originally intended to buy a Gregory as my first pack, but Osprey fits me better

Like others have said, try them both on. I was originally looking at Osprey for my first pack, went to REI and tried one on (with 40 lbs in it) and it felt ok I guess, but then I tried the Baltoro 75 on and it felt a bazillion times better right off the bat. The Gregory will be a slightly heavier pack, but whichever one is more comfortable will feel lighter anyways.

I have a 15 year old Gregory that is still trucking. I also have a 6 year old Gregory that has started disintegrating. The newer packs don't last as long. Granted osprey probably uses similar manufacturing techniques and materials. I just don't have aNY experience with them so I can't speak for their durability.

After looking at those two brands, I went with Kelty. Why? They seem rugged and fairly simplistic.