This pack rocks. Easily packed in 40 pounds no sweat. This is a very simple ack that provides alot of space. Loops on back allow alomost anything to be attached. No a pack for people who must organize everything.

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Serivice was Awsome

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I also have an osprey backpack.

Gregory has always marketed this pack as "entry level" or "trail backpacking". I got this pack as a high school graduation present back in 96 or so, and since have logged probably at least 4000 miles with it, from the appalacian trail, to climbing Italian and Swiss Alps, from Canada to Central and South America. Entry Level it may be, and maybe I am not such a gear-head, but I am for sure not entry level and I have yet to find a single limitation in this pack. I have humped upwards of 100 pounds on occasion and the stays and suspension system rocked. At over 10 years old, and with as many miles as it has, it still looks new just about and carries like I just bought it. With a few accesory side pouches and maybe a front pouch, I can still attach ropes, ice axes, shovels, etc and keep all my sustainment gear inside. The weatherproofing still has not worn out and only in the worst storms do I need a pack cover. The quality of this pack, and Gregory packs in general is top notch. Lovin it. It is expensive when compared to Gregory's higher end packs but I still think it is a good value.

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First really nice pack owned, cant stand to part with it.

I've had my Shasta for several years and am very pleased with it. Only complaint is lack of access into pack. Remarkably durable.

Customer Service

Extremely friendly and courteous.

I got the Shasta right before a cone trip. What a great pack! It held up to the rain, splashing, and rapids with all my gear inside dry as a bone. It's not totally waterproof, but for light water it was great! My only dislike is that are not a lot of compartments/pockets. You have to dig around to get to your stuff. But that is minor for the sturdiness of the pack itself. I love it!

The shasta is awesome! the load transfer is excellent, and in Backpacker Magazine's Gear Guide for 2003 gave the Shasta best all-around pack rating, and it fits. i will recommend it for anyone.

Customer Service

not had to use

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ll bean pack (unknown model)

Wonderful backpack. I have now taken it though Europe and most recently to Mexico. It has always felt solid and secure, compression straps ensure a balanced weight distrubution. Easy to pack and unpack. Great price.

Customer Service

REI is great. They spent time with me to make sure it fit well and was the right pack for me.

I tried several packs at REI and was most impressed by the system on the Gregory Reality. I was convinced that this was the pack for me until i found an unbeatable deal on the shasta (next size up). The medium reality was about 4300 cu in and the shasta would provide me with a little over 5000 cu in. I recently used the pack on a hike up Mt. Whitney. The unique Gregory suspension system easily transferred the 40 pounds on my back, making for a very pleasurable journey. No chafing, rashes or soreness of any kind. I would highly recommend this pack at any price. Only downside is no front pockets for easy access to items at the bottom.

Customer Service

Not used yet...knock on wood.

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Gregory Reality, Kelty, Mountainsmith

This was the first pack I ever bought. I was trying to find a pack that would fit me well in to collage( I was 14 at the time) I was on a limited budget and didnt know to much. I shoped around and almost ended up buing a pack that was on sale but I didnt. After a few weeks I went to my local climbing store and saw the shasta on sale. I tried it on and walked around town with it for a few hours. After I got back I decided that this pack was for me. Becaus it was on sale, My dad bought it for me right there. I now can say nothing but good things about the pack. It has been to 12 states, on countless camping trips, one vollonteer trip, and other. The only gripe I have about it is that my sleeping bag has a hard time geting into the bottom compartment. oh well its worth the extra minut to latch it on. Overall I couldent be happer with the pack. My next bag will defintly be another Grgory

Customer Service

Nothing to warnt help yet... 3 years and counting

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other things I used: MSR wisperlight, Seara Desighns tent, Marmot Denalli jacket, Patagonia retro X jacket, Pur filter, tecnica Voyigers, Blackdimond trecking poles, Lowe Alpine backpack...

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I spent a lot of time looking at verious packs, I came into the situation not knowing anything about packs. I was making a trip to asia and planning a few days on the A trail. I was looking to spend only 200, but the extra money was well worth it. I looked at reviews on this site and also looked at shops around my area (support your local stores) I had it nailed down to a kelty, gregory, north face and arcterryx. I tried all kinds on and looked at all the features, most importantly the fit WITH WEIGHT. I found the most important features were custom belts to pack size (not one size fits all) and the formed thermal padding straps. This limited my choices, but gregory was the all and out winner, even in their most affordable pack they had fantastic features. (thermal padding, custom fits, rip-stop materials, and hip pack top with same buckle as main hip strap.) I have to say I am very happy with my purchase, It performed like a dream. I never had a hot spot on the straps and the wide aray of compressions straps made this 5000 pack ride like a 2500 pack. You could even us it for a day hike if you had to, because of all the compressions(you might look a little silly, but it will work). I wish the bag had a front access compartment and a few more small compartments on the sides, but I have no regrets the sacrifice of these features doesn''t over shadow the superior fit and comfort. This is the best pack for 260 around. I am a Gregory fan for life. don''t have 260 get a gregory windriver, have a larger budget get the palisade(After using my pack for a while I understand the usefullness of the palisades extras) I have to give a my thanks to BackCountry Outfitters in Des Moines, IA they really have their stuff together. There are too many elitist camping shops out there.

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Great pack. very comfortable a bit heavy but worth it. The best I have had so far I love the custom fit. I took some weight off by cutting off some of the straps where I didnt need them. 5000 cu. in. is all I need for winter and summer.

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Coleman,ll Bean