In the 21 years that I've owned this pack I've owned several other newer lighter packs as well. However, whenever I find myself heading out on a long or cold trip and needing to carry a heavy load, most of the time I still go to this trusty badass with its insane anti-gravity suspension system that makes 80lbs glide along with you. It's a shame they don't make them like this with modern materials.

I bought this pack 9 years ago for a backpacking trip through Europe. Though the pricetag was hight at the time, I have to say this pack has been one of the best gear purchases i've ever made. I've been to 22 countries with this bad boy, and it has never let me down. I've hauled every type of gear you can imagine with this thing (80lbs+), and this handles it like a pro. It's comfortable, durable, and designed for movement. Not sure if you can find this pack anymore, but it's well worth a purchase.

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Gregory Denali Pro

Positive- Had done many say hikes with smaller packs and only wanted to make one big pack purchase so I did a lot of research when buying this pack. Very pleased. Been on many multiday trips and adjustable suspension makes comfort easy. Versatile and durable both on the mountain and on the trail.

Negative-Don't plan on looking up the mountain when climbing as a full pack will limit upwardly vision. Comfy!

Customer Service

N/A

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Multiple North Face & REI Day packs

The Robson Pro is a backpack I am honored to write a review for. I have had nothing but great experiences when using this pack. It is comfortable, not monsterously huge, efficient, and economical. Of course fit is the most importent ellement to consider when buying a pack, but some packs just feel better to begin with. This is the case with this Gregory pack. I spent days deciding which pack would be best for me. I considered packs I have used in the past and future plans. This pack felt the best in the store and after 50 miles of hiking, it still felt great. I have used this pack from weekend trips to weeklong trips, and it has preformed marvously. AS for economical: I bought this pack, new, from REI for $279. This was possible because the pack was originally on sale when I used the membership discount to purchase it. I can truthfully say that this Gregory pack is not carried, but worn.

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None

Briefly, The Robson Pro distinguishes itself from other packs primarily, and most importantly in the way the Waistbelt / Frame / Suspension system manages the load. Gregory's Pro line is the only one I've found that can really take 70 pound loads and put them comfortably in your control. Dana's come close, but Gregory Pro does it better. Construction is great, and I find almost all of the 'features' actually usable. All this being said, this pack may not fit as well on your back as mine, but check it out.

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Dana Terraplane Dana Bighorn (own it, proudly) Vortex REI

The packs suspension is very good, but the cut-out for the head is poor. It is difficult to look up-slope when climbing with this pack. My first pack's daisy chain came off and the second pack was flawless. For on trail use, the suspension is good, but if climbing, it is too stiff.

Although my pack is the Robson, the only two differences I can find between it and the Robson Pro, is the waterproofing of the pack material, and the fact that my pack (a '97) has carbon fiber stays, while the newer one has aluminum. My rather limited experience with other backpacks (one dismal external frame, one other internal frame, Lowe Alpine Contour IV) makes me wonder most about fit. My Gregory, with the replaceable/ adjustable-cant waistbelt and shoulder straps, sits very well on me, but, not as my wife describes the way her Gregory Petit Dru becomes a part of her. My lightest load has been about 30 pounds (pack and gear weight), the heaviest over 50 (in Big Bend and Guadalupe Mtns, you carry what you want to drink); the on-the-fly adjustability has kept the pack stable, reasonably comfortable even when high stepping up a mountain through snow and the 50+ pounds. The molded back piece snugs in pretty nicely, the weight, though, doesn't seem to sit as well as I thought it should. I somewhat disappointed by this, and have seen no difference in construction of mine and the Pro, so wonder if this is just this pack and me, or something that's been corrected. I suspect it's the pack and me. Loading is nice: two inner sleeves for tent poles or sleeping pad, keep them off to the side and out of the main compartment. The sleeping bag compartment swallows even my fluffiest down bag (okay, so I stuffed pretty hard to get it in there), and while I like the external center pocket on Bo's Petit Dru with its access to the inside, the shovel pocket takes my shell jacket and pants, even rope and other items, easily, snugging down very nicely. Gregory's single pockets (nice options) will take bulky items, even our Peak One Xpedition 2-burner stove. Gregory's Hydro-Cell hydration system, sitting at the top of the pack, seemed like a lot of weight too high for stability. But, while some stability might be gained by dropping it lower, on the mostly well maintained trails I've used the pack on, it never became an issue. As a nine-year CamelBak user, a hydration pocket was mandatory, though the Gregory's one real flaw is the same as most: the bite valve. Both Bo and I cut the valves off and slipped CamelBak's valve in its place, and the system improved tremendously. The mylar replacement bladders are 2 for $10, slip into a protective cover, and are surprisingly durable. In all, it carries well, remains comfortable, but, that elusive ""be as one"" feeling eludes me. Something marching around for 1/2 hour or hour with weight can't tell you (we used treadmills at Bo's work, and returned the bags that didn't do as well), can only be found on the trail.

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None

I've had my Robson for two years. This was an expensive pack so before I bought it I spend lots of time with lots of packs. It finally came down to two packs, the Robson Pro and the Dana Terraplane. Both are great packs but the it was the suspension system on the Robson Pro that stood out. Under a heavy load, the Gregory just felt better.

Over the past two years this pack has seen lots of trips and I have routinely carried 50-60 pound loads. I tend to be hard on equipment. This pack has held up beatifully. I love the way it feels on the trail and I can tell that this pack is going to be going strong for lots of years. I have absolutely no complaints.

Customer Service

Late last year, while I was out of camp, some small critter took a liking to the sweat (salt) on my hip belt and chewed it about a 1/3rd of the way through. I carried the pack out and then fretted about how long it would take Gregory to repair and told myself to just accept that I would have to be without a pack for awhile.

With trepidation, I called Gregory, got a return number and shipped it off. Six days later, while I was still waiting for the estimate on the repair bill, UPS returned the pack. Gregory had repaired the hip belt, no charge.

I have never had such excellent customer service.

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Dana Designs Terraplane & Terraplane X
Jandd Barad

I've had my Robson for three years and over that time had it on my back over 200 days. I've used it in Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, and throughout the Rockies. I did extensive research on backpacks before I bought one and I have to say that I don't think I could be happier. The pack fits amazingly and I've had loads over 75lbs in it for extended times. It is extremely durable, and worth every penny.

Customer Service

Can never get them to send me a catalogue!!!

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Arc Teryx Bora 85

This pack is one of the most comfortable and durable packs made for carrying heavy loads! I've had up to 70lbs in it and it still was very comfortable. While carrying 45lbs I once dropped it more than 200' on a climb and did not damage the pack at all! Only my Nalgene's got damaged. For anyone looking for an excellent expedition pack this is the one!

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Gregory Wind River, Camp Trails Omega, Dana Design Arc Altitude Jet Pack