I have used this pack for about 2 yrs and have been very happy with it. I bought it mostly for a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch, replacing a Gregory Palisade. I loved the fit and suspension of the Palisade as well, but wanted something with a little more room and more than just top access and the Whitney fit the bill. It has the same suspension as the Palisade, so I knew it would fit me and be comfortable, which it has been. It is a little heavy at about 8 lbs. (later models have shed about a pound) but worth it. I carried 50+ lbs. at Philmont and never had any discomfort from the pack.It can definitely handle the heavy loads. It has plenty of room for a 10-14 day trip and aside from being a little dirty, shows no wear, no quality problems. Overall a great pack and I've seen 2003 models online recently (Oct.2003) for as little as $179.00, a real steal at that price! Value would be 5 stars a this price, 4 stars at retail.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use

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Gregory Palisade, a very good pack as well

I bought this back last summer @ REI with a $100 gift certificate. I used it on a two week adventure in Yosemite and then again in the Olympic National Park. It proved to be a really great investment. I had over 50lbs in it and I swear that I couldn't feel anything. Going to Zion & Grand canyon this summmer for a month, so I'll update the status of this report then.

Customer Service

REI

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LOWE Alpine

I bought my Gregory Whitney 02 a few months ago after an exhausting search for a great pack. There are so many great manufacturers to chose from. Being used to military backpacks, the pockets on the Whitney 02 provided the convenience I was accustomed to. I ordered the backpack on-line, then right out of the box I threw 50 lbs in it and hiked up San Jacinto (Southern Cal) for a test run. I came back off the mountain with a couple of hot spots on my hips. Dave at Sports Chalet in Temecula, Ca. customed adjusted the pack to fit my structure. What a difference adjusting the waist belt (for both length and cant) and shoulder brackets made! Now it rides great! Since then, I have been on the Pacific Crest trail, up White Mt (14,242'), etc. The backpack rides great and I have not had any hot spots from wearing the pack, even weighted to 60 lbs. I recommend Gregory to anyone looking for a serious and great riding pack. However, you really need to be properly sized and the customed fitted when buying a back pack. If you don't get customed fitted, the absolute best top of the line back pack will be the most miserable fitting back pack, and you will lose motivation to get on the trail.

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Military

Bought this pack the day before going to Bolivia when I realized my Lowe wouldn't hold everything. Seemed like a good "buy well, buy once" kind of investment, really great design features throughout. Plus it had those cool one-hand clips on the straps, and was called "Whitney", which I'll be going up in Oct, and had at attractively ugly color. How could I refuse? Like the big volume and all the pockets which are great for keeping organized. Side pockets really are doors into main compartment so if that's stuffed full you won't fit much in them - at least you know where stuff is though. Ditto for the top compartment, which on other packs is where you stash a lot of stuff, here it likes to lie flatter when the pack is full, so you can't fit too much there. Plan to use this for BC fishing & climbing trips and capacity is definitely there for a rope, harness & alpine rack (or breakdown rod) plus a few days' typical gear. Especially if you make use of the daisys & other clip-on points. Minor gripe with the fit of the shoulder straps which I couldn't get to lay flat, though this is supposed to be my size. May need to tweak the adjustments a bit more, I am at the edge of the size range. Waist belt is v. comfortable. The right-side 1L bottle holder works great, can grab water without looking at it, and the strap keeps it in place. Seems you could put a camelback in side or back pocket too. As for price - used a 20% off coupon, timing was good, during an REI sale. Seems to be about $350 everywhere right now.

Customer Service

Haven't used. Good manual though.

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Lowe Contour III.

Review is for the "new" 2002 Whitney model. In a nutshell, this pack is awesome! The 2002 Whitney improves the only 2 flaws of the 2001 rig. It''s now 1 pound lighter and the bottle holder is canted (sideways). Other changes are minor. New pack fabric is tough. Straps and buckles have been scaled down, but work well. I''ve used this pack on Mt.Washington, NH, and Canyonlands N''tl Park, Utah this spring. Had at least 50 lbs of gear inside and barely felt the weight. Fit''s great. My back is happy. Gregory''s suspension is top notch. Easy organization with all the access zippers. Holds lots of gear. Zoinks, you could cram your girlfriend in there if she''s gets to cranky... The only things I could find wrong are: The side-pocket straps are a little difficult to use; no special hydration hose port (used the side pocket); the new "retro" color/style is merely OK. I paid $50 more for the 2002. Only nitpicks, though! Overall, the 2002 Whitney is even better, super-comfy, an organizer''s dream, and bombproof. I will be using my Whitney on many mountains and years to come!

Customer Service

Campmor is great! Bought the 2001 model on sale :)(did not use it) and exchanged for 2002 Whitney 9 months after I bought it. I paid full price:($350; but worth every penny.

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None. Gregory''s solid reputation and great fit sold me! You get what you pay for.

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Buying a Gregory pack is a no brainer. And if you enjoy orginization buy the Whitney. Very comfortable and highly adjustable. Make sure you get fitted properly, I''m glad I took the time. I got mine with the regular torso length but large hip belt and shoulder straps. It made a big difference. If there is a drawback it''s on the weighty side, outside that it''s great! (By the way there on sale now, look around)

Customer Service

REI service is the best! Haven''t had to deal with Gregory yet, but if service is anything like quality I''m sure it''s top notch.

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Kelty

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I did a lot of research before I bought the Whitney. What sold me is that it is a Gregory and it''s hard to beat a Gregory, but more importantly a lot of though went into the design of the pack which allows for optimum organization, which is a major plus for me being that I backpack to get to a great fishing spot(extra gear). I like everything having it''s special little place that I know right where to get to it and the Whitney is perfect for this. On top of that, it is very comfortable, fits snugly and can be compressed a great amount if you''re not carrying much gear say on a weekend trip or a day hike. It''s a bit expensive, but I feel like I have a backpack that is going to last me a LONG time...and I bet if you look around you can get it cheaper than 340. This pack really is awesome in my opinion. If you like serious organization, comfort, durability, and heck it looks dang good too, then this is the pack for you.

Customer Service

Just a good note for TCO''s. My first pack shipped somehow had received a slice in the fabric. Maybe someone was not being careful with their packing razor I don''t know, but TCO was very prompt on

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This pack should get an award for "the more you spend the less quality you get". I spent 2 weeks and only 2 weeks in Tasmania due to this packs poor workmanship. Split seams and webbing pulling out of their stiches. The worst case of workmanship I have ever seen on an outdoor product. Must have been made on a Friday.

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I bought this pack to replace a 25-year-old Trailwise external-frame backpack. The world has changed in 25 years, and I have been impressed with this pack in the short time I've used it. The suspension works wonderfully well, transers the load to my hips and leave the shoulders feeling fine. The packbag is well designed, with entry from the back (panel loading), top, and sides (through the two side pockets). Top section holds my hydration bladder.

Compared this pack to several others, including Arcteryx Bora 95 and Dana Designs Tarrraplane X and Astralplane. Nice packs all, but for what I do (overnights to 10 day trips), the Gregory Whitney is ideal, and priced below the other bags as well.

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this is arguably the best pack ever made. the comfort is incredible and the suspention is divine. it can hold weight well and outlasts any other pack on the market. wonderful!

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