Gregory Denali Pro

Review Date
March 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: CharlesG ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This bag is superb. I can load it with as much as 100lbs for training and it does not disturb me. Of course this is heavy, but I don't feel any pressure point or discomfort. I used it mostly on winter trips. I am rough with my equipment and when I compress my gear, I compress my gear. This bag has endure all this without any sign of weakness. It's really built tough.

The bag can carry A LOT of gear. Even if you are a desorganised or non packing person, everything will fit in this bag. The mesh pannel on the frontside allows easy acces to your gear at the bottom of this cavernous pack. The top can easily be detached to be used as a good daypack. Mesh sides pockets are very good. It allows the snow to get trought when it's storming. You can easily fit two 1 liter fuel bottle in each.

My only little complaint would be about the opening of the sleeping bag compartment. My last pack was an Osprey and the opening was huge. On the Denali pro, fitting a -40 down bag in the sleeping bag compartment is kind of a challenge everytime! The compartment is more big than enough, this is the size of the opening that is too small. There is no way you'll enter an already compressed winter bag by this pannel. Anyway, you'll find your own tricks about that like I did, and after this, this Denali pro will look like a nature wonder!

Sure is a bit expensive but well worth it.

Customer Service:
Never needed it

Similar Products Used:
Osprey crescent 90, Lowe alpine, North Face

Review Date
February 8, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: CyBond ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $459.00 at Gregory Mail Order

Summary:
By far the best backpack I've had. Bombproof construction, and a perfect hip belt. Could be a little more waterproof, but still mostly waterproff.
One complaint- Going uphill almost at a 75 degree angle, the suspension squeeks a little. That was with 45 pounds on a wet day.
No other pack even compares to the suspension on the Denali Pro.

Customer Service:
Very helpful and informitive when I had to deal with them.

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Review Date
July 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Bill (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I owned a 1999 Denali and found the construction good. However, I also had a problem with noise. I have wide shoulders and a long torso, so the next problem may only pertain to me due to my body. But I found the shoulder straps to be thin and they tended to cut into my neck and shoulder. I would move them out and they would cut into my front shoulder. I was always adjusting them which caused me frustration. The pack did carry the load well and I never found a weight it would not carry. I have sold the pack and purchased a Arc teryx bora 95. I will write a review on that pack in a couple of months.

Customer Service:
Great. They sent me different straps at no charge. However, never could get a fit.

Similar Products Used:
Golite: Good Ultalight, Gregory Shasta- great fit but shoulder strap problem, Jansport-did not like and will not carry heavy loads, Kelty-OK, Dana Glacier: great fit but heavy load questionable: Dana

Review Date
December 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: astrocreep(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $450.00 at REI

Summary:
Made many trips with 50 or 60 pounds and had no problems whatsoever. This pack carried everything I needed with room to spare and did so with maximum comfort. Found the top removable bag to be large enough for short dayhikes and comfortable as well. The mobility of the shoulder harness and the hipbelt make it a very versatile and comfortable pack. The materials seem to be extremely rugged, though at the expense of extra weight.

Customer Service:
Haven''t had to deal with it.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
October 13, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: bedaius(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Moraga, CA

Price Paid:  $450.00 at REI

Summary:
Some time ago I wrote a very positive review about this pack and still stand behind it. Meanwhile, the pack was used a lot and started to become noisy. Every step I took was accommodated with a squeaking noise. After closer examination it came from the upper part of the back panel. During every step the shoulder straps or load lifters pulled a little bit on the back panel and it made a noise. I might be more sensitive towards noise then others, however I felt during my hikes I do not want to be bothered with noise over the next years. I asked Gregory for advice but they said I am the only one with this problem and could not really help. So I went to REI for advice. I demonstrated the noise and I got immediately the option for a full refund or exchange. REI is wonderful and am therefore very loyal thankful customer. I really love the pack so I wanted an exchange, however all the new packs seemed to have the same tendency toward noise. I decided reluctantly to buy a different back.
Another point you want to consider is the weight of the pack, it is heavy.
The price is right. Not too expensive, but also not exactly a deal.
Due to the noise issue I like to rate the pack lower now. I think overall it is a 4. To even my previous vote out, I'll rank it here as a 3.

Customer Service:
Judge for yourself. I guess it is o.k. but I did not like the first answer (see below) after I sent in my question. From: Marcie Vasquez [mailto:mvasquez@gregorypacks.com] Sent: Wednesday, Septemb

Similar Products Used:
Dana Design Terraplan X
ArcTeryx Bora 95