A great summer pack! I bought the X because I wanted a light weight back pack for the summer, around 4000 cubic inches. I tried it out at Grayson Highlands this weekend on a mountainous ten mile loop and I loved it. I had it adjusted and fine tuned within the first two miles. The reality didn't give me trouble like some packs do by sliding down on my hips and leaving all the weight on my shoulders. I alredy new about the Gregory fit and reliability because I have had a Shasta for two years now and love it too. The reality is a great pack, very comfortable, light, and I realy like the easy access zippers to get into the inside of the pack with out emptying the whole thing. The shoulder straps and back panels are great too. I think that the reality is one of the best back packs on the market for the weight and conviniences. Sure, there are lighter packs, but I have tryed some of them. They were money spent for nothing because even though they were lighter they were not nearly as comfortable or suportive, especially after five or ten miles, and ended up hurting my back. All in all I would say, knowing Gregory's reputation the Reality is the pack to have if you need 4000 cubic inches for your gear. I do, as I am not willing to give up all of my creature comforts that make back packing fun for me. I highly recommend this pack for an all around summer pack.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Coleman, Kelty, Camp Trails, LL Bean, Mountain Smith

In 28 years of backpacking, I've owned perhaps six different packs. The Reality-X is the best of the lot. Quality, fit, comfort, multiple access, capacity / useful features per ounce; 5 stars one and all.

In search of lighter loads, I recently committed to 'thinking outside the box,' examining lightweight, mid-size packs of every major mfgr. 'Ultralight' may be the hottest buzzword in backpacking lexicon. But the ultralight camp also has a 'box,' in its own right no less a trap than that of a 70# load. In design, both weight & cost reduction reach points of diminishing return. The challenge is not merely to get lighter, but to find optimum balance between minimum weight and maximum utility. Acknowledging the subjective nature of the weight v. utility discussion; for my purposes, I've been unable to find the equal of the Gregory Reality-X.

The 'X' has easily done 5-day autumn mountain trips w / 45# load. Like my old Asolo 530 boots, it passes the time-tested trail standard of 'forgetting that it's there.' This time I feel no remorse for paying full retail.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Contour III (4 stars)
Lowe Contour IV (4 stars)
TNF Int. Frame (good but spartan)
Camp Trails (Freighter frame, 1975)

A very impressive product. I switched from an external frame pack because pressure from my old pack's hip belt was causing numbness on the top of my thighs. This pack cured the problem. It was equipped with Gregory's new "Wilderness" hipbelt, which is stiffer than the older "Stealth" belt. I carried 30 pounds in it easily over a steep and rocky section of the Ouachita Trail in Oklahoma. The materials and workmanship are outstanding. This rather expensive pack is an excellent value for short trips or people who have learned to pack light & compact.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Yukon, Jansport Ranier, Jansport Backpacker