Gregory Baltoro 65 Review: Heavy Loads, Heavy Pack

Weight. GearJunkie lists the Small at 4 lb 11.5 oz, the Medium at 4 lb 14.7 oz and the Large at 5 lb 4 oz, the second-heaviest pack in its best-backpacks guide. OutdoorGearLab points out that many packs near 3 pounds also carry heavy loads well.

Here's what that gap means. 5 lb 4 oz is 84 oz. A 3 lb pack is 48 oz. That's 36 oz, 2.25 pounds, more on your back every step. OutdoorGearLab's own framing is the right one: imagine the extra food you could carry instead.

Rain. There's no rain cover. GearJunkie says the C0 DWR sheds a drizzle for a while, but a downpour will soak the pack and what's inside, and at this price it wishes Gregory included one. Budget for a cover or a liner.

Price. OutdoorGearLab calls it one of the most expensive packs in its lineup, and says it found other packs that simply perform better and cost less. That's a strong line from a reviewer that also calls it one of the most comfortable heavy haulers. Both can be true. Comfort is one score. Value is another.

One more sum, because I can't help it. 84 oz over 65 liters is about 1.3 oz per liter of pack. That's the price of the frame, the rotating parts and all those pockets.

Gregory sizes it on both torso length and body shape. Three sizes, then over 3 inches of torso adjustment, and a hipbelt that adjusts 3.5 inches on each side. A ComfortGrip lumbar pad, Gregory says, keeps the pack high on your hips without cranking the belt. GearJunkie's tester, on the 2026 pack, got no rubbing or chafing on the hips, and says the pack stayed snug while still moving on its own.

Packing is where the pocket count pays off. Gregory lists a zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider, a big side stuff pocket with a pass-through for tent poles, a bear spray attachment at the hip, loops for trekking poles or an ice axe, and a hydration sleeve with its SpeedClip hanger. The top lid floats, with a large zippered pocket, a quick-access pocket and one underneath.

My packing order for a pack like this: sleeping bag in the bottom compartment, food and the heavy stuff against your back through the U-Zip, rain layer in the front stuff pocket, snacks and phone in the hipbelt. That's 4 zones you can reach without a full unpack, and that's the real reason to carry 5 pounds of pack.

Mostly happy. On October 16, 2026, Amazon showed 4.5 stars from 35 ratings for the 2026 Large, in stock, with a price band of $270-290. 35 ratings is a small sample. Still, a 4.5 on a pack this specialized is a good sign, since the people who buy a 5-pound hauler tend to know exactly what they want from it.

Airflow is where the new model changed most. Gregory says the AirCushion mesh panel breathes and wicks. GearJunkie reports the panel is about 90% air by Gregory's account, and says your back will still sweat, but the ventilation helps a lot and dries fast. GearJunkie tested the 2026 version, so I weigh its read most here.

GearJunkie puts the 65-liter Baltoro at 3- to 5-day trips, for backpackers who are more than weekend warriors and don't mind ounces for comfort. If you need more room, Gregory makes 75, 85 and 100-liter versions, and the women's Deva comes in 60, 70 and 80, GearJunkie notes.

Alternatives, from OutdoorGearLab. The Osprey Aether 65 is its most comparable pick, more adjustable and more comfortable at the same price, and its top choice for heavy loads. The Osprey Atmos LT 65 is more comfortable still, and costs less. My rule: if you love pockets and haul a lot, the Baltoro. If you want the same job done lighter, start with those two.